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Leoni AG
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Leoni AG, based in Nuremberg, Germany, is a cable and harnessing manufacturing firm with branches throughout the world.[1]
Key Information
It is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is a member of the mid-cap MDAX index, and is claimed as global leader of cable systems.[2]
Products
[edit]Leoni made all cables and powercords for Dell and Gateway 2000 during the dot-com boom of the 1990s in their plant in Birr, Offaly, Ireland, which was then moved to Slovakia.[citation needed]
In Stryi and Kolomyia, both in Ukraine, the company produces wiring systems for the automotive industry. In 2022, as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, production at these sites was halted, causing widespread production stops at European automobile factories.[1][3]
Subsidiaries
[edit]Leoni Wiring Systems Southeast
[edit]Leoni AG owns Leoni Wiring Systems Southeast, established on 3 April 2009, with headquarters in Prokuplje, Serbia. It built its facility in Prokuplje on the foundations of bankrupted company "FIAZ Prokuplje" (asbestos manufacturing) in 2009.[4] In 2013 it was reported that the facility in Prokuplje employed 1,750 people.[5] In August 2013, Leoni Wiring Systems Southeast started building its second facility in Malošište (near Doljevac), worth 21 million euros, that would employ 1,500 people by the end of 2014.[5][6] In July 2017, Leoni Wiring Systems Southeast opened 6,000 square meter facility in the city of Niš[7][8] and the opening ceremony was attended by President Aleksandar Vučić.[7]
In 2016, gross revenues were €130.05 million and €6.65 million net income,[9] positioning it as Serbia's 65th largest company by revenue, and 62nd largest by profit.[9] The same year, the company was considered among the 15 largest exporter companies of Serbia, with 147.6 million euros worth of exports.[10]
In 2018, Leoni Wiring Systems Southeast reported that it employs around 6,000 people in three facilities in Prokuplje, Malošište and Niš.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Ewing, Jack (1 March 2022). "European car plants hurt by supply problems linked to war". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Hermann Simon notes the company in his correspondent book as an example of a "Hidden Champion" (Simon, Hermann: Hidden Champions of the 21st Century : Success Strategies of unknown World Market Leaders. London: Springer, 2009.- ISBN 978-0-387-98147-5. P. 39f.)
- ^ Amann, Christina; Carey, Nick (2 March 2022). "Ukraine invasion hampers wire harness supplies for carmakers". Reuters. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Borisavljević, Dragan (23 December 2011). 'Леони' повећава производњу. politika.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- ^ a b Počela izgradnja druge fabrike kompanije Leoni u Srbiji. blic.rs (in Serbian). 23 August 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ^ Otvorena fabrika Leoni u Nišu, posao za 1.700 radnika. n1info.com (in Serbian). 18 November 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
- ^ a b Vučić: Leoni postao najveći poslodavac u Srbiji, Niš će u 2018. doživeti "bum". blic.rs (in Serbian). Tanjug. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ Bjeletić, Gordana (1 August 2017). Fabrika Leoni zvanično otvorena, ali da li ima proizvodnje? (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- ^ a b Сто Нај... Привредних Друштава У Републици Србији у 2016 (PDF). apr.gov.rs (in Serbian). Агенција за привредне регистре. Retrieved 16 March 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Ovo su najveći izvoznici u 2016. godini!. plutonlogistics.com (in Serbian). 12 February 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ Leoni gradi fabriku u Kraljevu, posao za 5.000 radnika. n1info.com (in Serbian). Beta. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Documents and clippings about Leoni AG in the 20th Century Press Archives of the ZBW
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Leoni AG
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History
Origins and Early Development
