[Company Overview] Swiss Automotive Group
From Humble Beginnings to European Leader
Image Credits: Swiss Automotive Group
Swiss Automotive Group (SAG) has grown from modest origins in the 1930s to become one of Europe's largest automotive parts distributors today. Its evolution mirrors the tremendous growth of the auto industry in Switzerland and Europe over the past century.
Founding in the 1930s
The company's origins trace back to 1930 when Jean-Jacques Derendinger founded a small trading company for "brake and clutch materials" in Zurich. At the time, Switzerland had just 61,000 registered cars on the roads. Even then, vehicles required regular maintenance and spare parts. Derendinger recognized the potential in providing a comprehensive service for car owners.
Derendinger AG expanded swiftly in the postwar years, opening a new branch almost every year from the mid-1950s. After the founder's death in 1972, the company continued growing under successor Jörg Schürmann. It incorporated as a stock company in 1987 to facilitate further expansion.
Rise of Technomag
While Derendinger AG grew in German-speaking Switzerland, another family business called Technomag rose in the French-speaking region. Founded in Lausanne in 1967 by Michel Métraux, it began as a gas station shop selling maintenance parts.
Under Métraux's son Olivier, Technomag acquired several companies and expanded its distribution network in the 1990s. It also introduced the AD-Garagen franchise system. Following the founder's death in 1999, Olivier Métraux led Technomag's continued growth and international expansion.
Merger Births SAG
In 2009, the two successful Swiss family companies – Derendinger AG and Technomag – merged to form Swiss Automotive Group. Sandro Piffaretti, who acquired Derendinger in 1997, became the majority shareholder and CEO of SAG. Olivier Métraux served as Chairman.
The merger combined the strengths of both companies. It gave customers access to an even wider range of over 370,000 parts along with superior service through SAG's national network of over 70 branches.
Image credits: notiziariomotoristico.com
Becoming an European Leader
SAG continued its expansion drive after the merger, acquiring several other companies including E. Klaus AG and Autonet. Its annual revenues exceeded CHF 750 million as of 2018. With over 3,200 employees and 950 delivery vehicles, SAG grew into one of Europe's largest independent distributors.
In 2020, Sandro Piffaretti acquired the remaining SAG shares from Olivier Métraux to become sole owner. But the company's commitment to serving customers and investing in the future remains unchanged. From humble 1930s beginnings, SAG has evolved into a European market leader while retaining its Swiss roots.
Now let’s look at Swiss Automotive Group by the numbers (2020 data):
Annual Turnover: 1.1 billion CHF
Product Range: 900,000 items
Employees: 3,200
Niederbipp Country Warehouse Area: 20,000 square meters
Daily Tours: 1,600
Delivery Vehicles: 950
International Branches: 180
Branches in Switzerland: 70
SAG's Position in Europe:
SAG is the number five European supplier in the independent automotive spare parts industry.
Market Leader in Switzerland, Romania, and Serbia spare parts for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Operations in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland
SAG's Growth and Expansion:
SAG has seen continuous growth since its foundation in 2009.
A merger in 2009 with Derendinger AG and Métraux Services SA was a pivotal moment in its history.
SAG expanded through acquisitions, including E. Klaus AG (2011), Matik (2012), Autonet (2015), and Frenocar (2016), APM Automotive and Stahlgruber CZ (2020), ATP Germany- largest online shop (2020)
SAG's Reach and Impact:
SAG serves more than 370,000 orders every day.
The company generates annual sales of 1.1 billion CHF.
SAG operates a network of over 70 branches in Switzerland, supporting garages, workshops, and retail customers.
Their logistics centers enable nationwide same-day/next-day delivery.
SAG's Commitment to Excellence:
SAG focuses on offering comprehensive and integrated services that go beyond spare parts delivery, including training and advice.
They emphasize the importance of speed, availability, and proximity to the customer in their operations.
Leadership and Vision:
Sandro Piffaretti, the CEO of SAG, became the majority shareholder in 2020. A new team of successful Swiss entrepreneurs acquires a stake in SAG with the aim of actively supporting SAG in the long term.
Olivier Métraux, Chairman of the Board of Directors, has played a significant role in the company's expansion. It is not easy for Olivier Métraux to say goodbye: “After 30 years of activities within the Métraux Services Group and then SAG, I made the decision to withdraw from the presidency of the board of directors, but also to withdraw from the SAG Group's shareholding at the beginning of October. It is a carefully and carefully considered decision which was not easy to make, but which will allow me to devote myself entirely to my family to undertake new projects for the future with my wife and our two daughters. During all these years, I have had the honor of working with people who shared my goals, my values and very often my passions. A big thank you to all of you for this path traveled together.
Innovation and Events:
In 2018, SAG started to organize the Swiss Automotive Show, featuring over 100 exhibitors and 150 brands, which has become a successful fixture in the Swiss automotive industry.
After the successful return to face-to-face events in 2022, the Swiss Automotive Show (SAS) confirmed this year its outstanding position among events for companies active in the field of vehicle maintenance and repair. On September 1st and 2nd, 2023, the fair gathered 120 exhibitors and received 5193 visitors.
The 6th edition of SAS was very special because it marked the launch of the new visual identity of Derendinger, the brand that will henceforth unite the activities of Technomag, Matik, Normauto, Klaus and of course Derendinger. In an area dedicated to the new brand world, visitors were able to discover, among other things, the new signage, the new work clothes and the new concept for labeling the delivery vehicles.
At a glance, here is the timeline of its history [Source]:
Derendinger AG
1930: Founded by Jean Jacques Derendinger in Switzerland.
1997: Sandro Piffaretti acquires the shares from the Schürmann & Derendinger family.
2008: Sandro Piffaretti becomes the sole shareholder of Derendinger AG.
Métraux Services SA
1967: Michel Métraux opens a filling station in Lausanne.
1998: Holding Métraux Services SA is founded.
1999: Olivier Métraux heads Métraux Services SA.
Autonet
1996: Zoltán Kondor and Mihály Lieb found Autonet Import Romania.
Swiss Automotive Group AG
2009: Derendinger AG and Métraux Services SA merge their activities and Swiss Automotive Group AG is born. Olivier Métraux is appointed president and Sandro Piffaretti vice president of the Board.
2012: Acquisition of Matik Handels GmbH (truck spare parts).
2014: Acquisition of Hella Ersatzteilhandel GmbH, Vienna.
2015: Swiss Automotive Group and Autonet Group join forces.
2016: SAG takes majority shares of Autonet Group, Romania.
2017: FCAR officially becomes part of the SAG Group.
2018: SAG increases its stake in Davasa Group (49%), which operates in Spain and Portugal.
2019: Acquisition of Hella Gutmann Solutions in Austria and Switzerland.
2019: SAG takes majority shares of Wagen International doo (Wint), Serbia.
2020: SAG acquires APM Automotive sro and Stahlgruber CZ sro (Czech Republic) from LKQ.
2020: SAG purchases the ATP Autoteile portal in Germany.
In conclusion, Swiss Automotive Group's remarkable journey from its humble beginnings to its current status as a European automotive parts distribution powerhouse is a testament to the power of mergers, innovation, and unwavering commitment to customer service.
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