Strategic Cooperation with Volvo Truck Corporation
* Service network is being expanded by more than 1000 spare
part distributors
* More partnerships planned in the aftermarket business
Luxembourg, June 8, 2009 - SAF-HOLLAND S.A. is reinforcing its sales
potential in the spare parts business. SAF-HOLLAND, a leading worldwide
manufacturer and supplier of premium product systems and components for
commercial vehicles (trucks and trailers), is joining forces with the Volvo
Truck Corporation in the aftermarket business. As part of this cooperation,
Volvo Truck Corporation has started to include SAF-HOLLAND spare parts in
its European Truck Shop product range and thus supply service centers
across Europe. SAF-HOLLAND spare parts are currently available at service
centers in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Australia.
'We are delighted with this strategically important cooperation because
VOLVO truck service centers are an ideal addition to our worldwide service
network and a significant part of the expansion of our Aftermarket Business
Unit,' commented SAF-HOLLAND Group CEO Dr. Reiner Beutel. The Aftermarket's
share of Group sales is planned to increase from 22% to 25% in the medium
term and 30% over the long term, thereby further improving SAF-HOLLAND's
strong market position. In addition, more partners were added in Europe
when agreements with DAF Parts and MAN were concluded in 2008.
The Aftermarket Business Unit supplies spare parts for the heavy duty truck
business through a comprehensive network of OEM vehicle dealers,
independent distributors, service centers and fleet operators. With
vigorous sales and marketing activities, the Aftermarket Business Unit has
been a stabilizing factor for the Group, as this part of the organization
has been less seriously affected by the market downturn than the OEM
business for trucks and trailers. SAF-HOLLAND recorded a slight increase
in order entry in this segment back in March. In the past, the spare parts
business has been an early indicator of further developments in the truck
and trailer market.
Company Profile:
With about EUR 800 million in sales and over 2,000 employees, SAF-HOLLAND
S.A. is one of the worldwide leading manufacturers and suppliers of premium
product systems and components primarily for trailers as well as trucks,
buses and recreational vehicles. The product range encompasses axle and
suspension systems, fifth wheels, couplers, kingpins and landing legs.
SAF-HOLLAND customers include the majority of large truck and trailer
producers all over the world. The products are sold to Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEMs) and Original Equipment Suppliers (OESs) by means of a
global service and distribution network and via aftermarket channels
directly to the end users and service garages. SAF-HOLLAND has therefore
established itself as one of the few manufacturers in its sector that is
internationally positioned with an extensive product range and a broad
service network. SAF-HOLLAND S.A. has been listed in the Prime Standard of
the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since July 2007.
09.06.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP