Ohlins Racing

What Ohlins Racing does

Öhlins Racing AB is a Swedish premium suspension technology company founded in 1976 by Kenth Öhlin, headquartered in Upplands Väsby, Sweden, with global operations across 50+ countries and approximately 500+ employees. The company designs and manufactures high-performance shock absorbers, front forks, and steering dampers for motorcycles, automobiles, and mountain bikes, organized into three primary business units (Motorcycle, Automotive, Mountain Bike) plus a Powersports line. Its technology stack centers on proprietary damping architectures — TTX twin-tube, STX single-tube, DFV (Dual Flow Valve), and NIX cartridge systems — alongside electronically controlled suspension (CES, first patented in 1981) and semi-active Smart EC/Smart EC 2.0/Smart EC3 systems with carbon fiber forks pioneered for MotoGP. Production capacity exceeds 400,000 units annually across facilities in Sweden, Thailand, and the United States, with IATF16949 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications.

Öhlins operates a dual-channel business model combining OEM supply and aftermarket distribution. On the OEM side, the company is deeply embedded as a Tier 1 supplier with Ducati, Yamaha, Honda, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Aprilia, Indian Motorcycle, MV Agusta, Ferrari, Polestar, BMW, Ford, and Tesla, plus mountain bike brands including Mondraker, YT Industries, Propain, and BMC. Aftermarket distribution flows through an authorized dealer network accessible via dealer locator, with regional entities in North America (Hendersonville NC), Europe (Meuspath, Germany near Nürburgring), and Asia (Chon Buri, Thailand). Racing is both a brand-building engine and a product development platform: 18 of 22 MotoGP riders in 2026 use Öhlins, alongside Scuderia Ferrari (since 2015, official since 2022), MotoE World Cup, NASCAR Next Gen, and 300+ cumulative world championship titles.

Pricing is quote-based through dealers with no public list prices or direct e-commerce for the broader product line. Revenue streams are dominated by hardware sales across OEM and aftermarket channels, supplemented by racing technical partnerships. Following Yamaha's 1986 partial acquisition and Kenth Öhlin's 2007 buyback, Tenneco owned the company until Brembo Group acquired it in 2025, making Öhlins a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Italian premium braking systems leader. The 2026 visual identity refresh signals an explicit strategic repositioning to expand beyond racing DNA into broader enthusiast markets.

Name

Ohlins Racing

Legal name

Öhlins Racing AB

Website

https://ohlins.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Öhlins Racing AB is a Swedish premium suspension technology company founded in 1976, designing and manufacturing high-performance shock absorbers, forks, dampers, and electronically controlled suspension for motorcycle, automotive, and mountain bike OEMs (Ducati, Ferrari, Honda, Yamaha, Polestar) plus aftermarket enthusiasts across 50+ countries, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brembo Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performance Suspension Components

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (33633), Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Suspension Systems & Components (Springs/Shocks/Struts/Air Suspension) (IMACAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Chassis Mechatronics & Active Dynamics (Active Suspension/Steer-by-Wire/Brake-by-Wire Hardware) (IMACAIAN), Aftermarket Suspension & Steering Components Manufacturing (Shocks/Struts/Bushings/Tie Rods) (IMACANAC), Steering Systems & Components (Columns/Racks/EPS Pumps & Motors) (IMACAIAB), Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension Components Manufacturing (IMACAOAH)

Keywords

• Premium suspension systems
• Motorcycle shock absorbers
• Automotive suspension components
• Mountain bike suspension
• Steering dampers

Headquarters

HQ city

Uplands Väsby

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. OEM Suspension Supply: Original equipment manufacturer supply of suspension systems to motorcycle and automotive manufacturers including Ducati, Yamaha, Honda, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Aprilia, Indian, MV Agusta, Ferrari, Polestar, and others.
2. Aftermarket Suspension Products: Sale of replacement and upgrade suspension components to dealers and end consumers through authorized dealer network. Products include shock absorbers, front forks, steering dampers, and electronically controlled suspension systems.
3. Racing Technical Support: Technical partnership and support for racing teams including MotoGP, Scuderia Ferrari, and various world championship teams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Öhlins Racing designs, engineers, and manufactures premium suspension systems — primarily shock absorbers, front forks, and steering dampers — for motorcycles, high-performance automobiles, mountain bikes, and powersports vehicles. The company sells through direct OEM factory-fit partnerships with major manufacturers and supplies aftermarket upgrade components to performance enthusiasts via its authorized dealer and service center network.

