Name

Ringfeder

Legal name

VBG GROUP TRUCK EQUIPMENT GMBH

Website

https://ringfeder-rf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Vehicle Trailer Couplings

NAICS

Truck Trailer Manufacturing (336212), Heavy Duty Truck Manufacturing (33612)

SIC

Truck Trailers (3715), Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790)

akta.pro primary industry

Trailer Components & Subassemblies Manufacturing (Couplers/Landing Gear/Kingpins) (IMACAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Truck Body & Upfitting Manufacturing (Box Bodies/Service Bodies/Cranes/Liftgates) (IMACABAI)

Keywords

• Trailer coupling systems
• Heavy transportation equipment
• Commercial vehicle components
• Underrun protection devices
• Towing equipment manufacturer

Headquarters

HQ city

Krefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Trailer Coupling Sales: Revenue from selling trailer coupling products including RF40, RF45, RF50, and 404 AUS series. Products sold through direct sales and dealer network globally.
2. Accessories and Spare Parts: Sales of accessories including automatic coupling oilers, valve box kits, indication kits, shock absorber kits, and spare parts for coupling systems.
3. Drawbar and Towing Equipment: Revenue from drawbars, drawbar eyes, towing equipment including towing bars, towing forks, and hook couplings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ringfeder manufactures trailer coupling systems, drawbars, drawbar eyes, underrun protection devices, towing equipment, and pre-assembled system solutions for commercial trucks and trailers. The portfolio includes manual (A/B), air-assisted (AM/RL), and damped coupling variants in 40mm and 50mm sizes, supplemented by digital accessories such as the Coupling Sensor Module (CSM), in-cab indication kits, and jackknifing warning systems for heavy transportation fleets and OEMs.

Product overview

Ringfeder is a manufacturer of towing and coupling equipment for the global transportation industry, established in 1922. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of mechanical products organized around the core coupling technology. The main product line includes trailer couplings in manual (A/B), air-assisted (AM/RL), and damped variants in 40mm and 50mm sizes, ranging from light general transport to heavy-duty applications. Supporting products include underrun protection devices (RUF series), drawbars (Zuggabeln and Zugdeichseln), drawbar eyes (Zugösen) in various configurations, towing equipment for defense applications, system solutions combining multiple components pre-assembled for body builders, and spare parts. The new generation launched in 2023 introduced digital features including the Coupling Sensor Module (CSM), indication kits for in-cab locking display, and jackknifing warning systems. Regional variants like the 404 AUS series serve specific markets like Australia with enhanced specifications (320 kN).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ringfeder RF50 AM/RL Trailer Coupling Air-assisted 50mm trailer coupling for hinged or rigid drawbars, ideal for underslung positioning; pneumatic opening is ergonomic and time-saving. Self-closing and automatically secured for medium and heavy transportation.
• Ringfeder RF50 A/B Trailer Coupling Self-closing 50mm manual trailer coupling for medium and heavy transportation; works with hinged drawbars, centre axle trailers with rigids, or dollies. Best-selling reliable all-round coupling.
• Ringfeder RF40 A/B Trailer Coupling Cost-effective all-round 40mm self-closing trailer coupling for general transportation where heavy-duty wear is not required.
• Ringfeder RF40 AM/RL Trailer Coupling Air-assisted 40mm trailer coupling for general transportation; pneumatic opening supports ergonomic operation on hinged or rigid drawbars.
• Ringfeder RF45 A/B Trailer Coupling Damped 40mm trailer coupling with effective shock absorption for smoother drive; reduces jerky and bumpy rides, increases driver comfort, ideal for liquid transportation, for hinged drawbars only.
• Ringfeder 404 AUS B MSD Trailer Coupling New generation manual trailer coupling with 320 kN proven strength for heavy-duty transportation in Australia; self-closing with robust manual safety device.
• Ringfeder 404 AUS AM Trailer Coupling Air-assisted trailer coupling with 320 kN strength for heavy-duty Australian transportation; automatic air-driven opening mechanism saves time for the driver.
• Ringfeder Hook Couplings Hook couplings optimized for defense vehicle platforms, leveraging 50 years of experience; includes automatic and non-automatic products for diverse operational demands of military and rescue fleets.
• Ringfeder Underrun Protection Devices Underrun protection devices (RUF series) meeting ECE R58 regulations for on-road use; available in foldable round profile, foldable open U-profile, and rigid variants for various truck applications.
• Ringfeder Drawbars Rigid drawbars for centre axle trailers; includes Zuggabeln (A-frame drawbars) with various configurations and Zugdeichseln for trailers with 6-24t permissible total weight.
• Ringfeder Drawbar Eyes Drawbar eyes (Zugösen) in various sizes (40mm, 50mm, 76mm) and types (flanged, screw-in, weld-in) with D-values up to 320 kN.
• Ringfeder Towing Equipment Towing equipment including tow bars, tow hooks, and towing couplings for defense and rescue operations; includes K6 tow coupling and 6451 configurations.
• Ringfeder System Solution Pre-mounted flexible coupling system combining trailer couplings, crossmembers, side plates, underrun protection, and accessories into pre-assembled, ready-to-install packages for body builders.
• Ringfeder Spare Parts Original spare parts for all Ringfeder products including couplings, accessories, drawbars, and underrun protection; redesigned for new generation products and orderable online via the My List feature.
• RINGFEDER CSM (Coupling Sensor Module) Digital sensor module for Ringfeder's new electrical system; enables locking indication (red/green LED) inside or outside the driver's cabin through various indication kits.
• RINGFEDER Indication Kit In-cab locking indication kit that displays coupling locking mode (red/green LED) inside the driver's cabin; can connect to the vehicle's own display if supported by the manufacturer; fulfills UNECE Regulation No 55.
• RINGFEDER Indication Kit JK Combined in-cab locking indication and acoustical jackknifing alert kit with RINGFEDER indication panel option, available in multiple cable lengths.
• RINGFEDER JK Retrofit Kit for RF50 Acoustic jackknifing warning retrofit system for RF50 couplings that alerts the driver via buzzer if the drawbar angle is at risk of jackknifing during reversing; includes CSM and inductive sensor.
• RINGFEDER Automatic Coupling Oiler Continuous lubrication system for coupling mechanisms filled with special high-viscosity Ringfeder coupling oil; eliminates manual lubrication work, especially for underslung couplings.
• Ringfeder Valve Box Kit Operates AM/RL Ringfeder couplings; impact-resistant lightweight material with directional mounting options and push-in nipple connections, tested under rough conditions for maximum safety.
• Ringfeder Duomatic / Palm Coupling Kit AM mechanism operating kit for Ringfeder AM/RL couplings; connects to the truck's existing compressed air supply via a 2.7m rubber tube for pneumatic opening.
• Ringfeder Shock Absorber Kits Shock absorber kits for 303 AUS and 404 AUS / 5025 NZ coupling systems that absorb shocks and vibrations to extend service life, protect critical components, and improve driving comfort.
• Ringfeder MSD Twist Lock Upgrade Kit Upgrade kit for existing RF50 AUS couplings to adopt the new Twist lock and dust sealing technology from the 404 AUS series factory fitting.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% higher closing power with AM/RL air mechanism compared to standard couplings
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• VBG GroupparentOthersVBG GROUP TRUCK EQUIPMENT GMBH is the legal entity operating Ringfeder, wholly owned by VBG Group AB (Sweden). Ringfeder products are part of the VBG Group's truck equipment division.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• VBG Group AB: Swedish-listed parent company of Ringfeder (operating through VBG Group Truck Equipment GmbH). Relevant for capital allocation, strategic direction, and as the listed vehicle through which Ringfeder's performance ultimately translates to public-market value.

