The Webasto Group (established in 1901), headquartered in Stockdorf near Munich, Germany, is a global innovative systems partner to almost all automotive manufacturers and is among the 100 leading suppliers to the industrial sector. During financial year 2019, the company generated sales of around 3.7 billion euros and had almost 14,000 employees at over 50 locations (with 30 of these being manufacturing plants).
The core business comprises a wide range of products for vehicle manufacturers: sunroofs, panorama roofs and convertible roofs, heating systems for cars and commercial vehicles with all types of drive systems, together with battery systems and charging solutions for hybrid and electric vehicles. Webasto moreover has a strong market position in the aftermarket business and provides dealers and consumers with customized solutions and services relating to thermo management and electromobility.
Close to customers around the world
Webasto is represented in all of the key global automotive markets. One of the company‘s fundamental principles and success factors is the fact that it produces in the market for the market, with a high proportion of local suppliers. As far back as the 1970’s, the company expanded into the U.S. and Japanese markets. China has been Webasto’s field of operation since 2001. Since then, the country has developed to become the largest individual market of the Webasto Group, which currently has eleven manufacturing plants there.
Dual strategy for further growth
With a commitment to high quality and a policy of continuously developing new technologies and advancing existing ones, Webasto repeatedly sets benchmarks. In order to secure its competitive position over the long term, the company is pursuing a dual strategy of “Strengthening & Participating”. With “Strengthening”, Webasto is reinforcing and further developing its core business in the areas of roof and thermo systems. “Participating” includes all activities in newer business areas that are a good fit for the company’s competency profile and that offer solutions for future mobility. The focus is currently on the electromobility market. Since 2018 Webasto develops and produces battery systems and charging solutions for electrical vehicles.
Culture of global cross-business unit collaboration
Webasto bundles its business into three business units which collaborate very closely within a global matrix organization on a cross-functional and cross-regional basis. Roof & Components comprises the development and production of sunroofs, panorama roofs and convertible roofs. The Energy & Components unit develops and manufactures battery systems and charging solutions for cars and commercial vehicles, together with electric and fuel-operated heating systems for various types of vehicles. The Customized Solutions business unit offers solutions and services relating to thermo management and electromobility for consumers as well as dealers and manufacturers of special vehicles.
In order to be able to constantly develop convincing customized solutions, Webasto employees around the world work closely together, taking a project-based approach. The company’s global corporate values provide the basis for this collaboration. The culture is characterized by an open interaction, the willingness to share knowledge and experience, and the leveraging of joint corporate strengths. The trusting and creative working atmosphere offers employees around the world excellent opportunities for personal development.
In this way, all of the customers worldwide benefit from the development expertise, electronics know-how, manufacturing and supply chain management, decades of experience in project management and the sales and service structure of the company.
Technology company with a long tradition
Webasto has been a family-owned company since it was founded in Esslingen, Germany, in 1901. The current brand name ‘Webasto’ originated when Wilhelm Baier, the company’s founder, moved his headquarters from Esslingen to Stockdorf in 1908, hence the acronym: Wilhelm Baier Stockdorf. Webasto initially manufactured stamped parts, wire holders and home appliances. With the move to Bavaria the company focused on the production of accessories for bicycles, such as wheels, fenders and chain guards. In the 1930s, the company became an automotive supplier with the construction of the first automotive folding roof and vehicle fresh-air heater.
You can find further information on the product range, corporate strategy, culture and company history at: www.webasto-group.com
