Superior Essex Strengthens EV Market With Lacroix + Kress Acquisition
Superior Essex Inc.ย (official site)ย acquiredย Lacroix + Kress GmbH, a leading European manufacturer ofย oxygen-free copper (OFC), fromย Mutares SE & Co. KGaAย (official site). Thisย Superior Essex Lacroix + Kress acquisitionย expands the companyโs reach in the fast-growingย electric vehicle (EV)ย market and reinforces its global copper production capability.
Creating Vertically Integrated Operations in Europe
Through this acquisition,ย Superior Essexย will createย vertically integrated manufacturing operationsย across Europe. The companyโsย magnet wire divisionย will connect directly with the newย Lacroix + Kress facilities, improving efficiency and aligning production for advanced EV components.
The new setup includes aย joint manufacturing site in Bramsche, Germany, and a second plant inย Neunburg vorm Wald. Together, these facilities employ aboutย 250 people, supporting the companyโs mission to scale production while speeding innovation.
Driving Innovation and Expanding Capabilities
Klaus Borstner, President ofย Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Europe, said the acquisition represents anย investment in both the future and the present. โMerging the facilities will boost efficiency and spark innovation,โ he explained. โThe additional site in Neunburg vorm Wald will expand our product portfolio and strengthen our offering across the automotive, energy, and industrial sectors.โ
Borstner added that the shared location in Bramsche will promote team synergy and accelerate development. โWe expect this move to create immediate benefits for customers,โ he said. โIt will also open new opportunities while maintaining the long-term relationships built byย Lacroix + Kress.โ
Strengthening European Collaboration and Growth
Mutares CIO Johannes Laumannย noted that the sale aligns with his companyโs exit strategy. โSuperior Essexย can leverage powerful synergies because of its strong links withย Lacroix + Kressย and their shared European footprint,โ he said.
This partnership reunites the two companies after theirย 2005 European joint ventureย withย Nexansย (official site). By bringing them back under the same ownership, the transaction reinforces collaboration within Central Europeโs manufacturing market. The deal is expected to be finalized during theย first quarter of 2023.
Expanding Innovation in Energy and EV Sectors
Withย Lacroix + Kressย now part of the group,ย Superior Essexย strengthens its position as aย global leader in copper and magnet wire manufacturing. This acquisition will drive new advancements inย EV technology,ย energy transmission, andย industrial infrastructure.
By combining expertise, both companies will deliver greater efficiency, stronger product performance, and sustainable growth across Europe and beyond.
