Strategic partner Ningbo Jifeng Auto Parts (Ningbo, Zhejiang / China; www.nb-jf.com) has increased its stake in automotive parts supplier Grammer (Amberg / Germany; www.grammer.com) to 25.51%. This means that the Chinese company is not only the largest shareholder, ahead of Bosnian entrepreneur family Hastor (20.01%), it now also holds a blocking minority. In conjunction with this is its desire for more influence on the management committees.

In summer 2017, Ningbo Jifeng protected the seats and interior parts supplier from a takeover attempt by Hastor at the request of the Grammer board, because it feared losing orders. In the automotive industry, Hastor and supplier group Prevent have made themselves unpopular through the dispute with Volkswagen (see Plasteurope.com of 30.08.2016). Despite the averted takeover, some premium car makers are still suspicious of Grammer and cautious about placing orders – for example, Daimler with its Mercedes “C” class. In fiscal 2017, the development, sales and project costs incurred are estimated at around EUR 10m, and there is a possibility to adjust capacity in these areas.

Group sales rose in the first nine months by 5.8% to EUR 1.34 bn, to which both the company's divisions, Automotive and Commercial Vehicles, contributed. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Grammer sales went up by 1.5% to EUR 919.4m. Its highest growth rate, up 20.3% to EUR 216.6m, was achieved in the Americas region, while in Asia sales were up by 13.3% to EUR 202.9m.

EBIT came to EUR 45.8m (previous year: EUR 49.5m). Without negative currency translation effects, and high exceptional expenses connected with the attempted change of control, EBIT would have risen by 23.4% to EUR 58.6m.