BBS International GmbH

BBS Creates New Structures as a Basis for Active Growth

• The processes for original equipment manufacturing will be concentrated in the Herbolzheim plant
• BBS in Schiltach will become the center for technology and development, and for the aftermarket and motor sport
• Qualitative and quantitative growth by optimizing the production processes
• Stable number of employees in Schiltach, increase in numbers in Herbolzheim
After the economic slumps in recent years, everything is now fully geared to growth again at the light alloy wheel specialist BBS. This is not least of all the result of the greatly increased demand in the original equipment manufacturing sector for the automotive industry, which is accompanied by stable business in the aftermarket. For this reason the company will be completely restructured over the coming months: The production processes in the original equipment manufacturing sector will be concentrated and optimized step by step at the location in Herbolzheim next to the A5. The company headquarters in Schiltach will remain the same size, but will focus primarily on the production of premium light alloy wheels of the traditional BBS brand for the after-market and racing, and on technology and development. Moving the production processes to Herbolzheim will create additional growth potential there.
BBS is currently profiting from two developments. On the one hand the automotive industry has recovered quicker than expected – especially in the premium segment, where BBS has been able to expand its traditionally good position as a supplier still further. On the other hand the automotive industry's demand for light alloy wheels produced in Germany has increased significantly since, in May of this year, the EU imposed anti-dumping tariffs on the import of particular aluminum vehicle wheels which originate in the People's Republic of China. "This development means that our locations in Schiltach and Herbolzheim are currently operating at more than full capacity. However, by restructuring we will not only create the basis for satisfying the current demand, but above all for further active growth in the original equipment manufacturing segment," says Norbert Zumblick, CEO of BBS International GmbH, to describe the present situation.
Process optimization in Herbolzheim
In the coming weeks and months the Herbolzheim location will be geared even more consistently for the volume production of light alloy wheels for the automotive industry. Sectors in which Schiltach and Herbolzheim have previously practiced a division of labor are scheduled to be integrated completely and on a step-by-step basis into the various production processes, for example the casting of aluminum wheels. The range of light alloy wheels produced in Herbolzheim will in future comprise of 15- to 19-inch wheels, and in the medium term the production capacity is slated to be ex-panded to around 3 million wheels per year. Parallel to this new jobs will be created. The number of employees in Herbolzheim is planned to rise gradually from the current 130 to 299. 
Growth in depth in Schiltach
Schiltach will remain the central development and technology center for the BBS Group. The results of the developments will continue to be incorporated in all volume production in the future. To ensure that the technological lead which BBS has gained over the years, in particular through its involvement in racing series such as Formula 1, is extended further. "BBS traditionally stands for high tech and uncompromising quality for light alloy wheels. The aim is not just to maintain this tradition, but to ac-tively develop it further," says Guido Dumarey, the owner of BBS International GmbH, as he outlines the strategy. In the future at the production center in Schiltach BBS will concentrate on premium wheels which are 17 inches or more in size. It is planned that the number of employees will remain stable in the coming years. The division of labor between Schiltach and Herbolzheim will also be implemented consistently in terms of personnel. Norbert Zumblick, for example, will concentrate primarily on the original equipment manufacturer market. Guido Dumarey, who is now the sole owner of BBS International GmbH, will oversee the location in Schiltach. "BBS is a brand which has been shaped not least of all by the people who work for the company. As a result I have always linked my financial commitment at BBS with my personal dedication. My declared aim is therefore to drive the BBS brand forward as an entrepreneur," says Guido Dumarey.
Further information:
BBS  International GmbH – Norbert Zumblick
Welschdorf 220 – D-77761 Schiltach
Tel. +49 7836 52-0 – Fax: +49 7836 52-4106 
info@bbs.com – www.bbs.com
Press and public relations:
Press’n’Relations GmbH – Uwe Pagel
Magirusstrasse 33 – D-89077 Ulm 
Tel: +49 731 96287-29 – Fax: +49 731 96287-97 
upa@press-n-relations.de - www. press-n-relations.de
About the company 
BBS – These three letters stand for the leading brand for sporty and high-quality aluminum wheels. BBS wheels repeatedly set new technological benchmarks, both for the sporty models of the vehicle manufacturers land in Formula 1 or the Paris Dakar Rally. Not without reason is BBS repeatedly chosen as the 'Best Brand' by the readers of the automobile trade press. Founded 40 years ago, BBS produces its wheels 'Made in Germany' in the two plants in Schiltach and Herbolzheim and is an original equip-ment manufacturer which supplies both the automotive manufacturers and the aftermarket all around the world.