The origins of Leoni trace back to 1569, when the Frenchman Anthoni Fournier established a small wire workshop in Nuremberg, Germany, producing fine gold and silver wires known as Leonische Waren for ornamental embroidery and decorative purposes.[1] These early activities laid the groundwork for specialized wire manufacturing in the region, evolving from artisanal craftsmanship to more industrialized processes over centuries.[1] In 1917, amid Germany's post-World War I economic challenges, the modern iteration of the company emerged through the merger of three established wire producers: Vereinigte Leonische Fabriken Nürnberg-Schweinau, Johann Philipp Stieber in Roth, and Johann Balthasar Stieber & Sohn GmbH in Nuremberg, forming Leonische Werke Roth-Nürnberg AG.[11] This consolidation created a unified entity focused on wire drawing, enamelling, and basic cable assembly, initially serving domestic markets in electrical and industrial applications.[12] By the early 1930s, the company rebranded as Leonische Drahtwerke AG in 1931, expanding production to include rubber-insulated cables, which supported growing demand for insulated wiring in emerging electrical infrastructure and machinery.[13] This period marked initial diversification beyond precious metal wires into practical industrial products, positioning the firm for further technological advancements in cable technology prior to World War II disruptions.[1]Post-War Expansion and Internationalization
Following World War II, Leonische Drahtwerke AG shifted production toward power cords for emerging electrical appliances, capitalizing on Germany's economic recovery and rising consumer demand for household electrification. In 1948, the company initiated manufacturing of power cords, or cord sets, which became a key product line amid the post-war boom in electrical engineering.[14][3][15] By the 1950s, Leoni entered the automotive sector, diversifying from consumer goods into vehicle wiring as automobile production rebounded. This period marked the start of cable assembly manufacturing in 1956, enabling customized harnesses for industrial applications. Domestic expansion accelerated in the 1960s with new facilities: the Kitzingen plant opened in 1967 for cable harness production, followed by the Kotzting plant in 1969 dedicated to enamelled wire, supporting increased output for automotive and other sectors. These investments reflected steady capacity growth within Germany, aligning with the Wirtschaftswunder economic miracle.[14][3] Internationalization commenced in the late 1970s as Leoni sought to serve global automotive supply chains. In 1977, the company established its first overseas subsidiary, Câbleries de Sousse in Tunisia, focused on cable harness production to leverage lower costs and proximity to European markets. The following year, Leonische France was founded as a sales office to facilitate exports and customer relations in Western Europe. These steps laid the foundation for broader global operations, transitioning Leoni from a primarily domestic wire producer to an emerging multinational supplier.[14][1]Globalization and Automotive Focus (1990s–2010s)
During the 1990s, Leoni AG intensified its globalization strategy by establishing production facilities and subsidiaries beyond Germany to capitalize on the automotive industry's shift toward cost-efficient, localized supply chains. In 1990, the company entered the Eastern European market and founded a subsidiary in Chicopee, Massachusetts, USA, focused on wire production, while initiating cable harness manufacturing in Portugal.[16][11] By November 1998, Leoni opened an office in Detroit, USA, to strengthen ties with North American automotive customers, signaling plans for further U.S. operations.[14] In March 1999, it acquired French firm Nicolitch SA, a leader in flexible circuit boards, expanding its product portfolio for automotive applications.[14] These moves aligned with Leoni's deepening focus on automotive wiring systems, as global vehicle production demanded complex, high-volume harnesses produced near assembly plants. The early 2000s saw accelerated expansion into emerging automotive hubs, particularly in Asia and the Americas, driven by rising demand for wiring solutions in passenger cars and commercial vehicles. In 1993, Leoni formed the LEONI-EPAN joint venture in Singapore and opened facilities in Xiamen and Changzhou, China, marking its Asian entry; this was followed in 1997 by acquiring Cummins Engine Company's cable harness business in Tucson, USA, and establishing Leoni Cable Mexico in Hermosillo.[11] By 2000, the company acquired Lucas Rist in Newcastle-under-Lyme, England, and launched an automotive cables plant in Cuauhtémoc, Mexico, enhancing its just-in-time delivery capabilities for OEMs like Ford and General Motors.[11] This period solidified Leoni's automotive emphasis, with wiring systems becoming central to its revenue as vehicles incorporated more electronics for safety and infotainment; by the mid-2000s, automotive accounted for the majority of sales, supported by proximity to low-cost labor in Mexico and Eastern Europe.