Tenneco
Tenneco is a United States-based global manufacturer of automotive ride-control, emissions-control, powertrain and aftermarket components.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Tenneco is a global automotive-components manufacturer headquartered in Northville Charter Township, Michigan. The company supplies original-equipment manufacturers and the independent aftermarket with ride-control systems, exhaust and emissions products, engine components, elastomer products and related replacement parts. Its portfolio includes both the Tenneco corporate name and a broad collection of established automotive brands, including Monroe, Walker, MOOG, Ferodo, Fel-Pro, Federal-Mogul, Sealed Power, DynoMax, Rancho, Champion and Wagner Electric. The business developed from the natural-gas activities of Tennessee Gas Transmission Company, which was associated with the Chicago Corporation during the 1940s. A pipeline built from Texas toward the Appalachian region became the foundation for a much larger energy enterprise. In 1966, Tennessee Gas was incorporated as Tenneco, Inc., and the company subsequently pursued an exceptionally broad diversification strategy. During the following decades it entered or expanded in oil, chemicals, packaging, shipbuilding, agricultural machinery, construction equipment and automotive products. Automotive manufacturing became increasingly important after Tenneco acquired Walker in 1967. Walker produced universal-fit mufflers and exhaust pipes, and Tenneco later developed catalytic-converter technology and expanded its international exhaust operations through acquisitions in Europe and elsewhere. The company also accumulated agricultural-equipment interests, including J.I. Case, David Brown Tractors, selected International Harvester assets and Steiger Tractor. This conglomerate strategy produced substantial financial and operational strain in the 1980s, contributing to the disposal of the oil business and the eventual separation of most non-automotive activities. Tenneco’s automotive operations were spun off from the former conglomerate in 1991, alongside other divisions that were later separated or sold. The company focused progressively on automotive equipment and aftermarket products, and Tenneco Automotive adopted the shorter Tenneco name in 2005. The acquisition of Federal-Mogul in 2018 materially broadened the company’s engine, braking, sealing, friction and aftermarket portfolio. Tenneco also acquired a majority interest in performance-suspension company Öhlins in 2018, although that business was later sold to Brembo. Tenneco was listed on the New York Stock Exchange from November 1999 until its acquisition by Apollo Global Management. In February 2022, Apollo and Tenneco announced a definitive transaction valued at approximately $7.1 billion, and the acquisition was completed in November 2022. As a private company, Tenneco continues to operate internationally, serving more than 25 original-equipment manufacturers and more than 500 aftermarket customers through manufacturing and engineering operations across multiple continents.
History
Tenneco’s corporate lineage reaches back to investment and energy enterprises connected with the Chicago Corporation. Tennessee Gas Transmission Company was organized in the 1940s to address fuel shortages affecting industrial production in the Appalachian region during the Second World War. With federal financing and regulatory approval, the company built a natural-gas pipeline from Texas toward West Virginia and later extended the network toward the northeastern United States. The pipeline system became one of the largest in the country and supplied markets including New York and New Jersey. The energy business diversified during the 1950s through acquisitions of oil companies and related assets. In 1966, Tennessee Gas was incorporated as Tenneco, Inc., establishing the name under which the diversified group would operate. Tenneco then expanded well beyond natural gas. It acquired Walker in 1967, adding mufflers and exhaust components, and developed a universal-fit catalytic converter intended to offer a lower-cost alternative to original-equipment catalytic converters. Automotive products gradually became one of the company’s most durable businesses. The group also acquired substantial interests in agriculture and construction equipment. Its purchase of the Kern County Land Company provided control of J.I. Case, and Tenneco later acquired David Brown Tractors, selected International Harvester assets and Steiger Tractor. The resulting Case and Case IH activities became a major part of the conglomerate. Tenneco simultaneously owned or operated businesses in shipbuilding, packaging, chemicals, oil and gas, and other industrial fields. The diversification strategy became difficult to sustain during the 1980s. Tenneco experienced severe losses and pressure from lenders, and the oil business was broken up and sold to multiple buyers. During the 1990s, the company separated agricultural operations, packaging and other non-automotive assets through sales, spin-offs and mergers. The automotive division was spun off from the former conglomerate in 1991. Tenneco Packaging later became Packaging Corporation of America and Pactiv-related businesses, while Case was ultimately combined with New Holland under Fiat’s ownership. Tenneco’s automotive operations expanded internationally through acquisitions and manufacturing investments. The business had supplied European muffler markets since the 1960s and acquired companies or facilities in Germany, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom and Denmark during the following decade. In 1999, Tenneco became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The company changed its name from Tenneco Automotive to Tenneco in October 2005, reflecting a broader automotive portfolio rather than a single exhaust-centered identity. The acquisition of Federal-Mogul was completed on October 1, 2018. It added major original-equipment and aftermarket capabilities in engine components, sealing, braking, friction and related systems. Tenneco acquired a majority stake in Öhlins the following month, strengthening its position in premium performance suspension. In 2019, it announced plans to separate its automotive aftermarket suspension activities into DRiV Incorporated, although the wider Tenneco brand and portfolio continued to serve both OEM and aftermarket customers. Apollo Global Management announced an agreement to acquire Tenneco in February 2022 for a transaction valued at about $7.1 billion. The transaction closed in November 2022, taking Tenneco private. The company remains an international automotive supplier with engineering, production and distribution activities in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Its business is organized around technologies and brands serving vehicle manufacturers, commercial-vehicle producers, industrial customers and replacement-parts channels.
