Hengstenberg

What Hengstenberg does

Hengstenberg is a privately held German trading group headquartered in Essen, organized into four operating entities: Hengstenberg GmbH Fahrzeug- und Motorenteile (vehicle and engine parts wholesale), Eduard Hengstenberg GmbH Hydraulik- und Industrieteile (hydraulic and industrial components), Hengstenberg Unternehmensberatung GmbH (certification, occupational safety and environmental consulting), and Carladata Gesellschaft für Anwender-Software mbH (the in-house software house behind the CARLA ERP platform). Founded in 1937 by Eduard Hengstenberg and family-held at 75% (with Commerz Unternehmensbeteiligungs-AG holding the remaining 25% since the 1990 restructuring), the group employs approximately 160 staff across offices in Essen (headquarters), Dortmund (sales office and warehouse acquired from U.Kramer GmbH in 2016) and Eisingen (CARLADATA), with field sales coverage across NRW, North/East Germany, Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Rheinland-Pfalz and the Netherlands.

The group's revenue is generated from four streams: (1) wholesale distribution of automotive parts and accessories (exhaust, brakes, electrical, chassis, body, engine and service products) to independent Kfz-Teilehändler and workshops, supported by ~11,000 m² of warehouse, 100,000 storage locations, a vertical conveyor handling 800 boxes/hour, six-day overnight nationwide delivery and two-hour delivery within a ~100 km radius of Essen, with >98% delivery capability for A-articles; (2) wholesale of hydraulic cylinders, motors, pumps, valves, accumulators, sealing and drive technology plus hose service per BGR237, with a dedicated e-shop launched in January 2017; (3) management consulting in DIN EN ISO 9001 certification, occupational safety, REACH/GGVSEB compliance and DIN EN 15635 rack inspection; and (4) CARLA software licenses, training and support, sold via subsidiary Carladata, covering CARLA Warenwirtschaft ERP, CARLA Web/WebShop, CARLA Repair, CARLA Service and CARLA Archiv modules, with Java-based online ordering, TecDoc data integration (10 million parts), TecCom electronic order processing, Daparto marketplace connectivity, PayPal, UPS and DPD integrations.

Customer concentration is diffuse across more than 500 independent parts dealers and workshops in Germany and the Netherlands, served through a sales-led model with named regional field representatives, an inside-sales team organized by product area, and a growing e-commerce/SEO channel. Long-tenured supplier partnerships (Reinz since 1952, Brembo since 2007, Bosch range added 2015, Blue Print 2012, Freudenberg, Firestone, KS-Tools 22 years) and rail-industry certifications (DIN 45545) extend the customer base into industrial, manufacturing and rail-vehicle accounts. Pricing is B2B quotation-based with a EUR 20 minimum order, net-30 terms and 2% Skonto for payment within 14 days; CARLA software is sold as one-time or financed perpetual licenses with separately billed training and consulting. The group is actively operating, with most recent disclosed activity in 2017 including the Kreidler e-bike retail launch and continued product-range expansion.

