As in all branches of industry, we are seeing an ongoing process of consolidation in the global automotive and supplier industry. To remain competitive we need to think globally and operate via networks. Right from the start, MAHLE saw this process of globalization as a great opportunity. MAHLE has succeeded in efficiently rounding off its product portfolio by establishing new operations and acquiring existing companies worldwide. One of MAHLE's particular strengths is combining products and modules that feature growing system capabilities with an expanding network and increasing standardization of all major units of the Company.

This allows us to utilize synergies and save resources. And it starts with the active exchange of information among our eight research and development centers in Stuttgart, Northampton, Detroit (Farmington Hills, Novi), Tokyo (Kawagoe, Okegawa), Shanghai and São Paulo (Jundiaí), ending with our strict quality standards, which are applicable and enforced internationally. Today, approximately 48,000 employees work for the MAHLE Group worldwide. The potential created by MAHLE's global network was demonstrated clearly by the "Antonov Line", already acknowledged as one of the highlights in the history of the Company: To meet a sudden surge in demand, we transported a complete additional production line from Germany to Mexico in a perfectly organized air-lift using Antonov aircraft, followed by the installation and start-up of production in record time.