Faurecia today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire the remaining 50 percent of its SAS joint venture from Continental for 225 million euros (Rs 1,760 crore).

The joint venture, which was set up in 1996, has become a key player in complex interior module assembly and logistics. The company employs 4,490 people in 19 facilities in Europe, North America and South America.  Sales are expected to show strong growth in 2019 and should reach around 700 million euros (Rs 5,476 crore).

This project would expand Faurecia’s systems integration offer to cover all interior modules as well as Faurecia’s new product lines such as displays, electronics, sensors and thermal management. The addition of SAS core competences in systems integration and complexity management would also strengthen Faurecia’s Just in Time plant network.

This project would be immediately accretive to Faurecia in operating margin, net income and ROCE. The financial performance would be consolidated into the Interiors Business Group. Synergies could be obtained in manufacturing engineering, logistics and footprint optimization as well as in purchasing and SG&A.  With an order book showing strong growth potential, sales should exceed a billion euros (Rs 7,823 crore) by 2024, representing a CAGR of around 9 percent. Growth would be accelerated through regional and customer diversification particularly in China.

“Following the creation of the Faurecia Clarion Electronics Business Group, this project would enhance our cockpit systems expertise for the ‘Cockpit of the Future’.  SAS has a strong growth potential and represents an excellent opportunity for Faurecia strategically and financially,” said Patrick Koller, CEO of Faurecia