Harita Seating’s JV with Fehrer

Harita Seating Systems Ltd., the Chennai-based automotive seating solutions supplier, has signed a letter of intent for a joint venture in Chennai with F.S. Fehrer Automotive GmbH, the international specialist for vehicle interior components based in Kitzingen, Germany.

The joint venture, expected to be operational in three months, will be called Harita-Fehrer Ltd., with Harita Seating Systems Ltd. holding 51 per cent and Fehrer 49 per cent.

The production program of the joint venture includes polyurethane moulded foam pads for seats and plastic components for the Indian automotive market as well as motorbike seats. The production facilities are in Hosur and Pune.

For the near future, the partner companies plan to expand the capacities for the seat bolster production and extend the product portfolio by armrests and headrests for the Indian automotive market.

“Harita-Fehrer combines leading and reliable Fehrer expertise in the complete value-added chain with the distinct market access of Harita. Thus the joint company guarantees custom-made products for India’s automotive industry which meets international quality requirements”, says Dr. Bernd Welzel, CEO of the Fehrer Group.

Fehrer Automotive GmbH, founded in 1875, has customer-oriented service centers and production locations worldwide. The development and production range includes seat bolsters for vehicles, seat modules (armrests, side parts, headrests and back panels), roof trim parts and seating structure parts for convertibles / coupe as well as trim parts for sunshades.

With over 3,000 employees at 20 locations in Germany, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Russia, the US, Spain, Brazil and South Africa, Fehrer achieved a turnover of EUR 420 million in the past year.

Harita Seating Systems, a manufacturer of complete vehicle seats for commercial vehicles and buses, is promoted by members of the TVS family. The TVS Group has more than 30 companies, over 40,000 employees, an annual turnover of $3.1 billion and is one of the largest component groups in the Indian automotive industry.

Harita Seating has a leading and dominant position in the tractor and commercial vehicle driver seats as well as the premium bus passenger seats in the Indian market.