LISI GROUP - Activity report 2018

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QUESTIONS A
FRANÇOIS LIOTARD
DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL
DE LISI AUTOMOTIVE
QUESTIONS TO
FRANÇOIS LIOTARD
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
LISI AUTOMOTIVE
“LISI AUTOMOTIVE is pursuing
its internationalization with
the acquisition of Hi-Vol Products
in the United States.”
What are the division’s results?
Despite a complex environment, marked by very
sharp increases in rawmaterial costs, highmarket
volatility and unprecedented levels of investment,
the division saw its revenue growby 15%, thanks
in particular to the contribution of our North
American acquisitions and to the dynamismof
our Mechanical Components Business Group.
What were the highlights of 2018?
We accelerated our internationalization,
particularly inNorthAmericawith the successful
integration of Termax. This acquisition, whichwas
completed in 2018, considerably strengthened
our offer, particularly for vehicle interiors. Termax
has enabled us to secure€88million in full-year
contracts, or an unprecedented renewal rate
of 15%. This rate reaches 20%of the overall
mechanical components business, which should
further increase in 2019.
We completed our secondUS acquisition in
September whenwe bought Hi-Vol Products.
This acquisition allows us to enter the rapidly
growing sector ofmechanical safety components
in theUS, including the stainless steel components
required for direct injection gasoline engines
.
In terms of innovation, our teams have focused
their efforts on lightweight solutions, multi-
material fasteners andmechanical safety
components fromthemost advanced striking
ranges. The first products resulting from its
research have been very favorably received by our
customers and some of themare already in the
active industrialization phase.
What will be the priorities for 2019?
The transformation of the divisionwill continue.
Wewill remain attentive tomarket developments
given current international uncertainties, while
remaining focused on our priorities. In 2018,
the division sold its German surface treatment
subsidiary to one of its supplier-partners.Wewill
reap the full benefits of our twoUS acquisitions,
as extensions of our industrial footprint, with
the ramping up of theMonterrey, Mexico site and
our newMoroccan site .
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