Trelleborg Group (Sweden) through its Trelleborg Engineered Systems division, has acquired Andre Structural Bearings (UK), a division of Icon Polymer Group. Icon Polymer inherited Andre in early 2005 via its acquisition of Silvertown UK Ltd.

In late 2003, Trelleborg acquired Polymer Sealing Solutions (PSS) from Smiths Group (UK) for USD $795 million in cash, beating out the world's largest bearing company, SKF AB (Sweden). PSS is a leading producer of polymer seals and bearings.

Bearing manufacturing operations within Trelleborg include Orkot Hydro and Marine Bearings, the polymer bearing manufacturing operations of PSS division, Busak+Shamban, and now Andre Structural Bearings.


Andre natural rubber bearing

Andre structural bearings were developed in the 1950's to support bridges. The company then went on to develop laminated natural rubber bearings to support and isolate buildings. Andre bearings are found around the world, and particularly in the Los Angeles area where they isolate buildings from earthquakes.

Trelleborg said Andre Structural Bearings complements its own operations in bearings for infrastructure projects, including bearings that protect against seismic movements.

Terms of the acquisition were not immediately disclosed.

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