2014 Automechanika Frankfurt
2014 Automechanika Frankfurt
One for All
Whether it is air management,
oil management, piston systems
and cylinder components, engine
cooling, or service solutions,
the MAHLE Group looks after
all these aspects. And this was
the thrust of their message,
at their press conference
and at their stand at the 2014
Automechanika Frankfurt.
D
espite its international heritage,
MAHLE has not really been
a strong household name in
South Africa, but this is currently being
addressed through a strong marketing
campaign, designed to put the name
MAHLE firmly in the minds of the
automotive aftermarket fraternity in
South Africa, and to tell the story of
MAHLE’s heritage.
The MAHLE story is intriguing.
It began in 1920 when brothers
Hermann and Ernst Mahle developed
light-alloy pistons for internal
combustion engines, which was a
significant advance on the heavy
grey cast iron pistons that was the
industry standard at the time. Whilst
the light-alloy pistons were clearly
superior, they did not like dirt and
dust, so the Mahle brothers solved this
problem by developing air and oil filters
as well, thus creating an additional
product line. The end result has
been a technologically leading global
Group, and today half of all vehicles
produced worldwide contain MAHLE
components. And MAHLE intends to
stay at the forefront of technology, with
➲ At Automechanika, MAHLE presented its new unit for repair
shop equipment: MAHLE Service Solutions. Integrated solutions
from a single source are a key component – with practical units
and the combined expertise from all group divisions
over 4 500 engineers and technicians
at work in ten major research and
development centres worldwide, as well
as in numerous regional TechCenters,
on the ongoing development of the
combustion engine and alternative
drives.
From an aftermarket perspective,
MAHLE’s Aftermarket business unit
serves the independent spare parts
market with MAHLE products, all of OE
quality. At the Automechanika Frankfurt,
aBr discussed this aspect with Georges
Mourad, head of Middle East and
Africa for MAHLE Aftermarket GmbH,
and Chris Stanbridge, head of MAHLE
Southern African Branch Aftermarket.
Part of the intriguing MAHLE story
is that of its organisational structure.
In 1964, the company founders
Hermann and Ernst Mahle decided
to waive private ownership in their
companies and to convert the
companies into a foundation for public
benefit. They renounced the largest
part of their personal property and
transferred the company shares to
the MAHLE Foundation. Over and
above the business activities of the
foundation, the MAHLE foundation also
serves charitable causes, by promoting
health care, youth development and
welfare, schooling, general adult
education and vocational training, as
well as organic farming. Its funding
priorities have long included the
Filderkliniek near Stuttgart and projects
run by the Witten/Herdecke University.
In recent years, the foundation has
expanded its area of activity to the
international arena and now supports
medical and social projects in many
countries.
| words in action
28
october 2014
This philanthropic gesture may be
unusual in South Africa, but it is not so
unusual in Germany, with other large
organisations such as Robert Bosch
GmbH following a similar path.
MAHLE now employs some 64,000
employees, and is expected to generate
sales of around ten billion euros at
over 140 locations worldwide, which
makes MAHLE Germany’s fourth
largest company in the automotive
industry in Germany. MAHLE’s strength
remains at the OE level, with 90% of
revenue being generated through OE
sales, with the balance of 10% coming
from aftermarket activities. MAHLE is
structured into five business units:
•
•
•
•
•
MAHLE Engine Systems and
Components - Piston and valve
train components and cylinder
components
MAHLE Filtration and Engine
Peripherals - Components and
systems for automotive air and
liquid management
MAHLE Thermal Systems - The
Behr Group was integrated into
the MAHLE Group at the start of
2014; it is now trading as MAHLE
Behr and makes up the Thermal
Management business unit. From a
marketing perspective, I love their
play on words with this integration.
MAHLE + Behr = Mehr (More)
MAHLE Aftermarket - Supplying
the independent spare parts
market with original equipment
quality parts
MAHLE Industry - All MAHLE
industrial activities are combined
in the Industry business unit, with
its Filtration, Engine Components,
and Thermal Systems divisions