Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., a supplier of automotive lighting and electronic equipment, has acquired Enko Automotive GmbH. Based in Schortens, Germany, Enko Automotive is a developer of sensor and body electronics hardware and software for the automotive industry. Enko and Hella have bee collaborating on projects since 1999.
Based on the agreement, Enko’s facilities will become Hella’s competence center for access and driving authorization system development; this includes technologies such as the Passive Entry/Go, a key fob that allows a driver to enter a vehicle without a car key and start the engine by pressing a button.
Most recently, Hella and Enko have worked with a technical college in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, on future technology such as a fingerprint recognition system that allows for personalized comfort settings to be maintained in a vehicle.
Hella, a worldwide supplier, develops and manufactures components and systems for lighting and electronics for the automotive industry, including driver- assistance systems enhancing safety and comfort.
In addition, its joint-venture companies produce complete vehicle modules, air-conditioning systems and vehicle-electric systems. Hella is also one of the world’s largest companies selling automotive aftermarket parts and accessories, with its own sales companies and partners in more than 100 countries. Annual consolidated sales for the Hella Group total $4.4 billion.
Hella is one of the 100 largest industrial companies in Germany. More than 24,000 people are employed in 70 production facilities, production subsidiaries and joint-venture companies. Nearly 2,900 Hella engineers and technicians work in research and development. Customers include all of the world’s leading automakers and system manufacturers, as well as the automotive aftermarket.
More information is available at www.hella.com.