MAHLE has strengthened its position in the mechatronics sector with the acquisition of Japanese company Kokusan Denki. Founded in 1931, Kokusan Denki is a EUR 130 million turnover company with over 800 employees in Japan and Thailand.

Mechatronics specialist Kokusan Denki develops and manufactures electric DC motors for ABS and ESC (Electronic Stability Control) units, as well as BLDC motors for steering assistance (brushless DC motors). It also develops electric motors for additional applications in MAHLE’s core markets for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial applications.

A second major division of Kokusan Denki comprises ignition components, alternators, and fuel injection systems for small engines, which are essentially used in motorcycles, small commercial vehicles, and recreational vehicles. The market for these two-, three-, and four-wheeled vehicles is already extremely large and will continue to grow in coming years.

The acquisition of Kokusan Denki complements the activities of MAHLE Letrika. The Letrika Group was acquired by MAHLE in the 2014 and now forms the “Electric Drives and Applications” profit centre within the MAHLE Group. Kokusan Denki will now be fully integrated in the group as the “Electric Drives and Applications 2” profit centre.

Prof. Heinz K. Junker, MAHLE Chairman of the Management Board commented, “MAHLE and Kokusan Denki have already successfully collaborated on several projects. As a globally positioned group, MAHLE can now continue to drive forward the further development of the products and portfolio of Kokusan Denki as well as the access to new markets.”

MAHLE has also announced that it has received the prestigious Partslife 2015 Environmental Award for an innovative central filter system for cooling lubricants at its German Leibertingen production facility. The system greatly reduces waste and makes significant energy savings.