Creating a substantially larger global supplier of largely fibre-based components.
2nd November 2026
Innovation in Textiles
| Winterthur, Switzerland
Swiss automotive supplier Autoneum is to acquire the French Trèves Group in a deal that will significantly expand its global manufacturing operations and strengthen its position in automotive acoustic and thermal insulation, interior trim and luggage compartment solutions.
The acquisition will bring together two established suppliers to the international automotive industry, creating a business with combined annual revenues expected to exceed CHF 2.9 billion (€3.1 billion) in 2026.
Trèves, which generated revenues of approximately €720 million in 2025, employs around 4,600 people across 26 production facilities in 15 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. The company has longstanding relationships with major automotive manufacturers and specialises in acoustic and thermal management systems and interior components.
Under the agreement announced on November 2nd, Autoneum will pay approximately €40 million upfront, with a further performance-related payment of up to €24 million possible depending on improvements in profitability and the achievement of synergies by 2029.
More than 80% of the initial consideration will be settled through newly issued Autoneum shares, with approximately €7.5 million paid in cash. The shares will be subject to a three-year lock-up period.
The transaction is expected to be completed in early 2027, subject to consultation with the relevant employee representative bodies and customary regulatory approvals.
The planned takeover follows Autoneum’s €117 million acquisition of the automotive business of Germany’s Borgers Group in April 2023. Acquired following Borgers’ insolvency, the business employed approximately 4,500 people and generated annual revenues of around €700 million. It brought Autoneum additional expertise in textile-based acoustic insulation, particularly needlepunch nonwovens for wheel arch liners, luggage compartment systems and other interior components. The acquisition also strengthened Autoneum’s capabilities in recycled and recyclable textile materials, with Borgers having more than 150 years of experience in textile recycling. The proposed addition of Trèves represents another major step in the consolidation of the automotive acoustic and thermal management supply chain.
European strength
A major attraction of the latest acquisition is the opportunity to combine manufacturing operations, improve capacity utilisation and reduce costs across the enlarged organisation.
Autoneum anticipates annual recurring savings of more than CHF 50 million from 2029, primarily through production network optimisation, purchasing efficiencies and reductions in administrative costs. Restructuring expenditure of approximately CHF 60 million is expected during 2027 and 2028.
The two companies have particularly significant manufacturing operations in Europe, where opportunities have been identified to rationalise production and increase internal sourcing through Autoneum’s vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities.
The acquisition will also strengthen Autoneum’s presence in important automotive manufacturing locations, notably Morocco, Romania and Brazil.
Beyond the operational benefits, the enlarged group expects to increase investment in advanced technologies, particularly those required for electric vehicles.
“As a family-owned business, Trèves brings a strong heritage, recognised expertise in automotive acoustics and thermal management and longstanding relationships with leading automotive manufacturers,” said Autoneum CEO Eelco Spoelder. “Thanks to this acquisition, we will become an even stronger company with the scale and capabilities needed to succeed in a changing automotive market. It provides substantial opportunities to enhance efficiency, strengthen customer relationships and deliver sustainable earnings growth.”
The transaction supports Autoneum’s existing Level Up strategy, which focuses on improving profitability, operational efficiency and competitiveness. The company expects the acquisition to make a positive contribution to earnings per share from 2028.
To support the integration and ongoing operations of Trèves, Autoneum has also secured a new CHF 200 million credit facility, maturing in December 2029. This will be used to refinance existing bank debt and provide working capital.
One of the existing owners of Trèves, Fonds Avenir Automobile, intends to seek representation on Autoneum’s board of directors at the next annual shareholders’ meeting.
Autoneum chairman Hans-Peter Schwald said this demonstrated confidence in the prospects of the combined business and would help align the interests of both parties during the integration process.
Following completion, Trèves will be integrated into Autoneum’s existing organisational structure, creating a substantially larger global supplier at a time when automotive manufacturers are demanding greater efficiency, technological innovation and increasingly sophisticated solutions for vehicle interiors.