Direct peers

• JOST Werke AG: German-listed manufacturer of fifth wheel couplings, landing gear, and kingpins for trucks and trailers — Ringfeder's most direct global competitor in heavy-duty coupling systems serving the same OEM, fleet, and body builder customers.
• V. Orlandi S.p.A. Italian manufacturer of towing equipment, couplings, and trailer components serving European commercial vehicle OEMs and body builders — a comparable mid-sized specialist with a similar mechanical coupling product portfolio.
• Haacon Hebetechnik GmbH: German manufacturer of trailer couplings, drawbar eyes, and lifting equipment for commercial vehicles. Comparable mid-sized European specialist competing in similar product categories with overlapping body builder and trailer OEM customers.
• FUWA K-Hitch: Australia-focused heavy-duty coupling and suspension manufacturer. Directly competes with Ringfeder in the Australian heavy transport market where Ringfeder launched the 404 AUS series, sharing the same body builder and fleet customer base.
• SAF-Holland SE: Major manufacturer of trailer axles, fifth wheel couplings, kingpins, and landing gear. Competes head-to-head with Ringfeder in coupling systems and offers a broader trailer component portfolio to the same European OEM and fleet base.

Broad incumbents

• BPW Bergische Achsen KG: Major European trailer running gear and axle manufacturer with a broader systems portfolio. While not a direct coupling competitor at the same scale, BPW serves the same body builders and fleet customers (and is Ringfeder's own Australian dealer) with adjacent trailer safety and chassis components.
• Knorr-Bremse AG: Global market leader in commercial vehicle braking systems with a broad commercial vehicle safety portfolio. While not a direct coupling competitor, it increasingly competes in the integrated trailer safety and electronics space relevant to Ringfeder's digital coupling roadmap.
• WABCO (ZF Friedrichshafen Commercial Vehicle Systems): Global commercial vehicle systems supplier (now part of ZF) covering braking, EBS, and trailer electronics. Increasingly adjacent to Ringfeder's smart coupling and digital indication product line as trailer electronics and safety systems converge.
• Haldex AB: Commercial vehicle braking and air suspension supplier serving the same European and global trailer OEM and fleet base. Adjacent competitor as trailer safety and electronic systems increasingly bundle with mechanical coupling components.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RingfederRfCom
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ringfeder

Compliance9 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 Ringfeder