Hornschuch purchases the coating specialist ERA

Konrad Hornschuch AG remains on the path of growth. The globally successful surface specialist from Weissbach near Heilbronn acquired the business operations of the midsized company ERA Beschichtung GmbH & Co KG, with its headquarters in Stolzenau in Lower Saxony.  Following the conclusion of the contract in the middle of March, the final transfer of ownership to the internationally renowned manufacturer of high-quality films and synthetics took place yesterday with the "closing".  With this step, Hornschuch is particularly expanding its capacities for the two business units of "Transportation" and "Interior".  As with the acquisitions of kek-Kaschierungen GmbH (Herbolzheim) and O’Sullivan Films, Inc (Winchester, Virginia, USA), the majority shareholder, Equistone Partners, supported the asset deal.

 

• The purchase of the midsized company brings capacity expansion for Hornschuch
• Appropriate addition in synthetics and foam foil
• Luggage compartment covers complete Hornschuch's interior portfolio
• ERA Beschichtung GmbH & Co KG becomes Hornschuch Stolzenau GmbH
• The product brand ERA is retained
• Continuity in management
• Acquisition as the basis for further success in international growing markets
• Chance for additional synergy effects  

Appropriate addition

In the past few years, Hornschuch has been one of the largest clients of ERA, so the takeover of the coating specialist was only logical.  With ERA, the HornschuchGroup is gaining a company which ideally matches the company from Weissbach, both in terms of management as well as products.  In 2012, ERA had a turnover of more than 30 million Euros with 150 employees.  The competence of the northern German company in the area of coated textiles now allows the group to utilize capacities with regard to the further development of international markets.  Renewed investment in coating equipment safeguards the strategy of profitable growth which has been successful for years.  With ERA Beschichtung, Hornschuch is acquiring the global market leader for luggage compartment covers and is thus expanding its extensive competence in automobile interiors including an additional component.

New company name, but the brand remains

ERA Beschichtung will do business in the future as Hornschuch Stolzenau GmbH.  All jobs in the company on the Weser, which has existed since 1964, will be retained.  Upcoming investments will be made as planned.  The well-known product brand ERA will continue.  There will also be continuity in the company management: Klaus Lahmeyer will remain the Executive Director, Jens Kleine and Lothar Machule from Hornschuch Management will be named additional Executive Directors.

Growth and synergies

"With the purchase of ERA Beschichtung, we are pursuing the goal of expanding our previous capacities so that we can serve the international growing markets even better", emphasizes Hornschuch's Chairman of the Board Rolf J. Gemmersdörfer.  "We will transfer our competence, which distinguishes us with regard to design and surface development, to the new factory and make it an important member of the HornschuchGroup."  The technical director Dr. Hans-Hinrich Kruse adds:  "Due to the technical possibilities, we see great opportunities for additional synergy effects, which allow us to act successfully in new markets."  With the acquisition, Hornschuch will solidify and expand its position as the global market leader for surface design with films and synthetics and will be able to utilize additional economies of scale.