Brose Group intends to continue on its expansion course

Coburg, 5 November 2002. - The Brose corporate group anticipates an increase of approximately 6% in its turnover, amounting to €1.5 billion, for the business year 2002 in its core businesses of window regulators, door systems and seat adjusters. Numerous production start-ups in Europe, North America and Asia have played a major role in this positive development. With the purchase of the closure system activities of the Robert Bosch GmbH, effective 1 November 2001, the business volume in 2002 is expected to increase by almost 23% to almost €1.8 billion. The acquisition of the new company means the group’s headcount will increase by 1,700 to about 7,000.

In the current year the company has registered different business developments in each of its business divisions.

Window regulators
By the end of September 2002, the window regulator turnover will increase to €556 million. By the end of the year, Brose anticipates a business volume here of €737 million, posting a 4% increase on the previous year. Power window regulators are increasing in significance, meanwhile accounting for 85% of the delivery volume.

In 2002, there have been over 50 new projects in the start-up phase. This year, Brose was able to land window regulator orders for seven car models, amounting to a total value of almost €100 million. Half of this business is for vehicles Brose has never equipped before.

In coming years, the corporate group anticipates moderate turnover growth in this product segment. The strong market position in Europe - every second window regulator is made by Brose - is to be consolidated even further.

Door systems
In the last nine months, the turnover of this business division increased by 2% to €386 million. For the whole of 2002, Brose anticipates an increase of 7% to €529 million.