What Matthies does

Johannes J. Matthies GmbH & Co. KG, operating as Matthies, is a family-owned German automotive and motorcycle parts wholesaler founded in 1933 in Hamburg by Johannes J. Matthies and currently led by third-generation Managing Director Martin Matthies. The company serves specialist dealers, dealers, and independent repair workshops across Northern Germany through 16-17 branch locations spanning Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony-Anhalt, and Brandenburg. Its core offering is wholesale distribution of original spare parts across three vehicle categories — passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and transporters (Katy); motorcycles, scooters, and quads (Mike, covering over 54,000 vehicle types); and universal/trailer parts (Uni) — complemented by workshop equipment, management software, technical training, and bank-independent financing services.

Matthies operates a portfolio of proprietary digital platforms. Katy, Mike, and Uni provide vehicle-linked parts lookup, pricing, inventory visibility, and online ordering. The Henry jr workshop management platform integrates modules for vehicle acceptance, inventory, cash register, time tracking, tire storage, and workshop planning, and connects to the asa Network (WsN) and DAT vehicle data interfaces. The JM Serviceheft digital service booklet supports manufacturer-compliant service entries across more than 24 vehicle brands including Audi, BMW, BYD, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. Remote vehicle diagnostics are delivered through the wholly-owned Trainmobil GmbH subsidiary using Remote VCI devices for fault code reading/clearing, key programming, ADAS calibration, and Security Gateway unlocking.

Matthies generates revenue across multiple streams: parts wholesale with O/E-oriented pricing and JMQ value alternatives, workshop equipment sales and rental (including new and used), Henry jr and catalog software subscriptions, Trainmobil-led training services (over 10,000 participants annually), and Matthies Financial Services offering direct leasing, standard financing, and revolving credit without bank intermediaries. Distribution combines branch retail, telephone sales (Monday-Friday 7:00-20:00, Saturday 8:00-13:00), online catalogs, and an own delivery fleet (Matthies-Fahrer) executing 3x daily parts deliveries with same-day availability. The company also operates the Fundgrube reverse-auction marketplace for discounted parts, the Werkstattbörse workshop exchange, the Arbeitsschutzmobil mobile workwear service, and Relay/Mopona expert evening training events held across Northern Germany.

Name

Matthies

Legal name

Johannes J. Matthies GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://matthies.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Matthies is a family-owned Hamburg-based automotive and motorcycle parts wholesaler serving dealers and independent workshops across Northern Germany via 17 branches, with proprietary Katy/Mike/Uni catalogs, Henry jr workshop software, equipment, training, and in-house financing backed by 3x daily own-fleet delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Workshop Tools, Equipment & Lift Systems Distribution (TLAKAOAM)

Keywords

• Automotive parts wholesale
• Motorcycle parts distribution
• Workshop equipment supply
• Workshop management software
• Automotive aftermarket services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Auto & Motorcycle Parts Wholesale: Wholesale distribution of original spare parts and O/E-oriented pricing with JMQ alternatives for value repairs. Parts catalog covers auto, motorcycle, and universal parts categories.
2. Workshop Equipment Sales & Rental: Sale and rental of workshop equipment including lifts, diagnostic tools, tire changers, and specialty tools. Offers both new and used equipment.
3. Software Licenses: Workshop management software (Henry jr) and parts catalog systems (Katy, Mike, Uni) provided to workshops and dealers.
4. Financial Services: Bank-independent financing alternatives including standard financing, leasing financing, and revolving credit facilities. Direct financing between Matthies and customer without intermediary.
5. Training Services: Technical training for auto and motorcycle workshops through Trainmobil subsidiary. Over 10,000 participants annually in training programs including Relay (auto) and Mopona (motorcycle) expert evenings.
6. Workshop Services: Workshop service for installation, maintenance, and repair of workshop equipment with Saturday emergency service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Matthies is a B2B wholesaler of automobile and motorcycle spare parts, distributing original replacement parts, value alternatives (JMQ), and workshop equipment to specialist dealers, dealers, and workshops in Northern Germany. The company supplements parts distribution with proprietary online catalogs (Katy, Mike, Uni), the Henry jr workshop management software platform, technical training programs via its Trainmobil subsidiary, remote diagnostics, financing services, and mobile workwear delivery.

