„“STAHLGRUBER is strengthening its international market position in the independent aftermarket with the stake in OPTIMAL including branches in Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, U.K., Poland, Turkey, and South America,” said Werner Maier, CFO of STAHLGRUBER. “OPTIMAL will be managed as an independent company with its own management team, and the headquarter remains in Langenbach/Germany. OPTIMAL will further develop its national and international business with products under the strong brands OPTIMAL and Bendix. The success story of OPTIMAL will be continued; key business areas will be strengthened.”

“Our customers will profit from our new, further enhanced performance and our growing offering and business. We will further extend our product lines and intensify our international sales activities,” emphasized Markus Neudek, founder and Chairman of the Board of OPTIMAL. “Besides these advantages, there are no changes for our customers resulting from our new shareholding structure.”

The closing of the agreement is still pending approval by competition authorities. However, both parties expect that authorities will grant permission. They agreed not to disclose financial terms of the transaction.