Kamei
Kamei GmbH is a German manufacturer of roof boxes, aluminum roof rack systems, and automotive accessories, distributing exclusively through a specialty dealer network in Germany and country-level importers across Europe. Founded in 1939, the company sells under the KAMEI brand with a claimed industry-unique 6-year warranty.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1955
- HeadquartersWolfsburg, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Kamei does
Kamei GmbH is a German manufacturer of automotive load-carrying solutions, headquartered at Daimlerstraße 22, 91301 Forchheim with an additional operating location at Heinrichswinkel 2, 38448 Wolfsburg. The company designs and produces roof boxes (Dachboxen) including the Fosco 420/540, Oyster 450, Husky series (300/330/420/510/620), and Base 400 lines, plus an aluminum roof rack system (Dachträgersystem), accessories (the Stoplock II anti-theft steering wheel lock, anti-slip mats, mounting kits, storage covers, and wall mounts) and a full spare parts catalog (locks, keys, gas springs, lid supports, Z-profiles, clamp bridges). Its core technical differentiator is the proprietary ClickFix tool-free mounting system, which allows Kamei roof boxes to be installed directly onto Kamei roof rack carriers without additional accessories. Kamei is recorded as founded in 1939 in firmographic data, though the company's own materials reference more than 70 years of design heritage; the brand holds an iF Design Award for the Fosco roof box and claims to have originated the steering wheel cover and rear spoiler.
The company's business model is unit-pricing hardware sales through a two-tier exclusive distribution network. In Germany, Kamei sells exclusively through authorized specialty dealers (Fachhändler) who provide personal consultation; end customers are directed to dealers via the website's Händlersuche (dealer search) tool. B2B wholesale terms to resellers include a 2% discount for invoice payment within 10 days, prepayment, or SEPA direct debit, with delivery ex works and a small-order surcharge below €11 net. Outside Germany, distribution is handled by country-level importers in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland (Swiss Unlimited GmbH and AMAG), Czech Republic, United Kingdom, and Slovakia. Kamei extends a 6-year manufacturer warranty on roof boxes for private use (1 year commercial), claimed as industry-unique, with Europe-wide coverage.
In March 2026, Kamei expanded from manufacturer to third-party distributor when it was appointed exclusive importer and distributor of Mont Blanc Group load-carrying vehicle solutions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The company is led by Managing Directors Klaus Uebler and Christoph Bülow, is registered at Amtsgericht Bamberg under HRB 8240, and is privately held with no disclosed parent or institutional investors; uebler GmbH, which shares the Forchheim address, acts as a data processor for the website and appears operationally intertwined. Revenue, headcount, and financial metrics are not publicly disclosed.
Kamei firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kamei
- Legal name
- Kamei GmbH
- Website
- https://kamei.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1955
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Kamei GmbH is a German manufacturer of roof boxes, aluminum roof rack systems, and automotive accessories, distributing exclusively through a specialty dealer network in Germany and country-level importers across Europe. Founded in 1939, the company sells under the KAMEI brand with a claimed industry-unique 6-year warranty.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kamei industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive roof cargo systems (roof boxes and roof rack systems)
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363)
- SIC
- Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive Roof Systems & Convertible Top Components Manufacturing (Panoramic Roof Modules/Soft Tops) (IMACAKAK)
Keywords
Where Kamei is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wolfsburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Kamei business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Roof box hardware sales: One-time sale of branded roof boxes (Fosco 420/540, Oyster 450, Husky series 300/330/420/510/620, Base 400, Corvara, Dolphin) carrying a 6-year manufacturer warranty for private use and 1-year for commercial use. Sold via specialty dealers at manufacturer-set recommended retail prices.
- Roof rack system hardware sales: One-time sale of Kamei aluminum roof rack carriers (support bars and feet), priced per vehicle model with RRP ranging from approximately €153-168 (support bars) and €158 (feet), with up to 100 kg load capacity.
- Accessories and spare parts sales: One-time sale of accessories (mounting kits, U-bolts, anti-slip mats, Stoplock II anti-theft lock, roof box covers L/XL/XXL, wall mounts) and spare parts (locks, keys, gas springs, fastening straps, Z-profiles, lid supports) with RRP ranging from €8 to €124.
- B2B wholesale to resellers: Wholesale distribution to resellers/dealers ("Wiederverkäufer") under separate B2B terms and conditions, with payment terms including 2% discount on invoice payment within 10 days, prepayment by bank transfer, or SEPA direct debit. Delivery "ex works" (ab Werk).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | — | Spare parts unit pricing |
| Unit Pricing | — | Accessories unit pricing |
| Unit Pricing | — | Roof rack systems unit pricing |
| Other | — | B2B payment terms and shipping |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Kamei product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kamei designs and manufactures automotive roof boxes, aluminium roof rack systems, vehicle-specific accessories and spare parts under the KAMEI brand. Products are sold in Germany exclusively through specialty automotive accessory dealers (Fachhändler) and abroad through country-level importers, with a 6-year manufacturer warranty on roof boxes for private use. The portfolio is designed as an interoperable system in which the proprietary ClickFix mounting enables tool-free installation of Kamei roof boxes onto Kamei roof rack carriers.
