Record France

What Record France does

Record France (legally RECORD FRANCE, S.A.) is a privately held, fourth-generation family-owned manufacturer of shock absorbers founded in 1957 and headquartered in Antibes, France. The company designs and produces two principal technology platforms — Maxigaz, a gas-pressurized hydraulic shock absorber with variable gas pressure, and Super, a bi-tube hydraulic shock absorber with differential and progressive double-action valving — across three application ranges: Normal driving, Sporting (SP), and Load Compensating (RP). Production is fully in-house on a 10,000 m² site and runs approximately 4,000 units per day across more than 40 part numbers, covering light and commercial vehicles, trucks, trailers, agricultural equipment, industrial machines, collector vehicles, and bespoke applications. All outer tubes are hard-branded directly on steel with the "Amortisseur Record Made in France" marking, supporting the company's positioning as the last 100% French independent shock absorber manufacturer. Quality management is certified under ISO 9001:2015 by TÜV.

The business operates a primarily aftermarket-led revenue model. Approximately 85% of production flows through the replacement/aftermarket channel — split between France (35%) and export (50%) — while 15% is directed to OEM/Primer Monte first-fit installations. Distribution runs through a brand-based online catalog storefront on record-france.fr, direct customer contact for custom solutions, and field sales for larger accounts; pricing is not publicly disclosed and is largely handled through direct quote or catalog selection. Beyond its core shock absorber business, Record France operates "Industrie Record France," a services arm that provides prototyping, small-to-medium series production, machining, welding, cutting, stamping, surface treatment, tooling, and assembly to external clients using the company's 200+ machine park. Marketing is centered on heritage and provenance content (multi-language website, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, blog) rather than performance-driven demand capture.

Name

Record France

Legal name

RECORD FRANCE, S.A.

Website

https://record-france.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Record France is a fourth-generation, family-owned French manufacturer designing and producing Maxigaz and Super shock absorbers for light vehicles, commercial vehicles, trucks, agricultural, industrial, and collector applications, supplying primarily the aftermarket with smaller OEM volumes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Antibes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

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. Shock Absorber Sales: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling shock absorbers for light vehicles, commercial vehicles, trucks, trailers, agricultural materials, industrial machines, and collector vehicles. Sold through aftermarket (85%) and OEM (15%) channels.
2. Industrial Manufacturing Services: Record France offers its 200+ machine park and expertise to external clients for prototyping, small-medium series production of mechanical parts, assemblies, and sub-assemblies. Services include machining, welding, cutting, stamping, surface treatment, tooling, and assembly.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Record France designs and manufactures shock absorbers for light vehicles, commercial vehicles, trucks, trailers, agricultural equipment, industrial machines, and specific/custom applications. Production is split between two proprietary technology platforms: Maxigaz (gas-pressurized hydraulic) and Super (bi-tube hydraulic), offered across Normal Driving, Sporting (SP), and Load Compensating (RP) ranges. The company also operates an industrial division (Industrie Record France) offering precision machining, welding, cutting, stamping, surface treatment, tooling, and assembly services to external clients.

Product overview

Record France is a manufacturer of shock absorbers offering two main technology lines: Maxigaz (gas-pressurized hydraulic shock absorbers with low pressure gas in external chamber) and Super (hydraulic bi-tube shock absorbers). Their shock absorbers are organized into three driving ranges: Normal driving, Sporting (SP) for performance applications, and Load Compensating (RP) for vehicles with heavy loads or towing requirements. The company also provides product catalogs for shock absorbers, suspension kits, and suspension springs. In addition to shock absorber manufacturing, Record France operates 'Industrie Record France' offering comprehensive industrial manufacturing services including machining, welding, cutting, stamping, surface treatment, tooling, and assembly. The company produces approximately 4,000 shock absorbers daily across more than 40 part numbers, specializing in small to medium production runs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maxigaz: Bi-tube damper with low pressure gas system, offering optimal safety and superior comfort with precise road holding.
• Super
• SP
• RP

