 | |
 Lear headquarters building | |
| Formerly | American Metal Products |
|---|---|
| Company type | Public |
| |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | Detroit, Michigan (1917 (1917)) |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Number of locations | 257 locations in 39 countries(2017)[1] |
Area served | International |
Key people | Ray Scott (President,CEO, andDirector) Terry Larkin (ExecutiveVice President, Business Development andGeneral Counsel) |
| Services | Supplier of automotive seating and electrical |
| Revenue |  US$23.3 billion (2024) |
| US$888 million (2024) | |
| US$507 million (2024) | |
| Total assets | US$14.0 billion (2024) |
| Total equity | US$4.45 billion (2024) |
Number of employees | 173,700 (2024) |
| Divisions | Seating and Electrical |
| Website | lear |
| Footnotes / references [2] | |
Lear Corporation is an American company that manufactures automotive seating and electrical systems. In 2019, it ranked #147[3] and in 2018, it ranked #148[4] on the Fortune 500 list.
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Lear Corporation was launched as American Metal Products in 1917 inDetroit, Michigan. At the time of its founding it was engaged in the manufacture of tubular, welded and stamped assemblies for the aircraft and automobile industries.[5]
Lear grew during the 1980s and 1990s through a series of acquisitions. The company sought to become a supplier of complete interior automotive systems, that is, a supplier of seating, electrical, flooring, interior trim, instrument panels, etc., to original equipment manufacturing (OEM) auto companies.
On March 16, 1999, Lear announced it would acquireUnited Technologies Automotive, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation that produced dashboards, electrical distribution systems, motors and air-flow parts, interior door panels and switches, for $2.3 billion.[6] Lear announced on May 4, 1999, that it had completed the acquisition.[7]
First Large Corporation to achieve ISO/TS 16949:1999 world wide in 280 global facilities, all of which was managed by Bill Cooper, Lear Corporation Global Quality Systems Senior Quality Manager.
On April 5, 2004, Lear announced it would pay $220 million forWuppertal, Germany-based Grote & Hartmann, a maker of electrical components.[8] On July 6, 2004, Lear announced it had completed the transaction.[9]
As of late 2005, most OEM auto companies had indicated that they no longer wanted to purchase total interiors from any one company. As this was Lear's primary purpose in assembling those three divisions, and the interior systems division was not profitable, the company began seeking to get rid of this division.[citation needed][needs update]
In early 2007, Lear Corporation completed the transfer of substantially all of its former North American Interior Systems Division to International Automotive Components Group (IAC), ajoint venture of Lear,WL Ross & Co., and Franklin Mutual Advisers. The deal involved 26 manufacturing plants and two Chinese joint ventures. Lear also contributed $27 million in cash for a 25 percent interest in IAC and warrants for an additional 7 percent.[10]
Also in 2007, Lear's board of directors agreed to a $2.3 billion takeover offer fromAmerican Real Estate Partners, an affiliate of financierCarl Icahn, subject to shareholder approval. Lear has said it will continue to talk to other interested parties, however, Icahn would receive a $100 million fee should another offer be accepted. The deal was later voted down by shareholders.[citation needed]
On July 2, 2009Bloomberg News reported that Lear Corp. planned to file forChapter 11 bankruptcy after reaching an agreement with representatives of secured lenders and bondholders.[11] On November 9, 2009, Lear announced it had emerged from bankruptcy.[12]
On August 10, 2011, Lear announced that senior vice president and chief financial officer Matt Simoncini had been elected chief executive officer and president, effective September 1, 2011.[13]
In 2012,Automotive News awarded Lear aPremier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence (PACE) Award for innovation, technological advancement and business performance for its Solid State Smart Junction Box (S3JB), noting Lear's "S3JB junction box has 1) integrated solid state fuse technology to eliminate relays, 2) created a new package that no longer has to be accessible from the driver compartment which decreases nuisance calls and lowers electrical device warranty returns, 3) created and installed a smart software logic with detailed diagnostics to permit a 'fail safe operation,' and 4) designed a single state board design with patented thermal aspects that permits multiple system and device connections and various configurations to ease manufacturing processes."[14]
Lear acquired automotive and specialty fabrics companyGuilford Mills for $257 million in May 2012. In addition to automotive fabric applications, Guilford produces fabrics for markets including water filtration, window covering, performance apparel, medical and other industrial applications.[15]
In August 2014, it was announced that Lear Corp would acquire automotive leather supplierEagle Ottawa LLC for a fee of $850 million.[16]
In May 2015 the company announced that it would open a new automotive plant inGostivar,Republic of North Macedonia, in the summer of 2015. This was to be Lear's first facility in North Macedonia.[17]
In February 2017 it was announced that Lear Corp signed a definitive agreement to acquireGrupo Antolin's automotive seating business. The transaction was valued at €286 million on a cash and debt free basis. Lear Corp funded the transaction with cash on hand.[18]
Lear held a backer for theJaguar Racing Team in the2001 Formula One World Championship and also now in theFormula E Competition.
In November 2022, it was announced Lear had acquired theNovi-based supplier ofIndustry 4.0 technologies and automated testing equipment used in the production of automotive seats, InTouch Automation.[19]