Product overview
Kamei GmbH is a German manufacturer with more than 70 years of experience designing and producing automotive load-carrying and accessory solutions, marketed under the single KAMEI brand. The portfolio is organized around four pillars — Dachboxen (roof boxes), Dachträgersysteme (roof rack systems), Zubehör (accessories) and Ersatzteile (spare parts) — that are designed to interoperate as a system. The roof rack system (aluminium bars plus lockable support feet) acts as the foundational platform; the roof boxes (Fosco 420, Fosco 540, Oyster 450, the Husky series 300/330/420/510/620, Base 400, plus legacy Corvara, Dolphin, and KAMEI 330/510 lines) mount onto the rack using Kamei's proprietary ClickFix tool-free mounting system. Accessories such as the Stoplock II steering-wheel lock, roof box covers, the MBA wall mount, anti-slip mats and U-bolt mounting kits, together with spare parts (locks, keys, gas springs, lid supports, fastening straps, Z-profiles and clamp bridges), complete the ecosystem. Kamei operates from its headquarters at Daimlerstraße 22, 91301 Forchheim, with an additional location at Heinrichswinkel 2, 38448 Wolfsburg, and distributes products exclusively through specialist retailers across Europe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fosco 420 Roof Box Premium Kamei roof box from the Fosco line, available in black high-gloss and matt black finishes. Features the ClickFix tool-free mounting system for direct installation onto Kamei roof rack carriers. Recipient of the iF Design Award. Covered by a 6-year manufacturer warranty for private use. Sold through Kamei specialty dealers.
- Fosco 540 Roof Box Larger variant of the Fosco roof box family with higher cargo volume, designed for use with the ClickFix mounting system on Kamei roof rack carriers. Available in matt black finish and sold through Kamei specialty dealers.
- Oyster 450 Roof Box Premium Kamei roof box with an aerodynamic shell design and ClickFix tool-free mounting system for direct installation onto Kamei roof rack carriers. Sold through Kamei specialty dealers.
- Husky Series Roof Boxes (300, 330, 420, 510, 620) Multi-size Kamei roof box family ranging from compact (Husky 300/330) through mid-size (Husky 420) to large-volume (Husky 510/620) models. Features central locking, gas-spring opening struts and tool-free ClickFix mounting on Kamei roof rack carriers. Husky 510 available in matt black or black high-gloss finish. Sold through Kamei specialty dealers.
- Base 400 Roof Box Mid-size Kamei roof box with a ClickFix-compatible mounting system for direct installation onto Kamei roof rack carriers. Sold through Kamei specialty dealers.
- KAMEI Roof Rack System (Dachträgersystem) Aluminium Kamei roof rack system comprising two aerodynamic support bars and four lockable support feet for vehicles with roof rails. Features special rubber profiles for fast installation and a load capacity up to 100 kg. Designed to accept Kamei roof boxes with ClickFix mounting directly without additional accessories. Available in vehicle-specific fitments for Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, VW, Skoda, Volvo, Hyundai, Kia, Ford and many other manufacturers. Sold through Kamei specialty dealers at manufacturer-set recommended retail prices.
- Stoplock II Steering Wheel Lock Kamei anti-theft steering wheel lock offering over 10,000 locking combinations, 620 mm length, suitable for steering wheels up to 31 mm rim thickness. Soft coating protects wheel and dashboard; significantly impedes airbag theft. Compatible with most vehicles including classic and vintage models. Sold exclusively through Kamei specialty retailers.
- KAMEI Wall Mount for Roof Box (MBA-Wandhalter) Universal Kamei wall-mount bracket for compact, space-saving storage of Kamei roof boxes. Foldable when not in use. Article number 0 81208 03. Sold exclusively through Kamei specialty retailers.
- KAMEI Anti-Slip Mat Anti-slip mat made from recycled rubber granules (1300 x 1100 x 3 mm) with non-slip performance, damping, sound insulation, breathability, washability, and universal cut-to-size capability. Particularly suitable for commercial vehicle load protection. Sold exclusively through Kamei specialty retailers.
- Roof Box Cover / Storage Bags (Size L, XL, XXL) Protective dust covers for Kamei roof boxes during storage, available in three sizes: L 190x75 cm for Husky 330/420/Base 400, XL 230x75 cm for Husky 300/620/Fosco 540, and XXL 206x95 cm for Husky 510/Oyster 450/Fosco 420. Sold exclusively through Kamei specialty retailers.
