MAHLE to Acquire Hella Joint Venture
The MAHLE Group plans to acquire all shares in Behr Hella Service GmbH, its current joint venture with Hella. The deal will lead to MAHLE distributing Behr Hella Service products via its own aftermarket organization.
“This step will further strengthen MAHLE’s position in thermal management,” the company stated in a news release. “Following a transitional period, MAHLE intends to manage the spare parts business for thermal management products on its own, starting on Jan. 1, 2020.”
MAHLE and Hella have agreed that MAHLE will take over Hella’s 50-percent share in the joint venture. The planned transaction is still subject to the approval by antitrust authorities, according to MAHLE Group.
“Behr Hella Service has been a successful company for many years and is a perfect match for us, both strategically and technologically,” said Arnd Franz, member of the MAHLE Group Management Board, which is responsible for the Automotive Sales and Application Engineering and Aftermarket business units.
The Behr Hella Service GmbH joint venture was established in 2005 to specialize in marketing and distributing cooling and air conditioning products within the automotive aftermarket. MAHLE’s takeover of business activities allows it to offer the full spectrum of thermal management products from a single source to wholesalers and workshops.
“With this planned acquisition, we are complementing our aftermarket product range by a business field of great long-term importance,” said Olaf Henning, head of the MAHLE Aftermarket business unit. “Efficient thermal management will play an increasingly important role in the future-for all powertrain technologies. This move will allow us to give the best possible support in this very promising area and to ensure the successful operation of workshops.”
Meanwhile, Hella’s aftermarket business will focus more heavily on lighting.
“We will align our aftermarket business more consistently with our strong original equipment competencies, particularly in lighting and electronics, and will mesh these areas closely with our expertise in workshop equipment,” said Andreas Habeck of Hella’s Aftermarket business segment. “Together, we will make the transition of the business activities as smooth as possible for our customers.”
MAHLE plans to expand distribution of its aftermarket thermal management products outside Europe after the acquisition is complete.
