Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG

Summary

Covers Leopold Kostal exhibition participation, products, technologies, and major customers. Offers exclusive information available only on MarkLines to support research and analysis in the automotive industry.

Company Profile

■URL

https://www.kostal.com

■Address

An der Bellmerei 10, 58513 Luedenscheid, Germany

Business Overview

-A family-owned company based in Germany, the Company develops and produces electronic, electromechanical, and mechatronic products for automotive and industrial applications.

-The Company is organized into 7 business divisions:

Automotive Electrical Systems	Manufactures mechatronic and electrical systems for the automotive industry
Industrial Electronics	Focuses on drive, electronic and photovoltaic systems for markets outside the automotive industry
Connectors	Develops and manufactures plug connector systems for the automotive industry
Solar Electric	Specializes in the development of inverters and storage for photovoltaic systems
SOMA Test Technology	Provides test and automation systems for mechatronic and electronic products, as well as manufactures dosing technology for industrial lubricants and customizable, intelligent worker assistance systems
Compleo Charging Solutions	Researches and develops bidirectional charging, calibration law-compliant, and high-power charging solutions, includes high-power charging stations, DC charging stations, AC charging stations, and wallboxes.
Vaylens EV Charging management software	software solutions that simplify the operation of charging infrastructures and make the billing of charging processes more efficient

-For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, sales in the Company’s Automotive Electrical Systems division comprised approximately 88.6% of its total sales. It is the world market leader in the steering column modules, shift-by-wire modules, and door control units, with market shares of over 30% for each system.

Competitors

Shareholders

-The Company is a private, family-owned entity.

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Products

Automotive Electrical Systems
-Steering column modules
-Roof modules
-Center console modules
-Rain/light sensors
-Shift-by-wire systems
-Body network control units
-Door control units
-Seat control units
-Tailgate control units
-Switch panels
-Smart surfaces
-Smart displays
-Faceplates
-Switches
-Driver assistance cameras
-Touch sensitive control modules
-Interior fragrance systems
-Power application control units / Battery charging units
-Onboard battery charge controllers
-Onboard chargers
-DC/DC converters
-Charging interface control units
-Smart battery chargers integrating the onboard chargers and charging interface control units
-Combined battery charger and DC/DC converters

Connectors
-Terminals
-Connectors
-Headers
-Housings
-Connectors for high-voltage application
-Oil performance connectors
-Seals

Enector wallbox home EV charging system

Compleo charging solutions
-High power charging stations
-DC charging stations
-AC charging stations
-Wallboxes

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History

1912	The Company founded the parent company, known informally as "LK". The firm's first products are sockets, plugs and switches for industrial and domestic use.
1927	Entered the automobile electrical business, with a direction indicator switch which the Company designed.
1953	The emphasis of the Company is placed firmly on the design, development and manufacture of products for the automobile industry.
1973	Kostal of Mexico is established.
1978	The electronics side of the business is developed.
1978	Established a facility in Brazil.
1981	Leopold Kostal KG is converted into a GmbH & Co. KG.
1981	Kostal of USA and Kostal of Ireland are established.
1987	The sensors side of the business is developed.
1987	Kostal of Spain is established.
1990	Kostal of UK is established.
1992	Kostal of Japan is established.
1993	Kostal of Czech Republic is established.
1995	The 4 business divisions are created: Automotive Electrical Systems; Industrial Electronics; Connectors; and Test Technology.
	Acquired an Italian subsidiary of the Fornara group, Imos Italy.
	KOSTAL of China is established.
1999	Kostal of France is established.
2001	Mallow plant is established in Ireland.
2003	Zdice plant is established in Czech Republic.
2004	Business divisions Industrial Electronics Systems and Connectors are transformed into legally independent companies.
2006	Kostal is established in South Korea.
2007	Kostal is established in Ukraine.
2008	Foundation of the Joint Venture with NTTF in India.
2012	Kostal celebrates its centenary: "100 years KOSTAL"
Sep. 2018	Kostal Kontakt Systeme, Inc., announced that it is investing for a new facility in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Feb. 2023	Opened a new central hub office in Budapest, Hungary.
Aug. 2023	The Company completed the acquisition of Compleo Charging Solutions AG, Germany.
Oct. 2023	Opened its fourth production plant in Mexico, located at the FINSA III Industrial Park, Queretaro, for power electronic components for EVs.
Jan. 2024	Inaugurated a new assembly plant in Tanger Automotive City, Morocco.
Mar. 2024	Inaugurated a new Technology & Administration center located in Querétaro, México, to which its product development and administrative activities will be relocated.