GVS to Buy Kuss Filtration

Microfiltration specialist GVS SpA has agreed to buy Findlay, Ohio-based Kuss Filtration Inc. from Industrial Opportunity Partners (IOP), an Evanston, Ill.-based private equity firm.

Upon completion of the deal, Kuss’ operations will become part of GVS’s Automotive Div. Based in Italy, GVS has 11 manufacturing plants worldwide that make microfiltration products for automotive, appliance, healthcare, HVAC, life science, outdoor power equipment, personal protection and powersport applications.

Kuss produces fuel, oil, lubrication and urea filters, engine air intake, cabin air and emission filters for passenger and commercial vehicles. The company, which was founded in 1949, has four production plants: two in the U.S, and one each in Brazil and China. IOP acquired Kuss in 2011 from Cummins Inc., which had owned the filtration company since 1986.