Wanxiang wins the U.S. Government approval buy battery manufacturer A123

Approval from CFIUS, was the last hurdle that had to be overcome in order to conclude the transaction Wanxiang, as he is known. The Federal Interagency Group, led by the Treasury Department was selling review, after members of Congress allow national security concerns to get a foreign competitor with State protection technology developed.

Wanxiang, the bankruptcy court approval of the acquisition Dec. 11 completed who said in an e-Mail yesterday, pin NI, President of the US unit Wanxiang America Corp., buying won,. Wanxiang America, the A123s purchased automotive, grid, and commercial assets for approximately $256,6 million. A123 and Wanxiang tries to placate Congressional anxiety by excluding the battery manufacturer Government shops out of the deal at Woodridge, Illinois-based Navitas Systems LLC for about 2.25 million $ was sold.
"We are pleased the Government has completed its review and has with us the go-ahead to this transaction complete," NI said in a statement. "The future is bright for A123. It is a company with extraordinary talent and potential and Wanxiang America is committed to its long-term success and the continued existence of their U.S. operations."

Thing itself sunk
The Waltham, Massachusetts-based battery manufacturer bankruptcy in October after a previous agreement with Wanxiang in the midst of Congressional Republicans allow reluctance, sale to a Chinese company sunk has been filed. A123 listed assets of $459,8 million and debt of $376 million status: Aug. 31 in court documents.

"Provided by CFIUS has nothing my opinion after changing the core technology from A123, developed" and related intellectual property "be separated fields of business can along A123s" said representative Bill Huizenga, a Republican who represent Michigan 2nd Congressional District, in an e - sent statement. "American taxpayers not technology, which in turn are used to compete against American companies should be medium", he said, adding that he in the legislation funded "sensitive technologies" for foreign companies in the future to prevent search sales by the taxpayer.
Federal grant

A123, received a federal grant of more than $249,1 million and only $ 132 million $ for two plants in Michigan, instead of a December auction where Wanxiang beat a joint bid by Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls Inc. and Tokyo-based NEC Corp.
"The Department of energy recovery Act grant for A123 was used for the construction of brick and mortar advanced battery production facilities at two sites in Michigan," Bill said Gibbons, a spokesman for the Department in one via e-Mail statement. The funding for research and development of battery technology of the company used were not, he said.

"With the purchase of these assets of the Department of energy request, which includes the equipment and devices that are part of stay paid in Michigan Recovery Act and continue to operate," generating job opportunities for American workers, Gibbons said.
Joint venture

In the context of the purchase, Wanxiang get seat in Hangzhou, China, A123s, plant in China and its stake in a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., Shanghai advanced traction battery systems co. called cathode powder used in addition to the battery technology in Fisker Automotive Inc. Karma sedan.

Fisker, A123s main customer, said that it was expected the sale of the company's Michigan plant, so it plug production of the $103,000 - sedan could resume in karma.
A123, whose automotive-Geschaft delivers electric car batteries in about a dozen customers, has facilities in Michigan cities of Livonia and Romulus.

The grid business is focused on power generation, transmission and distribution while the commercial Division develops products for industries such as telecommunications, industrial robotics and power tools, according to the court papers. A123 has worked with the Government on portable power solutions, unmanned aerial vehicles, pulsed power weapons, as well as small energy cell for remote devices.
The case is in terms of A123 Systems Inc., 12-12859, U.S. bankruptcy court, district of Delaware (Wilmington).

Copyright 2013 Bloomberg

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