TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. was an American

global Global means of or referring to a globe and may also refer to: Entertainment * ''Global'' (Paul van Dyk album), 2003 * ''Global'' (Bunji Garlin album), 2007 * ''Global'' (Humanoid album), 1989 * ''Global'' (Todd Rundgren album), 2015 * Bruno ...

supplier of automotive systems, modules, and components to automotive

original equipment manufacturer An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is generally perceived as a company that produces non-aftermarket parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer. It is a common industry term recognized and used by many professional or ...

s (OEMs) and related aftermarkets. Tracing its roots from

TRW Inc. TRW Inc., was an American corporation involved in a variety of businesses, mainly aerospace, electronics, automotive, and credit reporting.http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/TRW-Inc-Company-History.html TRW Inc. It was a pionee ...

it was originally headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. It was created in 2002 when the aerospace company

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American multinational aerospace and defense technology company. With 90,000 employees and an annual revenue in excess of $30 billion, it is one of the world's largest weapons manufacturers and military techn ...

purchased TRW and sold its automotive division to

Blackstone Group Blackstone Inc. is an American alternative investment management company based in New York City. Blackstone's private equity business has been one of the largest investors in leveraged buyouts in the last three decades, while its real estate bu ...

. TRW Automotive was the eighth largest automotive supplier worldwide and the seventh-largest company in the Detroit Metro Area and had nearly 64,000 employees in 22 countries worldwide. In 2015, TRW Automotive was acquired by German

ZF Friedrichshafen ZF Friedrichshafen AG, also known as ZF Group, originally ''Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen'', and commonly abbreviated to ZF (ZF = "Zahnradfabrik" = "Cogwheel Factory"), is a German car parts maker headquartered in Friedrichshafen, in the south- ...

and subsequently renamed ZF TRW Automotive Holdings Corp prior to being incorporated into ZF from 2016.

Overview and history

TRW Automotive was an American company based in Livonia, Michigan. Tracing its roots from

, TRW Automotive's production featured a variety of automotive products including integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems,

braking system A brake is a machine, mechanical device that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from a moving system. It is used for Acceleration, slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, wheel, axle, or to prevent its motion, most often accomplished by means of ...

s, steering systems, suspension systems, seat belts and airbags, and engine valves among others. The company's operation activities were divided into 4 segments, Chassis Systems, Occupant Safety Systems, Electronics, and Automotive Components. According to its sales statistics, in 2003, TRW Automotive was the eighth largest automotive supplier worldwide and the seventh-largest company in the Detroit Metro Area. The firm had nearly 64,000 employees in 22 countries worldwide.

Further developments

In 2002, aerospace company

purchased TRW, and subsequently sold the TRW's automotive division to private equity firm

for $4.73 billion. According to the final agreement, Blackstone owned 80.4% of the business, while Northrop Grumman acquired 19.6% of it. In a statement, John Plant, the CEO of TRW Automotive said, "The company is now 100 percent focused on the needs of automotive customers, and we have an exciting opportunity to capitalize on our position as the global leader in automotive safety." In 2009, TRW Automotive made net profit earnings of $76 million. The next year, the firm had a profit of $189 million, which was more than double than the previous year. According to Plant, that was a result of the industry recovery following the 2007-08 financial crisis and the company's venture into emerging markets. On September 15, 2014, it was announced that German car parts maker

would buy TRW Automotive for approximately $13.5 billion including debt. The takeover was completed on the 15th May 2015, and TRW Automotive now operates as part of

ZF Friedrichshafen AG ZF Friedrichshafen AG, also known as ZF Group, originally ''Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen'', and commonly abbreviated to ZF (ZF = "Zahnradfabrik" = "Cogwheel Factory"), is a German car parts maker headquartered in Friedrichshafen, in the south ...

, as Division 'Active & Passive Safety Technology'.

TRW Automotive milestones

*2002 - produced the first generation of Active Control Retractor. *2002 - introduced the first caliper of

Electric Park Brake An electronic parking brake (EPB), also known as an electric parking brake or electric park brake, is an electronically controlled parking brake, whereby the driver activates the holding mechanism with a button and the brake pads are electrically ...

. *2003 - produced a weight-based Occupant Classification System. *2004 - revealed silicon initiator technology for airbag inflators. *2004 - created a Touch Sensor Technology capacitive sensing for interior vehicle controls. *2005 - unveiled Active Dynamic Control family of active suspension systems. *2006 - produced a non-rotating driver airbag technology. *2006 - revealed a Slip Control Boost hybrid braking stability control technology. *2007 - produced an Efficient Climate Control system to maintain occupant comfort and enhance fuel economy. *2007 - created an Electric Drum-in-Hat park brake technology. *2007 - introduced ESC-R regenerative brake technology for hybrid vehicles. *2008 - revealed an Active Buckle Lifter seat belt system to enhance convenience, comfort and safety. *2008 - produced the First Lane Keeping System, integrating camera and electric steering technology. *2008 - introduced a Head protection system for convertible vehicles. *2008 - developed a Scalable Airbag Electronic Control Unit for emerging markets. *2014 - produced the second generation of Active Control Retractor. *2015 - TRW Automotive was acquired by

References

External links

former TRW Inc. website

TRW Aftermarket
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trw Automotive Auto parts suppliers of the United States Automotive Manufacturing companies based in Michigan Companies based in Wayne County, Michigan Livonia, Michigan Automotive companies established in 2002 2002 establishments in Michigan Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange 2015 mergers and acquisitions American subsidiaries of foreign companies 2004 initial public offerings