The Mann+Hummel Group, of Ludwigsburg, Germany, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which MANN+HUMMEL will acquire the global filtration operations (excluding its Affinia South America (“ASA”) operations) of Affinia Group, the manufacturer of the Wix and Filtron brand of filters. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. The two businesses will continue to operate separately for the foreseeable future. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
 
Affinia’s filtration business specializes in aftermarket oil, fuel, air, hydraulic, and coolant filters. Mann+Hummel is a privately-held global filtration expert offering filtration solutions to original equipment and aftermarket customers in both the automotive and industrial sectors.
 
Mann+Hummel and Affinia’s filtration business have highly complementary competencies and customer relationships. The two companies will bring together on- and off-road and industrial filtration solutions. The acquisition will give Mann+Hummel access to market segments such as U.S. heavy duty and hydraulic filtration.
 
Alfred Weber, president and CEO of Mann+Hummel, says: “This acquisition fits perfectly with our corporate strategy. 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. Upon closing, we look forward to working with the current management and people of Affinia, who have done a tremendous job over the past years. For all these reasons, I firmly believe that this is the right deal, with the right logic, at the right time.”
 
According to the company, 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. 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.