- 2024
Öhlins sale to Brembo is agreed
[1]Tenneco agreed to sell Öhlins to Brembo for approximately $405 million.
- 2022
Apollo acquisition is announced
[1]Tenneco announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by Apollo Global Management in a transaction valued at approximately $7.1 billion.
- 2022
Tenneco becomes privately held
[1]The Apollo transaction closed in November, ending Tenneco’s public listing.
- 2018
Federal-Mogul acquisition closes
[1]Tenneco completed the acquisition of Federal-Mogul, expanding its powertrain, friction, sealing and aftermarket capabilities.
- 2018
Tenneco acquires a majority stake in Öhlins
[1]The company acquired majority ownership of the performance-suspension specialist in November.
- 2005
Tenneco Automotive returns to the Tenneco name
[1]The automotive company was renamed Tenneco in October.
- 1999
Tenneco becomes publicly traded on the NYSE
[1]The company began its period as a New York Stock Exchange-listed public corporation.
- 1991
Automotive division is spun off from the conglomerate
[1]Tenneco’s automotive operations were separated from the wider group as the company began dismantling its diversified structure.
- 1967
Walker is acquired
[1]The acquisition added universal-fit mufflers and exhaust pipes and became a foundation of Tenneco’s automotive business.
- 1966
Tennessee Gas becomes Tenneco, Inc.
[1]The company adopted the Tenneco name as it broadened beyond natural-gas transmission.
Products and positioning
A global, multi-brand automotive supplier serving both original-equipment manufacturers and the independent aftermarket, with particular strength in ride control, emissions management, powertrain components and replacement parts.
Ride control
Monroe
Monroe is Tenneco’s principal ride-control brand, offering shock absorbers, struts and related suspension products for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and the aftermarket. The brand is also associated with regional Monroe variants and related suspension lines.
Exhaust and emissions · 1967
Walker
Walker supplies mufflers, catalytic converters, exhaust assemblies and related emissions-control components. It serves both original-equipment and replacement markets and is one of the businesses that established Tenneco’s long-term automotive identity.
Steering and suspension
MOOG
MOOG is an aftermarket brand for steering, chassis and suspension replacement components. Its portfolio is directed primarily at vehicle repair professionals, distributors and consumers seeking replacement parts.
Automotive components
Federal-Mogul
Federal-Mogul contributes original-equipment and aftermarket technologies across powertrain, braking, sealing, friction and related automotive applications. Tenneco acquired the business in 2018.
Friction and braking
Ferodo
Ferodo is a friction-products brand associated with brake pads and related braking applications for automotive and other vehicle markets.
Engine sealing
Fel-Pro
Fel-Pro supplies replacement engine gaskets and sealing products for vehicle repair and maintenance applications.
Performance exhaust
DynoMax
DynoMax provides performance-oriented exhaust products, including mufflers and exhaust-system components for automotive enthusiasts and the aftermarket.
Performance suspension
Öhlins
Öhlins is a premium performance-suspension business that Tenneco acquired a majority stake in during 2018. Tenneco agreed to sell it to Brembo in 2024, with the transaction reported as completed in January 2025.
