Blaupunkt buys KWest

7th July 2011

ES Admin

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Blaupunkt takes over KWest GmbH from its founder and managing shareholder Sebastian Wendt as part of a share deal. The high-tech company based in Schlitz near Fulda, Germany, has been developing “Embedded System” solutions for clients such as Audi, O2 and Loewe for the last ten years. Their products and services range from software via modules to independent products. Sebastian Wendt will stay with the company and be responsible in future for the development and major project management divisions. “Blaupunkt is a partner that suits us outstandingly well from both a strategic and an engineering standpoint. Current business will develop further as a result of this step and it is in particular a solution offering our staff a secure future”, Sebastian Wendt stated. All KWest GmbH staff will be taken over by Blaupunkt and the intention is to keep them on the long term. The company will in future be called “Blaupunkt Embedded Systems GmbH“.

This move offers the Blaupunkt Group quite a number of synergies. Taking over KWest GmbH expands Blaupunkt’s European development capacity greatly. KWest’s specialized staff and the company’s current range of products supplement Blaupunkt’s personnel and business activities perfectly. “For the Blaupunkt Group this step is a logical one compliant with their strategy of expanding both their automotive and non-automotive capabilities in the long term. This takeover means we can offer clients an expanded range of products and generate competitive advantage”, Blaupunkt’s managing director Dr. Lars Placke stated. The transaction has benefits of scale for KWest. As a member of the Blaupunkt Group the company will be able to produce on a much larger scale than hitherto. Internal Blaupunkt projects and additional sales contacts will make more rapid and stronger growth feasible. The current company head office location in Schlitz near Fulda will become the Blaupunkt Group’s new European development centre.

Blaupunkt was originally formed as a company called “Ideal” in Berlin in 1923 and became famous by the mark of quality used internally for its headphones – the blue dot. This symbol of quality became the trademark and then the company name in 1938. Blaupunkt is a leading brand for car radios in many parts of the world and in Europe in particular. Blaupunkt stands for quality and innovation. The company also focuses increasingly on components for consumer electronics and currently employs close to 450 people worldwide.