Lear Corporation

Situation

Lear Corporation designs, develops, engineers, manufactures, assembles, and supplies automotive seating, and electrical distribution systems and related components for automotive original equipment manufacturers in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and internationally.

Solution

Lear engaged Amherst to divest its Byron Center operations, which manufactured thermoformed products used in automotive vehicles. The Byron Center operations, located just south of Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializes in manufacturing HDPE thermoformed fenderliners, under-engine covers, air dams and cowl seals for the automotive industry. Lear Corporation acquired the Byron Center operations through its acquisition of UT Automotive.

Lear Corporation elected to divest this operation as it was deemed to be non-core to its operating strategy.

Results

The business was sold to Soroc Products, Inc. Soroc Products, Inc. is a manufacturer of thermoformed material handling products that primarily serve the automotive industry.

Soroc is owned by Humphrey Capital Group, a private investment and management company that focuses on acquiring and operating niche manufacturing companies.