German automotive giant ends prominent partnership in Türkiye

Linde + Wiemann, one of Germany’s leading automotive suppliers, has ended its partnership with Türkiye’s Opsan amid global challenges in the automotive sector.

According to a statement released on Thursday, the Turkish Competition Authority approved the acquisition of all shares of Linde + Wiemann in Linde Opsan Otomotiv by the Turkish Ersu family, an existing partner.

The statement confirmed that control of the company has been officially transferred to the Ersu family-owned KEB Metal Investment.

German-Turkish partnership transformed Türkiye’s automotive sector

Opsan stands as one of Türkiye’s foremost automotive suppliers, producing original sheet metal and welded assembly parts for the automotive industry.

Founded in 1963 in Istanbul, Opsan began its industrial operations by manufacturing pressure vessels and sheet metal products. The company entered the automotive sector in 1976 by producing chrome-plated bumpers for Oyak-Renault.

In 2010, Linde + Wiemann formed a partnership with the Ersu family to establish Linde Opsan. The company operates two facilities with a combined area of 25,000 square meters (269,096.68 square feet), producing 130 million spot welds and 55 million fastener welds annually.

With a workforce of 475 employees, the company commenced mass production in 2012 with Ford Tourneo and Ford Transit projects. Linde Opsan has collaborated with major brands such as Türkiye’s domestic electric vehicle (EV) Togg, Ford Otosan, TOFAS, Stellantis and Magna.

Linde + Wiemann, which ended its partnership in Türkiye, was established in 1939 before the Second World War.

Based in Dillenburg, Germany, the company operates production facilities in several countries, including Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary, China and South Africa, in addition to Germany and Türkiye.