Webasto Americas
turns 50
February 14, 1974 marks the entry of Webasto into the American market. The region rapidly gained importance for the company in the following years. With its roof systems and solutions for electromobility, Webasto also sees good prospects in North America in the future.
Brad Ring, President and CEO Webasto Americas and Marcel Bartling, CTO of the Webasto Group, (front row, second and third from left) at the kick-off of the 50th anniversary celebration of Webasto Americas in Auburn Hills (Michigan)
Stockdorf / Auburn Hills – February 15, 2024 – Webasto, a global systems partner to the
mobility industry, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in North America this year. Together with a
partner, the automotive supplier founded its first international joint venture in Detroit in 1974 and
took it over completely in 2000. Since then, Webasto has more than tripled its sales in the
Americas region. Fifty years after the entry into the American market, about 4,000 employees
work at the company’s locations in the USA and Mexico.
On the occasion of the anniversary, the CEO of the Webasto Group Dr. Holger Engelmann
explained: "The founding of our subsidiary in the USA was the starting point of a consistent
internationalization and thus a very decisive milestone in our company history. Being close to
the customer worldwide and producing in the market for the market are still basic principles of
the entire Webasto Group. Strong, independent regions, such as the Americas, are the basis for
the successful further development of our company."
From the very beginning North America has been an important market for Webasto. The
company generates around a quarter of its total sales in this region – currently mainly with roof
systems and thermal management solutions. "Despite being 50 years old, there are no signs of
a 'midlife crisis' in our American organization – quite the opposite. Over the past five years in
particular, we have experienced a very positive development with many extremely innovative
projects. With a view to the coming years, the Americas clearly remain a growth region for us,"
emphasized Engelmann.
Under the motto "The Drive to 50 and Beyond", Webasto Americas is celebrating its anniversary
year 2024 with a series of activities at the company locations throughout the region. These will
focus primarily on the employees. President and CEO Webasto Americas Brad Ring said: "For
almost a year now, I have had the privilege of leading a great team of dedicated colleagues and
technology enthusiasts. We look back on the past 50 years with pride and are clearly focused
on the road ahead. It’s the people that make Webasto a special company and I look forward to
developing our region alongside them and capitalizing on additional potential for our business –
especially in the areas of lightweight design, automated driving and electromobility."
