Switzerland's Autoneum signs agreement to acquire Borgers

A capital increase in the amount of approximately CHF 100 million is planned for the long-term refinancing of the acquisition. Autoneum’s two largest shareholders, Artemis Beteiligungen I and PCS Holding have agreed to participate in the capital increase in proportion to their current shareholdings. Even taking into account the aforementioned capital increase, the transaction will generate a positive earnings per share contribution from the outset, the company said in a press release.

Borgers specialises in textile acoustics protection, insulation, and trim for automobiles. The product and customer range of Borgers is to a great extent complementary to the product and customer portfolio of Autoneum. Borgers’ wheel arch liner and trunk liner product lines as well as their truck business optimally complement the product range of Autoneum. Especially in the field of textile wheel arch liners, Borgers is the market leader in Europe.

In addition, Borgers’ product range is distinguished by sustainable and fully recyclable products. In fiscal year 2021, the Borgers Automotive group generated revenue of €610 million with around 4,700 employees. Thanks to Autoneum’s global presence, the Borgers product portfolio adds to the sales potential for profitable growth in the medium term outside Europe. Autoneum is acquiring Borgers from insolvency and has agreed new pricing and delivery terms with its customers. These will ensure sustained profitability and the further development of product and process technologies in both the short and long term.

“The acquisition of Borgers is based on a sound and convincing industrial logic. The technologies and product portfolios of the two companies complement each other ideally. At its headquarters in Bocholt, Germany, Borgers has a high level of competence in the field of materials and product development with a technical centre as well as highly qualified and committed employees. For this reason, we intend to integrate Borgers into our existing global product development and customer strategy. We consider the Bocholt location as a technical centre of competence for the product solutions wheel arch liners, trunk systems as well as for product and process development of textile carrier materials based on needlepunch technology. Ensuring a high-quality supply of the relevant components to customers is a top priority, both in the short and long term,” Matthias Holzammer, chief executive officer of Autoneum, said.

“With the acquisition of Borgers, Autoneum is further extending its global market leadership in sustainable and lightweight acoustic and thermal management solutions for vehicles. This is an important strategic step in the development of Autoneum,” Hans-Peter Schwald, chairman of the board of Autoneum, said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)