Lear Corporation Explained

Lear Corporation should not be confused with Learjet.

Lear Corporation
Former Name:American Metal Products
Type:Public
Industry:Manufacturing
Foundation:Detroit, Michigan
Location City:Southfield, Michigan
Location Country:United States
Locations:257 locations in 39 countries
Area Served:International
Key People:Ray Scott

Terry Larkin
Services:Supplier of automotive seating and electrical
Revenue: [1]
Num Employees:174,600 [2]
Divisions:Seating and Electrical

Lear Corporation is an American company that manufactures automotive seating and automotive electrical systems. In 2019, it ranked #147[3] and in 2018, it ranked #148[4] on the Fortune 500 list.

Early stages

Lear Corporation was launched as American Metal Products in 1917 in Detroit, Michigan. At the time of its founding it was engaged in the manufacture of tubular, welded and stamped assemblies for the aircraft and automobile industries.[5]

Lear grew during the 1980s and 1990s through a series of acquisitions. The company sought to become a supplier of complete interior automotive systems, that is, a supplier of seating, electrical, flooring, interior trim, instrument panels, etc., to original equipment manufacturing (OEM) auto companies.

Inheritance of United Technologies Automotive

On March 16, 1999, Lear announced it would acquire United Technologies Automotive, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation that produced dashboards, electrical distribution systems, motors and air-flow parts, interior door panels and switches, for $2.3 billion.[6] Lear announced on May 4, 1999, that it had completed the acquisition.[7]

First Large Corporation to achieve ISO/TS 16949:1999 world wide in 280 global facilities, all of which was managed by Bill Cooper, Lear Corporation Global Quality Systems Senior Quality Manager.

Next Acquiring

On April 5, 2004, Lear announced it would pay $220 million for Wuppertal, Germany-based Grote & Hartmann, a maker of electrical components.[8] On July 6, 2004, Lear announced it had completed the transaction.[9]

Spinoff Assembling and Interior Systems Division

As of late 2005, most OEM auto companies had indicated that they no longer wanted to purchase total interiors from any one company. As this was Lear's primary purpose in assembling those three divisions, and the Interior Systems Division was not profitable, the company began seeking to get rid of this division.

Another extension and purchasing of the Interior System Department

In early 2007, Lear Corporation completed the transfer of substantially all of its former North American Interior Systems Division to International Automotive Components Group (IAC), a joint venture of Lear, WL Ross & Co., and Franklin Mutual Advisers. The deal involved 26 manufacturing plants and two Chinese joint ventures. Lear also contributed $27 million in cash for a 25 percent interest in IAC and warrants for an additional 7 percent.[10]

Also in 2007, Lear's board of directors agreed to a $2.3 billion takeover offer from American Real Estate Partners, an affiliate of financier Carl Icahn, subject to shareholder approval. Lear has said it will continue to talk to other interested parties, however, Icahn would receive a $100 million fee should another offer be accepted. The deal was later voted down by shareholders.

Close to Bankruptcy

On July 2, 2009 Bloomberg News reported that Lear Corp. planned to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after reaching an agreement with representatives of secured lenders and bondholders.[11] On November 9, 2009, Lear announced it had emerged from bankruptcy.[12]

Simoncini becomes CEO

On August 10, 2011, Lear announced that senior vice president and chief financial officer Matt Simoncini had been elected chief executive officer and president, effective September 1, 2011.[13]

PACE Award

In 2012, Automotive News awarded Lear a Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence (PACE) Award for innovation, technological advancement and business performance for its Solid State Smart Junction Box (S3JB), noting Lear's "S3JB junction box has 1) integrated solid state fuse technology to eliminate relays, 2) created a new package that no longer has to be accessible from the driver compartment which decreases nuisance calls and lowers electrical device warranty returns, 3) created and installed a smart software logic with detailed diagnostics to permit a 'fail safe operation,' and 4) designed a single state board design with patented thermal aspects that permits multiple system and device connections and various configurations to ease manufacturing processes."[14]

Takeover of Guilford Mills

Lear acquired automotive and specialty fabrics company Guilford Mills for $257 million in May 2012. In addition to automotive fabric applications, Guilford produces fabrics for markets including water filtration, window covering, performance apparel, medical and other industrial applications.[15]

