AST Suspension
AST Suspension BV (AST x MOTON) is a Dutch manufacturer of rebuildable high-performance monotube shock absorbers and suspension kits, serving professional motorsport teams, club racers, and street performance enthusiasts globally through 38+ dealers and six certified service centers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersValkenswaard, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AST Suspension does
AST Suspension BV, doing business as AST x MOTON, is a Dutch manufacturer of high-performance automotive suspension systems headquartered in Valkenswaard, Netherlands, with 100% in-house production and engineering under ISO 9001:2015 certification. Founded in 2000 by Piet Kreeft (former KONI, Aragosta, WP Suspension, and HI TECH engineer) alongside Peter Smits and Gerard Smits of Smits Factory, the company operates two product brands: AST (Advanced Suspension Technology), spanning the 5100 Competition, 5100 Street, 5200 inverted monotube, and 5300 advanced monotube series; and MOTON, acquired in 2011, offering 1-way, 2-way, and 3-way adjustable dampers with endurance-racing pedigree including a historical 30% penetration at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The company's core technology is rebuildable monotube damper architecture with separate high- and low-speed compression adjustment, remote reservoirs, height adjustability, and pillowball camber plates. Supporting product lines include progressive lowering springs, Air Cup lift systems, full-aluminum 7075 control arm bearings, Airjacks for pit stops, droplinks, and reservoir brackets. All products are cold-coiled on Wafios machines and produced in-house, supporting a 24-month warranty on coilovers and lifetime warranty on spring breakage.
AST serves three primary customer segments: professional Motorsport teams (FIA GT, WTCC, Grand-Am, INDYCAR history), Clubracing enthusiasts, and Street Performance drivers. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of suspension kits and accessories plus recurring rebuild services at certified service centers. Distribution combines a global authorized dealer network of 38+ partners across 17+ countries, regional wholesale via Turn14 Distribution in the USA, direct-to-consumer e-commerce through ast-suspension.com, and event-driven sales at SEMA Show and other automotive events. The company is wholly owned by Roosen Industrial Group following the June 2016 acquisition of AST Suspension and Smits Factory, and currently operates under the leadership of Marleen Theuws and Coen de Korte, who joined in 2017.
AST Suspension firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AST Suspension
- Legal name
- A.S.T. Advanced Suspension Technology
- Website
- https://ast-suspension.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AST Suspension BV (AST x MOTON) is a Dutch manufacturer of rebuildable high-performance monotube shock absorbers and suspension kits, serving professional motorsport teams, club racers, and street performance enthusiasts globally through 38+ dealers and six certified service centers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AST Suspension industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Suspension Systems
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (33633), Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (336330), Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133)
- SIC
- Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Suspension Systems & Components (Springs/Shocks/Struts/Air Suspension) (IMACAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Aftermarket Suspension & Steering Components Manufacturing (Shocks/Struts/Bushings/Tie Rods) (IMACANAC), Passenger Vehicle Chassis, Suspension, Steering & Braking Manufacturing (ICE) (IMACAAAJ)
Keywords
Where AST Suspension is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Valkenswaard
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
AST Suspension business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Suspension Systems Sales: AST generates revenue primarily through the sale of high-performance suspension kits, including motorsport, clubracing, and street performance products. Products include coilovers, lowering springs, and accessories.
- Suspension Rebuild Services: The company offers rebuild services for their suspension systems (excluding 2000 series) through authorized rebuild centers, providing ongoing revenue from existing customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | USA-specific pricing available via downloadable price lists |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard coilover kits with 24-month warranty |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
AST Suspension product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AST Suspension develops, manufactures and sells high-performance shock absorbers, coilover kits and lowering springs under the AST and MOTON brands. Products serve three segments — motorsport (professional racing), clubracing (track day enthusiasts), and street performance (driving enthusiasts) — along with custom industrial applications. All products are 100% designed and produced in-house in the Netherlands.
Product overview
AST x MOTON Suspension is a Dutch manufacturer of high-performance suspension systems operating two primary brands: AST (Advanced Suspension Technology) and MOTON Suspension Technology. AST produces the 5100 Competition Series and 5200 Series shock absorbers, while MOTON offers 1-Way, 2-Way, and 3-Way adjustable dampers. Together they serve three market segments: Motorsport (competitive racing with AST 5200/5300 and MOTON 2-Way/3-Way), Clubracing (AST 5100 Competition Series and MOTON 1-Way), and Street Performance (lowering springs, adjustable lowering springs, and 5100 Street Series). The product portfolio also includes supporting accessories such as Air Cups, Control Arm Bearings, Racing Springs, Airjacks, Droplinks, and Reservoir Brackets. All products are developed and manufactured 100% in the Netherlands. The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MOTON: Premium shock absorber brand acquired by AST in 2011, known for advanced high-quality adjustable dampers used in GT and Touring cars, as well as high-performance street vehicles. Dominant in professional motorsport including FIA GT, FIA Sportscar Championships, FIA WTCC, Grand-Am, and World Challenge Championships.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30% of 24 Hours of Le Mans competitors used MOTON dampers by June 2000
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use AST Suspension
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
AST Suspension technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
AST Suspension partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Roosen Industrial GroupcoreIn June 2016, AST Suspension and Smits Factory were acquired by the Roosen Industrial Group, marking a new chapter in the company's journey. This acquisition provided new opportunities and enhanced advanced manufacturing capabilities. The leadership team of Marleen Theuws and Coen de Korte continues to drive innovation and excellence under this new ownership.
