Odelo
Odelo is a global Tier 1 automotive lighting supplier producing rear lamps, front lights, and signal lights for premium OEMs including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and VW. Headquartered in Stuttgart under the Bayraktarlar Group, the company pioneered automotive OLED rear-light series production across ten facilities worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1940
- HeadquartersStuttgart, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Odelo does
Odelo Group is a global Tier 1 supplier of automotive lighting systems, specialising in rear lamps (signal lights), front lights, daytime running lights, and auxiliary lighting. The group was originally founded in 1940 as Farba in Bursa, Turkey, and was rebranded to odelo in January 2019; it is owned by the Turkish family-controlled Bayraktarlar Group. Odelo operates from ten production and engineering locations across Germany (Stuttgart Sales & Engineering Center), Turkey (Bursa operational headquarters plus production, moulding, and logistics sites), Slovenia (Prebold and Gornja Radgona), Bulgaria (Kuklen production plant and Sofia R&D center), China (two Tianjin facilities), and the USA (Greer, SC logistics partner). Headcount is reported at 101–250 employees.
The company's core technology platforms centre on OLED and LED systems for vehicle lighting. In February 2016 Odelo became the world's first automotive supplier to bring organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology to series production readiness for rear lamps, enabling thinner form factors, uniform light emission, and design flexibility. Proprietary manufacturing capabilities include simultaneous Branson laser welding — deployed on the Audi A6 combination rear lamp — and functional glass edge design with angled component gradation, both recognised with GKV/TecPart Innovation Awards. Featured applications include the signature "Starry Sky" rear lamp with "Leaving"/"Coming-Home" animation for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, lighting systems for BMW, Volkswagen, Renault, and Fiat, and tail lights for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class produced in Bulgaria.
Odelo generates revenue primarily through long-term direct supply contracts with premium OEMs as a Tier 1 hardware supplier, complemented by an aftermarket distribution channel under the ULO brand for replacement parts. Customer concentration is anchored by the major German premium OEMs (Daimler/Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, VW) plus Renault and Fiat. Between 2018 and 2020 Odelo executed a significant capital expansion programme — investing over €40 million in the 23,000 sqm Bulgaria plant (opened October 2019), opening a Sofia R&D Center (July 2019), and adding a 4,100 sqm warehouse in Slovenia (January 2020) — while simultaneously announcing a realignment of its German business in July 2020 in response to the automotive industry crisis.
Odelo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Odelo
- Legal name
- odelo GmbH
- Website
- https://odelo.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1940
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Odelo is a global Tier 1 automotive lighting supplier producing rear lamps, front lights, and signal lights for premium OEMs including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and VW. Headquartered in Stuttgart under the Bayraktarlar Group, the company pioneered automotive OLED rear-light series production across ten facilities worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Odelo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Lighting Systems
- NAICS
- Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351), Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive Lighting Systems & Components Manufacturing (LED/Headlamps/Signal/Interior) (IMACAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Automotive Lighting Assemblies Manufacturing (Headlamps/Taillamps/Interior Lamps/DRLs) (IMACAKAG), Aftermarket Lighting & Visibility Products Manufacturing (Bulbs/LED Kits/Headlamps/Mirrors/Cameras) (IMACANAG)
Keywords
Where Odelo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stuttgart
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices11 records
Markets served
Odelo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- OEM Automotive Lighting Systems: Design, development, and production of automotive lighting systems (rear lights, front lights, daytime running lights, auxiliary lights) sold directly to automotive manufacturers as Tier 1 supplier. Revenue generated through long-term supply contracts for vehicle platforms.
- ULO Aftermarket: Aftermarket business unit operating under the ULO brand, supplying replacement automotive lighting parts through distribution channels.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Odelo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Odelo Group designs, develops, and manufactures automotive lighting systems for premium vehicle manufacturers, with a primary focus on rear lights (Heckleuchtensysteme) and a portfolio that also includes front lights, daytime running lights, and auxiliary lights. The company supplies these lighting systems as a Tier 1 supplier to OEMs such as Daimler/Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Renault, and Fiat, leveraging proprietary OLED and LED technologies. An aftermarket business operates under the ULO brand, distributing replacement automotive lighting parts through global distribution channels.
