Behr CEO promises return to boom years

Behr is one of Europe’s leading suppliers in the hard-fought air conditioning and engine cooling market. The Stuttgart-based company had flat sales of 3.05 billion euros in 2005, as increased volumes in North America and Asia were offset by a decrease in its business in Europe. Its profit fell 3.2 percent to 92 million euros compared with 2004. But the company predicts to start growing again in 2008. Behr CEO Markus Flik, 45, talked about the company’s prospects when he spoke with Automotive News Europe’s Edmund Chew.