Products and services

• Maxigaz Shock Absorbers Gas-pressurized bi-tube hydraulic shock absorbers with variable gas pressure in an external chamber, designed for optimal safety, precise road holding, and superior comfort across all driving conditions. Targeted at the automotive aftermarket and OEM channels.
• Super Shock Absorbers Hydraulic bi-tube telescopic shock absorbers featuring differential and progressive double-action valving with damping forces adapting to piston speed. Engineered for aftermarket replacement applications across diverse vehicle types.
• Normal Driving Range Shock Absorbers Shock absorbers engineered for everyday driving conditions in light and commercial vehicles, with damping forces calibrated to vehicle type and aging to deliver optimal passenger comfort and road holding.
• SP Sporting Driving Range Shock Absorbers Shock absorbers engineered for sporting or special driving, with damping values adapted for increased safety and performance. Compatible with lowering or standard springs consistent with original vehicle specifications.
• RP Load Compensating Range Shock Absorbers Reactive progressive shock absorbers for vehicles regularly carrying heavy loads or towing trailers and caravans. Incorporates a polyurethane spring that eliminates bottoming effects, corrects vehicle height, and balances the vehicle under load.
• Collector and Vintage Vehicle Shock Absorbers Replacement shock absorbers adapted to aging for classic and collector vehicles from the 1930s to 1980s, with continuous availability of part references for restoration and maintenance of authentic vehicles.
• Custom and Specific Application Shock Absorbers Bespoke shock absorbers designed and manufactured to customer specifications for specific uses including rolling vehicles, agricultural equipment, and industrial machinery. Addresses custom suspension, vibration, comfort, noise, adherence, and safety requirements.
• Suspension Kits Complete suspension kit assemblies covering shock absorbers and related components for various vehicle brands. Catalog items are selectable by part number for professional installation in the aftermarket replacement channel.
• Suspension Springs Suspension springs catalog complementing shock absorbers for complete suspension system replacement and restoration. Available for diverse vehicle applications.
• Industrie Record France (Industrial Manufacturing Services) Industrial manufacturing services offered to external clients, leveraging the company's 200+ machine park. Covers prototyping, small and medium series production of mechanical parts, assemblies, and sub-assemblies, including precision machining, welding, cutting, stamping, surface treatment, tooling, and assembly.

Quantifiable outcome

• Braking distance reduced by 15 to 20% with functioning shock absorbers
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bilstein (thyssenkrupp Bilstein): Premium German manufacturer of gas-pressure (mono-tube) and hydraulic shock absorbers for OEMs and the aftermarket. Direct competitor to Record France across light vehicle, commercial vehicle, and motorsport segments with comparable Maxigaz-style technology positioning.
• Koni: Specialty Dutch manufacturer of high-performance shock absorbers focused on the aftermarket with strong brand recognition. Directly comparable to Record France's SP sporting range and Super aftermarket line in target customer and channel.
• Gabriel: North American heritage shock absorber manufacturer serving the light vehicle aftermarket. Comparable in being an independent shock-absorber specialist focused on replacement parts rather than full Tier-1 supply.
• Ferdinand Bilstein (febi): Aftermarket-focused automotive parts brand owned by Bilstein Group, offering replacement shock absorbers and suspension components in the European IAM channel. Directly comparable to Record France's aftermarket distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• KYB Corporation: One of the world's largest shock absorber and hydraulic equipment manufacturers, supplying most major OEMs globally. Comparable product range to Record France but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Tenneco (DRiV / Monroe): Global automotive aftermarket supplier owning the Monroe shock absorber brand — a direct competitor to Record France's aftermarket gas-pressurized offering. Now part of DRiV following Tenneco's restructuring.
• ZF Friedrichshafen (Sachs): Major Tier-1 automotive supplier offering Sachs-brand shock absorbers for both OEM and aftermarket channels. Competes with Record France across light vehicles, commercial vehicles, and motorsport applications.
• Showa: Japanese shock absorber manufacturer affiliated with Honda, supplying both OEM and aftermarket globally. Competes with Record France's Maxigaz gas-pressurized technology in similar vehicle segments.
• Magneti Marelli (Marelli): Global automotive components supplier with a suspension systems portfolio serving multiple OEMs. Comparable as a broad automotive parts competitor with shock absorber offerings across vehicle categories.

Emerging players

• Mando Corporation: Korean automotive parts supplier with growing global presence in suspension, brakes, and steering. Increasingly competing with European specialists like Record France in aftermarket and entry-level OEM segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/recordfrance

Compliance1 record

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 Record France