Datwyler in €600m deal to acquire US silicone seals manufacturer

Altdorf, Switzerland – Datwyler Group is acquiring QSR, a US-based manufacturer of silicone seals and components for electrical connectors, from Q Holding and its private equity owner, 3i.

The transaction, valued at $625 million (€595 million), is expected complete in the second quarter of the year and will expand Datwayler’s existing portfolio and geographical footprint, the Swiss polymer group said in a statement.

According to Datwyer, QSR is “the world's leading supplier of seals and components for electrical connectors."

Based in Pepper Pike, Ohio, the company operates five production plants across the US, Mexico and China and employs 1,250 people.

The company generated sales of $164 million and adjusted earnings (EBITDA) of $44 million in 2021.

Founded in 1966, QSR has its own in-house mould production and mixing facilities, and is claimed to a “strong market position,” due to its competencies in materials and technology.

Post-acquisition, QSR will be integrated as an independent ‘connectors business unit’ within Datwyler’s Industrial Solutions business area, and will be led by the existing managerial team.

“We will become the leading global supplier of system-critical sealing solutions for electrical connectors for a diverse range of industries, which will open up new exciting niche markets for us.

“With our significantly strengthened market positions in North America and Asia, we will be able to reduce our dependency on the European market,” said CEO Dirk Lambrecht.