Name

Hengstenberg

Legal name

Hengstenberg GmbH Fahrzeug- und Motorenteile

Website

https://hengstenberg-gruppe.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hengstenberg is a family-owned German wholesale group (Essen, founded 1937) distributing vehicle parts, hydraulic and industrial components, and the CARLA ERP software to independent automotive dealers, workshops and industrial customers across Germany and the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vehicle and Engine Parts Wholesale: Wholesale distribution of automotive parts and accessories (exhaust systems, brakes, electrical, chassis, body, engine repair, service products) to independent Kfz-Teilehandel and workshops. Transaction-based pricing with minimum order value of EUR 20. Maintains ~20,000 m² of warehouse space with 100,000 storage locations and ~5 million EUR in inventory value. Inventory turnover ratio of 8 (chaotic storage system). Over 98% delivery capability for A-articles.
2. Hydraulics and Industrial Parts Wholesale: Wholesale of hydraulic components (cylinders, motors, pumps, valves, accumulators), industrial parts (sealing technology, drive technology, fastening, vibration technology), and tools. Services include filter service, oil condition monitoring, hose service per BGR237, hydraulic system maintenance. E-commerce via shop.hengstenberg-hydraulik.de.
3. CARLA Software Licenses and Services: CARLA is a leading ERP system for automotive parts trade. Revenue from software licenses (single-user to multi-user systems), training, consulting, and support services. Schulungscenter in Essen provides training on-site or at customer locations. IT consulting on hardware, software and infrastructure.
4. Management Consulting Services: Consulting in occupational safety, environmental protection, certification (DIN EN ISO 9001:2008), and value-added services. Operating since 1993. Includes rack inspection services per DIN EN 15635.
5. E-Bike Sales (Hengstenberg Bike): Direct retail of Kreidler e-bikes, including test rides, show room, and driving events. Regular Friday warehouse sales plus weekday sales 8:00-15:00.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hengstenberg Gruppe is a wholesale distributor of vehicle and engine parts, hydraulic components, and industrial parts to independent automotive parts dealers (Kfz-Teilehandel), workshops, and industrial customers in Germany and the Netherlands. Via its subsidiary CARLADATA it additionally sells the CARLA ERP, webshop, archive, repair-shop and service software suite to the automotive aftermarket trade, and via Hengstenberg Unternehmensberatung GmbH it offers consulting on occupational safety, environmental compliance, and ISO 9001 certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CARLA: Leading ERP/inventory management system for automotive parts trade. Includes modules: CARLA Warenwirtschaft, CARLA WebShop, CARLA Repair, CARLA Archiv, CARLA Service.
• CARLADATA
• KAT
• EASYPARTS

