The MAHLE Group has announced plans to acquire all the shares in Behr Hella Service GmbH, its current joint venture with Hella and to distribute Behr Hella Service products via its own aftermarket organisation.

The move is intended to further strengthen MAHLE’s position in thermal management sector. Following a transitional period, MAHLE will manage the spare parts business for thermal management products on its own, starting on January 1, 2020.

MAHLE and Hella have agreed that, subject to official approval, MAHLE will take over Hella’s 50% share in the joint venture Behr Hella Service.

Established in 2005, the joint venture Behr Hella Service has specialised in the marketing and distribution of products for cooling and air conditioning in the automotive aftermarket. With the complete takeover of business activities, MAHLE will offer wholesalers and workshops the full spectrum of thermal management products from a single source in future.

Olaf Henning, Head of the MAHLE Aftermarket business unit said, “Efficient thermal management will play an increasingly important role in future, for all powertrain technologies. This move will allow us to give the best possible support in this very promising area and to ensure the successful operation of workshops.”

Once the acquisition is complete, MAHLE will expand its distribution of thermal management products in the aftermarket outside Europe.