Eaton Acquires Dana's Boston Weatherhead Division

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Researched by industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Eaton Corporation (NYSE:ETN) (Southfield, Michigan) has agreed to acquire the Boston Weatherhead Division of Dana Corporation (NYSE:DCN) (Toledo, Ohio). The deal, which is part of Dana's effort to divest itself of its non-automotive business units, should be finalized in the fourth quarter of this year.

Boston Weatherhead, a manufacturer of hose, tubing, and hydraulic connectors used in the hydraulic systems of off-highway vehicles and heavy-duty trucks, includes six manufacturing plants, three distribution centers, and a division office in Brentwood, Tennessee. A manufacturing facility in Antwerp, Ohio, which is scheduled be closed soon, was not a part of the deal. The affected manufacturing facilities of Boston Weatherhead are in Brentwood, Hohenwald, and Newbern, Tennessee, Vinita, Oklahoma, Columbia City, Indiana, and Ludlow, Massachusetts.

Craig Arnold, Senior Vice President and Group Executive, said in an interview, "Boston Weatherhead is recognized across the industry as a quality supplier of fluid conveyance products. Their strong brand names, channel relationships, and complementary products will allow Eaton to become a more significant partner for all our existing and new customers."

Eaton has recently announced the moving its Mooresville, North Carolina, plant to Queretaro, Mexico. In an effort to meet the cost-cutting demands of OEM customers and the general softness in the automotive industry, Eaton is concentrating on its fluid-power and commercial controls segments. The trend toward leanness and focusing on one product or group of related products can be seen in all segments of the automotive industry.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer and leader in fluid power systems, electrical power quality, distribution, and control, in automotive engine air management and fuel economy, and intelligent truck systems for fuel economy and safety.

Dana Corporation is a multi-national manufacturer and Tier I supplier of automotive parts to OEM's, as well as for the after-market.