Caroline Ridet

bilstein group: “Flexibility and agility: the keys to the group’s history for over 175 years”

Ulrich Wiedemuth
Group Sales director
bilstein group
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BILSTEIN_WIEDEMUTH Ulrich


External growth to strengthen its portfolio of offers, muscular logistics: counter-fire actions to the current poly-crisis but also the means for dynamic growth in the years to come. Ulrich Wiedemuth outlines the strategy of the German IAM provider.

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How do you expect bilstein group to end 2022?
Ulrich Wiedemuth

bilstein group has performed fairly well. We should beat the solid results of 2021 (€850m turnover), even though the war in Eastern Europe has led to the collapse of some very substantial markets. We have changed our priorities as part of our long-term strategy and focused on markets with high growth potential: LATAM, North America and the Middle East. New volumes have been created quickly through our local teams. Growth has also come from our unique product offering. With the acquisition of the turbo company Motair in 2021, we are further expanding our offering, and we have become a shareholder in a start-up company in Germany, which develops specialised gearboxes for e-mobility.

What impact have the crises had on your company?
Ulrich Wiedemuth

Regarding inflation, this is a global process that affects every industry. But we can already see that some costs – transport for example – are coming down again. We have decided to lock down our supply channels. The opening of our second fully automated logistics centre in Germany in 2022 is an important step forward, with over 145,000 sqm of total logistics space. With these initiatives, bilstein group is setting the stage for dynamic growth in the years to come. The company will continue to develop and offer affordable, high-quality repair solutions with genuine added value.

Agility, therefore?
Ulrich Wiedemuth

bilstein group has always adapted quickly to new situations to meet the needs of the market. The mobility sector is changing, and so are we! Our approach has always been to go where we can create lasting business relationships with our clients. With more than twenty subsidiaries, we are close to all the major markets, and we can support our clients individually.

What is your vision of the future?
Ulrich Wiedemuth

In keeping with the growing market share of alternative mobility, we are constantly expanding our range in this area and already offer more than 6,500 parts for hybrid, electric and alternative drive vehicles. In addition, all OE references are being sought in order to pursue a “Fast to Market” product introduction strategy, a key strength of the bilstein group. But the IAM has not changed radically: parts for combustion models are still important and will remain so. Regardless of this, the group is continuing its transformation into a sustainable company, because only strategies that incorporate sustainability have a future. With regard to long-term prospects, the Covid crisis has taught us that you can take nothing for granted. In this new environment, the bilstein group is flexible and agile. This has been the key to the group’s history for over 175 years.

Caroline Ridet
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