Harman Becker Automotive Systems


Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH, commonly known as Becker, is a part of the car division of the American manufacturing company, Harman International Industries, a subsidiary of South Korean company Samsung Electronics.

History

The present company goes back to the German car radio and navigation systems manufacturer, Becker. This firm was founded in 1949 from a repair workshop in the Baden town of Pforzheim. Its founder was Max Egon Becker. In 1995, the US concern, Harman International, took over the firm.
The company, with its head office in Karlsbad near Karlsruhe and other bases in the USA and Hungary developed and integrated complete infotainment systems worldwide. Its product range runs from navigation systems, voice control and HMIs to audio and entertainment technologies.
From its earliest days, Harman Becker Automotive Systems was a supplier to Mercedes-Benz, but also supplies marques such as Audi, Porsche, Peugeot, Hyundai, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, BMW and Mini. Worldwide, Harman Becker has 28 bases in the following countries: Germany, USA, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Hungary, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Japan, South Korea and China. Since 11 January 2010 Harman Becker Automotive Systems has pulled out of the market for mobile navigation. The trademarks Becker Traffic Assist, Becker Traffic Assist Pro etc. were given to United Navigation. Under the latter's roof, the brands Falk and Becker continue to run.
Since 2008, as part of the strategy of its parent concern, Harman International, the company's divisions have been increasingly based in low-wage economies, so that the number of employees in its German bases has dropped from 3,800 in 2008 to 2,250 in 2013. The bases of Hechingen, Villingen-Schwenningen, Schaidt and Hamburg were closed down or sold off.
In November 2016, it is understood that Samsung Electronics acquired Harman for eight billion US dollars. The acquisition was completed on 10 March 2017.