Plastic Omnium finalizes HBPO acquisition

On Dec. 12, Plastic Omnium (Île-de-France, France) announced the completion of the acquisition of Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.’s (Lippstadt, Germany) remaining 33.33% stake in HPBO GmbH (Lippstadt), giving it full ownership of the complex automotive front-end modules (FEM) company. Announced on July 28th, 2022 (see “Plastic Omnium takes full ownership of front-end module producer HBPO”), this acquisition was signed for an equity value of €290 million, fully financed from the group’s own resources.

The full ownership of HBPO supports Plastic Omnium’s strategy to increase the value-added content per vehicle, while leveraging the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs). HBPO headquarters will remain in Lippstadt, where management is located.

HBPO was founded in 2004 as a joint venture between Plastic Omnium, Hella and Behr (Stuttgart). Since 2018, Plastic Omnium held 66.66% of the share capital and HBPO was fully consolidated.

HBPO is reported to assemble one in five FEMs produced worldwide and generated economic revenue of €2.2 billion in 2021. With 2,800 employees at 31 plants in 11 countries throughout the U.S., European and Asian continents, HBPO assembles more than five million FEMs every year. The FEM, usually either long-fiber thermoplastic composite or hybrid metal/LFT-PP composites, is a complex part on the front of a vehicle. It integrates the shock absorber beam, lighting and engine cooling systems, active radiator grill shutters as well as the radars and driving assistance sensors.