ZURICH: Kongsberg Automotive ASA and its subsidiary Kongsberg Inc have entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of a part of its Shawinigan operations in Canada to BRP for a total enterprise value of CAD 136 million (EUR 104 million).

Kongsberg Automotive (KA) provides cutting-edge technology and engineering to the global vehicle industry. KA Shawinigan specializes in the production of a wide range of products for powersports applications, such as sensors, actuators, electronic power steering, wire harnesses, dashboard assemblies, etc.

In 2021, as a part of its Shift Gear transformation program, initiated by President & CEO Joerg Buchheim, KA started to modernize its product portfolio with a target to grow and increase profits towards double-digit margins by 2024/25.

Additionally, KA continues to improve operationally and evaluate and develop strategies to deal with the global semi-conductor supply situation and reduce vulnerabilities.

The divestment of the Interior business segment in 2021, and the sale of a part of the Shawinigan operation is a part of KA’s ongoing strategy to execute the transformation roadmap and react flexibly to market and customer trends.

With this, KA will continue to actively scale up its presence in on-highway, agriculture, and construction sectors within the Off-Highway business unit, as well as the segments we excel at including Couplings, Fluid Transfer Systems, and Powertrain & Chassis.

This transaction will provide additional net proceeds, which will allow KA to explore new markets, drive innovation, and invest in growth.

Joerg Buchheim, KA’s President & CEO says, “BRP and KA have a strong relationship and a long history of collaboration. KA Shawinigan is almost solely dedicated to BRP. Therefore, the products KA Shawinigan supplies are highly customized. With this sale, BRP will fulfill its strong wish to vertically integrate KA’s product portfolio. We look forward to continuing our relationship with BRP on future business opportunities out of our other US-based Off Highway business unit location.”

“Over the years, we have built a strong relationship based on trust and shared values with KA. We are very enthusiastic about this acquisition as we expect that it will enable us to gain further expertise in mechatronics. We look forward to welcoming highly trained and skilled employees from Shawinigan who are already specialized in developing and manufacturing key components for many of our product lines,” says José Boisjoli, President and Chief Executive Officer of BRP.

With this sale, approximately 300 employees will be integrated into BRP. KA will establish Shawinigan Tech Center in Canada, which will serve as a center of competence in electronics and software.

The anticipated sale, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed by the end of Q3 2022.