The MAHLE Group has increased its holding in automotive workshop equipment specialist BrainBee to 80% of the company’s shares. After a strategic minority holding of 20% was agreed in September 2017, MAHLE Aftermarket is now taking another important step toward becoming a solutions provider. With this majority acquisition, MAHLE Aftermarket is significantly expanding its European presence in the area of equipment and services for workshops.

MAHLE Service Solutions, MAHLE Aftermarket’s workshop equipment business segment, has already been working with BrainBee for some time on the development and production of workshop equipment. BrainBee was founded in 2001 and brings comprehensive expertise in the development and manufacture of A/C service, diagnostics, fluid management, and exhaust gas measuring equipment.

Olaf Henning, Managing Director of MAHLE Aftermarket said, “The BrainBee expertise in fields such as A/C service, diagnostics, fluid management and exhaust gas measurement complements our portfolio extremely well. In the future, we’ll be able to offer vehicle workshops and manufacturers an even broader range of equipment and services. The latest example of the results of our cooperation so far has been the EmissionPRO 180 exhaust gas measuring unit, which we developed and produced together. And at this year’s Automechanika we will launch further new, commonly designed products.”

Carlo Rocchi, CEO and founder of BrainBee commented, “Since the beginning of our cooperation with MAHLE, we have introduced important innovations in order to meet the requirements of the most important markets. Combining the strengths of MAHLE with BrainBee's expertise provides a strong foundation for continuing to deliver innovative and high quality products and services both to the aftermarket and original equipment market.”

The integration of BrainBee strengthens the position of MAHLE Service Solutions in terms of research and development, production, and sales. Customers worldwide will benefit from the additional European location in Parma/Italy, where cutting-edge workshop equipment will be developed and manufactured.