Based upon his own wish and by mutual agreement, Markus Flik, Chief Executive Officer of Behr GmbH & Co. KG, will leave the company on September 17, 2010. This move occurs in connection with the equity participation of MAHLE GmbH in Behr, which was announced in late July.
Born October 16, 1960 in Stuttgart, Markus Flik launched his career at Behr in 1992, initially as head of strategic planning, later as head of advanced engineering for vehicle air conditioning and air conditioning product development. In 1997 he was appointed to the Board of Management where he was in charge of research and development, as well as the engine cooling product division until mid-2003. In July 2003, Markus Flik became Chief Executive Officer of Behr.
Horst Geidel, Chairman of the Behr Supervisory Board: “We thank Markus Flik for his exceptional commitment and his many years of successful performance for our company. In the past few years, he has initiated several important developments for Behr such as the expansion of business in Asia, the strengthening of our technology leadership, as well as the launch of our battery cooling product division. If the positive market trend continues, Behr will achieve the turnaround in this business year, which is one year earlier than planned. We wish Markus Flik all the best in the future, both personally and professionally.”
His successor as of October 1, 2010 will be Peter Grunow, member of the MAHLE Group's Board of Management until September 30, 2010.
Peter Grunow was born in Luebeck. After graduating from university he joined MAHLE in 1974 as assistant of the head of controlling and accounting. From 1981 he had various responsibilities as managing director of MAHLE subsidiaries in Brazil. From 1991 to 1996, Peter Grunow headed the new valve train business unit with its various joint ventures. In 2001, he became member of the MAHLE Group Board of Management, where he was in charge of the filter systems and industry business units.
Horst Geidel: “With Peter Grunow, Behr has gained an accomplished colleague with extensive experience in all areas of business operations. As CEO of our company he will provide valuable contributions to its further positive development.”
MAHLE and Behr had agreed in late July that MAHLE will take over an equity participation in Behr in multiple stages. The closing of the first stage with 19.9 percent of shares is expected to take place on October 1, 2010. During the second stage in early 2011, the percentage of shares will increase to 36.85 percent. In addition, a call option for MAHLE in effect from 2013 gives MAHLE the right to obtain shares from current shareholders, thus enabling it to take over a majority interest in Behr.
About the company:
Behr GmbH & Co. KG, based in Stuttgart, Germany, is a systems partner for the international automobile industry. A specialist in automotive air conditioning and engine cooling systems, the Behr Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of original equipment for passenger and commercial vehicles. Group sales in the 2009 business year came to around 2.5 billion euros. Behr currently employs some 16,000 staff at 17 development locations, 28 production sites, and 12 joint venture companies worldwide.
For further information, please contact:
Behr GmbH & Co. KG
Stephanie Reuter
Director Group Communications
Mauserstrasse 3
70469 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 711/896--2645
Fax: +49 (0) 711/896-2348
stephanie.reuter@behrgroup.com
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