Dana To Purchase Eaton's Global Axle & Brake Business
9 July 1997
Dana To Purchase Eaton's Global Axle & Brake BusinessTOLEDO, Ohio, July 9 -- In the largest acquisition in its history, Dana Corporation announced today an agreement to purchase the global axle and brake operations of Eaton Corporation for $287 million. Sales for this business unit will approximate $625 million in 1997. The transaction is subject to completion of due diligence and customary approval of appropriate regulatory agencies. Dana also announced a unique marketing relationship whereby Eaton will market a complete heavy-duty Class 8 Eaton-Spicer drivetrain system consisting of Eaton(R) Fuller(R) transmissions, as well as clutches, axles, brakes, and driveshafts. The facilities to be acquired by Dana encompass domestic manufacturing operations in Glasgow, Ky.; Henderson, Ky.; Marion, Ohio; and Humboldt, Tenn.; as well as facilities in Argentina, England, Mexico, and Spain. Total employment at the acquired facilities is approximately 3,400, with roughly two-thirds in the U.S. and one-third in overseas operations. In addition, the transaction includes axle and brake research and development assets located in Eaton's Galesburg, Mich., facility, and interests in joint venture manufacturing operations in Venezuela and India. Dana Chairman Southwood J. Morcott said the transaction bolsters the company's largest core business unit. A leading producer of axles worldwide, Dana's Spicer Axle Group and its affiliates currently estimate axle sales of more than $3 billion in 1997. "The medium- and heavy-duty axles we will gain from Eaton complement and add depth to our global axle product offering," Morcott said. "This acquisition is an excellent opportunity to add global, world-class axle manufacturing capabilities to Dana. And the international composition of these operations will support our customers around the world." Added Rick Clayton, vice president and general manager, Spicer Heavy Axle and Brake, "This transaction will not only add to Dana's axle product line, but will also result in significant engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and marketing synergies for Dana in North America, Europe, and South America." The acquisition is the latest in a series of strategic moves in 1997 that has included Dana's acquisition of Clark-Hurth Components and the cylinder liner and piston ring operations of SPX Corporation. Other strategic moves included the divestiture of Dana's European warehouse distribution facilities and the announced divestiture of Dana's global hydraulic cylinder operations. Also today, Dana announced an agreement to sell its global vehicular clutch operations to Eaton. Headquartered in Cleveland, Eaton Corporation is a manufacturer of products for the industrial, vehicular, construction, commercial, and aerospace markets. Dana Corporation is a global leader in the engineering, manufacture, and distribution of products and systems for the vehicular, industrial and off- highway markets. Its core businesses are axles, driveshafts, structural components (frames), sealing products, filtration products, engine products, industrial products, and leasing services. Its leasing operation was a recipient of the 1996 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, Dana operates facilities in 30 countries with more than 48,000 people. Its 1996 sales were $7.7 billion. It has more than 40 product research and development centers worldwide. The Internet address for Dana's home page is http://www.dana.com. SOURCE Dana Corporation