The merger is aimed at slashing costs to help stave off earnings erosion in the wake of huge production cuts by carmakers since last fall.
The firms' auto seat businesses would be consolidated under a new company next April. Plans call for settling on such specifics as ownership and executive assignments by June.
With a combined 17 production facilities, the new firm would likely muscle into the top three auto seat manufacturers in the world. The trio together command almost 20 per cent of the global market for car seats. Auto seat sales amount to 3 billion yen (US$31 million) at Toyota Boshoku, a textile manufacturer, and total 10 billion yen at Toyota Tsusho, a general trading firm. Fabrics manufacturer Kawashima Selkon rings up 27 billion yen annually in such sales.
The new company will boost its competitiveness by taking advantage of Toyota Boshoku's development expertise, Toyota Tsusho's fabric supply network and Kawashima Selkon's production bases, including its numerous overseas facilities. Sales will also be expanded by marketing to all domestic carmakers, with a focus on Toyota Motor Corp. (TSE:7203).
(Nikkei)

More News:
Market Updates |
Stock Alerts |
All Trading News |
Stock Index