Products and services

• Vehicle and Engine Parts Wholesale Wholesale distribution of automotive parts (exhaust, brakes, electrical, chassis, body, engine repair, service products) from leading brands (Brembo, Bosch, Blue Print, FAG/LuK, Moll) to independent Kfz-Teilehandel and workshops in Germany and the Netherlands. Backed by ~100,000 SKUs in stock, 1 million+ catalogue articles, and >98% A-article delivery capability.
• Hydraulic and Industrial Parts Distribution Wholesale of hydraulic components (cylinders, motors, pumps, valves, accumulators), industrial parts (seals, drives, fasteners, vibration technology), and tools under Eduard Hengstenberg GmbH. Includes custom engineering (Dipl.-Ing. Olaf Buttler construction), hose service per BGR237, filter service, oil condition monitoring, and DIN 45545-compliant rail vehicle products.
• CARLA ERP / Warenwirtschaft Software Leading ERP/inventory management system for the automotive parts trade. Manages order processing, pricing, article database (1M+ articles), warehouse management, purchasing, invoicing, and commission calculations. Real-time online pricing and inventory data, multi-user capable, sold as perpetual license with separate training and consulting at the Schulungscenter in Essen.
• CARLA WebShop / CARLA-Web 2.0 Webshop solution with integrated TecDoc search and full CARLA ERP connection, including CARLA QuickOrder for accessing article inventory and individual pricing. Interfaces with marketplaces including Daparto, integrates PayPal and UPS/DPD shipping communication, and provides 24/7 online service to end customers and workshops.
• CARLA Archiv Tax-compliant, audit-secure document archiving fully integrated with CARLA and standard office software (MS Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader). Supports import/export via email and print, and is built on Easy Software enterprise content management technology.
• EASYPARTS Online Parts Identification Internet solution for vehicle parts identification, correct parts determination, vehicle diagnostics, technical data and labor values, enabling a streamlined ordering process for manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, workshops and end consumers.
• Management Consulting for Occupational Safety and Certification Consulting services for DIN EN ISO 9001:2008 certification, occupational safety, environmental protection (REACH, GGVSEB) and rack inspections per DIN EN 15635. Practice operated since 1993 by Hengstenberg Unternehmensberatung GmbH.
• Hengstenberg Bike (Kreidler E-Bike Retail) Direct retail of Kreidler e-bikes at the Hengstenberg Bike showroom in Essen, including test rides, driving events and a regular Friday warehouse sale (weekday sales 8:00-15:00).
• EH Shop (Hydraulics E-commerce Platform) Online shop at shop.hengstenberg-hydraulik.de presenting Eduard Hengstenberg GmbH's hydraulics and industrial products, services and information portfolio for browsing and online ordering.
• Rail Vehicle Fire Protection Products (DIN 45545) Fire-protection hose assemblies and rail vehicle hydraulic components compliant with EN 45545 standard, presented at InnoTrans 2014 and 2016 for rail vehicle manufacturers and operators.
• Firestone Industrial Rubber and Fabric Products Industrial rubber and fabric products from Firestone including air springs, Airstroke actuators, AirMount isolators and Marsh Mellow springs for industrial vibration-control applications.
• dresstec Mechanical Seal Range dresstec mechanical seal and cartridge seal equivalents compatible with Burgmann, John Crane, Roten, Eagle, Sealol, Pac-seal and other brands, manufactured at ISO-certified facilities.
• FAG Wheel Bearing Sets for Passenger Cars and Transporter FAG wheel bearing sets with over 1,000 items for passenger cars and light transporters, sold alongside Hengstenberg's existing LuK product line.
• Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Range Complete Bosch automotive aftermarket product range (excluding starter batteries), available direct from Hengstenberg's warehouse.
• Blue Print Aftermarket Brand (Bilstein Group) Blue Print aftermarket brand offering approximately 22,000 articles for Japanese, Korean and American vehicles, added by Hengstenberg as one of the first German distributors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Inventory turnover ratio of 8 (chaotic storage system)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bosch (Automotive Aftermarket)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015As of January 2015, Hengstenberg offers the complete Bosch KFZ-relevant product range (excluding starter batteries) directly from their warehouse. Represents significant expansion of product assortment and strategic importance.
• Akkumulatorenfabrik Moll (Moll Batteries)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2014Hengstenberg took over Moll's business operations including their warehouse in Köln (Eilerstraße 76) on 01.08.2014. Initially served as factory delivery warehouse for Moll starter and drive batteries for the regional market, with plans to expand to full product range.
• Blue Print (BilsteinGroup)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 November 2012As of November 2012, Blue Print products became available through Hengstenberg. Blue Print offers approx. 22,000 articles for Japanese, Korean, and American vehicles. Hengstenberg was among the first companies in Germany to offer Blue Print products.
• Brembo S.P.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2007Leading manufacturer of brake systems for automotive applications. Partnership since 2007. Hengstenberg distributes Brembo brake products (brake pads, brake discs, brake calipers, brake hoses, brake fluid) to workshops and dealers.
• Reinz Dichtungs GmbH & Co. KGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1952Major supplier of gaskets and sealing solutions for automotive and industrial applications. Supplier relationship since 1952, one of the longest-standing partnerships in Hengstenberg's 70+ year history. Hengstenberg distributes Reinz products to independent automotive parts dealers and workshops.
• TecComcoreTechnology or IntegrationTecCom provides order processing software TecLocal for storage and express orders in the automotive spare parts market. Hengstenberg integrates TecCom for electronic order processing, enabling automated supplier orders and efficient supply chain management.
• TecDoccoreTechnology or IntegrationTecDoc database integration in CARLA Web provides access to vehicle-specific parts identification, pricing, and availability. Essential for workshops and dealers to correctly identify parts across all major manufacturers.
• EASYPARTScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEASYPARTS is an established internet solution for parts identification, correct parts determination, vehicle diagnostics, technical data and labor values. All in one process via internet. Partnership enables streamlined processes between manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, workshops and end consumers.
• KAT (Kreis autorisierter Teilehändler)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKAT is a partnership system for independent automotive parts dealers to strengthen market position. Hengstenberg operates as an authorized KAT dealer, offering broad product portfolio, optimized warehousing, high delivery capability, and personal consulting in environmental and disposal matters.
• MoovUminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMoovU is Germany's first online portal with fixed price guarantee for car repair and inspection. Hengstenberg offers MoovU fixed-price repair services including quality replacement parts for all brands.
• Freudenberg (Simrit / Continental)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading manufacturer of sealing solutions, vibration control, and filter products. Freudenberg Online Catalog linked from Hengstenberg. Products include Simmerringe, O-rings, Hydraulik- und Pneumatikdichtungen. Partnership for industrial sealing and vibration technology.
• Firestone Industrial ProductsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirestone is a leading manufacturer of advanced rubber and fabric products for industrial applications. Hengstenberg distributes Firestone products including air springs, Airstroke actuators, AirMount isolators, and Marsh Mellow springs.
• dresstec (Gleitringdichtungen)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributordresstec provides mechanical seal equivalents compatible with Burgmann, John Crane, Roten, Eagle, Sealol, Pac-seal, and other brands. All mechanical seals manufactured at ISO-certified facilities. Hengstenberg offers price-competitive alternatives via this partnership.
• KMS Stoßdämpfer GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with KMS Stoßdämpfer GmbH (40+ years of experience in hydraulic components) to offer industrial shock absorbers, adjustable or self-adjusting industrial dampers, hydraulic feed oil brakes, safety shock absorbers, gas springs, gas tension springs, oil dampers, throttle valves, and throttle check valves.
• DynaShock Systems SASminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded 2009, recruited from JARRET SA engineers with 20+ years of experience in viscous elastomer fluid shock absorber design and manufacturing. Hengstenberg distributes DynaShock hydrostatic dampers for industrial applications in railway, shipbuilding, aerospace, heavy industry, portal cranes, elevators, factory automation, and steel industry.
• KOBA & D2S DämpfungstechnikminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKOBA & D2S Dämpfungstechnik provides industrial shock absorbers and damping solutions. Hengstenberg distributes their products with comprehensive technical support for industrial applications requiring motion control and shock absorption.
• KS-ToolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKS-Tools is a modern tool supplier offering intelligent tools for growing demands in highly technical everyday applications. Hengstenberg serves as KS-Tools distributor for 22 years, covering industrial and trade tools, mechanic journals, and promotional campaigns.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• LKQ Corporation: Global automotive parts distributor with extensive European operations (including STAHLGRUBER). Operates a broader portfolio across multiple vehicle categories and geographies but with similar product categories and customer segments to Hengstenberg's automotive wholesale business.
• Bosch Rexroth AG: Major German manufacturer of hydraulic and drive technology for industrial applications. Significantly larger than Hengstenberg's hydraulics division but operates in adjacent industrial customer segments (machinery, factory automation, mobile applications) with overlapping product portfolios.
• Robert Bosch GmbH (Automotive Aftermarket): World's largest automotive aftermarket supplier and a key brand partner to Hengstenberg. Operates a much wider portfolio across all vehicle categories globally, but with overlapping distribution relationships and direct competition for premium brand positioning in the same workshops and dealers that Hengstenberg serves.
• Würth Industrie: German industrial parts distributor serving workshops and industrial customers across multiple verticals. Comparable to Hengstenberg's combined automotive and industrial parts business with similar field sales model, broad product portfolio, and B2B customer relationship intensity.

