Automotive Racing Products, Inc.

What Automotive Racing Products, Inc. does

Automotive Racing Products, Inc. (ARP) is a privately held American manufacturer of high-performance automotive fasteners founded in 1968 by Gary Holzapfel in California. The company designs and engineers precision fasteners including rod bolts, cylinder head studs, main studs, cam bolts, and driveline components in over 5,500 different kit configurations. ARP serves professional racing teams across NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, Formula 1, marine racing, and diesel motorsports, as well as aerospace customers under its US Government-licensed MS-21250 fatigue-rated fastener program. The company also supplies automotive enthusiasts and performance builders through its aftermarket channel.

ARP's competitive position rests on proprietary alloys (ARP2000 at 220,000 psi, L19 at 260,000 psi, Custom Age 625 Plus and ARP3.5 at 260,000-280,000 psi, Aermet at 290,000-310,000 psi) and patented cold-heading processes for high nickel and cobalt-based superalloys. All manufacturing is performed in-house across 275,000+ square feet of facilities in Ventura and Santa Paula, California, including forging, machining, heat treatment, thread rolling after heat-treat (producing up to 20x higher fatigue strength), finishing, and high-cycle fatigue testing to 350,000+ cycles minimum. ARP holds ISO 9001 and AS9100 aerospace certifications and is one of very few companies worldwide fully licensed by the US Government to manufacture MS-21250 fatigue-rated fasteners.

ARP generates revenue primarily through unit-priced sales of fastener kits and bulk bolts/nuts/washers via an authorized dealer network and direct factory sales, with a complementary custom fastener manufacturing service offering engineered-to-order solutions in nearly a dozen material grades. The company is founder-owned and operated by Gary Holzapfel as CEO, with 280+ employees, and operates without disclosed external investors or private equity backing. Its go-to-market combines channel partner distribution (authorized dealers), direct-to-consumer phone/email sales, and event-driven motorsports presence through team sponsorships and documented racing victories across major series.

Name

Automotive Racing Products, Inc.

Legal name

Automotive Racing Products, Inc.

Website

https://arp-bolts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ARP is a California-based manufacturer founded in 1968 that designs and produces over 5,500 high-performance automotive fastener kits, including rod bolts, head studs, and main studs, using proprietary alloys for professional racing teams, aerospace customers, and automotive enthusiasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

High-Performance Automotive Fasteners

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336310), Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing (33635)

SIC

Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Rivets & Washers (3452), Screw Machine Products (3451)

akta.pro primary industry

Engine Components & Subsystems Manufacturing (Blocks/Heads/Valvetrain/Pistons) (IMACAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aerospace Fasteners & Hardware (IMABANAA)

Keywords

• High-performance fasteners
• Racing engine hardware
• Automotive studs bolts
• Aerospace fastener manufacturing
• Custom alloy fasteners

Headquarters

HQ city

Ventura

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. High-Performance Fastener Sales: ARP manufactures and sells high-performance studs, bolts, nuts, and washers for automotive racing applications. Products are sold as individual kits and bulk fasteners (5-packs). The company offers over 5,500 different kit numbers covering various engine applications.
2. Custom/Special Order Fasteners: Custom manufacturing of fasteners from nearly a dozen different materials with tensile strengths ranging from 170,000 PSI to 310,000 PSI. Special order inquiries handled via phone (+1 805-339-2200).
3. Aerospace Fastener Manufacturing: ARP has an Aerospace Division and is one of the few companies fully licensed by the US Government to manufacture MS-21250 fatigue rated fasteners. Additionally manufactures industrial fasteners on a contract basis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Automotive Racing Products (ARP) manufactures and sells high-performance automotive fasteners — including rod bolts, cylinder head studs, main studs, cam bolts, flywheel bolts, and driveline fasteners — engineered from proprietary alloys (8740 Chrome Moly, ARP2000, L19, ARP3.5, Custom Age 625 Plus, Aermet, Inconel 718, Stainless, Titanium). The catalog spans over 5,500 kits for engine blocks, cylinder heads, and driveline applications, with complementary Ultra-Torque fastener assembly lubricant and custom-manufactured fastener services.

