Eberspaecher Holding GmbH & Co.KG Business Report FY2009

Business Highlights

Financial Overview

(in million euros)
  FY2009 FY2008 Rate of change(%) Factors
Sales 1,342.0 2,239.9 (40.1) -
Exhaust Technology Division
Sales 1,136.9 1,926.5 (41.0) 1)
Vehicle Heaters Division
Sales 205.1 313.4 (34.6) 2)

Factor
1)
-The effects of the global economic crisis had a significant impact on all sales regions. There were regional differences nevertheless. While the Company suffered a decline in revenue of 39.7 % (gross) in Europe, its core sales territory, the decline in North America was even more severe at 51.0 %, due to the insolvencies of General Motors and Chrysler. Thanks to new launches and an exchange rate that developed in its favor, revenue in South Africa, valued in euros, saw a smaller decline than in all other regions. In the BRIC countries, revenue roughly matched the prior-year level. This is attributable to the significantly shorter and less dramatic economic downturn in these emerging economies and the fact that the Company has increased its local activities there.

-After a very difficult first half of the year, revenue started to grow again in the second half due to the global recovery in demand for passenger vehicles.

2)
-All areas of business were affected by the crisis-related decreases, but to varying degrees. Due to the cold winter weather, revenue in the first quarter of the year was still somewhat better but then fell significantly in the second and third quarters. This was, on the one hand, attributable to the recurring seasonal effect but on the other hand revealed the true extent of the crisis. Revenue in the fourth quarter saw a seasonal recovery, but failed to reach the prior year level.

Contracts

-The Company has developed a new exhaust manifold for the twin scroll turbocharger used in six-cylinder straight-type engine. The first production vehicle with the new manifold technology is scheduled to appear on the market in Nov. 2009. (From a press release issued in Aug. 2009)

Joint Ventures

-The Commpany, Bosch and Deutz have signed an agreement to set up a joint venture in the area of diesel exhaust control technology. The joint venture will offer modular-based diesel exhaust aftertreatment systems for construction and agricultural machinery, as well as for commercial vehicles. The new entity is to be known as "Bosch Emission Systems GmbH & Co. KG" and to be headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. It will start operations in Jan. 2010. Series production will likely start in the third quarter of 2010. (From a press release on Dec. 10, 2009)

R&D

R&D Expenditure

(in million euros)
  FY2009 FY2008 FY2007
Total 79.2 82.6 70.2

R&D Locations

-Esslingen (Germany), Unna (Germany), Paris (France), Novi (USA) and Pune (India).

R&D Activities

Exhaust Technology Division
-The fuel processor that manages the entire thermal management in the exhaust gas system and the Active Sound and Active Silence technology, an active sound-managing muffler system that uses anti-sound to achieve both an effective noise reduction and a distinctive sound design, were further refined. Similarly, the Company achieved considerable progress in the optimization of existing products in combination with benefits for the production process and for its customers. This includes, for example, designing lightweight mufflers with tailored strips.

Fuel-burning vehicle heaters
-In the case of fuel-burning vehicle heaters (parking heater systems and auxiliary heaters), development activities in 2009 have focused on further developing the functions of the Hydronic 2 family of parking heaters in a modular way for use in various applications. Development work centered on optimizing energy efficiency, life expectancy and compatibility with alternative fuels. One of the focal points of its research activities is on the development of a reformer and residual gas burner for a fuel cell. This technology developed as part of this research project is planned to go into series production at a later date for the purpose of onboard electricity generation, e.g. for commercial vehicles for example.

Electrical vehicle heaters
-In the area of electrical vehicle heaters, the focus is on the development and refining of novel electrical water and air heaters.

Product Development

Exhaust manifold
-The Company has developed a new exhaust manifold for the twin scroll turbocharger used in six-cylinder straight-type engine. The first production vehicle with the new manifold technology is scheduled to appear on the market in Nov. 2009. (From a press release issued in Aug. 2009)

Exhaust system
-The Company announced that it has developed weight-reduced, stainless steel exhaust systems made of Tailored Strips provided by ThyssenKrupp. (From a press release issued in Aug. 2009)

Investment Activities

Capital Expenditure

(in million euros)
  FY2009 FY2008 FY2007
Total 38.1 65.2 47.3

Investments outside Germany

<USA>
-The Company has made investments in Michigan, USA., to expand its capacity of commercial-vehicle aftertreatment systems for heavy-duty trucks. The Company completed a renovation of its Brighton facility, where the production of its new selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology is scheduled to begin later in 2009. Also, the Company opened a new facility in Wixom to manufacture canning used in the aftertreatment systems. (From a press release on Jul. 22, 2009)