Ford intends to sell ACH propshaft business to Neapco

Ford Motor Company and Neapco LLC, a North American affiliate of the Wanxiang Group, on April 2 announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining plans for the sale of Automotive Components Holdings’ propshaft operations.

“ACH continues to perform and contribute to our momentum as we work to strengthen our business,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas and Ford executive vice president.

The Monroe (Mich.) Plant produces driveshafts, halfshafts, other driveline products and catalytic converters. Most of the plant’s current workforce of 1,200 is comprised of salaried employees leased from Visteon and United Auto Workers hourly employees leased from Ford.

“This fourth MOU for an ACH business demonstrates that the ACH strategy is working,” said Al Ver, chief executive officer and chief operating officer, Automotive Components Holdings, and Ford vice president. “We are using a number of creative approaches to transition our businesses and people to new owners, including moving to a greenfield site, if necessary.”

The proposed operation would require only one-fifth of the current plant. A search is under way for a new propshaft manufacturing site which will improve the competitive position of the operation. The Monroe plant opened in 1929 and throughout its history has been home to several heavy manufacturing operations.

"Acquiring the Monroe propshaft business is a natural extension of our strategy of providing top-quality driveline technology at world-class costs coupled with local engineering, assembly and logistics management,” said Robert Hawkey, Neapco president and CEO. “Resources from the Wanxiang Group, a top-100 company in China and one of the world’s strongest and fastest growing suppliers to the automotive industry, provide us with a unique advantage.”

The deal is contingent upon a new and competitive agreement with the UAW and state and local incentives.

Neapco LLC, headquartered in Pottstown, Pa., supplies drivelines, steering shafts and components for OEM and aftermarket automotive, truck, agricultural, off-highway and specialty vehicle applications from its facilities in Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Mexico.

Automotive Components Holdings is a Ford-managed temporary company formed in October 2005. ACH operates 12 plants in the United States and two in Mexico. The plants produce architectural and automotive glass, interior, climate, chassis, and powertrain components.