Henniges Automotive acquires sole ownership of Chinese JV

ERJ staff report (TP)

Auburn Hills, Michigan − Henniges Automotive Holdings, a supplier of engineered sealing and anti-vibration systems for the global automotive market, announced it has acquired the remaining 40 percent of Beijing Wanyuan-Henniges Sealing Systems Co., Ltd. from its Chinese joint venture with China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT).

Henniges said establishing sole ownership of Wanyuan-Henniges in China is the latest move in its strategic growth efforts to best support its customers' rapidly increasing needs in emerging markets around the world.

Since November 2013, Henniges Automotive has signed strategic alliances with Amee Rubber Industries in India and Burkool in Argentina, leveraging the long-established relationships and capabilities of its partners with Henniges technical knowledge and expertise in global product adaptation sealing solutions.

"We continue to pursue opportunities that strengthen our global footprint in order to drive results and further our ability to serve key customers locally in China and around the world," said Doug DelGrosso, Henniges president and CEO.

"After 18 years of operating as a joint venture with CALT, Henniges grew its capabilities and sealing technologies and now, as a wholly-owned entity, we look forward to continuing this success and providing solutions that meet local and global demands."

The Chinese entity will now operate under Henniges Automotive. The joint venture, Wanyuan-Henniges, began in 1995 to become a major sealing systems producer in China with five locations throughout the country including Beijing, Changchun, Chengdu, Tianjin and Teiling.

Wanyuan-Henniges employs more than 1,500 people to design, develop and manufacture sealing solutions for its key customers including FAW-Volkswagen Automobile Co. Ltd., FAW Car, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen (DPCA) and Shanghai Volkswagen. Most recently, it began providing production parts for a global General Motors program.

"China is a growing automotive industry market, and Henniges is focused on supporting key OEM customers through our unique understanding of the critical nature of the economy; the government influences; the global OEM needs in emerging markets; and global program management," said Margaret Sheng, Henniges Automotive executive vice president of Asian operations.

Henniges provides automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with sealing systems for doors, windows, trunks, lift gates, sunroofs and hoods. The company also supplies the automotive market with anti-vibration products, encapsulated glass, and other rubber components. Henniges sells to all major Automotive OEM customers and operates facilities in North America, Europe, and China. The company has over 6,500 employees worldwide.