In producing component prototypes, ACTech uses a high-tech process involving a laser system to build moulds from epoxy-covered sand particles. This technology saves up to 80% of the time taken by traditional form building methods. With a deepened supply chain involving innovative form building, an in-house foundry and broadened mechanical finishing, ACTech offers a comprehensive service targeted to accelerate industrial R&D: Its rapid prototyping approach provides clients fast with ready-to-mount and ready-to-test components made from materials used in subsequent mass production as a single piece or in small batches.

Since the last recession ended, the automotive industry has restarted R&D activities related to turbo charging as well as hybrid and electric drives. This has resulted in a strong business recovery for ACTech: Order intake for 2011 was 20% higher than planned and the company has achieved sales revenues of € 33 million (€ 22.5 million in 2010). Staff has increased to 373 in 2011 from 313 the year before.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the value of the transaction.

Main challenge – meeting consumer requirements

Consumers are especially willing to pay for components and IPTV content that they are not able to use with their traditional TV connection. “The results of our analysis show that consumers are willing to pay significantly more, in particular, for VoD offerings, interactive features, such as access to an app portal, and content in 3D and HD,” explained Henschel. A key success factor for content providers now is taking account of current developments with regard to consumer requirements and systematically expanding their portfolio by offering content in demand and supplementary functions and services. This is the only way in which they can maximize their own content financially.

mefro wheels is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of steel wheels, and holds advanced technologies and has decades of experience in manufacturing high quality products. Production capacity at its facilities in Germany, France, Turkey, Argentina and Russia exceeds 25 million passenger car wheels and 5 million truck wheels. The company’s current investment plan for the next few years involves mefro wheels Russia OOO’s investing over 2 billion rubles in facilities modernisation and expansion of the production capacity through its three Russian subsidiaries. The investment will establish a strong local supplier for the Russian automotive market with newest technology and sizeable production capacity.

mefro wheels Russia Plant Togliatti OOO will meet 100% of AVTOVAZ demand for steel wheels and supply products to other international car manufacturers operating in Russia, contributing to the required level of local content.

All the AVTOVAZ personnel employed in wheel production will continue to work at mefro wheels Russia Plant Togliatti OOO.

mefro wheels was supported in this transaction by goetzpartners Corporate Finance as M&A consultants and Noerr LLP as legal advisers.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the value of the transaction.

Germany: Lowest use in comparison with England and France

The representative consumer survey found that the use of mobile TV is very low in Germany compared to its international counterparts. The number of respondents using mobile TV in Germany is less than half of that in England or France. The intensity of use is, however, very similar in all countries. Over 55 percent use mobile TV on a regular basis (several times during the week) and 75% at least once a week. This indicates that although the mobile offerings are certainly a success, marketing has not reached the majority of the population.

"The key to success in China is ‘Global Sourcing 2.0’, in other words, networks with a clear focus on systematic supplier support and supplier development in China. Greater competencies are needed for this on site in China, for example in quality assurance and in supplier development. Building up such capacity not only requires time, but also a deep understanding of the Chinese culture and the specific aspects of the region. And this is where we enter the picture," says Marc Staudenmayer, who will head the Shanghai office at goetzpartners and assume responsibility for Supply Chain Management.

Marc Staudenmayer joined goetzpartners at the beginning of the year. Prior to this, he worked at AT Kearney until 1994 and founded the consultancy firm Masai in Paris in 1995 (Araia later in Germany). Numerous national and international projects in the fields of purchasing and logistics have been implemented under his supervision in various sectors, e.g. in the automotive supply, manufacturing and process industry, machinery and plant industry, and consumer industry.

goetzpartners can look back on a consistently successful corporate development, and the company has become one of the major players on the market. "The expansion of our activities in China is the next logical step in our success story," says Stefan Sanktjohanser. "Thanks to our integrated approach of offering corporate finance and management consulting services from a single source, we create sustainable value for our clients."

Getrag’s axle business is a Tier 1 supplier for all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive driveline systems solutions. The business is comprised of the companies Getrag All Wheel Drive AB with the European locations Köping, Sweden and Cologne, Germany as well as Getrag Corporation with the North American locations in Sterling Heights, Michigan and Newton, North Carolina. The combined revenues of the two businesses exceed $650m. Closing of this transaction is expected by the end of September 2011, subject to customary conditions and necessary regulatory approvals.

The transaction enables Getrag to simplify its operational structure by focusing on core manual and DCT transmission technologies and electrification in GETRAG in order to meet the increasing demand for the Group’s dual clutch transmissions in China, Europe and America. Getrag wants to ensure that that it is able to satisfy the growing number of customers. Furthermore, although the axle business came out of the economic crisis very successfully, the sale offers a strategic advantage for all parties involved.