Following completion of the acquisition of Mahle Motorenkomponenten GmbH, the company’s two German forging technology plants now form Frauenthal Automotive’s new powertrain product group.

The long-established plants in Plettenberg (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Rosswein (Saxony), which had a total of 640 employees and combined revenue of EUR 125 million in 2016, joined the Frauenthal Group with effect from 1 April. The company develops and produces forged parts for high load-bearing applications, such as connecting rods, camshafts and distributor boards for the automotive industry, and is the European market and technology leader, with a market share of over 30%. 

Upgrades at both locations 

The acquisition marks a significant step in Frauenthal Automotive’s expansion, in line with the goal of creating a strategic supplier to Europe’s top vehicle producers. Martin Sailer, Frauenthal Holding Executive Board member responsible for the Frauenthal Automotive Division, explained: “We want to achieve growth at both locations. Our aims are to acquire additional customers, develop new products outside the engine component segment and enter the mechanical processing business.” Mahle Motorenkomponenten GmbH has been renamed Frauenthal Powertrain GmbH, which will be headed by Dieter Spitzlay, the former manager of both plants, together with Josef Unterwieser and Amit Bedi (see photo, from left to right). “Our position as an important part of the Frauenthal Group will open up new opportunities for both locations. We are in a position to enhance our strategy, generate additional growth and deepen the value chain,” Dieter Spitzlay commented.