After a successful business year 2023, the SAF-HOLLAND Group is focused on expansion and reports two company acquisitions in early 2024. The latest members of the Group include Dutch exclusive sales partner IMS Group B.V. and Tecma Srl, an Italian manufacturer of special axle systems and suspensions.
With the latest acquisitions, the supplier of trailer and truck components is further expanding its field of business and underlines its excellent position in the commercial vehicles industry. Alexander Geis, Chairman of the Board and CEO of SAF-HOLLAND SE, believes that the announced purchases have strengthened the market position of the group of companies: “With the acquisition of IMS Group B.V., we can now further strengthen our OEM and aftermarket activities in the Benelux countries.”
MS Group B.V. – a strong sales partner in the Benelux countries
With the purchase of the Dutch exclusive sales partner IMS Group B.V. – now called SAF-HOLLAND Benelux – SAF-HOLLAND secures the sole distribution of the Group’s own quality brands SAF and Holland in the OEM field and aftermarket in Benelux. “With mechanical and hydraulic steering systems, SAF-HOLLAND Benelux offers innovative, sustainable and efficient solutions for the transport industry. These are an excellent addition and expansion of our existing range,” explains Alexandre Charpiot, Vice-President Sales EMEA at SAF-HOLLAND. With this acquisition, the Group is strengthening its market position in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg while aiming to further increase its market share in this important region.
The purchase adds the brands for mechanical steering systems Green Steering and SEM to the portfolio. The distribution of these brands will now be handled for all of Europe by the subsidiaries and country branches of SAF-HOLLAND. “The patented cable steering modules of the Green Steering brand, for example, offer optimum agility, improved manoeuvrability and constant steering characteristics. This reduces fuel consumption and results in less tyre wear, consequently lowering the costs per kilometre, particulate emissions and CO2 output,” explains Charpiot. The European sales rights for the aluminium rims from the ALEXRIMS brand and the electrohydraulic steering systems from VSE complete the additions. These eco-friendly technologies for trailers can reduce fuel consumption, which is of particular importance for the Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (VECTO).
Tecma Srl – individual axles and suspension systems
Tecma from Italy have specialised in the development and manufacturing of customised axles and suspension systems in small production runs. In close cooperation with trailer manufacturers, the Italian company has been producing customised products for special-purpose vehicles and heavy-duty applications for around 30 years. Around 60 people work at the production and development site in Verona.
“With the takeover of Tecma Srl, we are expanding our product portfolio for applications for special-purpose vehicles,” says Alexander Geis and adds: “We can now cater for custom requests such as axles with a high load capacity of 80 tons or more.” The objective is to further expand their own position in the commercial vehicles industry as one of the leading one-stop-shop suppliers for suspension-related applications. Frank Lorenz-Dietz, CFO of SAF-HOLLAND SE adds: “The purchase of Tecma Srl is a result of our strict mergers & acquisitions strategy. We secure profitable growth and can make use of further potential, especially through the global SAF-HOLLAND sales organisation and joint procurement.”