Valeo
Encyclopedia
Valeo is a French automotive components manufacturer.
, a suburb of Paris. It first distributed brake linings and clutch facings under license of Ferodo
UK.
The society engaged in a diversification in the 1960s by producing braking systems (1961), thermal systems (1962), and lighting systems (1970), and electrical systems (1978).
In May 1980, the company was renamed Valeo, which means “I am well” in Latin.
Valeo then engaged in an aggressive strategy of expansion, through many international acquisitions. Today, Valeo is organised into four Business Groups. Recent acquisitions include the engine electronics division of Johnson Controls
in France.
Valeo as a corporation, as well as its directors and its own corporate doctor, have been indicted after a 10-years-long penal procedure in 2006 for homicide, unintentional injury, and failure to assist a person in danger regarding a century-old scandal over asbestos where hundreds of employees have died.
The Valeo Group set up high health-security standards since then and has been thoroughly monitoring employees and retired personnel. This policy has been ratified in a national agreement with the French government in April 2009.
The Valeo Group is organized into 4 Business Groups and 9 product families:
In addition, Valeo Service supplies aftermarket products to professionals.
The 5 Axes are:
, Delphi
, Denso
, TRW Automotive and Visteon
.
Breakdown of sales by Business Group:
Operating margin (in % of sales):
By the end of 2009, the Group Valeo is present in 27 countries, employs 52,200 people, at 120 sites, 61 research & development centres and 10 distribution platforms.
History
The Société Anonyme Française du Ferodo was founded in 1923 in Saint-OuenSaint-Ouen, Seine-Saint-Denis
Saint-Ouen is a commune in the Seine-Saint-Denis department. It is located in the northern suburbs of Paris, France 6.6 km from the centre of Paris....
, a suburb of Paris. It first distributed brake linings and clutch facings under license of Ferodo
Ferodo
Ferodo is a British brake company based in the High Peak of Derbyshire.-History:It was founded in 1897 by Herbert Froode in Chapel en le Frith, Derbyshire...
UK.
The society engaged in a diversification in the 1960s by producing braking systems (1961), thermal systems (1962), and lighting systems (1970), and electrical systems (1978).
In May 1980, the company was renamed Valeo, which means “I am well” in Latin.
Valeo then engaged in an aggressive strategy of expansion, through many international acquisitions. Today, Valeo is organised into four Business Groups. Recent acquisitions include the engine electronics division of Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a company, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It was founded in 1885 by professor Warren S. Johnson, inventor of the first electric room thermostat....
in France.
Valeo as a corporation, as well as its directors and its own corporate doctor, have been indicted after a 10-years-long penal procedure in 2006 for homicide, unintentional injury, and failure to assist a person in danger regarding a century-old scandal over asbestos where hundreds of employees have died.
The Valeo Group set up high health-security standards since then and has been thoroughly monitoring employees and retired personnel. This policy has been ratified in a national agreement with the French government in April 2009.
Organisation
As of 31 Dec 2009, Valeo manages 120 production sites, 61 Research & Development centres and 10 distribution platforms in 27 countries. In 2009, its sales were distributed as follows: 64% in Europe, 10% in North America, 18% in Asia, and 8% in South America.The Valeo Group is organized into 4 Business Groups and 9 product families:
- Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems:
- Interior Controls (VIC);
- Security Systems (VSS);
- Powertrain Systems:
- Engine and Electrical Systems (VEES);
- Transmissions (VT);
- Thermal Systems:
- Climate Control (VCC);
- Engine Cooling (VEC);
- Compressors (VC);
- Visibility Systems:
- Wiper Systems (VWS);
- Lighting Systems (VLS)
Going abroad
- In 2005, Valeo launched a software services center in Egypt, under the name of VIAS (Valeo Interbranch Automotive Software) - now as Valeo Egypt. This center provides all software services for all Valeo branches, also it applies state of the art software development technology along with the needed validation and testing tools for other Valeo branches.
In addition, Valeo Service supplies aftermarket products to professionals.
CEOs
- Noël Goutard: 1987 - May 2000
- André Navarri: May 2000 - February 2001
- Thierry Morin: February 2001 - March 2009
- Jacques AschenbroichJacques AschenbroichJacques André Aschenbroich, born on June 3, 1954 in Lyons, France is CEO of a French company. He speaks English, German and Portuguese. He is married and is the father of three children....
: Since March 2009
The 5 Axes
Valeo has designed the 5 Axes methodology, which is the backbone of the firm’s identity. Its aim is to satisfy the customer by achieving zero quality incidents, whichever the product and wherever it is manufactured.The 5 Axes are:
- Involvement of personnel;
- Production system;
- Supplier integration;
- Constant innovation;
- Total quality.
Competition
Main competition comes from BoschRobert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
, Delphi
Delphi (auto parts)
Delphi Automotive PLC is an automotive parts company headquartered in Troy, Michigan, USA. Delphi is one of the world's largest automotive parts manufacturers and has approximately 146,600 employees ....
, Denso
DENSO
is a global automotive components manufacturer headquartered in the city of Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Established December 16, 1949 as , in 1996 the company became DENSO Corporation worldwide...
, TRW Automotive and Visteon
Visteon
Visteon is one of the world's largest suppliers of automotive parts. The company formed in 1997 and spun off from the Ford Motor Company in 2000. In 2005, Visteon moved to new headquarters in Van Buren Township, Michigan...
.
Alternative propulsion
Valeo is a leader in the segment with its StARS micro-hybrid system. although several other suppliers are offering and delivering a comparable solution done with reinforced starters and alternators.Key economic figures
Sales (millions):- 2004: €9,229
- 2005: €9,933
- 2006: >€10,000
- 2007: €9,689
- 2008: €8,677
- 2009: €7,499
- 2010: €9,632
Breakdown of sales by Business Group:
- Thermal Systems: 30%
- Powertrain Systems: 26.7%
- Visibility Systems: 25.7%
- Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems: 17.6%
Operating margin (in % of sales):
- 2007: 3.6%
- 2008: 2.6%
- 2009: 1.8%
- 2010: 6.4%
By the end of 2009, the Group Valeo is present in 27 countries, employs 52,200 people, at 120 sites, 61 research & development centres and 10 distribution platforms.