Apr 3, 2014

  • This acquisition strengthens Continental Engineering Services and complements both its development know-how and its service and technology Portfolio
  • In the market for the market: expansion of local presence in the United Kingdom is stepped up

Frankfurt am Main, Germany, April 3, 2014. With effect from February 3, 2014, the international automotive supplier Continental has taken over full ownership of its former joint venture, Zytek Automotive, based in Fradley in the United Kingdom. It previously had a 50 percent shareholding in Zytek Automotive. 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) organization 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.

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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.

CES: a development service provider with access to the Continental technology pool

Since 2006 Continental Engineering Services has been active worldwide as an independent operating provider of comprehensive engineering services. CES also has access to the full range of support provided by Continental's technology pool. With its locations and development teams in Europe, America and Asia, CES has a presence within range of all its important industrial partners. The main focus of activity is in automotive electronics, drive and chassis technology, as well as electrical mobility. Its work ranges from the consultation of concept studies up to the realization of prototypes and small series, while having control over the complete product development process.

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