JBM Group acquires German auto major Linde-Wiemann

The acquisition happened through one of its flagship companies, Neel Metal Products Ltd and is the biggest business transaction in the history of JBM Group.

JBM Group has acquired major shareholding in Germany’s Linde-Wiemann GmbH KG, a leading manufacturer of complex structural components and assemblies to automotive OEMs worldwide. The acquisition brings to the foray a plethora of synergies for JBM Group in the form of new products, global customers, new German technologies that will not only help in expanding the global footprint of the homegrown conglomerate but will also aid in adding strategic value to its Indian operations, thereby increasing the group’s long-term competitiveness.

Linde-Wiemann specialises in proprietary technologies in areas such as hot forming, tubular assemblies and usage of alternate materials such as aluminium resulting in lighweighting in auto systems. The company has a strong base of 17 manufacturing plants across 8 countries i.e Germany, USA, China, Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic, Hungary and South Africa with an employee strength over 2,300 plus. L+W brings in an experience of over 70 years serving global auto OEMs such as BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Porsche, Daimler, Ford, PSA, etc. JBM will also have access to L+W’s strengths in domains such as electric vehicle components and systems and battery structure and systems.

Speaking on the acquisition, Nishant Arya, Executive Director, JBM Group said, “This business activity is a strategic fit perfectly in sync with our existing scope of operations & solutions, and will also further consolidate our global footprint. Both entities together will bring forward an impeccable combination of frugal engineering and world class technology. We are looking forward to leveraging L+W’s experience in Europe, coupled with our expertise in the auto component domain. JBM and L+W will together focus on developing new products that contribute towards improving the safety and performance of vehicles through light-weighting.” As a result, the product quality will improve and minimise the time to market for OEMs, making it an integrated one-stop solution.”

“JBM is a highly complementary partner for us with respect to customers and technologies as part of the global automotive market. The use of joint potentials is an essential motivation for the new partnership. Through the new business model, LINDE + WIEMANN will be able to unlock substantial growth by the adaption of product competencies in the area of chassis and suspension. Furthermore, LINDE + WIEMANN will extend its holistic system understanding in the field of e-mobility through the exchange with JBM’s electrical bus division,” said Ulrich Schoof, CEO, LINDE + WIEMANN.

The financing of the entire transaction has been done by ICICI Bank Limited. L+W’s stamping capabilities are aptly reflected by machines with pressing capacities upto 3000 tonnes. The company also brings in complex progressive dies and transfer presses along with hydraulic press lines being used for forming. The core competence of its in-house tool shop includes extensive knowledge in the field of ultra-high-strength steels and the integration of complex feeding units. L+W’s current product portfolio includes critical auto systems such as cross car beams, bumpers, rocker panels, tubular assemblies, etc.

JBM manufactures key auto systems and safety critical assemblies for almost all auto OEMs present in the country today. It has an end to end product portfolio ranging from passenger cars, two-wheelers, three-wheelers to commercial vehicles, farm and construction equipment. Most of its innovative products are safety critical items such as chassis and suspension systems like axles, twist beams, lower control arms, sub-frames, exhaust systems, air tanks, fuel tanks, complete cowl assemblies, pedal boxes.