Product overview
Odelo is a global automotive lighting systems manufacturer specializing in rear lights (Heckleuchtensysteme und -komponenten). The company operates as a tier-one automotive supplier offering a unified portfolio of automotive lighting products including rear lights, front lights, daytime running lights, and auxiliary lights. Odelo serves premium automotive manufacturers such as BMW, Daimler, Audi, VW, Renault, and Fiat. The product portfolio is complemented by proprietary technologies including OLED (organic light-emitting diode) and LED technologies. The company also maintains an aftermarket operation under the ULO brand. Odelo develops and manufactures at ten global locations, positioning itself as a technology leader in automotive rear lighting with over 80 years of industry experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ULO: ULO Aftermarket business unit offering automotive tail lights for aftermarket distribution
Products and services
- Rear Lights (Heckleuchten)
Companies that use Odelo
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Odelo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Odelo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Bayraktarlar GroupcoreParent company of the odelo Group. Odelo is a company of the Bayraktarlar Group. The group oversees Odelo as part of its portfolio of companies.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Odelo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Valeo: French global Tier 1 supplier with a leading automotive lighting business (front, rear, signal, interior) serving European OEMs including Renault — directly overlapping with Odelo's product range and customer set.
- Koito Manufacturing: Japanese automotive lighting market leader — a global Tier 1 supplier of headlamps, rear lamps and signal lighting serving Japanese, European and U.S. OEMs with comparable LED/OLED capability to Odelo.
- Stanley Electric: Japanese Tier 1 automotive lighting supplier with deep LED expertise and European OEM exposure — competes with Odelo on premium European lighting programs through Japanese-OEM platforms.
- SL Corporation: Korean automotive lighting and signal-lamp supplier (formerly Samil) supplying European and global OEMs — comparable scale and product overlap (rear lamps, signal modules) to Odelo.
- Hella (FORVIA): German-headquartered global Tier 1 automotive lighting supplier (now part of FORVIA) — the most direct competitor to Odelo on premium German OEM rear lamp, front lamp, and signal lighting programs.
- ZKW Group (LG): Austrian premium automotive lighting Tier 1 (acquired by LG Electronics) specializing in headlamps and complex LED/OLED modules for European premium OEMs — closest functional competitor to Odelo on OLED signature lighting.
- Marelli (Magneti Marelli): Italian-Japanese owned automotive lighting Tier 1 with global production for European and Asian OEMs — competes head-to-head with Odelo for lighting programs on Fiat, Renault and German premium platforms.
Emerging players
- Varroc Engineering: Indian-headquartered automotive lighting and electronics supplier with growing European footprint — competes with Odelo on cost-driven lighting programs for non-premium European OEM platforms.
Broad incumbents
- Continental Automotive (Lighting): Broad automotive Tier 1 with a lighting product line alongside electronics and powertrain — overlaps with Odelo on signal/lighting modules for German OEMs but is not lighting-pure-play.
Regional players
- Ichikoh (Valeo-owned): Japanese automotive lighting specialist (now part of Valeo) primarily serving Japanese OEMs in Asia — comparable in product scope to Odelo but with a different geographic customer footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Odelo social profiles
Digital presenceOdelo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Odelo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Odelo subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Odelo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Odelo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Odelo
What does Odelo do?
Odelo Group designs, develops, and manufactures automotive lighting systems for premium vehicle manufacturers, with a primary focus on rear lights (Heckleuchtensysteme) and a portfolio that also includes front lights, daytime running lights, and auxiliary lights. The company supplies these lighting systems as a Tier 1 supplier to OEMs such as Daimler/Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Renault, and Fiat, leveraging proprietary OLED and LED technologies. An aftermarket business operates under the ULO brand, distributing replacement automotive lighting parts through global distribution channels.
Is Odelo a public or private company?
Odelo is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Odelo founded?
Odelo was founded in 1940. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Odelo based?
Odelo is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Odelo make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. OEM Automotive Lighting Systems are the primary driver. The others are ULO Aftermarket.
Who are Odelo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Valeo, Koito Manufacturing, Stanley Electric, SL Corporation, Hella (FORVIA), ZKW Group (LG) and Marelli (Magneti Marelli). Varroc Engineering is listed as an emerging player. Continental Automotive (Lighting) is listed as a broad incumbent. Ichikoh (Valeo-owned) is listed as a regional player.
Does Odelo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Odelo.
What industry is Odelo in?
Odelo's product category is Automotive Lighting Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAJAF, Automotive Lighting Systems & Components Manufacturing (LED/Headlamps/Signal/Interior), with a secondary code of IMACAKAG, Automotive Lighting Assemblies Manufacturing (Headlamps/Taillamps/Interior Lamps/DRLs). Its NAICS code is 3351 and its SIC code is 3640.