Sika Strengthens Position in Brazilian Automotive Sector

Baar-based Sika group has agreed to acquire Colauto Adesivos e Massas Ltda in Sao Paolo, Brazil, a manufacturer of adhesives and sealants as well as acoustic damping and structural reinforcement elements for the fast-growing automotive and transportation industry. Colauto is one of the leading suppliers of chemical process materials for the automotive industry in Latin America.

Colauto was founded as a family enterprise in 1962. The company operates a production site in São Paulo and generated sales of CHF 40 million in 2010 with a workforce of approximately 250. Colauto enjoys an excellent reputation in Brazil as a customer- and solution-led company with a strong market position in Latin America. For Colauto’s present owners Sika is the ideal partner: “In Sika, Colauto has found a strong, international owner which fully leverages its capabilities and long term perspectives in the global automotive industry.”

Latin America’s automotive industry has a high growth potential and the significance of Brazil as car manufacturing country continues to increase. Through the acquisition of Colauto, Sika will gain access to this key growth market and be able to expand its global position. As Sika’s Head of Automotive Global Thomas Hasler puts it: “Brazil is currently the world’s sixth-largest automotive-producing country. Our customers here expect a broad cost-effective product portfolio containing the latest technologies for all car segments.”

The acquisition of Colauto will enable Sika to leverage the penetration of this growth market with its broad range of products and technologies. The automotive industry is increasingly focussing on Brazil as a development base for global platforms designed for the emerging markets. “With its production site in São Paulo, Colauto will become the new development center for Sika Automotive in Latin America”, adds Thomas Hasler.