Behr GmbH & Co. KG Business Report FY ended Dec. 2012

Business Highlights

Business Overview

 (in million EUR)
  FY ended Dec. 31, 2012 FY ended Dec. 31, 2011 Rate of change (%)
Overall
Sales 3,728 3,706 0.6
EBIT 32 174 (81.6)

Acquired by Mahle

-In May 2013, Mahle GmbH increased its share in the Company from 36.85% to 51.0%. The Company will be integrated into Mahle's Thermal Management business unit in 2014.

Operating results

-In 2012, the Behr Group generated sales of 3,728 million euros, almost unchanged from the previous year. Sales in Europe dropped 3.4% to 2,072 million euros on the year. The economic downturn chiefly affected Europe, and the automakers in Southern Europe in particular. Sales in the North American region grew 14.1 percent to 916 million euros. Sales in the Asia Pacific region also rose 7.8 percent to 552 million euros, mainly driven by sales growth in China.

-In 2012, EBIT was influenced by a substantially lower volume of other operating incomes, increased personnel expenses, special expenses in connection with the American and European antitrust proceedings, and increased warranty expenses.

Overseas plants

-In December 2012, a new Behr plant in Naberezhnye Chelny, Russia, was officially inaugurated. It supplies cooling modules to KAMAZ, the country's largest truck manufacturer.

-In September 2012, Behr Korea extended its capacities to accommodate component production, including a brazing furnace.

-In September 2012, Hella Behr Plastic Omnium (HBPO) signed a joint venture agreement in Malaysia with HICOM Polymers Industry Sdn. Bhd.

-In June 2012, production lines went into operation in Namestovo, Slovakia. The new plant is specialized in the welding, brazing and assembly of heat exchangers.

-In February 2012, production capacities at the Behr NAFTA plant in Mexico were further expanded.

Awards

-In December 2012, DPCA (Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile) acknowledged the joint venture DBTS for the second successive time as "Best Supplier".

-In May 2012, Behr India in Pune received an award from Renault Nissan after having significantly cut production costs for two on-going projects.

-In May 2012, truck manufacturers DAF and PACCAR acknowledge top quality at Behr Kirchberg.

-In April 2012, PSA Peugeot Citroen named Behr France Rouffach a "Key Supplier" on the basis of its exemplary quality and delivery reliability.

-In March 2012, its German plant in Neustadt, Danube, received the Quality award from Jaguar Land Rover for the second time.

R&D

R&D Expenditure

 (in million EUR)
  FY ended Dec. 31, 2012 FY ended Dec. 31, 2011 FY ended Dec. 31, 2010
Total 212 217 209
% of sales 5.7% 5.9% 6.2%

-Products for the thermal management of hybrid and electric drives, innovations to cut fuel consumption and emissions as well as to enhance cabin comfort continue to be the focal issues of its development work.

R&D Structure


-The Company has two fully equipped Technical Centers in Stuttgart, Germany and Troy, Michigan.

-Some 200 engineers at Behr Engineering Services in Pune, India perform design, simulation and purchasing work for other Behr locations worldwide.

Product Development

<Co-development with Mahle GmbH>
Air intake modules with integrated indirect charge air cooling
-The Company and Mahle developed air intake modules with integrated indirect charge air cooling. In comparison with direct charge air cooling, they allow up to 80 percent less pressure loss along the complete charge air line. They also result in lower fuel consumption at all engine speeds at partial and full load, as well as lower emissions due to increased heat dissipation during load changes. The engine's responsiveness is improved by shorter charge air lines and smaller volumes, and contributes to improved vehicle dynamics. These innovative air intake modules save space, as both the front end and the charge air cooler can be scaled down considerably. The coolant hoses also require less space than charge air pipes.

<Co-development with Behr-Hella Thermocontrol>
Hight-voltage PTC heater
-The high-voltage PTC heater developed by Behr and Behr-Hella Thermocontrol (BHTC) is a highly energy efficient solution that heats the cabin of all-electric vehicles and helps to extend the range of the electric battery.

Investment Activities

Capital Expenditure

(in million EUR)
  FY ended Dec. 31, 2012 FY ended Dec. 31, 2011
Europe 71 69
NAFTA 15 19
Asia 20 18
Other 7 7
Total 113 113