CARAT Unternehmensgruppe

What CARAT Unternehmensgruppe does

CARAT Unternehmensgruppe is a German purchasing and marketing cooperation (Einkaufskooperation) founded in 1995 and headquartered in Mannheim, operating as a central intermediary between automotive parts manufacturers and a nationwide network of independent auto parts wholesalers, workshops, and concept dealers across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). The group operates as a full-range provider across passenger car (Pkw), commercial vehicle (Nkw), body and paint, and specialty retail segments, with approximately 250 employees and a central logistics warehouse (ad-CARGO) located in Castrop-Rauxel.

The company's core technology is its centralized logistics infrastructure: the ad-CARGO central warehouse enables nationwide parts distribution and aggregated purchasing from major manufacturers, providing members with competitive pricing and reliable supply. Its product portfolio bundles trading systems (Handelssysteme), workshop concepts (Werkstattkonzepte), exclusive own-brand assortments (Eigenmarken including the COREXX sub-brand), marketing services, IT solutions, and a dealer portal (mycarat.net). The group maintains 17+ brand partnerships with major suppliers including Bosch, MAHLE, Schaeffler, ZF, Valeo, Hella, Philips, Liqui Moly, Mann-Filter, SKF, Gates, and others.

CARAT generates revenue through a transaction-based wholesale model, charging take-rate economics on parts distribution flowing through the cooperative. Members — independent auto parts wholesalers and workshops — receive bundled purchasing power, proprietary brand access, and shared marketing/IT resources in exchange for routing volume through the cooperative. CARAT is also a member of Auto Distribution International (ADI), providing international participation, and continues to expand its shareholder base, most recently adding Dederichs GmbH as a new shareholder effective January 2026.

Name

CARAT Unternehmensgruppe

Legal name

CARAT Unternehmensgruppe

Website

https://carat-gruppe.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CARAT Unternehmensgruppe is a German purchasing and marketing cooperation founded in 1995, headquartered in Mannheim, that aggregates independent auto parts wholesalers, workshops, and concept dealers across the DACH region. It provides centralized logistics via the ad-CARGO warehouse, collective purchasing power, own-brand products, and shared marketing and IT services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mannheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Parts Distribution: CARAT operates as a purchasing cooperative for independent auto parts wholesalers. Members benefit from bundled purchasing power, centralized logistics through ad-CARGO, and access to proprietary brands and exclusive product assortments. Revenue is generated through the distribution of automotive parts, commercial vehicles parts, body and paint supplies, and workshop equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CARAT Unternehmensgruppe is a purchasing and marketing cooperation (Einkaufskooperation) for independent automotive parts dealers and workshops, operating a full-range wholesale distribution model across passenger car, commercial vehicle, body and paint, and specialty retail segments. The group centralizes procurement and logistics through its ad-CARGO central warehouse, supplying connected wholesalers that distribute to affiliated independent workshops, and offers proprietary brands, workshop concepts, marketing services, and IT solutions as part of its cooperative ecosystem.

