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Continental acquires the British Engineering Company Zytek Automotive

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- This acquisition strengthens Continental Engineering Services and complements both its development know-how and its service and technology portfolio
- In the market for the market: expansion of local presence in the United Kingdom is stepped up

With effect from February 3, 2014, the international automotive supplier Continental has taken over full ownership of its former joint venture, Zytek Automotive, based in Fradley in the United Kingdom. It previously had a 50 percent shareholding in Zytek Automotive. Both companies have agreed not to disclose the price for the acquisition. In future, Zytek Automotive will operate as a part of the Continental Engineering Services (CES) organization in the United Kingdom, embracing CES's complete service and technology portfolio, and thus providing engineering services covering the chassis, the interior and the powertrain. “This acquisition allows us to meet the increasing need for engineering services. Whether it's from vehicle manufacturers or suppliers – we are seeing an increase in requests for special customer-specific designs and for components for small- scale production runs or niche vehicles, in areas such as electronic brakes, the chassis and the powertrain”, said Bernd Neitzel, managing director of C ntinental Engineering Services.

The Zytek Automotive engineering company employs a workforce of some 150 at its headquarters in Fradley near Birmingham and has particularly well-developed expertise in all areas of automotive technology and vehicle engineering. “With over 30 years of automotive experience, Zytek's highly-qualified employees are experts in their field. They work to high standards and react rapidly and flexibly to their customers' requests. Two experienced and highly-motivated companies such as Zytek and Continental Engineering Services make a perfect match”, added Neitzel.

Zytek's customers include well-known vehicle manufacturers in Europe, the USA and Japan. The company's main focus of activity has so far been on conventional, electrical and hybrid drive systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Thanks to Zytek's and CES's strong service and technology portfolios, and now to their broader base, they will be even better placed in future to assist with local development orders for UK customers.

CES: a development service provider with access to the Continental technology pool
Since 2006 Continental Engineering Services has been active worldwide as an independent operating provider of comprehensive engineering services. CES also has access to the full range of support provided by Continental's technology pool. With its locations and development teams in Europe, America and Asia, CES has a presence within range of all its important industrial partners. The main focus of activity is in automotive electronics, drive and chassis technology, as well as electrical mobility. Its work ranges from the consultation of concept studies up to the realization of prototypes and small series, while having control over the complete product development process.

With sales of around €33.3 billion in 2013, Continental is one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers. As a provider of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires, and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently employs around 178,000 people in 49 countries.

The Automotive Group with its three divisions Chassis & Safety (sales of approx. €7.3 billion in 2013, roughly 36.500 employees), Powertrain (sales of approx. €6.3 billion in 2013, roughly 32,400 employees) and Interior (sales of approx. €6.6 billion in 2013, roughly 34,400 employees) achieved sales of approximately €20 billion in 2013. The Automotive Group is present in more than 170 locations worldwide. As a partner to the automotive and commercial vehicle industry, it develops and produces innovative products and systems for a modern automotive future in which cars provide individual mobility and driving pleasure consistent with driving safety, environmental responsibility, and cost-efficiency.

The Chassis & Safety division develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake and chassis control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, air bag electronics and sensors, washer systems, and electronic air suspension systems. Its core competence is the integration of active and passive driving safety into ContiGuard. The Powertrain division integrates innovative and efficient system solutions for vehicle powertrains. The comprehensive range of products includes gasoline and diesel injection systems, engine management and transmission control, including sensors and actuators, as well as fuel supply systems, and components and systems for hybrid and electric drives. Information management is at the very heart of the Interior division, which provides a range of products that includes instrument clusters and multifunctional displays, control units, electronic car- entry systems, tire-monitoring systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, climate control systems, telematics solutions, and cockpis.


Source: www.continental-mediacenter.com

 

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