Valeo is a multinational automotive supplier based in France, providing a
wide range of products to auto manufacturers and after-markets. It is a
member of the CAC 40 share index. History
The Société Anonyme Française du Ferodo was founded in 1923 in Saint-Ouen, 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, thermal systems, and lighting systems,
and electrical systems. 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.
The company's sales in China have doubled every four years, and the new
plant opened in 2013 in Yangtze Delta Region, Nanjing, makes China the leading
market for Valeo. Organisation
At the end of 2013, the Group Valeo has a presence in 29 countries, employing 74
800 people at 124 production sites, 16 research centers, 35 development centers
and 12 distribution platforms. The Valeo Group is organized into 4
business groups and 13 product families: Thermal Systems:
Thermal Powertrain - TPT Thermal Front End - TFE
Thermal Compressor - TCP Thermal Climate Control - TCC
Visibility Systems: Lighting Systems - VLS
Wipers Activity - VWA Powertrain Systems:
Electrical Systems - PES Transmission Systems - PTR
Electronics - PEL Combustion Engine - PCE
Comfort and Driving Assistance Syst. Driving Assistance - CDV
Interior Controls - CIC Interior Electronics - CIE
Cibié is Valeo's sports brand. Financial statistics
Sales 2004: €9,229
2005: €9,933 2006: >€10,000
2007: €9,689 2008: €8,677
2009: €7,499 2010: €9,632
2011: €10,868 2012: €11,759
2013: €12,110 Breakdown of sales by Business Group
Powertrain Systems: 28% Thermal Systems: 28%
Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems: 18%
Visibility Systems: 26% Operating margin
2007: 3.6% 2008: 2.6%
2009: 1.8% 2010: 6.4%
2011: 6.5% 2012: 6.2%
2013: 6.6% Asbestos
Valeo, its directors and its corporate medical function have been indicted
after a decade-long penal procedure in 2006 for homicide, unintentional injury,
and failure to assist a person in danger regarding its former use of asbestos
which caused the death of hundreds of employees over many years.
The Valeo Group has since set up high health-security standards 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.
References External links
Official website