Auto giant Hirschvogel outlines divergence toward green mobility

Motor vehicle parts supplier Hirschvogel, one of the world’s largest in the supply of steel and aluminium parts production, is to shift its focus toward ‘green business’, including a deeper offering for the bicycle industry.

As part of a tilt toward new greener or lighter mobility forms, the business has put up 67% of its total investment for 2021 into arming itself for competing in these spaces; some €174 million has apparently been earmarked for developments here.

For those unfamiliar with the Hirschvogel name, the group had consolidated sales of €1.25 billion in 2018, employed over 6,000 and has a strong reputation for its forged goods.

Clues have been evident for a few years and none more so than the presence at the 2021 IAA Mobility event where there were indications of components for the cargo bike market. The divergence toward the cycling world has now been confirmed in a post from the group CEO, who joined from eBike motor systems maker Mahle in the summer of 2021.

Further clues came from the business’s 2022 corporate structure revamp, most notably the company name change from Hirschvogel Automotive Group” to simply the Hirschvogel Group. Within this there now exists a dedicated bike and micromobility division.

“The focus is on green business, the “green” business around CO2 – emission free mobility concepts. In order to ensure growth and employment at all locations for future generations as well, we are currently aligning the components business in the automotive sector with high pressure towards e-mobility and drive independence. At the same time, we would like to grow through company investments in related technologies and markets,” says Jörg Rückauf, the company CEO.

The post to the company press area is candid, revealing that some 70% of orders won in 2021 were contributions to ‘green business’, “as are other major orders from the first quarter of 2022”.

Each of the firm’s multiple global facilities is now to be in some way involved in the development of the new strategy. Worldwide the business has bases in Denklingen (HQ), plus subsidiaries in Marksuhl, Schongau, China (Pinghu), the US (Columbus/Ohio), Poland (Gliwice), India (Sanaswadi) and Mexico (San Juan del Río).