"We most sincerely welcome Weston Body Hardware on board as a new company in our family led Happich Group," said Marc Pelzer, managing director. "Weston Body Hardware is an excellent company, with whom we share long term strategic interests. The fact that the company is not only well established on the English market but also has a significant footprint in the USA is crucial for our decision. With Weston 20 Body Hardware we consider ourselves to be well prepared for the UK and North America. We are not only expanding our product portfolio, but we are also building our production capacity at the same time, as Weston Body Hardware has great know-how in manufacturing."
The Group founded its first branch in England, Happich UK, in 2010 to ensure the local sale of its components and locking systems on the UK market. Further launches were Happich Otomotiv (Turkey, 2011), Happich RIU 30 (Spain, 2012) and Happich Industrial Parts (China, 2012).
With its platforms such as locking systems and fittings, components and technical sound proofing and thermal insulation as well as profiles and door systems, Happich has been positioned as a leading supplier for the European coach market for a long time, the company suggests. Increasingly the Happich management sees future security in the expansion of its market share outside Europe.
The group has adopted a strategic direction of consistently expanding its share in the cabin vehicle market, especially in the agricultural and construction field. Therefore it is of special interest to Happich that Weston Body Hardware already focuses on this segment of locking systems for cabin vehicles.
Founded in 1984, Weston Body Hardware manufactures locking systems for cabin vehicles in the agricultural and construction segment of the commercial vehicle market and was last owned by a financial investor.
Happich will also acquire new development and manufacturing competences in another area as Weston Body Hardware is also established as a supplier of control cabinets for generators and appliances in the industry sector and has the appropriate know-how.
Pelzer stated that the Weston Body Hardware brand would be retained and that nothing would change for Weston Body Hardware's regular customers.
