Beyond borders
As a global family business, Eberspächer benefits from the different cultures, mindsets and perspectives of all its employees. Whether in Europe, America or Asia: with locations in over 30 countries, the Group is a global player, close to its customers. Always with us: the courage to change.
6 March 2025 – It all began in the tranquil town of Esslingen am Neckar – at Webergasse 5 to be precise. A tinsmith's workshop is set up in a small workshop in the basement of Jakob Eberspächer's house. The company soon makes a name for itself with its putty-free glazing. The following years are characterized by continuous growth – not least due to the courageous decisions of the founding family.
Internationalization began in 1913, when the family business established its first branch outside Germany in Vienna. At that time, around 100 employees worked for the sheet metal and steel processing company in Germany and Austria. Even then, the focus was on the needs of the market: in order to mitigate the rising transportation costs for global orders in the wake of inflation from the 1920s onwards, the founder's sons gradually built up international production sites.
A recipe for success that Eberspächer has consistently pursued throughout its 160-year company history. Proximity to the customer creates solidarity and enables fast delivery and availability. Today, the company calls this the “global footprint”. This has developed continuously since the 1950s and 1960s.
HALF A CENTURY OVERSEAS
Eberspächer expands into America as early as 1973. With the founding of Espar Products Inc. in Mississauga, Canada, the first overseas subsidiary for heating units is established. Further locations quickly followed: in 1977 with a subsidiary in Great Britain, and in the 1980s and 1990s with production facilities in Sweden, France, Switzerland and South Africa. By this time, the Group had already established itself in various product areas: In addition to heating appliances, the portfolio included catalytic converters and complex exhaust gas aftertreatment system components.
USING SYNERGY EFFECTS
At the turn of the millennium, the automotive supplier is increasingly present in the American and Asian regions: the experts expand their presence in North America by founding a subsidiary for exhaust technology in Detroit. A complete research and development center for complex exhaust systems is created. Eberspächer is also entering Asia through joint ventures in order to exploit local synergies for the distribution of exhaust gas aftertreatment systems – for example in India. It is partnerships such as these that have accompanied the Group of Companies strategically over the past decades: By bundling expertise and market access, important growth markets have been opened up step by step – whether in India, China, Thailand or Malaysia. A new environment is always associated with uncertainty. But only those who actively tackle challenges and see change as an opportunity can grow. Eberspächer has demonstrated this courage time and again since the beginning of the company's history.
INTERNATIONALITY AS A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Today, around 11,200 employees work for the family-owned company at 80 locations in over 30 countries. As part of a large global team, each of them brings their own perspective and individual skills to the table, resulting in products and technologies that meet the needs of the respective market. “Global Footprint” – a competitive factor that Eberspächer recognized early on and that will continue to develop in the company's history.