Automotive Parts Manufacturing Group
Automotive Parts Manufacturing Group
Automotive Parts Manufacturing Group
One of Quantum’s primary investment platforms is automotive parts manufacturing. Our managing directors were instrumental in the founding and development of Noble International, Ltd. (NASDAQ:NOBL), the world’s largest laser welder, which provides laser-welded flat blanks and tubular products to the automotive industry. Noble operates facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia. We continue to be interested in acquiring promising automotive suppliers with growth potential that would compliment the Noble operating platform. Recent acquisitions and investments include:
Company | Business Description |
 | ArcelorMittal, TBA Division. ArcelorMittal is the world’s largest steelmaker, with an industrial presence in 27 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. It is a leader in all major global markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging. ArcelorMittal leads in R&D and technology, holds sizeable supplies of raw materials, and operates extensive distribution networks. Noble purchased the TBA division of ArcelorMittal in a transaction that gave Noble a larger laser-welding presence in Europe and Asia and resulted in ArcelorMittal becoming a 40% shareholder of Noble. |
 | Pullman Industries is a leader in automotive roll forming and stretch bending technology. These technologies provide increased product performance, better quality, and lower costs for the customer when compared with traditional stamping methods. Pullman focuses on technical design and manufacturing innovations to produce high-quality products with the most cost-effective manufacturing methods, including a variety of impact, structural, and trim products. |
| Laser Welding International is a subsidiary of Noble International. It is a leader in curvilinear welding, which provides a more “tailored” blank that better matches the shape of the weld to the part design and downstream processing. Laser Welding International, Inc. has produced more than one million curvilinear welds per year since 1998. |
 | WISCO Noble Laser Welding Technology— Noble International has signed of a long-term joint venture agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wuhan Iron and Steel Company to enter the Chinese automotive market for laser-welded blanks. The 50%/50% joint venture will operate under the name WISCO Noble Laser Welding Technology Co., Ltd., and is expected to begin laser-welded blank production during the second half of 2007. |
 | Noble Advanced Technologies is a subsidiary of Noble
International, and is a manufacturer of laser-welded tubular products
that are roll formed or stamped from flat steel or a laser-welded
blank, then formed into a tube and laser welded. Its production process
allows parts to be produced in several different shapes including
round, rectangular, and oval from various types and thicknesses of
steel, as well as aluminum. The company can also create multi-diameter
products and join curved surfaces together by adjusting the output
power of the laser. |
