BROADVIEW, Ill. – The Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division is set to take over the Unipoint Group, as well as its affiliated companies and the Unipoint and NSA brands. Unipoint Group is a key producer of starters, alternators, temperature control parts and wiper blades for the aftermarket.
In 2010, the Unipoint Group achieved sales of $124 million. It currently employs around 2,360 people at two production locations in China mainland and Taiwan as well as various sales locations. The two companies signed an agreement confirming the deal on Aug. 9. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The transaction remains subject to the approval of the regulatory and competition authorities.
The Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division has acquired the Unipoint Group with the intention of strengthening its position as the leading supplier of starters and alternators, and also views it as an investment in the temperature control product segment. In addition, it adds another Asian production base to the wiper blade business unit.
“Our aim is to further strengthen the position of Bosch as the leading supplier of starters, alternators and wiper blades in the automotive aftermarket. We also wish to expand our business in Asia,” said Robert Hanser, chairman of the divisional board of Bosch’s Automotive Aftermarket division.
The Unipoint Group was established in 1972 and has been majority-owned by its founding family ever since. It is set to be integrated into the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division. Aside from the provision, sale and distribution of vehicle parts, this division’s main focus is providing repair shops with diagnostic equipment and services, as well as promoting the Bosch Service and AutoCrew repair shop concepts. In 2010, the Automotive Aftermarket division achieved sales of around $5.4 billion and employed over 10,000 associates worldwide.