[17] A pivotal acquisition in 2007–2008 propelled Leoni to the forefront of Europe's wiring harness market. The €255 million purchase of Valeo's wiring systems division, finalized by year-end 2007, created Leoni Wiring Systems France and elevated its European market share to approximately 24 percent, integrating advanced harness technologies for premium vehicles.[18][11] Throughout the 2010s, Leoni continued global diversification, opening plants in Celaya, Mexico (2015), and Panjin, China (2015), while forming a joint venture in Langfang, China, with Beijing Hainachuan Automotive Parts (December 2015), yielding a €19.6 million gain.[11] These initiatives, comprising 93 facilities across 32 countries by 2016 with 94.5 percent of workforce abroad, underscored Leoni's adaptation to automotive megatrends like electrification, where wiring systems enabled complex power distribution; automotive segments generated 79 percent of 2016 sales (€3.5 billion of €4.43 billion total).[11] This era's focus prioritized scalable production for just-in-sequence delivery, mitigating risks from volatile raw material costs and currency fluctuations in global supply chains.[17]Financial Crises and Restructuring (2010s–2020s)
In the late 2010s, Leoni AG encountered mounting financial pressures stemming from operational setbacks and a deteriorating automotive market. Cost overruns at its Romanian factory and production issues in Mexico eroded profitability, while weaker demand from the car industry contributed to a sales decline to €4.8 billion in 2019 from €5.1 billion in 2018.[19] [20] In March 2019, the company abandoned its prior profit targets for the year, citing these challenges, and announced job cuts as part of initial cost-saving measures.[21] By November 2019, some creditors began offloading their exposure to Leoni amid Germany's economic slowdown, exacerbating liquidity strains tied to a €750 million syndicated loan.[22] These issues intensified into 2020, with Leoni pursuing a financial overhaul through negotiations with banks to extend maturities and amend terms of its debt facilities, marking an early attempt at pre-insolvency restructuring.[19] The COVID-19 pandemic further hampered recovery, leading to sustained losses and heightened debt servicing burdens. By early 2023, cumulative pressures prompted the appointment of Hans-Joachim Ziems as Chief Restructuring Officer to oversee adaptations to the refinancing and restructuring strategy.[23] The pivotal restructuring occurred in 2023 under Germany's StaRUG framework, aimed at averting insolvency. In March, Leoni presented a plan to the Nuremberg Restructuring Court that reduced liabilities to banks and noteholders by €708 million—nearly half of total financial debt—via debt-to-equity swaps, while injecting €150 million in fresh liquidity and effecting a capital cut to zero, effectively wiping out existing shareholders.[24] Austrian investor Stefan Pierer, through his entity, assumed control by absorbing significant debt portions in exchange for equity, leading to delisting from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.[25] The plan secured creditor majorities in May and court approval in June, enabling Leoni to emerge as a privately held entity focused on operational stabilization.[26] Subsequent steps in 2025 further refinanced the balance sheet, with Chinese firm Luxshare acquiring a 50.1% stake in the Wiring Systems Division and 100% of the Automotive Cable Solutions Division, facilitating repayment of noteholder claims and reducing legacy liabilities.[8] This transaction, completed in July, marked a shift toward strategic partnerships amid ongoing automotive sector volatility, though it drew scrutiny over foreign ownership influences on German industrial assets.[7] By mid-2025, Leoni reported progress toward operational profitability, attributing it to the 2023 measures and divestitures.[27]Business Operations
Products and Solutions
Leoni AG specializes in the development, production, and delivery of wiring systems that manage energy and data in vehicles, primarily serving the automotive industry from concept to series production.[5] These systems encompass custom-engineered harnesses and components designed to reduce vehicle complexity while supporting automation and sustainability goals.[5] Key offerings include high-voltage wiring harnesses tailored for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids, enabling efficient power distribution and integration with battery systems; the company has provided such solutions for approximately 25 years.[28] Additional products feature special components for electromobility, such as power distribution units that handle multi-voltage architectures and functional integration to optimize electrical flow in modern vehicles.