Who REALLY makes Hella bulbs? (I would like citations, not conjecture)

[Alaric Darconville]

Does Hella HGaA Hueck & Co (Hella) make their own bulbs in their own factories, or who indeed makes them? I'd ask Daniel Stern, but it's been a while since he's replied to my last mail and I know he's somewhat busy lately.

I also asked Hella on a "contact us" webform but they've not yet responded.

Note: I do not intend for this thread to break down to a discussion over who makes the best bulb-- I just am curious. Their marketing material is a bit coy:

Hella.com
Regular tests in the modern Hella lighting laboratory ensure the quality of every
single bulb. All Hella bulbs undergo painstaking tests. The engineers in Hella's
Quality Assurance department have specified a clear requirement profile for every
bulb time (sic). Paint adhesion tests, vibration and shock tests, geometry measurements,
light flux and power measurements, as well as service life tests guarantee that
perfect quality is delivered.

and

Produced under Hella's stringent testing requirements

Neither statement seems to state outright that they manufacture the bulbs themselves.

 

[pulstar]

Hum....., it is a big international company, with various production locations. One is here, in Slovenia, called Hella Saturnus, but they mostly produce bulbs and headlights for cars, trucks, etc.

 

[-Virgil-]

Does Hella HGaA Hueck & Co (Hella) make their own bulbs in their own factories

No, and they never have. "Hella" branded bulbs have always been private-branded items made by various bulb companies (Hella is not a bulb company).

 

[Alaric Darconville]

No, and they never have. "Hella" branded bulbs have always been private-branded items made by various bulb companies (Hella is not a bulb company).

That's what I firmly believe -- but I'm just looking for a hard document/link (such as on Daniel Stern's various sites, or AllPar or something), or maybe a Forbes/Inc/Fortune type article somewhere.

It'd be nice if Hella themselves would respond, too -- one of those "horse's mouth" kind of things.

It's just one of those [citation needed] kind of things (but, no, it's not for a Wikipedia article).

 

[Marcturus]

It'd be nice if Hella themselves would respond, too -- one of those "horse's mouth" kind of things.

It's just one of those [citation needed] kind of things (but, no, it's not for a Wikipedia article).

How about calling them, and asking where to travel for a "Hella bulb factory" tour, because you were so impressed with the quality?

I don't remember them excelling in bulb tests, they are not competing on price, but on brand name recognition and convenience of ordering together with a headlamp part order. Can't see one reason to buy their bulbs unless you can pretty much tell what you'll be getting from recent experience or looking at the specs. Like, if I'm not mistaken, not that many companies were producing improved 24V single-coiled halogens when Hella was first offering these in their premium line.