March 6, 2019
Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation (Baolong) has signed a share purchase agreement (SPA) with MMS Modular Molding Systems GmbH (MMS) in Vienna, Austria in February 2019. Baolong will acquire 70% stake in MMS with the closing of SPA. The aim is to accelerate the automatic and intelligent manufacturing growth of Baolong, and serve customers from an expanded portfolio of equipment products and services in global markets through the acquisition activity.
The representatives of Baolong and MMS took group photo after signing SPA
According to the SPA, the management of MMS will be kept while the Managing Director (MD) will be appointed by Baolong. The production base of MMS in Austria will continue to serve the market of Europe and North America. Meanwhile, a new operations center office is planned to be established in China for the purpose of developing business in China and Asia-Pacific region. MMS provides customers with equipment products and technical service as a „one stop shop“ in the sector of modular intelligent manufacturing system. The modular manufacturing system solution of MMS is well-known for its advanced technology, high automation, flexibility and higher production efficiency.
Jason Li, Director of Business Unit Automotive After Market and Equipment (AME), Baolong: “ Baolong started automotive equipment business from 2014, and focused on providing domestic vehicle assembly lines, parts factories, testing centers and technical centers with professional equipment as agents of various equipment brands globally. The acquisition will bring Europe’s mature and leading intelligent manufacturing system technology and equipment to Baolong, which can improve Baolong‘s automatic and intelligent manufacturing and increase the quality of products. Besides, it is aligned with our goverment’s Made in China 2025 initiative & Industry 4.0 to introduce intelligent manufacturing equipment products and technical service to Chinese market. Baolong and MMS will definitely work together to make contribution to Chinese automotive parts intelligent manufacturing. ”
Peter Buxbaum, Founder and Executive Director of MMS: “ As one of the leading Chinese local automotive suppliers, Baolong has global vision and business platform. We are confident that this partnership will no doubt deliver great value to both sides and the production equipment industry as a whole. MMS and Baolong will cooperate close to expand intelligent manufacturing equipment business in an array of global markets. Especially in China, it is expected that the market share of MMS will be increased rapidly in the near future”
About Baolong
Baolong Automotive was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. Baolong is an automotive supplier with production facilities in China, the USA, Hungary, Germany and distribution centers in China, the USA, Germany, Poland, Japan, etc. Baolong uses its expertise in automotive technology to offer high-quality orientated, competent and creative products for its customers. The products include tire valves, wheel weights, exhaust pipes, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), automotive pressure sensors, rain/light sensor, chassis & body structural parts, air suspension, camera, millimeter-wave radar, etc. With more than 3,900 employees, the company generated a turnover of around € 270 million in 2017. Baolong is regarded as one of the world market leaders for tire valves and exhaust pipes. In the sector of TPMS, the joint venture BH SENS by Baolong and Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG is one of the world’s largest suppliers of both Original Equipped and Independent After Market TPMS solutions.
About MMS
MMS was established in 2008 to serve the growing market for metal/plastic hybrid components as a „one stop shop“ for such production equipment. The company is located in Berndorf, Austria. Due to the flexible machine setup, it is possible to use the MMS modular production machines for various markets and applications, by changing tools and modules they can be used for the production of various parts. As a renowned specialist, MMS delivers outstanding technology for leading automotive suppliers and also serves other markets such as medical, connector and appliance industry. Besides, MMS has created their own software for controls and drives which offers the customers highest flexibility.
