New HELLA electronics joint venture with BHAP starts series production in China

Lippstadt/Zhenjiang, 9 January 2020. The joint venture HELLA BHAP Electronics has started production. The company was founded in 2018 by HELLA and BHAP, one of the largest automotive suppliers in China. Together with numerous high-ranking guests and customer representatives, the new electronics plant in the Chinese city of Zhenjiang has now been officially commissioned.

On a production area of 7,000 square meters, the series production of control units for sunroofs was initially started there at the end of last year. The production of components for lighting electronics will follow in just a few months. Subsequently, the production portfolio is to be gradually expanded to include additional products from the areas of energy management and driver assistance. The corresponding expertise is already being developed. Initially, the customers of HELLA BHAP Electronics are mainly companies of the BAIC Group. Subsequently, the customer base shall be expanded to both the Chinese and global market. The joint venture currently has around 65 employees; this number is to be continuously increased in the course of further expansion stages.

Xu Xiaojiang, Executive Vice President of BHAP said at the opening ceremony: "Against the backdrop of industry change, innovative thinking and a sincere cooperation with partners are key levers for the successful further development of automotive companies. BHAP will therefore continue to deepen its cooperation with HELLA and bring the resulting synergies into the joint electronics joint venture. In this way, we will strengthen its performance both in the Chinese and the global market for mutual benefit and jointly shape the mobility of the future."

Jörg Brandscheid, who is responsible for HELLA's electronics business in China, adds: "The strength of the HELLA BHAP Electronics joint venture is not least rooted in the combination of technological expertise and direct market access. This results in a win-win situation for all partners involved. As HELLA, we are thus strengthening our presence in the Chinese market, in accordance with our strategy: in China, for China."

HELLA has been present in China for almost three decades. The company is currently represented there with 16 companies (including five joint ventures) and employs over 5,500 people. In the fiscal year 2018/2019, HELLA generated sales of over € 800 million in China.