Dow Deal Doubles Its Auto Offerings

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. and WATTWIL, Switzerland--Dow Automotive has purchased Gurit-Essex AG from Gurit-Heberlein AG. Dow previously owned half of the business. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The acquisition is expected to double Dow’s adhesives, sealants and body engineered systems business.

“This agreement will strengthen our relationships with Dow Automotive’s global customers and will afford a significant growth opportunity for us,” said Larry Denton, Dow Automotive president. “We’re excited to be able to offer customers the combined resources, products and personnel of the new organization--and look forward to the opportunity to increase the visibility of Dow Automotive on a global scale.”

Gurit-Essex is the largest European supplier of automotive adhesives, sealants and body engineered systems for the automotive aftermarket and OEM industry.

Gurit-Essex was formed more than 30 years ago as a joint venture between Gurit-Heberlein and Essex Chemical Co. Inc. to supply structural adhesives for glass bonding to the regional automotive industry in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and countries of the former Soviet Union. In 1988, the Dow Chemical Co. (Dow Automotive’s parent firm) purchased Essex Chemical and became a 50/50 partner with Gurit-Heberlein in the Gurit-Essex organization.

The transaction is expected to close by early next year pending regulatory approvals.

Gurit-Heberlein is headquartered in Wattwil, Switzerland. Gurit-Essex has nine sales and manufacturing offices in seven countries--France, Germany, Italy, Romania, South Africa, Spain and The United Kingdom. Upon approval of the agreement, the company’s operations will be integrated into Dow Automotive’s worldwide business operations.

Additional information regarding Gurit-Essex’s products and services can be found at www.gurit-essex.com. Additional information regarding Gurit-Heberlein can be found at www.gurit.com.

Dow Automotive, with offices and application development centers worldwide, offers materials, parts, modules and systems for automotive interior, exterior, chassis/powertrain and body engineered systems applications. In addition to the company’s broad product portfolio, Dow Automotive delivers research and development, design expertise, advanced engineering and supply chain management support to customers around the world. Additional information regarding Dow Automotive can be found at www.dowautomotive.com.