From Tire Review

MUNICH -- The Bosch Group has unveiled plans to further consolidate its foothold in the workshop equipment market through the acquisition of Munich-based Beissbarth GmbH, and Italy ’s Sicam s.r.l., companies that both belong to parent company Beissbarth Automotive Group GmbH.

An agreement between Bosch and Beissbarth Automotive was signed on Feb. 14.

Commenting on the purchase, Peter Tyroller, a member of the Bosch management board responsible for OE sales and the Automotive Aftermarket division, said: "We want to further strengthen the position of our Bosch Diagnostics business unit in the workshop equipment business, especially when it comes to business with diagnostic systems."

Bosch will primarily benefit from the acquisition through a resultant expansion of its chassis-measurement systems p rod uct segment. Its workshop equipment range will also now include tire-servicing equipment. Furthermore, the acquisition will serve to strengthen its workshop equipment business in OEM authorized repair centers.

Beissbarth GmbH p rod uces the Touchless non-contact wheel alignment system, as well as chassis-measurement systems and tire-testing and servicing equipment. Sicam s.r.l. focuses on tire-servicing equipment. While keeping their corporate structure, Beissbarth GmbH and Sicam s.r.l. are to be integrated into the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division’s Diagnostics business unit.

Together, the two companies generate sales of approximately £60 million and employ a total of some 430 persons at two locations, as well as in several sales companies. It has been agreed that the purchase price for the two companies will not be disclosed. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.

This latest move builds on last November’s partnership arrangement that Bosch entered into with Maha, the world’s largest manufacturer of car and truck safety and service test lanes. The November deal capitalized on both company’s strengths in the field of vehicle servicing and testing hardware, and the partnership offered clients a complete workshop design, planning and installation service, including the obtaining of any required legal approvals.