Bosch set to acquire 100 percent stake in ZF Lenksysteme

Bosch is planning to increase its stake in ZF Lenksysteme GmbH (ZFLS) to 100 percent. On September 15, 2014, Robert Bosch GmbH and ZF Friedrichshafen AG signed an agreement to this effect.

Up to now, ZFLS, based in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, has been a 50:50 joint venture between Bosch and ZF. Employing more than 13,000 associates in eight countries, ZFLS develops, produces, and sells steering systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles worldwide. In 2013, it registered sales of approximately 4.1 billion euros (Rs 32,238 crore). With a total of 20 locations, the company is active in the world’s most important automotive markets. Alongside locations in Europe, the U.S., and China, ZFLS also produces in India, Brazil, and Malaysia. The transaction is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities. It has been agreed that the purchase price will not be disclosed.

“With its complete takeover of ZFLS, Bosch is strengthening its ability to actively shape the future of mobility. The company is a technological leader in the growth area of electric power steering, and precisely this is the core technology for automated driving, for more efficient vehicles, and also for electric cars,” said Dr. Volkmar Denner, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH.

ZFLS generates around 60 percent of its total revenue with modern, fuel-efficient electric power steering systems. One reason for the success of efficient steering systems is their potential to reduce consumption: for instance, a midsized vehicle with a two-litre engine can see fuel savings of up to 0.8 litres per hundred kilometres. This also reduces emissions by up to 14 grams of CO2 per kilometre. In addition, electric power steering in cars is an essential component for many assistance systems. For example, lane-keeping assistants rely on it to automatically keep the car on course. During start-stop coasting, which involves the engine shutting off while coasting, electric support ensures that steering behavior remains the same.

 Continuous growth

“Since 1999, ZFLS has experienced strong growth, and has also developed very successfully as a result of the excellent collaboration between ZF and Bosch. I would like to sincerely thank all ZFLS associates for their hard work and dedication over the years,” said Dr. Stefan Sommer, the CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG. “In order to continue to be able to meet the demands of an ever more dynamic business environment, Bosch and ZF have decided to change the ownership structure of ZFLS.”

The success of ZFLS does not depend only on the number of innovations the company has brought to market. “It also depends on the associates – their attention to quality, their unfailing commitment, and their identification with the products are crucial success factors for ZF Lenksysteme,” said Wolf-Henning Scheider, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH and spokesperson for the Automotive Group. “With Bosch as our parent company, we have a reliable partner on our side, with which we can continue to successfully pursue technological innovation and economic growth,” said Dr. Marcus Parche, deputy chairman of the ZFLS board of management.

 Driven by innovation

In total, around 1,400 ZFLS associates, or more than one in ten, work in engineering. In 2013, the company spent roughly 238 million euros (Rs 1,871 crore) on research and development. Since its establishment, ZFLS has filed around 750 patents. A main focus of R&D activities is the networking of components into complete systems via specific software. For example, ZFLS made a solution ready for series production using components produced by its parent companies, which allows a car hooked up to a trailer to be maneuvered from the curbside with a smartphone.

A compact, locally-engineered, particularly cost-effective electric power steering system for Asian markets shows that the company not only offers solutions for the premium segment. This means that even customers who drive more affordable compact cars can benefit from the increased efficiency offered by ZFLS products.

“ZFLS’s innovative strength and international presence – particularly in Asia and North America – enable it to benefit from growth in stronger economies,” said Scheider. “ZFLS is especially characterized by its proximity to customers. Whether as a supplier of individual components or provider of complete systems, ZFLS is a respected partner for automakers and also locates operations close to its customers wherever in the world they do business.” As part of its internationalization strategy, ZFLS has recently been focusing its investments on North America and Asia.

Photograph: ZFLS Servoelectric