Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN) today announced a definitive agreement to purchase axle housing and driveline shaft manufacturing operations from U.S. Manufacturing Corporation (USM).

Under terms of the agreement, Dana plans to acquire USM’s Warren, Michigan, assets in exchange for $100 million in cash. This acquisition will increase Dana’s revenue from passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturers and will transition significant purchased content to vertically integrated supply. It will also provide Dana with new product and process technologies for lightweighting.

“The acquisition of USM’s Warren operation allows us to capitalize on an important opportunity that will strengthen the supply chain for several of Dana’s most strategic customers and programs,” said Jim Kamsickas, Dana president and CEO. “The transaction also includes process technologies that augment Dana’s existing portfolio of lightweighting innovations, which assist our customers in achieving their sustainability and fuel efficiency goals.”

The acquisition provides Dana with USM’s proprietary tube-manufacturing processes and intellectual property for lightweight thin-wall axle tubes and hollow axle shafts. The products are constructed using a unique proprietary cold-extrusion process that creates varying wall sizes engineered for specific applications. This allows for greater strength in required areas during operation, while delivering a significant overall weight savings for the component.

“This acquisition will also expand Dana’s substantial manufacturing footprint in the U.S. and advance our strategy for developing, designing, and manufacturing products in close proximity to our customers,” said Bob Pyle, president of Dana Light Vehicle Driveline Technologies. “We look forward to welcoming USM’s Warren, Michigan, employees to the Dana family.”

The acquisition is reflective of Dana’s enterprise strategy, which includes leveraging core expertise, strengthening customer centricity, expanding global markets, commercializing new technologies, and accelerating hybridization and electrification.
The purchase is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017.