General Dynamics is buying AxleTech International, a global manufacturer and supplier of heavy-duty axles, axle components, planetary axles, independent suspensions, brakes and aftermarket parts.


AxleTech International, based in Troy, Mich., has manufacturing facilities in Oshkosh,
Wis.; Detroit, and Chicago; as well as France and Brazil. The company will become part of Charlotte, N.C.-based General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.

"AxleTech International is a well-run company with a strong management team and a skilled workforce that offers a high-value line of quality products to a global customer base," said Charles M. Hall, General Dynamics executive vice president for Combat Systems. "We look forward to maintaining and strengthening the relationships AxleTech International enjoys with its existing customers, expanding and diversifying the technical products General Dynamics provides to customers around the world, and pursuing new markets together through collaboration among the product experts at each company."

Mary Petrovich, chief executive officer of AxleTech International, said the company is "very pleased" to be joining General Dynamics. "The expertise and competencies that each of our companies brings to this relationship will create a stronger, more-competitive provider of quality vehicle components and subsystems to customers around the world."

Tuesday, AxleTech announced today it had acquired Chicago-based U.S. Gear, a global leader in the design and manufacture of specialized differential gears. The U.S. Gear acquisition broadens AxleTech's technology portfolio to include helical, planetary, and milled bevel gearing intellectual property in addition to strengthening its full systems drivetrain capability.