ZF Friedrichshafen SWOT & PESTLE Analysis
COMPANY PROFILE -ZF Friedrichshafen
Business Sector :Technology in automotive industry
Operating Geography :Friedrichshafen, Germany, Europe, Global
About ZF Friedrichshafen :
ZF Friedrichshafen AG is a global technology company that supplies systems for 3 major segments i.e passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and industrial applications. It operates mainly in four technology domains namely, Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, Automated Driving, and Electric Mobility. The German automotive parts manufacturer is headquartered in Friedrichshafen, in the south-west German state of Baden-Württemberg. The company is commonly abbreviated to ZF which stands for Zahnradfabrik meaning Cogwheel Factory. ZF comprises a comprehensive portfolio of solutions suitable for both established automotive manufacturers and new entrants as transport and mobility service providers. ZF also offers electrification solutions to different kinds of vehicles with an aim of reducing emissions and protecting the climate. The company has a strong presence in well-established markets including the US, EU, and more. Furthermore, the German manufacturer strives to penetrate emerging automotive markets like China and India to serve emerging mobility customers.
ZF has a global workforce of around 147,000 employees with approximately 240 locations in 41 countries as of early 2020. Since its inception in 1915, ZF has emerged from a supplier specializing in aviation technology to a global mobility technology company. The company spends more than 7% of its sales on research and development annually. As a technology company, ZF continues to rapidly develop new and innovative products with a focus on efficiency, backed by its Next Generation Mobility strategy.
ZF's USP lies in being a worldwide supplier of driveline and chassis technology for cars and commercial vehicles, along with specialist plant equipment such as construction equipment. Driven by megatrends, like digitalization and the Internet of Things (IoT) ZF's mission statement reads "A clean and safe mobility. Automated, convenient, and affordable. For everyone, everywhere."
ZF Friedrichshafen Revenue :
Euro 36.5 billion - FY ending 31st December 2019 (y-o-y growth of (negative) -1.08%)
Euro 36.9 billion - FY ending 31st December 2018
Competitive Analysis of ZF Friedrichshafen
The SWOT analysis for ZF Friedrichshafen is presented below in a matrix followed by the detailed analysis report
Strengths | Weaknesses |
1. Global technology solutions provider focused on mobility. 2. Acquisition of WABCO leading to expanded innovation capabilities. 3. Global leader in driveline and chassis technology 4. R&D delivering basic technologies for future-proof products 5. Accelerating development through strategic partnerships and investments 6. Provides most affordable coASSIST level-2+ Automated driving system 7. Innovation leadership and cost leadership | 1. Inefficient production of airbags leading to recall of cars by Volvo in USA |
Opportunities | Threats |
1. Increasing demand for future technologies like electric power steering, etc. 2. Electrification of car powertrains in future 3. Strong demand for safety technology indicated by rising demand of ADAS systems | 1. Fall in interest rates led to higher pension provisions 2. Increase in the price of materials due to trade war affecting margins. 3. ZF markets facing production decline and under pressure |
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Detailed SWOT Analysis of ZF Friedrichshafen
Strength
1. Global technology solutions provider focused on mobility: Apart from the financial indicators, there are some non-financial indicators too that help in accessing a company’s performance. The global Research and Development centers of ZF have been implementing ‘Next Generation Mobility’ which is their corporate strategy. They have also developed the ‘Next Generation Technology’ strategy. ZF wants to become a leader in technology in its industry and for achieving that they have defined four technology clusters: Vehicle System and Functions (this cluster is focused on developing the software requirements needed for running vehicles in the future which will be increasingly based on system functions); Data Handling and Analytics (it focusses on linking the infrastructure, IoT platform and artificial intelligence which is required for data analysis); Efficient Energy Conversion (ZF is on its way to develop efficient systems for storing and converting energy like hydrogen cells, electric motors, etc. for optimized control of the vehicle); and, Advanced Base Technology (this cluster deals with developing cutting edge technology for high resolution sensors and efficient power electronics). They have 18 key technologies that are being worked upon in these 4 clusters for research and development.
2. Acquisition of WABCO leading to expanded innovation capabilities: WABCO has 16000 employees in 40 countries and earned revenues of €3.3 billion in 2018. Merging of these two complementary business lines will add value to the customers, employees and the shareholders. This deal that took place on 29th May 2020 for $7 billion (i.e. $135 per share) is supposed to enhance the commercial vehicle system technology with an expected sale of €40 billion. Since WABCO is a leader in braking control systems it will give ZF the opportunity to dive in this segment for the first time. This is critical in terms of automated driving systems wherein technology for emergency brakes are needed. These types of functions can be implemented well for commercial vehicles and areas like agriculture, airports and factory sites which have low complexity and traffic. Apart from this it will also give a boost to the autonomous commercial vehicle functions and decrease the dependence of ZF on economic cycles of passenger car industry. The acquisition is in line with the motto of ZS to decrease the emission levels and to increase safety on roads by creating vehicles that can ‘see, think and act’. The ‘see and think’ components have already been worked out by ZF through its sensor and computing systems and this collaboration will assist it in the ‘act’ part of the motto.
The remaining section under "Strengths" is available only in the 'Complete Report' on purchase.
Weakness
This section is available only in the 'Complete Report' on purchase.
Opportunity
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Threat
This section is available only in the 'Complete Report' on purchase.
Major Competitors :
- Robert Bosch
- Continental
- Lear Corporation
- Valeo
- Denso
- Magna
- American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings
- Aisin World Corp. of America
Major Brands :
- Active Safety Systems
- Car Chassis Technology
- Car Powertrain Technology
- Electronics and ADAS
- E-Mobility
- Passive Safety Systems
- Commercial Vehicle Technology
- Industrial Technology
- Aftermarket
- ZF Race Engineering
- ZF Gastronomie Service GmbH
- TRW
- WABCO
- Simi Reality Motion Systems
- 2GetThere
- TRW Automotive Holdings
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References used in ZF Friedrichshafen Analysis Report
1. ZF half-year financial results 2020 - https://www.zf.com/master/media/corporate/m_zf_com/company/bonds_relations_/financial_reports/annual_report/2020_2/Half-year_Figures_as_of_June_30_2020_-_call.pdf
2. ZF annual report 2019 -https://www.zf.com/master/media/en/corporate/m_zf_com/company/bonds_relations_/financial_reports/annual_report/2019_2/ZF_AnnualReport19_en.pdf
3. ZF investor presentation 2019 - https://www.zf.com/master/media/corporate/m_zf_com/company/bonds_relations_/financial_reports/annual_report/2019_2/YE_2019_IR_Call_EN_Final.pdf
4. ZF latest information - https://press.zf.com/press/en/releases/release_4674.html
The detailed complete set of references are available on request in the 'Complete report' on purchase.
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ZF Friedrichshafen SWOT and PESTLE analysis has been conducted by and reviewed by senior analysts from Barakaat Consulting.
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