In a retroactive deal effective 1 January 2017, Brückner Group (Siegsdorf / Germany; www.brueckner.com) has acquired automotive tool specialist Paragon Molds Corporation (Fraser, Michigan / USA; www.paragonmolds.com). Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Paragon will be assigned to Brückner group company Kiefel (Freilassing / Germany; www.kiefel.com), helping expand its North American capabilities and allowing it “to offer a complete manufacturing solution for the important North American market,” said Brückner Group USA president Steven Hoenig.

The Fraser-based company’s 33 employees specialise in the development and production of tools used to manufacture automotive interior components, including door and instrument panels, centre consoles as well as foamed and back-foamed components. The company operates an Automotive Technology Center in Livonia, Michigan, which includes laboratory facilities for laminating and punching, as well as a milling robot cell and equipment for prototype and pre-series production.

Paragon’s previous owners David Smoger and Daniel Smoger will remain with the business, serving as vice president Operations and vice president Tooling respectively at Kiefel's Automotive division. They will be in charge of all the group’s automotive activities in the NAFTA region.