[28] Innovations like zonal wiring architectures further minimize cabling weight and length, facilitating trends in connected and autonomous mobility.[5] In July 2025, Leoni AG divested its Automotive Cable Solutions division—which focused on wires and cables—to Time Interconnect Group, a subsidiary of Luxshare, thereby concentrating its portfolio on integrated wiring systems rather than standalone cable production.[14] This shift aligns with an emphasis on comprehensive solutions, including the Innovation and Industrialization Center (iiC) established in 2022 to standardize processes for faster development and market entry of vehicle wiring technologies.[29]Key Markets and Customers
Leoni AG's primary market is the automotive sector, where it supplies wiring systems, cable harnesses, and components for energy and data management, accounting for the majority of its revenue. The company focuses on trends such as electromobility, autonomous driving, and connectivity, providing high-voltage wiring harnesses, power distribution units, and battery interconnection solutions for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids.[28] This segment includes both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, with production tailored for just-in-time delivery to support global vehicle manufacturing.[1] In addition to automotive, Leoni serves industrial markets through its Wire & Cable Solutions division, offering standard and customized cables, optical fibers, and assemblies for sectors including telecommunications, energy, agriculture, and consumer electronics. These solutions address applications in data transmission, power supply, and harsh environments, though they represent a smaller portion of overall sales compared to automotive.[30][31] The company's largest customer group consists of global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the car and commercial vehicle industries, as well as Tier-1 component suppliers. Leoni positions itself as a key supplier of cable systems to these entities, enabling vehicle electrification and advanced electronics integration without publicly disclosing specific client dependencies to maintain competitive neutrality.[32][33] Recent ownership changes, including Luxshare-ICT's acquisition of a majority stake in July 2025, have expanded access to Chinese OEMs entering European and North American markets, enhancing Leoni's customer base in premium wiring for advanced vehicles.[34]Research and Development
LEONI AG concentrates its research and development on automotive megatrends such as electromobility, autonomous driving, connectivity, and sustainability.[1][28] Group-wide R&D expenditure reached €140 million in 2022, supporting advancements in wiring systems and cable solutions.[35] The company has pursued electromobility innovations for about 25 years, developing high-voltage wiring harnesses, power distribution units, and battery interconnection systems tailored for battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.[1] Key R&D efforts address electrification challenges, including liquid-cooled high-voltage cables and multi-voltage architectures that integrate functions to reduce vehicle weight and complexity.[1][36] For autonomous driving, developments emphasize zonal wiring architectures—decentralized, smaller-scale networks that replace traditional large harnesses, enabling higher automation and data management efficiency.[1][37] In 2012, the European Investment Bank financed LEONI's R&D project for electric vehicle components, prioritizing power management solutions and prototyping from cable design to system architecture.[38] The Innovation Industrialization Center (iiC), established in Kitzingen, Germany, in September 2022, spans 3,000 square meters and integrates laboratories, offices, and collaborative spaces for developers, production experts, and international teams.[29] This facility standardizes processes, accelerates automation, and shortens time-to-market for wiring innovations deployable across global plants.[29] Sustainability initiatives incorporate five workflows into projects to lower carbon footprints, utilizing recycled materials and aluminum while advancing circular economy principles.[39] LEONI's R&D has earned recognition, including BMW's Supplier Innovation Award in November 2022 for agile pre-development methods in advanced units.[40] These activities align with broader goals of efficient energy and data management, though recent financial strains have influenced overall investment levels.[41]Global Presence
Manufacturing and Facilities
