EMPI

What EMPI does

EMPI is a privately held light manufacturer, branded reseller, and warehouse distributor of aftermarket automotive parts, founded in 1956 and headquartered in Anaheim, California. The company specializes in parts for air-cooled Volkswagen vehicles (Type 1/Beetle, Type 2/Bus) and classic Porsche models (356, 911, 914), with secondary offerings for water-cooled VW and high-performance/race applications. Its portfolio spans more than 50,000 SKUs across engine, brakes, suspension, electrical, body, fuel, drivetrain, and exhaust categories, and includes higher-value assembled products such as Turn-Key Engines and Long Block Engines. Sub-brands include Bugpack (dune buggy/off-road), Race-Trim, and JP Group, with PMO Induction systems also featured on the catalog.

EMPI operates from a 300,000+ sq ft facility with a claimed 98% fill rate and same-day shipping capability on most domestic orders. Its go-to-market is B2B-first: products are sold exclusively through a network of EMPI Authorized Distributors and dealers worldwide, supported by a dealer locator on the company website. A secondary direct-to-consumer channel exists through the EMPI Gear online shop for branded merchandise and selected products. The company reaches end users through event sponsorships (SEMA Show, Bug Jam Festival, Dune Buggy Rodeo, Engine Battle World Cup, Monterey Car Week), social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), published product catalogs, and an email newsletter. EMPI serves 51-100 employees and serves customers across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, Belgium, Norway, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

The business model is a one-time transactional sale of physical parts to distributors, dealers, remanufacturers, and professional mechanics, with quote-based pricing rather than publicly disclosed price tiers. The company is independently owned with no disclosed parent, no PE/VC sponsor of record (aside from Centerfield Capital Partners' 2018 funding round), and no public listing. In 2019, EMPI acquired 034Motorsport to extend into the VW/Audi performance tuning aftermarket.

Name

EMPI

Legal name

EMPI Inc.

Website

https://empius.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

EMPI is a 70-year-old Anaheim-based light manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket automotive parts specializing in air-cooled Volkswagen and classic Porsche vehicles, serving dealers, distributors, and mechanics worldwide through a 50,000+ SKU catalog.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aftermarket Automotive Parts

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363), Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (336390), Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336310), Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133)

SIC

Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Aftermarket Performance & Tuning Products Manufacturing (Intakes/Turbos/ECU Tuners/Superchargers) (IMACANAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performance, racing & tuning parts distribution (CRAOANAH), Aftermarket Drivetrain & Powertrain Components Manufacturing (Clutches/CV Axles/Alternators/Starters) (IMACANAD), Aftermarket Suspension & Steering Components Manufacturing (Shocks/Struts/Bushings/Tie Rods) (IMACANAC), Aftermarket Exhaust & Emissions Components Manufacturing (Mufflers/Catalysts/DPF/EGR) (IMACANAE)

Keywords

• Aftermarket automotive parts
• VW restoration parts
• Porsche aftermarket parts
• Automotive parts distribution
• Performance engine components

Headquarters

HQ city

Anaheim

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Aftermarket Automotive Parts Distribution: EMPI generates revenue through the distribution and sale of aftermarket automotive parts, tools, and supplies. The company sells branded and private label products primarily to authorized dealers, distributors, remanufacturers, and professional mechanics worldwide. Products include engine components, brake systems, suspension, electrical, body parts, and performance/race equipment for air-cooled VW and Porsche vehicles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EMPI manufactures, branded-resells, and distributes aftermarket automotive parts for air-cooled and water-cooled Volkswagen vehicles and Porsche vehicles. The company maintains an inventory of more than 50,000 parts covering engines, brakes, suspension, electrical, body, drivetrain, fuel, exhaust, and performance/racing categories, and sells exclusively through a global network of authorized distributors and dealers as well as a direct-to-consumer EMPI Gear online shop.

