Takata Corporation is an automotive parts company based in Japan. The company was founded in 1933, producing lifelines for parachutes and later on, car seat belts and associated products.
At the height of the Takata's success, the company had production facilities on four continents, with its European headquarters located in Germany with nine production facilities.
Japanese airbag maker Takata files for bankruptcy, gets U.S. sponsor: https://t.co/7aCe9UEYZf pic.twitter.com/XDlyUPhXh7
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) 26 June 2017
Key Safety Systems (KSS), which is based in Michigan and owned by Chinese supplier Ningbo Joyson, said that it had reached a deal with Takata to purchase nearly all of its assets for about US$1.57 billion, after the airbag maker filed for bankruptcy in the United States and Japan.
"Takata has deep management talent, a dedicated work force and a long history of exceptional customer service."
"Although Takata has been impacted by the global airbag recall, the underlying strength of its skilled employee base, geographic reach, and exceptional steering wheels, seat belts and other safety products have not diminished. We look forward to finalizing definitive agreements with Takata in the coming weeks, completing the transaction and serving both our new and long-standing customers while investing in the next phase of growth for the new KSS," Jason Luo, President and CEO of KSS said in a recent interview.
It was found that the airbag inflators could explode if the car were to get into a collision, and it would spray metal fragments towards drivers as well as passengers.
There were more than 16 deaths and more than 180 injuries linked to the defects globally.
Around US$1 billion from the sale to KSS is expected to be directed at settling criminal charges in the US. Takata have agreed to plead guilty to wrongdoing, and pay a US$25 million fine to resolve the US Department of Justice investigation.
Millions still waiting to get deadly air bags fixed or replaced. Now #Takata #bankruptcy pic.twitter.com/ayMKMt9AY9
— Family Notify (@FamilyNotify) 26 June 2017
On top of this, the company agreed to pay US$125 million to a victims' compensation fund.
"KSS is the ideal sponsor as we address the costs related to airbag inflator recalls, and an optimal partner to the company's customers, suppliers and employees. The combined business would be well positioned for long-term success in the global automotive industry. Throughout this process, our top priorities have been providing a steady supply of products to our valued customers, including replacement parts for recalls, and a stable home for our exceptional employees. This agreement would allow that to continue," Shigehisa Takada, Chairman & CEO of Takata said.