- MOTON Suspension TechnologycoreAST acquired Moton Suspension Technology along with its exclusive technologies and damper designs in 2011. Established in 1999, MOTON became known as a leading brand in motorsport, with 30% of 24 Hours of Le Mans cars equipped with MOTON dampers by June 2000. MOTON dampers have secured victories across FIA GT, FIA Sportscar Championships, FIA ETCC, FIA WTCC, Grand-Am, World Challenge Championships, and national GT and Touring competitions.
- Turn14 DistributioncoreTurn14 Distribution serves as the primary USA distribution partner for AST x MOTON products. The company distributes to authorized dealers throughout the United States, enabling broad market reach in this important region.
- Precision Sport Industries (PSI)majorPSI is highlighted as a specialized partner providing expert guidance on MOTON suspension systems. Sean Myers at PSI offers technical support from setup and valving to final adjustment, with years of experience and direct access to AST technical resources.
- Paragon CompetitionmajorOfficial Service Center Canada and authorized dealer. Located at 1681 Langstaff Road, Unit 12, Vaughan, ON L4K 5T3, Canada. Provides certified rebuild services and technical support for AST products in Canada.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AST Suspension competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Öhlins Racing: Swedish manufacturer of high-performance monotube shock absorbers for motorsport, motorcycle, and premium automotive applications. Closely comparable to AST x MOTON on product architecture, customer segments (motorsport teams and premium enthusiasts), and rebuildable damper technology.
- JRZ Suspension: Premium motorsport-focused suspension manufacturer offering rebuildable, adjustable dampers for racing series worldwide. Closely comparable to MOTON's high-end motorsport product positioning and customer base.
- KW Suspensions: German manufacturer of coilovers, Clubsport, and motorsport suspension kits for street and track applications. Directly comparable across AST's Motorsport, Clubracing, and Street Performance segments with similar product breadth and global dealer distribution.
- TEIN: Japanese performance suspension manufacturer offering coilovers, lowering springs, and electronic damping systems for street and motorsport. Comparable product range and target segments, with regional strength across Asia and global distribution.
- Penske Racing Shocks: U.S.-based specialist in motorsport shock absorbers used across INDYCAR, IMSA, NASCAR, and professional racing series. Directly comparable to MOTON's professional motorsport tier and overlapping customer base in North American racing.
- BC Racing: Manufacturer of adjustable coilovers and full coilover kits serving street performance and motorsport markets. Directly comparable to AST's Street Performance and Clubracing product lines with similar price-point positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Bilstein: Established German shock absorber and suspension manufacturer supplying OEM and aftermarket across passenger, motorsport, and commercial vehicles. Overlaps with AST x MOTON but operates at significantly greater scale with broader product portfolio including OE supply.
- KONI: Dutch heritage shock absorber manufacturer with deep motorsport roots (former employer of AST founder Piet Kreeft). Overlaps directly with AST on adjustable damper technology and motorsport heritage, but serves a much broader OEM/aftermarket base.
Regional players
- Aragosta: Italian motorsport suspension specialist founded by AST founder Piet Kreeft, focusing on motorsport and high-performance street applications in Europe. Direct historical and technical lineage to AST's motorsport product DNA.
Emerging players
- Vorshlag: U.S.-based specialist in motorsport and track-focused suspension, chassis, and aerodynamic components. Comparable focus on time attack, club racing, and BMW platforms that overlap with AST's Clubracing segment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AST Suspension social profiles
Digital presenceAST Suspension compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
AST Suspension financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AST Suspension leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
AST Suspension subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
AST Suspension funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AST Suspension 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 AST Suspension
What does AST Suspension do?
AST Suspension develops, manufactures and sells high-performance shock absorbers, coilover kits and lowering springs under the AST and MOTON brands. Products serve three segments — motorsport (professional racing), clubracing (track day enthusiasts), and street performance (driving enthusiasts) — along with custom industrial applications. All products are 100% designed and produced in-house in the Netherlands.
Is AST Suspension a public or private company?
AST Suspension is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AST Suspension founded?
AST Suspension was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AST Suspension based?
AST Suspension is headquartered in Valkenswaard, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does AST Suspension make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Suspension Systems Sales are the primary driver. The others are suspension Rebuild Services.
Who are AST Suspension's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Öhlins Racing, JRZ Suspension, KW Suspensions, TEIN, Penske Racing Shocks and BC Racing. Broad incumbents are Bilstein and KONI. Aragosta is listed as a regional player. Vorshlag is listed as an emerging player.
Does AST Suspension have an API?
No public API is recorded for AST Suspension.
What industry is AST Suspension in?
AST Suspension's product category is Automotive Suspension Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAIAA, Suspension Systems & Components (Springs/Shocks/Struts/Air Suspension), with a secondary code of IMACANAC, Aftermarket Suspension & Steering Components Manufacturing (Shocks/Struts/Bushings/Tie Rods). Its NAICS code is 33633 and its SIC code is 3751.