- U-Bolt Mounting Kits for Roof Boxes Kamei mounting kits with U-bolts for attaching Kamei roof boxes to roof bars, including sets for 50 mm bars (e.g., Husky) and 90 mm bars (e.g., KAMEI 330/510, Delphin, Husky). Supplied with fastening straps and rubber pads. Sold exclusively through Kamei specialty retailers.
- KAMEI Roof Box Spare Parts Kamei replacement parts for Kamei roof boxes, including push-button locks with twin locking system, single-lock keys, gas springs (e.g., 269 mm, 90 N for Husky 300 matt black), fastening straps (2 x 2.24 m), Z-profiles for slider mounting (220 mm and 120 mm), clamp bridges for slider/quick-release mounting, and lid supports (Husky L 170 N for Husky 330/420/510/Fosco 420/Base 400; DuoLift 170 N for Husky 510/620/Fosco 420/Fosco 540/Oyster 450). Sold exclusively via Kamei specialty retailers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 6-year manufacturer warranty on roof boxes for private use, claimed unique in the industry
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Kamei
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kamei technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature4 records
Kamei partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Kamei competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Rhino-Rack: Australia-headquartered roof rack, roof box and accessory manufacturer with growing European presence. Comparable because it competes in the same roof box and platform rack category with similar vehicle-specific mounting systems, but is primarily anchored in the Australian/NZ market rather than continental Europe.
Direct peers
- Atera: German manufacturer of roof rack systems and load-carrying solutions with vehicle-specific fitments. Comparable because it is a domestic German peer selling directly competing roof rack carriers and accessories into the same Fachhändler channel.
- Yakima: US/global roof rack and cargo box brand (now part of the Roof-Box/Confluence Outdoor portfolio). Comparable because it markets premium roof boxes and rack systems to consumers through specialty retail and D2C, competing for the same end-customer occasions as Kamei.
- Cruz: Spanish manufacturer of roof boxes, roof racks and load-carrying accessories distributed across Europe. Comparable because it offers directly competing roof boxes and bars sold through specialty auto-accessory retailers in overlapping European markets.
- Menabo: Italian manufacturer of roof boxes, roof racks and bike carriers with pan-European distribution. Comparable because it supplies directly competing roof box and rack products to specialty retailers across Italy, France, Germany and other European markets where Kamei operates.
- Mont Blanc Group: Swedish load-carrying and roof-rack solutions manufacturer. Comparable because it is both a product peer (commercial load-carrying vehicle solutions, roof racks) and a distribution partner of Kamei in DACH since March 2026, competing in the same B2B and B2C channels.
- Fiamma: Italian maker of awnings, roof boxes and accessories primarily for the RV and leisure vehicle segment. Comparable because it sells roof boxes and roof rails to the same consumer use cases (additional cargo capacity, leisure travel) via specialty dealer networks across Europe.
- Hapro: Netherlands-based roof box and roof rack manufacturer with European distribution. Comparable because it sells directly competing roof boxes (e.g., Craven, Summito) through specialty dealers and consumer channels across the same European markets Kamei serves.
- Farad: Italian roof box and roof rack manufacturer supplying European specialty retailers. Comparable because it competes head-to-head with Kamei in entry- and mid-price roof boxes (Farad, Green Valley, Azalea, Dolomiti lines) through the same Fachhändler and importer channels.
Broad incumbents
- Thule Group: Sweden-based, publicly listed global leader in roof boxes, roof racks, bike racks and cargo solutions. Comparable because it sells the same product categories (roof boxes and roof rack systems) through specialty dealers and D2C, and is the dominant premium brand Kamei competes against in Europe.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kamei social profiles
Digital presenceKamei compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Kamei financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kamei leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Kamei funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kamei 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 Kamei
What does Kamei do?
Kamei designs and manufactures automotive roof boxes, aluminium roof rack systems, vehicle-specific accessories and spare parts under the KAMEI brand. Products are sold in Germany exclusively through specialty automotive accessory dealers (Fachhändler) and abroad through country-level importers, with a 6-year manufacturer warranty on roof boxes for private use. The portfolio is designed as an interoperable system in which the proprietary ClickFix mounting enables tool-free installation of Kamei roof boxes onto Kamei roof rack carriers.
Is Kamei a public or private company?
Kamei is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Kamei founded?
Kamei was founded in 1955. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Kamei based?
Kamei is headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Kamei make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Roof box hardware sales are the primary driver. The others are roof rack system hardware sales, accessories and spare parts sales and B2B wholesale to resellers.
Who are Kamei's main competitors?
Rhino-Rack is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Atera, Yakima, Cruz, Menabo, Mont Blanc Group, Fiamma, Hapro and Farad. Thule Group is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Kamei have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kamei.
What industry is Kamei in?
Kamei's product category is Automotive roof cargo systems (roof boxes and roof rack systems). Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAKAK, Automotive Roof Systems & Convertible Top Components Manufacturing (Panoramic Roof Modules/Soft Tops). Its NAICS code is 3363 and its SIC code is 3714.