American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc.  (AAM) and Metaldyne Performance Group Inc. (MPG) announced that the companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which AAM will acquire MPG for approximately $1.6 billion. The combination brings together highly complementary businesses and forms a premier, global Tier 1 supplier with broad capabilities across powertrain, drivetrain and driveline product lines. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is anticipated to close in the first half of 2017 subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. 

AAM is a world leader in the manufacturing, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and related components and modules, chassis systems, electric drive systems and metal-formed products for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, passenger cars, crossover vehicles and commercial vehicles. In addition to locations in the U.S. (Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana), AAM also has offices or facilities in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, Scotland, South Korea, Sweden and Thailand.

MPG is a leading provider of highly engineered lightweight components for use in powertrain and suspension applications for the global light, commercial and industrial vehicle markets. MPG produces these components and modules using complex metal-forming manufacturing technologies and processes. The company has more than 60 locations in 13 countries across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.