STARCO signs extensive business deal with Bohnenkamp

The dialogue with Bohnenkamp started more than a year ago with the former owner, Peer Ejlersgaard, as lead. It is with pride and respect of his legacy we now take a significant step in the direction we started shaping together,” says Richard Todd, who has been CEO since 2015.

The deal means that:

• Bohnenkamp is taking over STARCO’s aftermarket operations in Scandinavia, Germany and Benelux (Benelux aftermarket transfer does not include passenger car trailer dealers and importers).
• Bohnenkamp also takes over aftermarket as well as OEM customers in Russia, Belarus, Baltics (excluding the customers manufacturing passenger car trailers), Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
• STARCO is taking over Bohnenkamp’s customers making passenger car trailers

The business transfer of operational business is planned for 1st July 2016 and is subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

A good strategic match

The strategic fit between the companies is unique and is the key factor to the deal – both in regards of geography and product portfolio.

“Bohnenkamp is a very professional and well respected company and we feel this is a good partner to hand over a part of what we have built up,” says Richard Todd.

The customers STARCO hands over will experience a wider product range from one single supplier and extensive regional support in the field with a strong service team. The new STARCO customers manufacturing trailers and caravans will get the chance to partner up with a manufacturer with extensive insight in the customer’s products. Aftermarket customers in STARCOs remaining markets will experience the same service and supply as usual.

“I believe this step will allows us to become an even stronger partner in wheel and tyre solutions for our key customers as we will invest further in teaming up with customers, specialising our engineering competences, and strengthening our manufacturing, distribution and overall service setup,” explains Richard Todd.

STARCO is the only player in our market segments manufacturing wheels and tyres with a R&D team of engineers. The majority of the team is located in the UK and take on minor development tasks as well as large projects in close partnership with customers. For instance leading trailer and caravan manufacturers.

Extensive know-how amongst employees is key

Our future STARCO team will count more than 550 employees with more than 15 nationalities. Approximately 160 employees will be transferred to Bohnenkamp, whereas the main part is approximately 130 employees from STARCO Eastern Group.

“Employees are the most important asset due to their know-how and experience. They ensure that our good and personal customer and supplier relationships can continue to grow in the future,” says Gregor Rüth, CEO Bohnenkamp AG.

Now a transition period starts with focus on stock moves, employee hand-over and business transfer – but without neglecting day-to-day customer deliveries.