Acquisition of Eagle Ottawa LLC

In August 2014, it was announced that Lear Corp would acquire automotive leather supplier Eagle Ottawa LLC for a fee of $850 million.[16]

Occasions 2015

In May 2015 the company announced that it would open a new automotive plant in Gostivar, Republic of North Macedonia, in the summer of 2015. This was to be Lear's first facility in North Macedonia.[17]

In August 2015 the company acquired the intellectual property and engineering team of Autonet Mobile. Autonet Mobile was a developer of connected car solutions using cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth and cloud connected solutions.[18]

In November 2015 the company acquired Arada Systems. Arada Systems was a technology company specializing in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2V and V2I, together V2X) communication systems. They developed hardware and software for V2X utilizing their expertise in 5.9 GHz dedicated short range communication (DSRC) and other wired and wireless technologies such as CAN and GPS.[19]

Agreement set for takeover Grupo Antolin

In February 2017 it was announced that Lear Corp signed a definitive agreement to acquire Grupo Antolin's automotive seating business. The transaction was valued at €286 million on a cash and debt free basis. Lear Corp funded the transaction with cash on hand.[20]

Formula 1 Engagement

Lear held a backer for the Jaguar Racing Team in the 2001 Formula One World Championship and also now in the Formula E Competition.

Acquisition of InTouch Automation

In November 2022, it was announced Lear had acquired the Novi-based supplier of Industry 4.0 technologies and automated testing equipment used in the production of automotive seats, InTouch Automation.[21]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lear Corporation 2017 Annual Report (Form 10-K) . January 2018 . . sec.gov.
  2. Web site: Lear | 2021 Fortune 500 .
  3. Web site: Lear | 2021 Fortune 500.
  4. Web site: Lear | 2021 Fortune 500.
  5. Web site: The History of Lear Corporation. July 30, 2018.
  6. News: Lear To Buy Parts Unit Of United Technologies . New York Times . March 17, 1999 . March 20, 2014.
  7. Lear Corporation Acquires United Technologies Automotive . Lear Corporation . May 4, 1999 . March 20, 2014.
  8. Web site: Gelsi . Steve . Lear buying buying Grote & Hartmann for $220 mln . MarketWatch . April 5, 2004 . March 20, 2014.
  9. Lear Corp. Completes Acquisition of Grote & Hartmann . Lear Corporation . July 6, 2004 . March 20, 2014.
  10. Lear Completes North American Interior Business Joint Venture with WL Ross and Franklin Mutual . Lear Corporation . April 7, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071030093803/http://lear.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=176 . October 30, 2007 .
  11. Web site: Lear Corporation Chapter 11 Petition. PacerMonitor. 6 June 2016.
  12. Web site: Car parts maker Lear emerges from bankruptcy . Reuters . November 9, 2009 . March 20, 2014.
  13. Web site: Lear CEO Rossiter steps down; finance chief Simoncini tapped as successor . Autonews.com . August 10, 2011 . March 20, 2014.
  14. Web site: Automotive News PACE Awards . Autonews.com . 2012 . March 20, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150413024537/http://www.autonews.com/Assets/html/12_pace/winners/2012_lear_corporation.html . April 13, 2015 . dead .
  15. https://archive.today/20140221194412/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/lear-completes-257m-deal-guilford-160422161 Yahoo Finance
  16. Reuters. August 28, 2014. Lear Corp to buy leather supplier Eagle Ottawa for $850 million .
  17. Nasdaq. May 19, 2015. Lear Corp. (LEA) to Open Automotive Plant in Macedonia .
  18. PR Newswire. August 17, 2015. Lear Acquires Intellectual Property from Autonet Mobile, a Leading Developer of Communication Software and Devices for Automotive Applications .
  19. PR Newswire . November 30, 2015. Lear Acquires Arada Systems, a Leading Automotive Technology Company that Specializes in Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Communications .
  20. News: Lear Corp. (LEA) To Acquire Gruo Antolin's Automotive Seating Business, Deal For €286 Million In Cash. StreetInsider.com. 2017-02-06.
  21. Web site: 2022-11-18 . Lear acquires Industry 4.0 specialist InTouch Automation . 2022-11-19 . Automotive World . en-GB.