Product overview

CARAT Unternehmensgruppe is a purchasing and marketing cooperation for independent automotive parts dealers and workshops, operating as a full-range provider (Vollsortmenter) across passenger car (Pkw), commercial vehicle (Nkw), body and paint, and specialty retail segments. The group provides a modular ecosystem of interconnected services centered around the ad-CARGO central logistics warehouse, including purchasing/trading systems, workshop concepts, own-brand products, marketing services, and IT solutions. The structure combines core logistics and procurement services (Leistungen, Logistik) with dealer-facing solutions (Handelssysteme, Werkstattkonzepte) and product brands (Eigenmarken, COREXX), all supported by IT infrastructure and marketing support for the independent aftermarket (IAM).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Leistungen (Services for Connected Wholesalers) Customized solutions and first-class service offerings supporting connected automotive parts wholesalers in their daily operations as part of the purchasing cooperation.
• Logistik (Centralized Parts Logistics) Logistics service delivering competitive purchasing conditions and reliable parts supply through a nationwide logistics infrastructure, delivering directly to connected wholesalers and downstream workshops.
• Handelssysteme (Trading Systems / Purchasing Cooperation) Purchasing cooperation system for independent automotive parts dealers, providing entry opportunities and procurement benefits for the SME aftermarket segment.
• Werkstattkonzepte (Workshop Concepts) Workshop concept offering for independent repair workshops, enabling bundling and deepening of service offerings as a concept provider within the CARAT network.
• Eigenmarken (Own-Brand Parts Assortment) Exclusive CARAT own-brand assortment of passenger car and commercial vehicle spare parts and workshop equipment, marketed at fair prices with quality positioned for the independent aftermarket.
• IT-Lösungen (IT Solutions) IT solutions designed to increase efficiency and optimize processes for connected dealers and workshops, supporting operational business success.
• Marketing Services Performance marketing and print services for connected dealers, providing expert marketing execution and promotional materials to support dealer business.
• Händlernetz (Dealer Network) Flächendeckendes (nationwide) dealer network across the DACH region with concept workshops, enabling customers to find a nearby CARAT-affiliated dealer.
• Werkstattleistungen (Workshop Services) Portfolio of workshop services from a diverse network of experts and service providers, delivering strong networks and sustainable support for workshop requirements.
• Innovationen (Innovations) Future-oriented projects and market-shaping innovations positioning CARAT as a leader in emerging automotive topics and an active market shaper.
• COREXX Brand Portfolio Brand portfolio offering distributed to automotive parts traders as part of the CARAT product range.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Auto Distribution International (ADI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARAT is a member of Auto Distribution International (ADI), an international automotive distribution network. This membership provides international participation and access to cross-border cooperation within the global automotive aftermarket.
• Knorr-BremsecoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for commercial vehicle brake systems and components
• Liqui MolycoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for automotive chemicals, additives, and care products
• PhilipscoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for automotive lighting and bulbs
• MAHLEcoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for engine components, filtration, and thermal management
• Mann-FiltercoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for automotive filtration products
• MeylecoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for automotive aftermarket parts
• BoschcoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for automotive technology and spare parts
• ZFcoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for driveline and chassis technology components
• SchaefflercoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for automotive and industrial motion technology
• ValeocoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for automotive equipment and original equipment components
• NGKcoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for spark plugs and ignition systems
• SKFcoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for bearings and sealants
• HellacoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for automotive lighting and electronics
• GatescoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for belt drives and cooling systems
• GKNcoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for driveline systems and components
• ElringcoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for gaskets and sealants
• SONAXcoreTechnology or IntegrationBrand partner for automotive care and cleaning products
• Dederichs GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew shareholder joining CARAT starting January 2026, strengthening the cooperative network

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Trost Auto Service GmbH: Trost is a large German automotive parts wholesaler with nationwide branches serving workshops. Direct competitor in the same aftermarket distribution channel as CARAT's connected wholesalers.
• Stahlgruber (LKQ Europe): Stahlgruber, part of LKQ Europe, is a leading German automotive parts wholesaler serving workshops with a broad assortment and own-brand products. Closely comparable to CARAT in product mix and customer base.
• ATR (Auto Teile Ring): ATR is a German purchasing and marketing cooperation for independent automotive parts dealers, the closest direct peer to CARAT. Both operate as Einkaufskooperationen with central warehouses, private-label strategy, and workshop concepts in DACH.
• WM SE (formerly Wessels & Müller): WM SE is a major German automotive parts wholesaler with a broad multi-brand assortment serving workshops. It competes directly with CARAT's connected wholesalers in the IAM distribution channel.
• PV Automotive (Heppner Group): PV Automotive is a German commercial vehicle parts specialist and part of the Heppner Group, distributing Nkw/spare parts to workshops. Comparable to CARAT's commercial vehicle (Nkw) offering to workshops in DACH.

Broad incumbents

• A.T.U (Auto-Teile-Unger): A.T.U is Germany's largest branded chain of automotive service centers with integrated parts distribution. Represents the branded-chain competitive threat that CARAT explicitly aims to counter for independent dealers.
• LKQ Europe: LKQ is the largest global distributor of aftermarket automotive parts and operates across Europe through subsidiaries including Stahlgruber. A broad incumbent competing with CARAT's connected wholesalers at multiple levels.
• Alliance Automotive Group (AAG): Alliance Automotive Group is a major European distributor of automotive parts, lubricants, and workshop consumables across multiple countries. A larger, broader incumbent in the same European IAM space as CARAT.

Others

• Robert Bosch Aftermarket: Bosch is a major OEM and aftermarket parts supplier that is simultaneously a key brand partner for CARAT and a competitor through its own workshop network and direct distribution programs. Comparable as an ecosystem participant with overlapping roles.

Emerging players

• Autodoc SE: Autodoc is a leading European online retailer of automotive parts serving both consumers and workshops. Represents an emerging digital distribution model that competes with CARAT's traditional wholesaler-to-workshop channel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 CARAT Unternehmensgruppe