Saint-Gobain SA (France; [san go-ban]) has agreed to sell its Advanced Ceramics Division (USA) to CoorsTek (USA; website), a Colorado-based ceramics company.

CoorsTek will pay a total of approximately $245 million for Advanced Ceramics, based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Advanced Ceramics has operations in a total of 14 locations across North America, South America, Europe and Asia, employing more than 1,100 people.

CoorsTek and Advanced Ceramics develop and manufacture broadly complimentary product lines of specialty ceramics products and share many of the same customers and markets -- aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, agricultural, semiconductor and telecommunications.

Advanced Ceramics is home to Cerbec ceramic bearing balls, used in high-performance ball bearings.

website: Cerbec bearing balls
John Coors, President of CoorsTek, said: "With the acquisition of Saint Gobain Advanced Ceramics, CoorsTek expands its material and processing capabilities and product offerings. We will also broaden our geographical reach in key markets, including North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Simply put, the result is a larger portfolio of complimentary products and a stronger global presence."

A short video by Mr. Coors on the CoorsTek site, regarding the Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics acquisition:

CoorsTek Saint-Gobain acquisition video
[ opens in new window ]

CoorsTek is already in the bearing business to some degree, although it did not manufacture bearing balls. The company produces air bearing guideways from ceramic, offering rigidity and precision.

Another CoorsTek operation manufactures a wide range of high-precision bearings from advanced polymers. Markets include aerospace, medical, semiconductor manufacturing, and other high-value-added applications. In addition to bearings, CoorsTek also manufactures advanced polymer bushings, back-up rings and seals. Bearings are manufactured in CoorsTek's plant in El Segundo, California.

CoorsTek Plastic Bearings and Bushings web page