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Liqui Moly sold to Würth
German lubricant specialist Liqui Moly has been bought by the giant retailer, wholesaler and manufacturer Künzelsauer Group. Prior owner Ernst Prost, 60, will remain as Managing Director of Liqui Moly. It is said that in day-to-day business terms the change of ownership at Liqui Moly is unlikely to result in dramatic changes- business as usual appears to be the message with company will remain independent within the Würth Group and all employees will be taken over.“ Everything remains as it is. It would be nonsensical to change anything on the road to success in
recent years. It goes on as before- just under a larger roof, which offers more protection,” said Prost. According to Prost, Liqui Moly is“ very healthy”, with the equity ratio at over 80 percent. In 2016 the company achieved a turnover of 489 million euros with some 800 employees. Würth / Künzelsauer Group( itself still a family business) has around 73,000 employees worldwide, with annual sales of 12.5 billion euros and has been a silent partner in Liqui Moly for almost 20 years. Founded in 1957, Liqui Moly develops and produces exclusively in Germany, with around 4,000 automotive chemicals, motor oils and additives, greases and pastes, sprays and car care, glues and sealant items- selling in more than 120 countries. www. liqui-moly. com
Ernst Prost, 60, will remain as Managing Director
Parts Europe wins award
German industry magazine Bike und Business awarded Parts Europe their Accessories & Spare Parts“ Best Brands 2017” award at their 11th annual industry awards event – the third year in succession that Parts Europe has won at the B & B awards. The Wasserliesch( near Trier), Germany based distributor was chosen by German dealers( readers of B & B) who evaluate how satisfied they are with their suppliers ' work by giving grades. The factors that have been evaluated were the product quality, the technical support, the service, the ability to deliver and the dealer support in marketing and sales. The survey was based on randomly chosen recipients of Bike und Business magazine( from July 11 to September 13) with independent specialist DataM Services GmbH conducting 515 complete telephone interviews. Second place in the Accessories & Spare Parts category went to HS- Motorradteile, Mannheim, with Wieres Motorrad-Zubehör, Bonn, third. Congratulations to all the winners and especially to Parts Europe’ s German sales team for the quality service they have been giving their dealers! www. partseurope. eu
12 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS- FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018