Product overview

EMPI is a distributor and supplier of aftermarket automotive parts specializing in the air-cooled Volkswagen restoration and enthusiast market, with additional coverage for water-cooled VW vehicles and Porsche. The company operates a single unified product portfolio focused on automotive parts rather than a software platform architecture. Product lines include VW Air Cooled parts, VW Water Cooled parts, High Performance racing components, Porsche-specific parts, and PMO Induction systems. Supporting product categories include Accessories-Tools-Chemicals, Body, Brakes-Wheels, Cooling, Driveline, Electrical, Engine, Exhaust-Emissions, Fuel System, Performance-Race, Steering, Suspension, and Transmission. EMPI also offers assembled Long Block Engines and Turn-Key engines as sub-products within their portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EMPI Gear: Merchandise line including anniversary merchandise and branded products
• Bugpack
• Race-Trim
• JP Group

Products and services

• VW - Air Cooled Parts Aftermarket and replacement parts for air-cooled Volkswagen vehicles, including engines, suspension, brakes, and body components. Sold to dealers, distributors, and VW restoration enthusiasts.
• VW - Water Cooled Parts Aftermarket and replacement parts for water-cooled Volkswagen vehicles, including engines, suspension, and drivetrain components.
• High Performance Parts High-performance aftermarket components for racing and enthusiast VW applications, including engines, exhaust, and drivetrain upgrades.
• Porsche Parts Aftermarket and replacement parts specifically designed for Porsche vehicles.
• EMPI Long Block Engines Complete long block engines built by EMPI for VW applications, designed for restoration and performance builds. Includes Single Port long block configurations.
• Turn-Key Engines Complete turn-key engines ready for installation, designed for VW applications.
• BUGPACK Hide-Away Muffler Compact hide-away muffler designed for merged headers, providing exhaust solutions for performance applications.
• Bolt-On Front Disc Brake Kit - Super Beetle Complete bolt-on front disc brake conversion kit for Super Beetle with 5-lug configuration, featuring directional drilled and slotted rotors and Wilwood high-performance black calipers.
• EMPI Wiring Harness Complete wiring harness solutions for VW vehicles, listed for 1967 Sedan/Convertible applications.
• EMPI Scalloped Brake Rotor Performance scalloped brake rotors for improved cooling and braking performance.
• Forged Drop Spindle Set Forged drop spindle set designed for K/L suspension drum brake applications on Type 1 VW vehicles, covering years 1949-1965.
• PMO Induction Systems PMO (Precision Matching Observation) induction systems and components for performance VW and Porsche applications.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ECS Tuning: Distributor and retailer of OEM, aftermarket, and performance parts for VW, Audi, BMW, and MINI — comparable as a multi-brand European-car performance and replacement parts specialist with overlapping VW/Audi performance segments (notably with EMPI's 034Motorsport).
• AutohausAZ: Wholesale distributor of genuine and aftermarket parts for VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche — directly comparable as a multi-brand European-car aftermarket distributor with similar catalog breadth and professional-shop customer base.
• Rennline: Manufacturer and retailer of aftermarket accessories and performance parts specifically for Porsche vehicles — directly comparable in the Porsche restoration and customization aftermarket.
• FCP Euro: Online retailer and distributor of OEM and aftermarket parts for European vehicles including VW, Audi, BMW, Volvo, and Mercedes — directly comparable as a digital-first European-car aftermarket distributor serving enthusiast and professional customers.
• Jbugs: Family-owned retailer and installer specializing in air-cooled Volkswagen parts and service — a direct niche peer for classic Beetle, Bus, and Karmann Ghia restoration customers.
• 034Motorsport: Performance parts manufacturer and distributor specializing in Audi and VW platforms — acquired by EMPI in October 2019, and a direct comparable in the VW/Audi performance aftermarket category.
• Mid America Motorworks: Long-established (since 1974) mail-order and e-commerce retailer of aftermarket parts and accessories for air-cooled Volkswagen, Porsche, and Corvette vehicles — directly comparable in target market (classic VW/Porsche enthusiasts), business model (catalog distribution), and product breadth.
• Cip1 / Klassic Fab: Aftermarket parts distributor specializing in air-cooled VW restoration, with overlapping SKUs in body, interior, mechanical, and performance categories — a direct catalog competitor for the same restoration-shop and enthusiast customer base.
• Pelican Parts: Specialty e-commerce retailer of OEM and aftermarket parts for Porsche and other German vehicles, with strong technical-support content — directly comparable in Porsche restoration market and enthusiast-driven catalog model.

Emerging players

• Bergvill F/X / Airhead Parts: Specialty aftermarket parts supplier for air-cooled VW vehicles, offering parts across multiple classic platforms — comparable in target niche but typically smaller scale than EMPI; an emerging/specialty peer in the same restoration segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/EMPIhpmx
• Facebookfacebook.com/EMPIinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/EMPI_Inc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empi-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EMPI