Product overview

Ohlins Racing is a premium suspension technology company offering a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance suspension products and systems across four primary segments: Motorcycle, Automotive, Mountain Bike, and Powersports. The product lineup centers on proprietary damping technologies including TTX (twin-tube), STX (single-tube), DFV (Dual Flow Valve), and NIX (cartridge kit) systems, along with electronically controlled suspension solutions (CES, Smart EC/Smart EC 2.0/Smart EC3). The company produces shock absorbers, front forks, steering dampers, and complete suspension kits for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket. Ohlins supplies suspension to major motorcycle manufacturers including Ducati, Yamaha, Honda, Harley-Davidson, Aprilia, Kawasaki, Indian, and MV Agusta; automotive partners such as Polestar; and mountain bike brands including Mondraker, Propain, and YT Industries. The company also maintains a prominent presence in motorsport, with suspension equipped on MotoGP, World Superbike, MotoE, NASCAR, and various other racing series. Ohlins became part of Brembo Group in 2025 following acquisition from Tenneco.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Motorcycle Suspension Systems Complete front forks, rear shock absorbers, and steering dampers engineered for street, track, adventure, and racing motorcycles, sold both as OEM factory-fit equipment to manufacturers and as aftermarket upgrades through authorized dealers.
• Automotive Road & Track Suspension Systems Premium suspension systems for high-performance road cars and track-day vehicles, including electronically controlled (CES, Smart EC) and conventionally damped variants, supplied to premium automotive OEMs and via aftermarket channels.
• Mountain Bike Suspension Front forks and rear shocks for mountain biking applications, applying Öhlins' damping technology to premium off-road cycling for OEM bike brands and aftermarket riders.
• Powersports Suspension Suspension systems and dampers for powersports vehicles including snowmobiles, ATVs, and side-by-sides, available as OEM equipment and aftermarket upgrade components.
• SD20 Steering Damper Aftermarket motorcycle steering damper built with Öhlins damping technology, sold via the authorized dealer network to riders seeking factory-pedigree steering stability for street and track use.
• HD 779 STX PRO (Harley-Davidson Touring Suspension) STX-based suspension kit purpose-developed for Harley-Davidson FL Touring motorcycles, marketed as an aftermarket performance upgrade through authorized Öhlins dealers.
• Carbon Fiber MotoGP Fork Front fork incorporating proprietary carbon fiber construction technology, developed and supplied for top-tier motorcycle Grand Prix racing applications.
• FGR400 Front Fork Premium motorcycle front fork developed from World Superbike racing experience, positioned as a flagship aftermarket and OEM option for high-end sport bike applications.
• Racing Technical Partnership / Engineering Service Direct engineering and technical support services provided to racing teams and championship programs across MotoGP, World Superbike, Isle of Man TT, World Rally, Dakar, and endurance racing series.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ world championship titles won on Öhlins suspension
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Scuderia FerrariflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical partner since 2015, officially announced in 2022. Öhlins supplies suspension technology to the Formula 1 team. Collaboration includes dual ride height system development.
• MotoGP TeamsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner18 of 22 riders on 2026 MotoGP grid trust Öhlins. Major development platform for suspension technology. Technology transfers from racing to consumer products.
• YamahaflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLong-standing OEM partnership. Yamaha purchased Öhlins Racing in 1986, Kenth Öhlin bought it back in 2007. Won MotoGP championship together in 2021. Supplies suspension for Supersport and Hyper Naked categories.
• DucatiflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLong-standing partnership with iconic motorcycle brand. OEM suspension for Panigale, Multistrada, Monster models. Ultra-lightweight suspension for Superleggera V4 Centenario.
• Team BMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerÖhlins exclusive suspension provider for BMC's first-ever professional MTB cross-country factory team.
• NASCARcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntered as Competition Partner for Next Gen cars, marking next chapter in long-standing cooperation with NASCAR.
• FIM Enel MotoE World CupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerÖhlins supplies suspension for Ducati V21L electric race bike in MotoE world championship. Next-generation suspension technologies for electric racing.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KYB Corporation: Major Japanese manufacturer of hydraulic suspension products for motorcycles, automobiles and industrial applications. Comparable OEM-embedded business model, similar product breadth, and direct head-to-head competitor in motorcycle front forks and rear shocks.
• Showa (Hitachi Astemo): Honda-affiliated motorcycle suspension supplier also serving automotive markets. Directly competes against Öhlins at OEMs including Honda, Kawasaki, and other Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, with overlapping electronically controlled suspension technology programs.
• WP Suspension (KTM AG / Pierer Mobility): Austrian motorsport-derived suspension manufacturer serving KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas and premium motorcycle OEMs. Closest competing brand with shared racing-led DNA, overlapping motorcycle and mountain bike suspension portfolios, and similar OEM-embedded plus aftermarket channels.
• Fox Factory: U.S.-based manufacturer of premium suspension for mountain bikes and on-/off-road vehicles. Most direct peer in the mountain bike segment with overlapping OEM partnerships (mountain bike and automotive) and a comparable premium-aftermarket plus race-validated business model.
• Bilstein (ThyssenKrupp / AL-KO): Premium German manufacturer of automotive shock absorbers and high-end suspension systems, distributed via the aftermarket and supplied to performance OEMs. Comparable in premium automotive and motorsport positioning, with overlapping Road & Track applications.
• Sachs Suspension (ZF Aftermarket): ZF-owned Sachs brand produces premium motorcycle and automotive suspension, including OE shock absorbers and electronic damping systems. Competes head-on with Öhlins across motorcycle and automotive segments with broader geographic reach via ZF's tier-1 scale.
• RockShox (SRAM Corporation): SRAM-owned premium mountain bike suspension brand (forks and rear shocks) and a leading OEM in the bicycle industry. The most direct competitor in Öhlins' mountain bike segment, with comparable downhill, enduro and trail-bike product lines and aftermarket depth.
• Marzocchi (Brembo / former Tenneco): Historic Italian suspension brand now operating under Tenneco / adjacent Brembo ownership. Sibling-brand competitor serving similar motorcycle and mountain bike aftermarket channels with classic and modern suspension product lines.
• Penske Racing Shocks: U.S.-based specialist in high-end, custom-built racing shock absorbers used across motorsport including NASCAR, IndyCar and sports-car racing. Directly comparable technology and motorsport-led business model to Öhlins, with overlap in premium racing and limited-edition consumer applications.

Broad incumbents

• Brembo S.p.A. Italian premium brake-system manufacturer and 2025 acquirer of Öhlins. While focused on braking rather than suspension, Brembo is a portfolio-adjacent broad incumbent in performance chassis components with the same premium-OEM customer base (Ferrari, Ducati, Porsche, etc.) and newly combined strategic agenda.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Ohlins
• Facebookfacebook.com/Ohlinsracing
• Instagraminstagram.com/ohlinsracingmtb
• Xx.com/ohlinsracing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohlins-racing-ab

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ohlins Racing