Despite challenging market conditions in North America and China that caused sales to decline 5.8 per cent to €5.49 billion for the overall business, Knorr-Bremse’s Commercial Vehicle Systems division saw rising sales in 2016.
According to the German braking technology expert, which managed to complete a record seven acquisitions in the year gone, sales in the commercial vehicle field went up slightly from €2.49 billion to €2.52 billion – with additional growth opportunities expected for 2017.
“In the commercial vehicle sector, the acquisitions of UK-based GT Group and Bosch Japan’s TRS transmission components business for on-highway vehicles offer additional growth opportunities,” the company summarised.
“With the acquisition of Tedrive, Knorr-Bremse has accessed the steering business and thereby also met one of the main preconditions for providing customers with an integrated longitudinal and lateral guidance system for automated driving from a single source.”
Early in September 2016, Knorr-Bremse also submitted an offer for Swedish automotive supplier, Haldex.
“The aim here is to join forces with Haldex to expand the product portfolio –particularly in the trailer brake and air suspension systems segment – and actively drive forward the development of system solutions for automated and/or autonomous driving for truck-trailer combinations,” Knorr-Bremse pointed out.
In 2017, automation, electrification and digitalisation will again be focus areas for Knorr-Bremse, according to Klaus Deller, Chairman of the company’s Executive Board (pictured).
“The decisive success factors will be connectivity, systems integration and the ability to look beyond our traditional business,” he explained. “And in a volatile market environment, rigorous cost management and efficient processes will remain as important as ever.”