LEONI Bordnetz-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG, which forms part of the LEONI Group, has disposed of its subsidiary LEONI Flex S.A. (formerly: Nicolitch S.A.), based in Burnhaupt in the Alsace, effective 23 December 2003. The French company, which manufactures flexible printed circuit boards (FPCB), has around 140 employees. The new owner is Arques AG of Starnberg, Germany.

LEONI originally acquired the specialized French company in 1999 in response to the trend in the automotive industry towards FPCB. These were intended to replace some of the conventional wiring systems comprising round conductors in certain areas such as cockpit, roof-liner and doors. The fact that this business has not progressed as quickly as expected means that other markets have to be developed that do not fit into LEONI Group’s strategic focus. In order to be able to offer its customers in the automotive industry FPCB in future as well, LEONI Wiring Systems intends to continue collaborating with its former subsidiary.

Arques AG, which concentrates on the purchase and development of companies facing major changes, has acquired and operated more than 40 medium-sized enterprises over the past 12 years. As a result, Arques has comprehensive experience in nearly every industrial sector including mechanical and plant engineering, telecommunications as well as the consumer goods industry.