International
automotive supplier Continental has taken over full ownership of its former
joint venture, Zytek Automotive. The ownership comes into effect from February
3, 2014. Zytek is based in Fradley in the United Kingdom. Continental
previously had a 50pc shareholding in Zytek Automotive, according to a company
statement.
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) organisation 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 Continental 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.