06.12.2022

Comer invests in electric drive

Italian transmission component manufacturer Comer has acquired electric wheel motor drive and electric transmission developers and suppliers Benevelli and its sister company Sitem.

Both companies are based in Castelnovo di Sotto, between Parma and Modena. Benevelli was established by Emidio Benevelli in 1962 and began manufacturing transmissions in 1969. Sitem develops new direct drive motors and systems and was set up in 2013.

Benevelli chief executive Alberto Benevelli said: “Becoming part of the Comer Industries Group is a great satisfaction for us. Investing in local companies means preserving the value of Italy’s ‘Motor Valley’ and the mechanical sector to further grow our positioning in the emerging sector of electric vehicle transmissions.

Comer chief executive Matteo Storchi added: “I’m proud to announce this operation involving two excellences in a rapidly expanding market of electric vehicles. The acquisition closes exactly one year after that of Walterscheid and once again confirms the concreteness of our future vision which aims at constant and sustainable growth, not only globally but also territorially.”

Sitem chief executive Marco Manghi said: “Together with Comer Industries we strengthen our presence of the market becoming part of a fast-growing strong group, with Italian soul and global breath. The merge of our experience and the deep know-how developed over the years, will allow to offer the market products able to respond to the latest needs of an increasingly innovative and planet-conscious sector.”

Co.me.r - Costruzioni Meccaniche Riduttori - as it was originally known, was established by the Storchi family in 1970 and began exporting to France, Germany, the UK and USA in 1985 and is today a publicly quoted global business employing 3,900 people at 16 operations, with facilities in the USA, Brazil, India and China.