Leoni AG maintains a decentralized global production network optimized for labor-intensive manufacturing of wiring harnesses and cable systems, with facilities strategically located in low-wage regions to leverage cost advantages while adhering to automotive quality standards. The company operates production sites across Europe, North Africa, the Americas, and Asia, totaling involvement in 21 countries and emphasizing just-in-time delivery to major OEM customers.[42] In North Africa, Morocco represents Leoni's largest manufacturing hub, with 11 production units situated in Ain Sebaâ, Bouskoura, Berrechid, Bouznika, and Agadir, employing over 19,000 workers primarily in the assembly of customer-specific wiring systems and cable harnesses for the automotive sector.[43] The Agadir facility, opened on January 21, 2025, focuses on high-complexity, small-batch production for truck, powertrain, and off-road applications, enhancing flexibility for specialized demands.[1] In Egypt, a new wiring harness factory in Badr's Robiki Leather City was established with a €40 million investment to support regional automotive supply chains.[14] The Americas host significant capacity, particularly in Mexico, where five plants—two in Mérida (Yucatán), one in Durango, and two in Hermosillo (Sonora)—employ around 8,000 workers and utilize advanced technologies for automotive harness production across vehicle types.[44] In South America, operations include facilities in Paraguay for wiring systems assembly.[45] North American activities, including U.S. engineering support in Troy, Michigan, complement these sites but feature limited direct manufacturing.[33] In Europe, core production remains in Germany, with the Roth plant near Nuremberg implementing "factory of the future" automation and process modernization to boost efficiency in cable and harness manufacturing.[46] Additional Eastern European sites in the Czech Republic, Poland, and historical locations like Hungary and Slovakia handle wiring and cable assemblies, though some, such as the Bulgaria plant, have been closed amid restructuring.[14] Asia's footprint includes multiple factories in China for energy and data management solutions, supporting around 3,000 employees in automotive wiring production.[47] These facilities collectively enable Leoni to produce millions of harnesses annually, adapting to electrification trends through targeted investments in capacity and technology.[42]Subsidiaries and Divestitures
Leoni AG operates through a network of subsidiaries primarily supporting its Wiring Systems Division (WSD), which focuses on automotive wiring harnesses and related components following the divestiture of non-core units. Key domestic operating subsidiaries include LEONI Draht GmbH & Co. KG for wire production, LEONI Kabel GmbH & Co. KG for cable manufacturing, and LEONI Bordnetz-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG for wiring system assembly, all headquartered in Germany and integral to the group's consolidated operations.[1] Internationally, subsidiaries such as Leoni Wiring Systems de Durango SA de CV in Mexico and LEONI Cable (China) Co., Ltd. handle regional production and assembly to serve global automotive customers, with the group maintaining facilities across 21 countries as of 2024.[48][1] In 2021, Leoni divested parts of its former Wire & Cable Solutions (WCS) division, including Leoni Schweiz AG and the data communication and compound sub-units, as part of a €450 million sale of its broader industrial solutions business to streamline operations amid financial pressures.[49] A subsequent attempt to sell the Automotive Cable Solutions (ACS) division to Thailand's Stark Corporation in 2022 collapsed due to unmet conditions, delaying restructuring efforts.[50] The ACS division, which specialized in automotive cables, was ultimately sold in July 2025 to Time Interconnect Singapore Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Luxshare-ICT, for an undisclosed sum, coinciding with Luxshare's acquisition of a 50.1% stake in Leoni AG itself.[51][8] This divestiture allowed Leoni to refocus on its core WSD while reducing debt exposure from the ACS unit's underperformance.[52] Earlier plans in 2020 to carve out sub-units from WCS were pursued but evolved into the later ACS separation.[53]Ownership and Governance
Major Shareholders and Ownership Changes
