Norwegian head-rest firm adds more in the US

By David Reed, UT EditorFarmington Hills, Michigan-Kongsberg Automotive, a global supplier of automotive seat comfort products, announced 6 June that it has acquired Milan Seating Systems from Intier Automotive Seating of America Inc.Milan Seating Systems, with operations in Milan, Tennessee, is a major supplier of head restraints and arm rests to the North American automotive industry, according to the announcement from Kongsberg. The firm employs 290 people and is expected to generate annual sales of about $60 million. Milan's facility specialises in foam-in-place polyurethane and rotary moulding, as well as cut and sew and urethane foam moulding."The addition of Milan gives Kongsberg a true global presence in the head restraint market," said Olav Volldal, CEO of Kongsberg Automotive Holding ASA, in the prepared statement. "We believe our high safety expertise and Milan's production capabilities are a perfect combination to support the new enhanced safety requirements in North America," he added.With the acquisition of Milan Seating Systems, Kongsberg Automotive will have global sales of more than $400 million, the firm's statement indicated.Kongsberg Automotive says it is a full-service supplier, providing engineering, design, validation and full-production capabilities to customers within the automotive and commercial vehicle industries. The firm's major automotive products include: head restraints, lumbar systems, seat heaters, seat ventilation and gear shifters. The firm's world headquarters is in Kongsberg, Norway, and the company has 17 facilities in 12 countries, including production complexes in Reynosa, Mexico, and an advanced technical centre in Farmington Hills, Michigan, that support the North American market."