Product overview

Matthies is a German automotive parts wholesaler (Johannes J. Matthies GmbH & Co. KG) offering a multi-product portfolio centered on three online parts finder platforms—Katy (AutoParts), Mike (BikeParts), and Uni (UniversalParts)—supported by the Henry jr workshop management platform with multiple modules for vehicle acceptance, inventory, cash register, and time tracking. The company provides integrated services including Remote Service diagnostics via Trainmobil, the JM Serviceheft digital service booklet portal, training programs (Relay, Mopona), marketing concepts, financial services, and physical offerings such as the Minibar inventory system and Arbeitsschutzmobil mobile workwear service. Additional tools include Öl-Finder, RDKS Hotline, CSC-Tools for ADAS calibration, and the Fundgrube reverse auction marketplace. Matthies serves specialist dealers, dealers, and workshops with 3x daily delivery from 17 locations across northern Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AutoParts: Auto parts catalog system - Katy
• BikeParts
• UniversalParts
• JM Serviceheft
• Henry jr
• Matthies TV
• Matthies Werkstatt-Dienst
• Fundgrube
• Minibar

Products and services

• Auto & Motorcycle Parts Wholesale
• Katy (AutoParts Finder)
• Mike (BikeParts Finder)
• Uni (UniversalParts Finder)
• Henry jr (Workshop Assistant)
• Workshop Equipment Sales & Rental
• Relay Expert Evenings
• Mopona Expert Evenings
• Remote Service (Remote Diagnostics)
• JM Serviceheft (Digital Service Book)
• JM Leasing / Matthies Financial Services
• Arbeitsschutzmobil (Mobile Workwear Service)
• Minibar Inventory System
• Fundgrube (Reverse Auction)

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ workshop technicians trained annually through Trainmobil programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Trainmobil GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrainmobil GmbH is a wholly-owned Matthies subsidiary focused exclusively on training for auto and motorcycle workshops. Over 10,000 participants annually attend Trainmobil training programs. Provides remote diagnostics services, Relay expert evenings for auto workshops, and Mopona events for motorcycle workshops.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WM SE: German automotive parts distributor (parent of Trost and Wessels+Müller) operating one of the largest B2B parts networks in Germany. Directly comparable given overlapping workshop customer base, catalog-driven ordering, and regional branch model.
• Hüdak GmbH: German automotive parts wholesaler serving workshops with multi-brand parts and workshop equipment. Comparable mid-sized regional wholesaler competing in the same B2B aftermarket channel.
• Trost Auto Service Technik: Major German automotive parts wholesaler serving workshops with multi-brand parts, tools and workshop equipment. Closely comparable B2B aftermarket model with similar service and catalog positioning to Matthies' Katy and workshop-equipment lines.
• Detlev Louis Motorradvertriebs GmbH: Germany's leading motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel retailer with a large workshop and dealer supply business. Comparable on the motorcycle side to Matthies' Mike catalog and Mopona training franchise.
• ATP Autoteile GmbH: German automotive parts wholesaler serving workshops with broad parts catalog and delivery logistics. Comparable as a mid-sized B2B parts distributor competing for the same independent workshop customer base.
• Meyer Lissendorf GmbH & Co. KG: German automotive parts distributor with a network of branches serving workshops. Comparable regional B2B wholesaler model with similar focus on multi-brand parts supply and workshop support.
• LKQ Europe (Stahlgruber / CARAT): Pan-European automotive aftermarket distributor with a strong German footprint through Stahlgruber and CARAT. Directly comparable as a multi-channel B2B parts wholesaler serving workshops with own catalog systems and delivery logistics.
• COPARTS Autoteile GmbH: German motorcycle parts and accessories wholesaler serving workshops and dealers. Closely comparable to Matthies' motorcycle business (Mike catalog, Mopona training) given shared two-wheeler aftermarket focus and B2B workshop service model.

Broad incumbents

• Continental Aftermarket: Aftermarket division of Continental serving workshops with parts, diagnostics and service tools. Comparable as a large established German/European parts and workshop-services supplier, though as part of a much wider OEM portfolio.
• HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA (Aftermarket): Major German automotive lighting and electronics supplier with a substantial aftermarket business. Comparable as a broad-based German automotive parts incumbent selling into the same workshop and dealer channels, though operating at much larger scale and breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Matthies