Gentherm Completes Acquisition of Alfmeier’s Automotive Business

Rhea-AI Summary

Gentherm (NASDAQ:THRM) has announced the acquisition of Alfmeier Präzision SE, enhancing its position as the largest global supplier of thermal and pneumatic comfort solutions in the automotive sector. Headquartered in Germany, Alfmeier specializes in advanced lumbar and massage comfort technologies. This strategic acquisition aims to merge Gentherm's thermal management expertise with Alfmeier's innovations, potentially leading to increased growth opportunities, particularly in ClimateSense and Battery Performance Solutions. The deal aligns with rising consumer demands for enhanced passenger comfort.

Positive

• Acquisition expands Gentherm's offerings in comfort, health, and wellness.
• Strengthens market position as the largest global supplier in thermal and pneumatic comfort.
• Integration of Alfmeier's technology is expected to drive growth opportunities in ClimateSense and Battery Performance Solutions.

Negative

• Increased debt leverage post-acquisition may strain financials.
• Potential integration risks could affect operational efficiency and growth projections.

Creates the largest global supplier of thermal and pneumatic comfort for the automotive industry

NORTHVILLE, Mich., Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gentherm (NASDAQ:THRM), the global market leader of innovative thermal management and pneumatic comfort technologies for the automotive industry, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of the automotive business of Alfmeier Präzision SE (“Alfmeier”).

Alfmeier, headquartered in Treuchtlingen, Germany, is an innovative market leader in automotive lumbar and massage comfort solutions, with deep expertise in advanced valve system technologies, integrated electronics, and software. The acquisition further expands Gentherm’s current value proposition beyond thermal in comfort, health, wellness, and energy efficiency.

“This transaction aligns well with global consumer demand for expanded offerings in vehicle passenger comfort. Combining Alfmeier’s technological advancements in physiotherapy with Gentherm’s expertise in thermophysiology maximizes our capabilities of providing world class comfort and wellness solutions,” said Phil Eyler, Gentherm's President and CEO. “Alfmeier’s industry leading expertise in air and liquid flow valve systems also is expected to open additional growth opportunities for Gentherm’s ClimateSense^TM and Battery Performance Solutions. We are excited to welcome the members of the Alfmeier team to the Gentherm family.”

Investor Contact
Yijing Brentano
investors@gentherm.com 
248.308.1702

Media Contact
Melissa Fischer
media@gentherm.com 
248.289.9702

About Gentherm
Gentherm (NASDAQ:THRM) is the global market leader of innovative thermal management and pneumatic comfort technologies for the automotive industry. Automotive products include variable temperature Climate Control Seats, heated automotive interior systems (including heated seats, steering wheels, armrests and other components), battery performance solutions, cable systems, lumbar and massage comfort solutions, valve system technologies, and other electronic devices. Medical products include patient temperature management systems. The Company is also developing a number of new technologies and products that will help enable improvements to existing products and to create new product applications for existing and new markets. Gentherm has more than 13,000 employees in facilities in the United States, Germany, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Malta, Mexico, North Macedonia, South Korea, United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Vietnam. For more information, go to www.gentherm.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, statements in this release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent Gentherm Incorporated's goals, beliefs, plans and expectations about its prospects for the future and other future events. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date hereof or as of the date specified herein and are based on management's reasonable expectations and beliefs. Such statements are subject to a number of important assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from that described in or indicated by the forward-looking statements, including that:

• the COVID-19 pandemic and its direct and indirect adverse impacts on the automobile and medical industries and global economy, which had, and are likely to continue to have, an adverse effect on, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, liquidity, business operations, and stock price;
• the current supply-constrained environment the Company is facing involving component shortages, manufacturing disruptions, logistics challenges and inflationary pressures, and any future material delays or inflationary pressures in the supply chain of the Company or the automotive original equipment manufacturers or first tier suppliers supplied by the Company;
• the period of sustained price increases for various material components and shipping costs currently experienced in the automotive industry, which may continue for longer than the Company expects;
• risks relating to the Company’s acquisition of Alfmeier (the “Acquisition”), including: the Company’s increased debt leverage following the closing of the Acquisition; risks inherent in the achievement of expected financial results, growth prospects and cost synergies for the Acquisition and the timing thereof; and integration risks;
• the impact of industry or consumer behaviors on future automotive vehicle production and the Company’s strategy to develop and sell products tailored to evolving market demands, including the development and use of autonomous and electric vehicles and increasing use of car- and ride-sharing and on-demand transportation as a service, as well as related regulations;
  
• borrowing availability under the Company’s revolving credit facility;
• the Company’s failure to be in compliance with covenants under its debt agreements, which could result in the amounts outstanding thereunder being accelerated and becoming immediately due and payable;
• the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing by accessing the capital markets, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all;
• the macroeconomic environment, including its impact on the automotive industry, which is cyclical;
• any significant declines in automobile production;
• market acceptance of the Company’s existing or new products, and new or improved competing products developed by competitors with greater resources;
• shifting customer preferences, including due to the evolving use of automobiles and technology;
• the Company’s ability to project future sales volumes, based on which the Company manages its business;
• reductions in new business awards due to the macroeconomic environment, COVID-19 and related uncertainties;
• the Company’s ability to convert new business awards into product revenues;
• the loss, material reduction in sales from or the insolvency of any of the Company’s key customers, including due to M&A or other market consolidation of OEMs and Tier 1s;
• the loss of any key suppliers;
• the impact of price downs in the ordinary course, or additional increased pricing pressures from the Company’s customers;
• the feasibility of Company’s development of new products on a timely, cost effective basis, or at all;
• security breaches and other disruptions to the Company’s IT systems;
• labor shortages, wage inflation and work stoppages impacting the Company, its suppliers or customers;
• changes in free trade agreements or the implementation of additional tariffs, and the Company’s ability to pass-through tariff costs;
• unfavorable changes to currency exchange rates and interest rates;
• the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property in certain jurisdictions;
• the Company’s ability to effectively implement ongoing restructuring and other cost-savings measures or realize the full amount of estimated savings;
• compliance with, and increased costs related to, domestic and international regulations, including potential climate change regulations;
• the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which has led to and could lead to further challenges in our manufacturing operations in our Ukraine facility and further global economic sanctions and market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions;
• changes in government leadership and laws, political instability and economic tensions between governments, including as a result of the ongoing Ukraine-Russian conflict; and
• severe weather conditions and natural disasters and any resultant disruptions on the supply or production of goods or services or customer demands.
  

The foregoing risks should be read in conjunction with the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including “Risk Factors”, in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent SEC filings, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. In addition, the business outlook discussed in this release does not include the potential impact of any other business combinations, acquisitions, divestitures, strategic investments and other significant transactions that may be completed after the date hereof, each of which may present material risks to the Company’s future business and financial results.

Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Gentherm's acquisition of Alfmeier?

The acquisition aims to enhance Gentherm's product offerings in passenger comfort and wellness solutions.

How does the acquisition impact Gentherm's market position?

It positions Gentherm as the largest global supplier of thermal and pneumatic comfort solutions in the automotive industry.

What are the potential growth opportunities from acquiring Alfmeier?

The integration of Alfmeier's advanced technologies could boost growth in Gentherm's ClimateSense and Battery Performance Solutions.

What risks are associated with Gentherm’s acquisition of Alfmeier?

Key risks include increased debt leverage and integration challenges that may impact financial performance.

When was the acquisition of Alfmeier completed by Gentherm?

The acquisition was completed on August 1, 2022.