As of July 2025, Luxshare-ICT holds a 50.1% majority stake in Leoni AG, primarily encompassing the Wiring Systems Division (WSD), making it the largest shareholder.[51] Stefan Pierer, through Pierer Industrie AG, retains a 49.9% stake following the partial divestiture.[54] This structure emerged from a refinancing transaction that also involved the sale of 100% of Leoni's Automotive Cable Solutions (ACS) division to the Luxshare Group, aimed at stabilizing the company's finances post-restructuring.[8] Prior to this, Stefan Pierer held 100% ownership of Leoni AG after a delisting from public markets in 2023 as part of a financial restructuring under Germany's Corporate Stabilization and Restructuring Act (StaRUG).[55] The delisting followed a 2022 restructuring plan that converted debt to equity and eliminated prior public shareholder participation to facilitate insolvency avoidance and operational continuity.[35] Pierer Industrie AG had been a significant shareholder even earlier, with influence noted in 2021 annual disclosures amid mounting debt pressures.[56] Historically, Leoni AG operated as a publicly traded entity on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange until the 2020s crises prompted ownership consolidation.[57] Key divestitures, such as the 2021 sale of the industrial business to BizLink and the 2022 offloading of standard cable operations, supported the shift toward private control under Pierer to prioritize core automotive wiring systems amid creditor negotiations.[14] These changes reflected a broader transition from diffuse institutional and retail ownership to concentrated private holdings, enabling targeted recovery efforts.[58]Leadership and Corporate Structure
The Management Board of LEONI AG, responsible for operational management, is chaired by Klaus Rinnerberger as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a position he assumed on July 14, 2023, following his appointment by the Supervisory Board on April 3, 2023.[59][60] Other current members include Andreas Krifka as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Lidya Li, and Anthony Wang, with the board overseeing strategic direction amid ongoing restructuring efforts.[61][62] Recent changes include the departure of Dr. Harald Nippel from the Management Board on August 9, 2025. LEONI AG adheres to Germany's two-tier corporate governance model, with the Supervisory Board of 12 members monitoring executive performance, approving major decisions, and appointing Management Board members; it comprises six shareholder-elected representatives and six employee-elected representatives to ensure balanced oversight.[63][61] The Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board is Lingling "KK" Yuan.[64] As a holding company, LEONI AG coordinates global subsidiaries focused primarily on the Wiring Systems Division (WSD), which handles development, production, and sales of automotive cable harnesses and wiring systems through entities such as LEONI Bordnetz-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG.[1][65] The structure previously encompassed broader cable operations via LEONI Kabel GmbH & Co. KG and LEONI Draht GmbH & Co. KG, but the Cable Solutions Division was divested to Time Interconnect Group on July 10, 2025, streamlining focus on automotive wiring amid financial recovery.[52][1] This setup supports approximately 87,000 employees across 21 countries, with production concentrated in low-cost regions like North Africa and Eastern Europe.[1]Financial Performance
Revenue Trends and Key Metrics
Leoni AG's consolidated sales revenue exhibited stability amid operational challenges in the early 2020s, totaling €5.12 billion in 2021 and €5.1 billion in 2022, reflecting a marginal decline of 0.4%.[66] This period was marked by supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures in the automotive sector, which constrained growth despite steady demand for wiring systems.[66] In 2023, revenue rose to €5.46 billion, aligning with pre-year forecasts of €5.5 billion and indicating modest recovery post-restructuring.[30][66] Following the company's delisting from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in August 2023 and transition to private ownership under Luxshare Group, public reporting of detailed revenue figures diminished, limiting visibility into 2024 and 2025 trends.[67][14] Key profitability metrics underscored persistent margin pressures. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) before exceptional items fell sharply to €11 million in 2022 from €130 million in 2021, driven by volatile customer orders, cost inflation, and provisions for contingent losses.[66] Free cash flow (FCF) improved significantly to €126 million in 2022, benefiting from divestment proceeds and better working capital management, compared to a negative €12 million in 2021.[66][56]| Year | Revenue (€ billion) | EBIT before exceptional items (€ million) | Free cash flow (€ million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5.12 | 130 | -12 |
| 2022 | 5.1 | 11 | 126 |
| 2023 | 5.46 | N/A | N/A |