Sogefi GroupSogefi Group

History


Sogefi’s history as a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of engine filtration and vehicle suspension components is tied to its commitment to innovation and research for excellence. These distinguishing traits are evident in the initial acquisitions and joint ventures which were made a few months after the company was established.

From the very beginning, such actions were triggered by the intention to expand the Group through global strategic acquisitions in the vehicle components sector. Sogefi soon established plants in many countries, many of which are now major global economies. Two examples are Brazil and China, where Sogefi has had a presence since 1991 and 1995 respectively.
Sogefi’s top priority has always been to bring value from its operations to all its stakeholders, and we believe the company has been successful in achieving this.

 

2022

Closure of Suspension Germany Plant in order to rationalize European footprint of Suspension

Creation of the new plant in India Pune for Air&Cooling and Filtration activities

2021

After having managed and restored Air & Cooling and Filtration Business Units’ profitability, Frédéric Sipahi is appointed CEO of Sogefi.

Air & Cooling Business Unit signs several contracts in the field of thermal management of batteries and electronic components for electric and hydrogen vehicles.

Filtration Business Unit develops a HEPA filter to ensure air purification in the vehicle cabin.

2020

Air & Cooling and Filtration Business Units accelerate their shift towards E-Mobility products with the award of several new programs for prestigious customers.

Sogefi Air & Cooling receives the GM Supplier of the Year award for the 3rd time.

Suspensions Business Units launches a new factory in Oradea, Romania.

Frédéric Sipahi leads the sale of Mercosur filtrations plants in order to stop cash consumptions and focus Filtration on Europe, USA & India.

2019



Frédéric Sipahi leads the sale of the Fraize plant in France (specialized in blow molding activities) to focus the Air & Cooling Business Unit on higher value-added products and reduce its exposure to diesel.

Sogefi Air & Cooling files numerous patents in the field of battery thermal management for electric vehicles and fuel cells for hydrogen vehicles.

Frédéric Sipahi is named Rising Star by Automobile News in the General Management category.

In addition to his position of Air& Cooling Business Unit CEO that he is holding since 2015, Frederic Sipahi is named Filtration Business Unit CEO in order to restore profitability and development of the Business Unit.

2018

Sogefi Air & Cooling receives the Supplier of the Year award by GM for the 2nd time.

Air & Cooling's Chinese plant continues developing transmission filters for automatic transmissions with several significant new contract appointments.

Sogefi Air & Cooling signs a major contract with BMW to produce aluminum splitters for diesel engines.

2017

Air & Cooling Business Unit expands its plant in Romania by increasing the production area and capacity threefold.

Sogefi Air & Cooling receives the Supplier of the Year award from GM for the first time.

2016

Sogefi Air & Cooling signs its first contract for 100% electric vehicles with a French OEM and thus initiates the transition of its products towards thermal management for electric vehicles.

2015

Monica Mondardini named President of Sogefi Group.

Frederic Sipahi is promoted Air&Cooling Business Unit CEO in order to restore profitability and development of the Business Unit.
 

Sogefi plans to expand its presence in the North American markets through an investment of € 17 million at Monterrey (Mexico) in a new plant serving all three Business Units.

Sogefi's new patented filter module will deliver “ultra-clean” performance across wide range of Renault Diesel models.

Sogefi awarded by the Italian Gipa (groupement inter professionnel de l’automobile) with the “excellence trophy” in the category “contribution to the environment” and recognised with an award by Groupauto Italia for the contribution of Sogefi aftermarket in 'premium marketing' category.

2014

Sogefi, starts up two new industrial sites, producing suspension components and engine system components respectively, in Wujiang, in the Shanghai area of China.

Sogefi receives the award by General Motors as supplier of the year 2013 in the category of air intake systems.

Sogefi launches the lightweight springs on new Audi A6 Avant Ultra.

2013

On the expiry of his mandate, Sogefi Chief Executive Emanuele Bosio leaves the helm of the company and Guglielmo Fiocchi takes over as Chief Executive Officer of Sogefi. Sogefi’s Engine Systems Business Unit opens two new factories, one in Pune (India) producing filter systems and the other in Monterrey (Mexico) producing components for Chrysler, GM and Ford V8 engines.

2012

In july Sogefi consolidates its presence in india with the opening of a new factory producing suspension parts in Pune and a new plant for the production of filter systems in the Bangalore area.

In september the board of directors appoints Guglielmo Fiocchi as General Manager of Sogefi.

2011

Sogefi celebrates its 30th anniversary and, with the acquisition of the Mark IV Systèmes Moteurs group, completes its range of products for engine systems and strengthens its position in North America.

The group closes the year with revenues of 1,158.4 million euro, reaching an all-time high for the thirty years of its history thanks to the acquisition of Mark IV Systèmes Moteurs and to the organic growth of the businesses of the group.

2010


Sogefi expands its presence in India by signing a joint venture agreement, for a 51% stake, with the Imperial Auto group to open a plant at Pune (near Mumbai) to produce suspension components for local vehicle manufacturers.
The Group’s management structure is rationalized and a separate Aftermarket Division is created to better focus on the replacement markets.

Following a degree of necessary retrenchment due to the global economic crisis of 2009 which had a harsh impact on the automotive industry, Sogefi’s revenues increase over the previous year to 924.7 million Euros with over 6,000 employees (includ­ing hired people).