Direct peers

• Alliance Automotive Group: Pan-European automotive parts distributor operating across multiple countries with combined independent-dealer and workshop supply model. Comparable to Hengstenberg's combination of German core market and Netherlands expansion, with similar value-added services and brand partnerships.
• HAWE Hydraulik SE: German manufacturer and supplier of hydraulic components, power packs, and systems for industrial applications. Directly comparable to Hengstenberg's Eduard Hengstenberg hydraulic division, serving overlapping industrial customers (machinery, elevators, shipbuilding) with similar high-pressure hydraulic product lines.
• PV Automotive GmbH: German cooperative-style automotive parts distributor serving independent parts dealers and workshops. Closely comparable to Hengstenberg's KAT partnership system structure, with shared supply relationships and similar multi-decade supplier relationships in the German aftermarket.
• WM SE: Major German automotive parts wholesaler headquartered in Münster. Direct competitor to Hengstenberg's Kfz-Teilehandel supply business, serving independent dealers and workshops across Germany with comparable product portfolio and logistics model. Significantly larger but most directly comparable business model.
• STAHLGRUBER GmbH (LKQ Euro Car Parts): One of Germany's largest automotive parts distributors, now part of LKQ. Direct competitor to Hengstenberg in supplying independent workshops and dealers, with comparable brand portfolio (Bosch, Brembo, FAG) and similar warehouse/logistics model serving the German aftermarket.
• HYDAC International GmbH: Global supplier of hydraulic components, filtration, and fluid technology for industrial applications. Comparable to Hengstenberg's hydraulic and industrial parts division with overlapping product categories (cylinders, valves, accumulators, seals) and shared industrial customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hengstenberg-gruppe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

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 Hengstenberg