Controversies
2022
Criticism over Russian market operations
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a Yale-affiliated research assessment classified Tenneco among companies that continued operating in Russia rather than exiting or substantially reducing activity. The classification prompted criticism of the company’s response to the invasion.
Brand decisions
2024
Sell Öhlins to BremboM&ABackground
Tenneco agreed to divest its performance-suspension business after owning a majority stake for several years.
Action taken
The company agreed to sell Öhlins to Brembo for approximately $405 million.
Aftermath
The divestiture reduced Tenneco’s portfolio of premium performance brands; the sale was reported as completed in January 2025.
Sale consideration. $405 million (Agreement announced October 2024; completion reported January 2025)
2022
Accept Apollo Global Management acquisitionM&ABackground
Tenneco’s board approved a transaction intended to take the company private.
Action taken
Tenneco entered a definitive agreement to be acquired by Apollo Global Management for approximately $7.1 billion, with completion in November 2022.
Aftermath
Tenneco ceased to be publicly traded and continued under private ownership.
Transaction value. Approximately $7.1 billion (Announced February 2022; completed November 2022)
2019
Plan to separate aftermarket suspension activitiesStrategyBackground
Tenneco sought to create a more focused structure for its automotive aftermarket suspension operations.
Action taken
The company announced plans to spin off those activities into DRiV Incorporated.
Aftermath
The announcement formed part of Tenneco’s post-Federal-Mogul portfolio restructuring.
2018
Acquire Federal-MogulM&ABackground
Tenneco sought to broaden its original-equipment and aftermarket automotive portfolio beyond ride control and exhaust products.
Action taken
The acquisition was completed on October 1, 2018, adding powertrain, sealing, friction, braking and aftermarket capabilities.
Aftermath
The transaction materially expanded Tenneco’s global brand and product portfolio.
2018
Acquire a majority stake in ÖhlinsM&ABackground
Tenneco pursued premium performance-suspension technology and brand capability.
Action taken
Tenneco acquired a majority interest in Öhlins in November 2018.
Aftermath
Öhlins became part of Tenneco’s performance-suspension portfolio until its later sale to Brembo.
Acquisition consideration. $160 million (November 2018)
Recent events
Reported
Apollo funds agree to acquire Tenneco[2]
Tenneco announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise valuation of approximately $7.1 billion, including debt. The transaction was subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and was expected to close in the second half of 2022.
Reported
Tenneco CVSAe suspension technology announced for China debut in Zeekr 001[3]
Tenneco announced that its CVSAe electronic suspension technology would make its China debut in the Zeekr 001, which the article describes as the first vehicle made in China by a major automaker to use the technology.
Reported
Tenneco prices senior secured notes offering[4]
Tenneco announced that it priced an offering of $800 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2029. The offering was expected to close on March 17, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.
Reported
Tenneco's IROX 2 technology receives 2020 Automotive News PACE Award[5]
Tenneco's Powertrain business group received a 2020 Automotive News PACE Award for its second-generation polymer bearing technology, IROX 2.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Tenneco provides 2020 financial outlook[6]
Tenneco said it expected 2020 revenue of $16.7 billion to $17.1 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $1.3 billion to $1.45 billion.
Reported
Tenneco reports fourth-quarter and 2019 results[7]
Tenneco announced its fourth-quarter and 2019 financial results. It reported fourth-quarter revenue down 3.2% year over year to $4.1 billion and a full-year net loss of $314 million.
Reported
Tenneco appoints Chuck Stevens III to its board[8]
Tenneco announced the appointment of Charles “Chuck” K. Stevens III to its Board of Directors, effective February 5, 2020.
Sources9 sources
- 1Tennecoen.wikipedia.org
- 2Apollo 基金同意收购 Tennecoprnewswire.com
- 3Tenneco CVSAe悬架技术宣布将在中国首次亮相prnasia.com
- 4Tenneco为优先担保票据发行定价prnewswire.com
- 5Tenneco的IROX 2技术获2020年《Automotive News》PACE奖prnewswire.com
- 6天纳克公布2020年业绩展望finance.sina.com.cn
- 7天纳克公布第四季度及2019年业绩finance.sina.com.cn
- 8Tenneco任命Chuck Stevens III加入董事会prnewswire.com
- 9Tenneco Appoints Roy Armes to Board of Directorsprnewswire.com
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