Tennessee Gas Transmission Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive parts manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Tennessee Gas Transmission Company |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Fate | Acquired by Apollo Global Management (2022) |
| Headquarters | Northville Charter Township, Michigan , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (26 countries, 6 continents) |
| Products | Automotive parts for original equipment and aftermarket ride control and emissions systems |
| Owner | Apollo Global Management |
| Parent | Apollo Global Management |
| Website | www |
Tenneco, Inc.—previously known as Tenneco Automotive and initially established as the Tennessee Gas Transmission Company—is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in automotive parts for original equipment and aftermarket ride control and emissions systems. Recognized as a Fortune 500 firm, it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange from November 1999 until its privatization in November 2022 by Apollo Global Management. Tenneco’s corporate headquarters are located in Northville Charter Township, Michigan.
History
The roots of Tenneco trace back to the Chicago Corporation, founded around 1930, while the Tennessee Gas Transmission Company was created later in 1940 as an independent entity.
In December 1930, Chicago Corp consolidated into Continental Chicago Corp. Both entities functioned as investment companies holding diverse portfolios of bonds and equities across industries such as manufacturing, railroads, utilities, and oil, with assets totaling roughly $70 million in 1930 and generating about $5.65 million annually from interest and dividends. Subsequently, in December 1932, Chicago Investors Corp, which held $4 million in assets, merged with Continental Chicago Corp (holding $24 million) to reestablish the Chicago Corp.
By 1944, Tennessee Gas & Transmission Co., a subsidiary under Chicago Corp, obtained a $44 million loan from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to finance pipeline construction. Chicago Corp supplemented this with an $8 million loan, guaranteed up to $4.5 million for potential cost overruns, and agreed to purchase some RFC debt if necessary. Additionally, Chicago Corp acquired a half-interest in 6,400 acres along with two completed wells within Texas’s Menefee gas field. Tennessee Gas committed to purchasing at least 10 million cubic feet per day over a 20-year term at incrementally increasing prices per thousand cubic feet every five years.
Natural gas
During the Second World War, heightened industrial output in Appalachia caused fuel shortages. The Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge, Tennessee demanded substantial electrical power from the Tennessee Valley Authority, restricting energy supply for other industries. The Chicago Corporation secured authorization from the Federal Power Commission to construct a pipeline running from Texas to Appalachia. This initiative eventually resulted in the largest natural gas pipeline system in the United States. These pipelines were later acquired by El Paso Corporation in 1996 and currently fall under Kinder Morgan’s ownership.
Diversification
Throughout the 1950s, the company broadened its portfolio by acquiring oil enterprises such as Sterling Oil, Del-Key Petroleum, and Bay Petroleum. In 1943, its Tennessee division took ownership of Tennessee Gas Transmission Company to develop a 1,265-mile natural gas pipeline extending from Texas to West Virginia; this project reached completion in 1944. Over the following fifteen years, three additional pipelines totaling 3,840 miles were constructed to supply regions including New York and New Jersey.
The year 1966 marked Tennessee Gas’s incorporation as Tenneco, Inc., reflecting its expansion into various industries. In 1967, Tenneco purchased Walker, Inc., known for manufacturing universal-fit exhaust mufflers and pipes. By 1975, after nearly a decade of development efforts, Tenneco launched an affordable universal-fit catalytic converter. The late 1970s saw further expansion through acquiring Houston Oil & Minerals Corporation, which operated gold mines in Nevada. The company also managed numerous gasoline service stations until these were either closed or rebranded during the mid-1990s.
During the 1970s, Tenneco gained majority control (53%) of J.I. Case by acquiring Kern County Land Company—an agricultural equipment producer based in Racine, Wisconsin. In 1972, it purchased UK-based David Brown Tractors and integrated it with J.I. Case operations. The acquisition of selected International Harvester agricultural assets occurred in 1984; these were merged with J.I. Case under the Case International brand name, later rebranded as Case IH. In addition, Tenneco acquired Steiger Tractor in 1986 and incorporated it into Case IH.
