Lighting and electronics specialist HELLA has announced is restructuring its aftermarket business. HELLA will align its aftermarket activities even more closely along its own original equipment competencies especially in the areas of lighting and electronics while closely linking them to the company's workshop equipment expertise.

Under the changes the successful repair solutions business will be further expanded in the areas of diagnostics and calibration. HELLA has also established its new Mobility Solutions business unit for tapping into new digital business models.

"With our restructuring of the aftermarket business and the provision of innovative solutions, we want to expand our position as strong partner for wholesalers and workshops while laying the foundation for further profitable growth," says Dr. Werner Benade, managing director of the Aftermarket division at HELLA. "As a consequence, we will align our aftermarket activities even more strongly along our core competencies in the future."

Against the background of this readjustment, HELLA and MAHLE have agreed to fully transfer the existing thermal management business under the roof of Behr Hella Service to the joint venture partner MAHLE. The joint venture founded in 2005 is specialised in selling cooling and air-conditioning products on the automotive aftermarket. Behr Hella Service is currently employing some 60 persons. Subject to approval MAHLE will acquire the 50 percent share of HELLA in the joint venture as of December 31, 2019. Business activities will continue until then in their currently existing form.

HELLA had previously announced in July that it will sell the Danish and Polish wholesale companies FTZ and Inter-Team to Swedish company Mekonomen.