Car-Parts Maker Schaeffler Ready to Pursue Acquisitions
“For our strategic orientation, it’s important the we strengthen select areas in terms of technology and also make acquisitions here and there,” Klaus Rosenfeld told Handelsblatt.
Schaeffler, Germany’s fifth-largest car-parts maker, has been reluctant to make acquisitions since a bid to acquire rival Continental in 2008 left the company with billions in debt and near collapse. Schaeffler still owns a 46-percent stake in Continental.
In recent years, Schaeffler has managed to reduce its debt load from the botched deal. Mr. Rosenfeld said the company recently secured additional refinancing and now has enough breathing room for smaller acquisitions in the three-figure million range.
“We are in a situation in which we have totally difference financial flexibility,” Mr. Rosenfeld said.