Tenneco’s approach involved acquiring underperforming companies across various sectors with the goal of restoring profitability. While this strategy succeeded with Newport News Shipbuilding, it struggled within tractor manufacturing due to economic headwinds. By 1988, facing daily losses of $2 million and mounting pressure from financial institutions, Tenneco divested its oil business; Tenneco Oil Exploration was divided and sold off to several buyers.
By 1994, Tenneco initiated its withdrawal from agriculture by offering a 35% stake in Case Corporation for sale; this spin-off was finalized in 1996. Subsequently, Case was acquired by Fiat in 1999 and merged with New Holland Agriculture to create CNH Global.
Consolidation
Tenneco Inc. was originally formed from a diverse group of six distinct industries: shipbuilding, packaging, agricultural and construction machinery, gas transmission, automotive, and chemicals. In 1991, the company separated its automotive division along with packaging, energy, natural gas, and shipbuilding sectors. Between 1994 and 1996, all businesses unrelated to automotive and packaging were divested through various public offerings, sales, spin-offs, and mergers. By 1999, Tenneco Packaging was spun off, resulting in the creation of Packaging Corporation of America and Pactiv Corporation.
From the 1960s onward, Tenneco Automotive broadened its footprint in Europe by acquiring several muffler manufacturers. These acquisitions included a facility in Viernheim, Germany (1969), Starla in Sweden (1974), Bellanger in Laval, France (1976), Harmo Industries near Birmingham, England (1976), and Lydex in Middelfart, Denmark (1978), among others.
On October 28, 2005, Tenneco Automotive officially changed its name to Tenneco Inc.
Federal Mogul and Öhlins acquisitions
On October 1, 2018, Tenneco finalized the purchase of Federal-Mogul, a prominent global supplier serving both original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket. The following month, it acquired a controlling interest in Öhlins for $160 million.
In February 2019, Tenneco revealed plans to spin off its automotive aftermarket suspension components into a new company named DRiV Incorporated.
In October 2024, Tenneco reached an agreement to sell Öhlins to Brembo for $405 million.
Acquisition by Apollo Global Management
On February 23, 2022, Tenneco announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by Apollo Global Management for $7.1 billion. The transaction was completed in November 2022.
Operations
Tenneco maintains 93 manufacturing sites spread across 26 countries on six continents, with principal hubs located in the Americas, Europe, India, and Asia. In North America, facilities are situated in Arkansas, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee, Ohio, as well as Cambridge in Ontario, Canada; the corporate headquarters is based in Northville, Michigan. European operations cover Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, UK, France, Spain, and Portugal with headquarters established in Belgium. Asian plants are located in India, China, Singapore, and Japan; African operations are centered in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
The company’s brand portfolio comprises notable names such as:
- Axios
- Champion
- Clevite Elastomers
- DynoMax
- Federal-Mogul
- Ferodo
- Fel-Pro
- Fonos
- Fric-Rot
- Kinetic Suspension Technology (Kinetic)
- Monroe
- MOOG
- National Oil Seals
- Rancho
- Sealed Power
- Thrush
- Wagner Electric
- Walker
Brands formerly under Tenneco ownership include:
- Öhlins, which was sold to Brembo on January 2, 2025
These product lines support over 500 aftermarket clients—including both retailers and wholesalers—and more than 25 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as Audi, BMW, Caterpillar, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz Group, Nissan, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault, Royal Enfield, SAIC Motor, Škoda Auto, Stellantis, Suzuki, Tata Motors, Toyota, TVS Motors, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, E-Z-GO, and CLUB CAR.
Controversy
Throughout the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tenneco faced criticism for maintaining its presence in the Russian market, in contrast to numerous Western firms that chose to exit. According to a Yale University study dated April 28, 2022, Tenneco was classified as "Digging In," signifying its refusal to comply with calls to cease or scale back operations in Russia.
United States
- Arkansas
- Paragould – Production of shock absorbers and struts. The facility is scheduled to close by April 30, 2025.
- Indiana
- Angola – Manufactures elastomeric products such as heavy-duty automotive components, spring eye bushings, fluid bushings, torque rod assemblies, links, and V-rods.
- Elkhart – Facility dedicated to exhaust component manufacturing for other Tenneco sites; uniquely owned rather than leased.
