York addition to boost Indian market presence
More successful as a team – the commercial vehicle supplier is striving to implement its future plans with strong partners in the SAF-HOLLAND Group. Working with its partners, SAF-HOLLAND is exploiting the synergies in the Group with recognised companies from the transport industry such as V.ORLANDI, York, KLL, Corpco and Axscend.
With acquisitions, SAF-HOLLAND is taking the next steps to implement its 2020 growth strategy, following global megatrends, expanding its aftermarket business, entering new markets, and also strengthening its market position in core regions and expanding its position globally.
To achieve these goals, the companies in the SAF-HOLLAND Group are combining their strengths and exploiting their synergies.
“The Group is constantly expanding its expertise, whether regionally or in specific areas of business.
We are therefore well placed for the future and are concentrating on implementing our 2020 growth strategy,” says Detlef Borghardt, CEO of SAF-HOLLAND.
Strong position for coupling systems and components
In 2018, SAF-HOLLAND acquired V.ORLANDI S.p.A., an Italian manufacturer of coupling systems for trucks, trailers and commercial agricultural vehicles, to expand its specialist business in coupling systems and components.
The acquisition has strengthened the commercial vehicle supplier’s position as number two for fifth wheels on the European market and expanded its business to include couplings and drawbar eyes for trailers, as well as adding specialised commercial vehicles such as for industry, agriculture, forestry and mining. SAF-HOLLAND also benefits from V.ORLANDI’s strong spareparts and accessories business, which fits perfectly with its own aftermarket activities.
Presence in Asia-Pacific region and India
At almost the same time, SAF-HOLLAND acquired York Transport Equipment (Asia) Pte. Ltd., a supplier of trailer axle and suspension systems. The acquisition sees the Group quickly expanding its market position in the rapidly growing transport markets of the APAC region and India. In the future, York will give the commercial vehicle specialist a significant presence in emerging South-East Asian markets such as Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as in Australia.
“This acquisition positions us early on for the foreseeable transition in these countries to technologically more sophisticated solutions,” says Detlef Borghardt, who sees great potential in the move.
To expand its digital expertise, SAF-HOLLAND recently acquired Axscend Ltd., the British telematics and connectivity specialist. The commercial vehicle supplier is thereby bringing technical expertise in software and programming into the Group and setting the course for the future – for a trailer that can be managed holistically.
Expanding activities in Brazil
Taking the lead with suspension systems, the acquisition of Brazilian specialist, KLL Equipamentos para Transporte Ltda. added mechanical suspension systems to SAF-HOLLAND’s technology portfolio in 2016. In addition to taking the lead in air suspension systems for buses, the commercial vehicle supplier gained direct access to key customers for its truck products.
Detlef Borghardt believes the market is very attractive: “By acquiring KLL, we have invested in development of the largest transport market in South America and are significantly expanding our position in Brazil.”
As long ago as 2013, SAF-HOLLAND acquired the bus suspension expert, Corpco Beijing Technology and Development Co. Ltd., with the goal of strengthening its market position in China. Further stated goals included constantly improving the product portfolio of both companies for the Chinese market and developing new technologies.
The combination of the two dense spareparts networks of SAF-HOLLAND and Corpco was also a big plus.