Freudenberg-NOK acquires moulder APEC

Plymouth, Michigan -- Freudenberg-NOK G P has acquired the assets of Anura Plastics Engineering Corp. to expand its plastic and silicone moulded products business for the health care, medical and biotech markets.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Freudenberg-NOK -- traditionally an automotive segment supplier -- has a goal to grow in the health care and medical market, and the acquisition reflects its continued commitment to that vision, said Jorg Schneewind, general manager of the company's Special Sealing Products division.

The Plymouth-based firm purchased Jenline Industries Ltd. in 2004 and Helix Medical Inc. -- both rubber moulded goods producers supplying the health care market -- and both "have outgrown our expectations," Schneewind said.

With the acquisition of APEC, Freudenberg-NOK´s health care and medical business will be organised into a separate, dedicated Healthcare Products division, he said.

The APEC deal includes the company's 72 000-ft2 (6700 m2) facility in Baldwin Park, California, which also includes a Class 100 000 clean room; and a 35 000-ft2 . plant in Shenzhen in China´s Guangdong Province.

The transaction does not include sister company Magor Mold, a mould maker located in nearby San Dimas, California, but the shop will continue to provide serviced to the former APEC operations via a partnership agreement.

APEC CEO Wolfgang Buehler will continue with Freudenberg-NOK in a strategic leadership role supporting the business in the Americas and worldwide. Anura Welikala, the firm's president, will continue to manage the business at the Baldwin Park and Shenzhen facilities for Freudenberg-NOK.

Buehler and Welikala co-founded APEC in 1997.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)