Mann+Hummel to acquire Affinia Group assets

LUDWIGSBURG, Germany (Aug. 17. 2015) — Mann+Hummel Group has agreed to buy the global filtration operations of Affinia Group, the manufacturer of the Wix- and Filtron-brand automotive filters.

The two businesses will continue to operate separately for the foreseeable future, the companies said. Terms of the deal  — which excludes Affinia's South America operations — have not been disclosed. Affinia will add about $1 billion to Ludwigsburg- based Mann+Hummel's top line.

Gastonia, N.C.-based Affinia's filtration business specializes in aftermarket oil, fuel, air, hydraulic and coolant filters. Mann+Hummel is a privately-held global maker of filtration products for original equipment and aftermarket customers in both the automotive and industrial sectors.

“This acquisition fits perfectly with our corporate strategy,” said Alfred Weber, president and CEO of Mann+Hummel. “It will enable us to grow globally and provide ample opportunity for growth and development for all of our people. Mann+Hummel and Affinia's filtration business will serve customers better through a seamless, comprehensive portfolio ranging from passenger to heavy duty and industrial to hydraulic filtration solutions thanks to a combined 150 years of filtration expertise.”

Both companies' filtration businesses have highly complementary competencies and customer relationships, Mann+Hummel said. The acquisition will give the company access to new market segments, such as U.S. heavy-duty and hydraulic filtration.

“The acquisition will enable access to larger global markets with improved growth possibilities, and will allow the company to better serve its customer base with a broader product portfolio,” Mann+Hummel said.

“Affinia's filtration business allows Mann+Hummel to enter the heavy duty segment in the U.S., with a full range of filtration products and distribution focused on this segment, as well as providing significant growth opportunities in the hydraulic filter aftermarket. This opportunity will create additional value for Mann+Hummel, its employees, and its customers.”

Over recent years Affinia has been parceling out its business to cut losses. In 2014 Federal-Mogul Corp. acquired Affinia's chassis components business and in 2013 Affinia spun off its brake businesses in North America and Asia — which operate as Brake Parts Inc. (BPI), maker of Raybestos brake products.