Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. is broadening its business foundations in Europe with the establishment of a new company in Germany and acquisition of valuable assets from Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Bädje GmbH & Co. KG (Meteor), an automotive rubber products manufacturer headquartered in Bockenem, Germany. The establishment of an acquisition company is planned for January 2014. The acquisition will become effective only if and when the necessary conditions have been fulfilled.

Meteor boasts a strong reputation in sealing parts, especially for luxury cars, and supplies weatherstrips and other rubber components to Daimler AG, BMW AG, Audi AG and other European automakers. It manufactures these products at two plants in Germany and one plant in the U.S. 

Toyoda Gosei will acquire all assets of Meteor, including proprietary technologies, expertise, and underlying human and other resources. This will help Toyoda Gosei to establish a firmer foothold in Europe and expand its business with automakers there.

About Toyoda Gosei
Established in 1949 and headquartered in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Toyoda Gosei is a leading manufacturer of rubber and plastics polymers and optical semiconductors. Today, the company provides a variety of automotive components and LEDs internationally with a network of 91 group companies in 18 countries and regions. Through its flexible, integrated global supply system and outstanding technologies for automobile safety, comfort, and environmental protection, Toyoda Gosei aims to be a global supplier of choice that delivers the highest level of satisfaction to customers around the world.

Outline of Toyoda Gosei’s new company in Germany (planned)
Company name	Toyoda Gosei Meteor GmbH (TG Meteor)
Establishment	January 2014
Location	Bockenem, Germany
Owner	100% owned by Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
Business	Sales of automotive sealing products
Plant	Two in Germany, one in the U.S.
Employees	Approximately 1,300 [consolidated]
Sales	Approximately €140 million (￥20 billion) for FY2014 [consolidated]