2008

Sogefi acquires a 60% stake in a joint venture in India (at Bangalore) with the M.N. Ramarao Filters Private (MNR) group. Its aim is to enter the Indian filters market, specifically for cars and two/three-wheeled vehicles as well as for

industrial applications.Sogefi enters into a joint venture with Sardou S.A. in France to develop suspension components made with innovative materials, alternative to steel, aimed at considerably reducing weight.

2006

In China, where the company has been a presence since 1996 in the suspension sector, Sogefi sets up a joint venture to expand its business further within the filtration industry.
A new plastic components plant is acquired in France (at

Argentan in Lower Normandy) to im­prove the vertical integration of components and advance the technical skills in the filtration sector.

2005



Rodolfo De Benedetti becomes Chairman of Sogefi S.p.A., replacing Carlo De Benedetti, who is appointed Honorary Chairman.

The Group focuses on its industrial and corporate reorganization to optimize its presence and com­petitiveness in all markets, especially in countries with very dynamic economies.

The company reaches revenues of 1,023.4 million Euros and the number of employees rises to over 6,100.

2004

Sogefi S.p.A. shares, listed on the Milan Stock Exchange since 1986, are moved to the STAR segment, reserved for small and mid-cap compa­nies who can provide excellence in terms of trans­parency, communication, liquidity and corporate governance.

Sogefi S.p.A. Headquarters transfers from Mantova to Milan.
The Group’s first US plant is opened at Prichard (West Virginia), to manufacture shock absorber springs and stabilizer bars for the local market.

2002

In Brazil, a new suspension components produc­tion plant is opened at Mogi Mirim (near São Paulo).

2001

Acquisition of the French company Filtrauto S.A., operating in the filters sector, with manufacturing plants in France, Italy, Spain, UK, Slovenia and Argentina. As a result, Sogefi becomes a leading company in both the replacements market and supply of original equipment filtration systems.

2000


Takeover of United Industries Plc., the British group operating in the precision springs industry, with 3 plants in the UK, 2

in France and 2 in the Netherlands. Sogefi’s revenues rise to 674.2 million Euros with employees numbering over 5,100.

1999

The acquisition of the French company Allevard Ressorts Automobile consolidates Sogefi’s market leadership in Europe as a manufacturer of sus­pension components for the automotive industry which extends the Company’s customer base to include all major

manufacturers. In Spain, Sogefi acquires PBR S.A., a successful manufacturer of replacement filters for automo­tive vehicles, thereby strengthening its market presence in the Iberian region.

1998

A new plant dedicated to manufacturing springs and stabilizer bars for suspension is inaugurated at Fronville in France.

1997

In Brazil and Argentina, controlling shareholdings are acquired in the associated companies manu­facturing filtration elements.

1996

Sogefi becomes the European market leader in suspension components for the automotive indus­try, which it consolidates with further acquisitions of the German companies Luhn&Pulvermacher and Dittman&Neuhaus. As both German compa­nies manufacture suspension components for

trains and industrial vehicles, they are integrated with simi­lar operations already active within the Group.
A new filter manufacturing plant is opened in Brazil, at Mateus Leme, in the Minas Gerais, while new offices are opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

1995


Again anticipating future trends, Sogefi sets up a strategic joint venture in the suspension industry in China called Liaoyang KS Automotive Spring Ltd., with the German group Krupp Hoesch Automotive. Both companies agree to each hold a 30% interest while the remaining 40%

goes to the Chinese company First Automobile Works.
Sogefi’s revenues increase to 913.2 billion Lire (equal to 471.6 million Euros) with over 4,500 employees.

1994

Sogefi further expands its products portfolio by acquiring the French companies Montal S.A. and ES Metal S.A., specializing in the production of precision springs for special applications.
In South America, the Group consolidates its presence by acquiring 60% of an Argentinian filter manufacturing company.

1991

After identifying growth potential in the South American market, the Group arrives in Brazil where it acquires Europarts Industria de Autopecas Ltda, a former division of Allied Signal operating in the filters sector.

The company is subsequently renamed Sogefi Filtration do Brasil Ltda.

1990



Revenues reach 570.3 billion Lire (equal to 294.5 million Euros) and the number of employees rises to over 4,400.

1988

Sogefi continues to expand its international filtra­tion interests by acquiring Coopers Filters Ltd. in the UK and a shareholding in Afico Filters S.A.E. in Egypt.

1987

The Company’s presence in the suspension com­ponents industry is further consolidated with the acquisition of two Italian companies (Mollificio Bresciano and Sidergarda) and a French company (Ateliers Métallurgiques de Saint Urbain S.A.).

1986

As part of its strategy of expansion and diversifica­tion in the automotive sector, Sogefi takes over Rejna S.p.A., an Italian manufacturer of suspen­sion components for the transportation industry.
Sogefi is listed for the first time on the Milan Stock Exchange. At the end of the financial year, revenues are 147.8 billion Lire (equal to 76.3 million Euros) with over 1,700 employees.

1985

1984

Sogefi expands its activity to new markets in Europe through a joint venture with the American group Allied Signal.

1982

Acquisition of Fiaam S.p.A., an Italian company specializing in the manufacture of a wide range of car filters.

1981

Business agreement signed with the US group Allied Signal for the exclusive licence to use the world-renowned FRAM® filter brand.

1980

Sogefi S.p.A. is established in Mantova, in north­ern Italy, with the objective of becoming a major force in the automotive components industry. CIR becomes its controlling shareholder.