Product overview

Automotive Racing Products (ARP) is a manufacturer of high-performance automotive fasteners offering over 5,500 different kits. The product portfolio centers on precision-engineered fasteners including rod bolts, head studs, main studs, cam bolts, and driveline components available in various materials (8740 Chrome Moly, ARP2000, L19, Inconel 718, ARP3.5, Custom Age 625 Plus, Aermet, Stainless Steel, and Titanium). Supporting the fastener line is ARP Ultra-Torque fastener assembly lubricant, and the company offers custom fastener manufacturing services. The products serve racing applications from drag racing to marine, supporting championships in NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, Formula 1, and other motorsports disciplines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High-Performance Fastener Kits Complete catalog of over 5,500 high-performance fastener kits covering rod bolts, head studs, main studs, cam bolts, and driveline fasteners for automotive, marine, and racing engine applications. Engineered from proprietary alloys in tensile strengths ranging from 170,000 to 310,000 psi.
• ARP Ultra-Torque Fastener Assembly Lubricant Premier fastener assembly lubricant designed specifically for high-performance engine fastener installation. Reduces tension pre-load scatter and eliminates the need to cycle fasteners before final installation.
• Custom Fastener Manufacturing Service Custom manufacturing of fasteners from nearly a dozen different materials with tensile strengths ranging from 170,000 to 310,000 psi. ARP's in-house R&D and manufacturing capabilities allow design and production of custom fasteners for specific applications.
• Rod Bolt Kits High-performance connecting rod bolt kits available in multiple materials including ARP2000, L19, and stainless steel with precise tensile strength ratings for racing applications.
• Cylinder Head Stud Kits Cylinder head stud kits designed for extreme loads in diesel and performance engines, available in multiple material options from 8740 Chrome Moly to exotic superalloys.
• Main Stud and Bolt Kits Main studs and bolts engineered for high-strength applications in engine blocks, designed to handle extreme loads with proper installation pre-loads.
• Flywheel and Driveline Fastener Kits Driveline and flywheel bolt kits for racing and high-performance applications including Cummins diesel flywheel bolts and other driveline components.
• Engine Block Cam Bolt Kits Engine block cam bolt kits and accessory fasteners for high-performance engine applications.
• Bulk Fasteners (Bolts, Nuts, Washers) Premium bolt 5-packs, nuts, and washers available in SAE and metric sizes, stainless steel and black oxide finishes, hex and 12-point heads.
• Aerospace Fastener Manufacturing (MS-21250) Manufacturing of aerospace-grade MS-21250 fatigue rated fasteners for aerospace and industrial applications, plus contract manufacturing of industrial fasteners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fatigue strength up to 20x higher than fasteners threaded prior to heat-treat
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Edelbrock: Established manufacturer of performance intake manifolds, cylinder heads, and related engine components. Comparable as a long-tenured US performance engine-components incumbent with overlapping racing customer base and similar dealer/distribution model.
• LISI Aerospace: Global manufacturer of aerospace fasteners and structural components serving commercial aviation and defense markets. Comparable as a larger incumbent in the certified aerospace fastener category in which ARP competes through its AS9100-certified aerospace division.
• Precision Castparts Corp (PCC Fasteners): Berkshire Hathaway-owned aerospace components manufacturer including aerospace fasteners. Comparable for ARP's aerospace division as a much larger incumbent in the MS-spec aerospace fastener market where ARP holds its US Government license.
• COMP Cams: Major manufacturer of camshafts, valvetrain, and performance engine components under a broad portfolio including multiple racing brands. Comparable as a much larger established performance engine-components incumbent with overlapping racing and aftermarket channels.

Direct peers

• Trend Performance: Manufactures high-strength pushrods and related valvetrain components for racing and performance engines. Directly comparable as a specialist US racing-fastener/components supplier serving drag racing, short track, and circle-track customers.
• Ferrea Racing Components: Manufactures high-performance valves, valve springs, and related valvetrain fasteners for racing and performance engines. Comparable as a US-based racing engine-components specialist competing in overlapping motorsports fastener/valvetrain categories.
• Jesel Valvetrain Innovation: Manufactures rocker arms, lifter guides, belt-drive systems, and valvetrain components for professional racing engines. Comparable US-based specialty manufacturer serving the same professional and sportsman motorsports customer base as ARP.
• Manley Performance Products: Manufacturer of high-performance connecting rods, valves, pistons, and related engine hardware for motorsports and performance applications. Directly comparable to ARP as a US-based specialist engine-components maker serving the same racing and high-performance installer base.
• Dart Machinery: Manufactures performance engine blocks, cylinder heads, and related components for racing and high-performance engines. Comparable US specialty manufacturer selling engine components to the same racing team and engine builder customers.
• Callies Performance Products: Manufactures crankshafts, connecting rods, and driveline components for professional racing and high-performance engines. Comparable as a US specialty manufacturer serving drag racing, circle track, marine, and diesel performance markets with similar customer profiles.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Automotive Racing Products, Inc.