Since spring 2002 the former automotive division of the illbruck group (D-51381 Leverkusen; www.illbruck.com) and the AAW group (LI-9493 Mauren; www.aaw.li) have been positioned on the world market for total car acoustics (“the power of silence”) under the brand name “Carcoustics”. The company headquarters is Carcoustics International GmbH (D-51381 Leverkusen; www.carcoustics.com). From there, the company manages a total of 14 German and foreign sites with some 2,500 employees who develop and produce acoustic and thermal components for leading European and US vehicle manufacturers.

In Leverkusen-Pattscheid the group has not only its administration and production headquarters, but also a leading technological research and development centre. In total, the workforce in Leverkusen currently stands at around 375 – with an upward tendency according to managing director, Dirk Hoffmann.

By setting up a new Tech Center in Farmington Hills, Detroit, in the immediate proximity to the “big three” of the automotive world – DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors, Carcoustics aims to strengthen its presence on the North American auto market. The development facility, which will consist of an acoustics lab, a materials lab and preliminary development, is due to begin operations in the first quarter of 2003. Carcoustics International hopes that the investment in the US will yield annual sales of USD 50-100m in the medium term.

Carcoustics International is a member of the Dutch financial investor group NIB Capital Private Equity (HQ: NL-1081 KL Amsterdam; www.nibcapital.com). The company´s mission states that “the financial prowess, investment power and experience that the majority shareholder, NIB Capital Private Equity, is able to offer forms the basis for our financial independence. This provides us with the opportunity to continue to grow both through our own strengths and through acquisitions.”