- Ligonier – Produces complete exhaust systems and parts for Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, and Honda. Contains an on-site tubemill for converting steel coils into pipes.
- Michigan
- Litchfield – Specializes in full exhaust system manufacturing with an integrated tubemill for pipe fabrication.
- Marshall – Supplies exhaust systems and components to Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, and General Motors. Equipped with a tubemill and several high-speed muffler assembly lines.
- Monroe Charter Township – Serves as the North American business unit headquarters, employing approximately 500 staff in design, engineering, sales, and marketing roles.
- Missouri
- Kansas City – Produces complete exhaust systems for Ford and General Motors.
- Nebraska
- Seward – Manufactures full exhaust systems for clients including CAT, Chrysler, General Motors, John Deere, and Harley-Davidson. Features an internal tubemill for pipe production.
- Ohio
- Milan – Produces suspension bushings, cab mounts, steering system bushings, exhaust isolators, and rubber compounds.
- Napoleon – Focuses on anti-vibration bushings and suspension link manufacturing.
- Tennessee
- Smithville – Engaged in automotive parts production.
- Virginia
- Harrisonburg – Specializes in aftermarket exhaust product manufacturing.
International
- Rosario - Monroe Fric Rot: Shock absorber production
- Buenos Aires - Walker: Mufflers, catalytic converters, and exhaust system manufacturing
- Edinburgh Park, Adelaide - Production of exhaust systems
- Monroe facility at Clovelly Park, Adelaide - Shock absorbers and struts manufacturing
- Walker plant in O'Sullivan Beach, Adelaide - Emission control products
- Monroe Springs in Sydney - Coil and leaf spring production
- Sint-Truiden - European headquarters for Ride Control division; METC design and development hub; largest ride control manufacturing site in Europe producing shock absorbers, powdered metal parts, and press components
- Cotia, São Paulo (Axios) - Engine mounts, shock absorber bushings, dampers production
- Moji-Mirim, São Paulo (Monroe, Walker) - Exhaust systems and shock absorbers manufacturing
- Três Corações, Minas Gerais (Federal-Mogul) - Combustion engine valve production
- Santo André, São Paulo (Federal-Mogul) - Manufacturing of combustion engine valves
- Araras, São Paulo (Federal-Mogul) - Pistons and camshafts production
- Manaus, Amazonas (Federal-Mogul)
- Cambridge, Ontario - Exhaust systems and components production including tubing mill operations
- Suzhou - Elastomer product manufacturing
- Hodkovice nad Mohelkou - Production of shock absorbers and exhaust systems
- Edenkoben - Exhaust system manufacturing
- Kecskemét - Manufacture of exhaust systems
- Bawal - Production of struts, shock absorbers, front forks
- Pune - Manufacturing mufflers, catalytic converters, complete exhaust systems
- Hosur - Struts, shock absorbers, front fork production
- Facilities in Pithampur and Chennai - Catalytic converters and exhaust system manufacturing
- Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes - Exhaust system production
- Celaya, Guanajuato - Shock absorber (strut) manufacturing
- Puebla, Puebla - Exhaust system manufacturing
- Reynosa, Tamaulipas - Production of bushings, bonded products, Clevebloc products, STA bars, control arm links, engine mounts
- Rybnik - Engineering and manufacturing focused on emission control
- Gliwice - Shock absorber (strut) plant with Engineering Centre (EEEC)
- Stanowice
- Palmela - Just-in-time exhaust system plant serving VW Autoeuropa
- Port Elizabeth - Monroe brand shock absorber production site
See also
- Pine Mountain Club, California, a residential project developed by Tenneco West
External links
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- 2022 mergers and acquisitions
- Natural gas companies of the United States
- Natural gas pipeline companies
- Auto parts suppliers of the United States
- Manufacturing companies based in Illinois
- Multinational companies headquartered in the United States
- Companies based in Lake Forest, Illinois
- American companies established in 1940
- Energy companies established in 1940
- Conglomerate companies established in 1940
- Manufacturing companies established in 1940
- Non-renewable resource companies established in 1940
- 1940 establishments in Illinois
- Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange