Automotive company bought up by US firm
AWELSH automotive engineering company has been bought by ATC DriveTrain, a remanufacturer for automotive powertrain and drivetrain systems.
Treharne Automotive Engineering and group companies, of Llanelli, were acquired by the Michigan-based company for an undisclosed sum, as ATC looks to expand its battery and motors production for electrification.
Treharne, which currently employs 15 people at its site in Dafen, specialises in electric vehicle battery life cycle management, including second-life applications, recycling, and diagnostic and test equipment for powertrain systems.
Facilities and contracts manager at Treharne James Bates said the acquisition means initial growth for both businesses through projects Treharne is supporting and products delivered to market.
“There are a lot of synergies in the way both companies worked in the past and are going in the future, so I think the global reach and the additional resources that ATC brings to Treharne will stabilise us as a business,” he said.
“It will also allow us both to grow within the electrification environment for automotives. There is a lot of change in the automotive industry within electrification and both businesses have aspirations to support that growth going forwards.”
Founded in 2008, Treharne has been based in Llanelli since 2011.
Asked whether Treharne would merge with ATC, Mr Bates said: “That’s still to be discussed, but it doesn’t matter about the names really. We are working together with everything we do now.”
On the future of the Llanelli site under this acquisition, Mr Bates said: “It’s too early to say at the moment on future investments within the area. The business in Llanelli will grow in regards to what we’re delivering, but with regards to the whole picture and what happens going forward, it’s too early to say.” ATC, which has sites in the USA, UK and China, said the acquisition will further its ambition to remanufacture batteries and motors for electrification as the motor industry moves away from petrol and diesel cars to electric-powered.
The US firm has previously acquired other UK-based automotive remanufacturers. In 2019, it bought Coventry-based ATP Automotive Transmission Remanufacturing Specialists, and in 2021 acquired H.L. Smith Transmissions, a remanufacturer of heavy-duty commercial vehicle drivetrain and steering systems.
Greg Heald, chief executive of ATC DriveTrain, said: “The companies share a common vision of the future of electrification in the automotive industry, as well as the significant opportunities and challenges which lie ahead as the industry makes that transition.
“Treharne’s talented team shares our passion for customer service and positive environmental impact, and their expertise will complement the electrification developments already in progress at ATC.”
Mr Heald added: “Adding Treharne’s second life and battery recycling experience supports ATC’s ongoing efforts to provide solutions across the full life cycle of the EV battery. We are eager to share our combined offerings and expertise with our global customer base to help them to meet their electrification objectives of today and tomorrow.”
Managing director of Treharne Automotive Engineering Jason Treharne said: “With its global reach, ATC Drivetrain has the opportunity to apply the expertise we have developed on electrification and battery lifecycle management to new and exciting markets.”
He added: “The Treharne team is extremely excited to join ATC.”