Brembo, a top flight brake manufacturer, has taken over class suspension maker Öhlins Racing. Both are at the top of their game in their respective fields so it would seem a good fit.
Brembo evidently paid $US405m for the high-end suspension maker.
The deal isn’t complete yet as it requires regulatory approval, expected some time next year. If it goes through, it will be the largest acquisition yet by Brembo. The purchase will also expand Brembo’s presence in the automotive performance market.
Öhlins Racing, formerly owned by Tenneco, is known for performance-focused suspension components for cars and motorcycles, for street and racing.
The company kicked off in 1976 in Stockholm, and has two manufacturing facilities, one in Sweden, the other in Thailand. It also has R&D centres in both places. There are distribution and testing facilities in Sweden, Thailand, Germany, and America. Öhlins Racing employs approximately 500 people.
Tom Wittenschlaeger, head of Öhlins Racing, commented “As we join forces with Brembo, we are excited to unlock new growth opportunities and leverage our respective strengths and assets to drive innovation and deliver even greater value to our customers and employees.” What, if any, change Brembo wishes to make with its new business is unclear.
The brake manufacturer has been on a growth path of late, acquiring SBS Friction in 2021 to bring motorcycle and ATV brake components to its portfolio. Brembo also announced a new production facility in Thailand this year.
Brembo Executive Chairman, Matteo Tiraboschi, said “Öhlins is a strong fit for Brembo. It is a world-renowned brand, with a solid business and an unrivaled reputation, both on the racetrack and the road. We welcome Öhlins to our Group as a great opportunity to expand our offerings for the automotive market. With this addition, we take another step forward in our strategy to provide integrated intelligent solutions to our customers, leveraging synergies across key technologies in the vehicle’s corner.”
