COSMOS, a current Stihl development partner and major supplier of mufflers, is headquartered in South Chicago Heights, Ill., and employs some 200 people in the development, production, and sale of muffler systems and stamped components for small and medium-sized engines.

Just like Stihl, COSMOS is also a family-owned business. The founder of the company, John Michelon, is withdrawing from the business due to his advancing years. "COSMOS and Stihl have maintained a successful partnership for decades," he said. "I am happy to have secured the future of the company through the takeover and am confident that COSMOS will be able to operate to its full development and manufacturing potential as a part of the STIHL family."

The transaction is set to take place as an asset deal, with Stihl founding a new company in the United States called CS COSMOS STIHL Manufacturing. The new enterprise will take over the employees and existing customers and suppliers and continue COSMOS' business seamlessly and without interruption.

COSMOS Manufacturing Inc. produces some 9 million mufflers annually and supplies manufacturers of hand-operated power equipment, lawn mowers, and tractors. Products also include a range of stamped and deep-drawn parts, such as clutch drums and spiked bumpers. The company was founded in 1972 and offers a wealth of expertise in the areas of development, manufacturing, and industrialization. STIHL awarded COSMOS with its Supplier of the Year prize on two occasions, in 2009 and 2013.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The transaction remains subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.

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