An Engine is Only as Good as Its Components

"Being ranked number one in sales is actually never the best position. Being among the top 10 is often much nicer – because then there is still some room to grow further," reflects Oliver Schöttle, Managing Director of the Swabian company SM Motorenteile GmbH, on his market position: "We are a typical medium-sized enterprise, yet we compete in the global market with much larger corporations. This motivates us – and at the same time provides us with very unique advantages. Because our business field is a People Business, and where employees in a corporate environment often change their internal positions fairly quickly, many of our specialists work with their contacts at our customers over a long period of time. This creates a completely different trust relationship." About three quarters of SM Motorenteile's business activity is in the traditional spare parts trade. The remaining quarter of components flows into series production in the automotive industry, mainly to Tier-1 and Tier-2 manufacturers. "If a customer needs an engine part for a vehicle, we create the drawing together with the manufacturing department, then take care of the quality inspection and measure the corresponding sample pre-deliveries in our measuring laboratory, before finally the actual mass production is pending. When we sell import products under our own brand after the technical inspection, we legally act as quasi-manufacturers – with the associated warranty obligations," explains Oliver Schöttle. 

A technology-driven People Business

The company sees strong growth opportunities for the coming years, both in terms of products and markets: "Today, we serve the automotive parts sector for combustion engines in the car, truck, and tractor segments and we also cater to the aviation sector. In the future, we also plan to look into the construction machinery sector," says Oliver Schöttle: "And while sanctions and tariffs impair or restrict global trade in some regions, other markets, where we have been unable to engage much over the past years, suddenly become attractive again – most recently Argentina, where we have revisited our previously existing contacts." SM Motorenteile wants to remain true to its guiding principle 'People. Parts. Precision.' even in the future: "We stand for technological excellence and a solution-oriented as well as personal collaboration on an equal footing. The intensive intercultural exchange associated with it makes us strong, especially as a globally active medium-sized company." In 2025, SM Motorenteile was awarded two German Brand Awards (Excellent Brand and Corporate of the Year).