What APP Group does

APP Group (legal entity: Advanced Performance Parts) is a privately held, founder-owned multi-division automotive parts company founded in 2003 by Jeremy Barras and headquartered in Bellingham, Washington. The group operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries across the United States (Advanced Performance Parts Inc., APP Impex Inc., APP AutoDNA LLC, APP Marketing Inc., APP Apollo LLC), Europe (Advanced Performance Parts B.V. in Harderwijk, Netherlands), and China (APP Apollo Inc. in Shanghai). The company serves five distinct customer segments: high-end sports car manufacturers (McLaren, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini) via its Apollo Aero carbon fiber composites division; major North American vehicle OEMs (Toyota, GM, FCA/Stellantis, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, Harley Davidson) via its OEM Parts & Systems division; the global performance aftermarket and motorsports industry; defense and security customers including NATO and the UN for armored vehicle brake systems; and owners of classic internal combustion vehicles through its APP EV Systems BEV conversion kit business.

The company's underlying technology is centered on proprietary Function Formed Carbon Composite manufacturing techniques (combining 3D technologies with carbon fiber forming) and OEM-validated BEV powertrain conversion engineering. Distribution is operated through 3-4 regional hubs serving dealers in 65+ countries, with exclusive European distribution rights for premium aftermarket brands including Hawk Performance, Girodisc, Hardrace, EBC Brakes, Wilwood, and Stoptech, and direct-to-consumer channels via BuyBrakes.com (North America) and Brakes-shop.com (Europe).

Revenue mechanics are hardware-led: APP Group sells Tier 1 carbon fiber components to high-end sports car OEMs, performance parts under exclusive distribution agreements, OEM induction/exhaust/brake systems through manufacturing partners, and BEV conversion kits as turn-key solutions. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The group employs 11-50 people across its global footprint and operates a 3,000 sqm European distribution center capable of fulfilling 80% of European orders from inventory within 2-3 days. There is no external institutional investment, and the company remains founder-controlled.

Name

APP Group

Legal name

Advanced Performance Parts

Website

https://appautomotive.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

APP Group is a privately held multi-division automotive parts company that designs, manufactures, and distributes performance brake systems, carbon fiber aero components, OEM parts, armored vehicle brakes, and EV conversion kits across 65+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Performance Parts

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (336340), Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (33634), Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (336330), Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363)

akta.pro primary industry

Aftermarket Performance & Tuning Products Manufacturing (Intakes/Turbos/ECU Tuners/Superchargers) (IMACANAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Automotive Exterior Body Panels & Closures Manufacturing (Bumpers/Fenders/Hoods/Doors/Tailgates) (IMACAKAD), Suspension Systems & Components (Springs/Shocks/Struts/Air Suspension) (IMACAIAA), Aftermarket Exhaust & Emissions Components Manufacturing (Mufflers/Catalysts/DPF/EGR) (IMACANAE)

Keywords

• Performance brake systems
• Automotive carbon fiber
• OEM parts supply
• EV conversion kits
• Armored vehicle brakes

Headquarters

HQ city

Harderwijk

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Performance Aftermarket Product Sales: Sales and distribution of brake and suspension systems to performance aftermarket and motorsports industries worldwide, including online retail sales in North America and Europe, and European distribution of performance brands for Japanese vehicles.
2. OEM Parts & Systems Supply: Design and supply of high performance induction, exhaust, accessory, and brake systems to vehicle manufacturers in the USA through manufacturing partners.
3. Defense & Security Brake Systems: Design and supply of brake systems for armored vehicles to security and defense industries worldwide, including NATO and UN.
4. Carbon Fiber Parts Manufacturing: Manufacturing and distribution of carbon fiber aero parts and systems for high-end sports car manufacturers, operating as Tier 1 supplier to Toyota/Lexus and Stellantis.
5. EV Conversion Systems: Design, build and sale of turn-key BEV powertrain conversion kits for classic internal combustion-powered vehicles through AppEVsystems.com.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

APP Group designs, manufactures, and distributes high-performance automotive brake and suspension systems, carbon fiber aero components, OEM parts, and Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) powertrain conversion kits. The company operates five divisions—Carbon Fiber Composites Manufacturing, OEM Parts & Systems, EV Conversion Systems, Performance Aftermarket, and Defence & Security—serving vehicle OEMs (Toyota, GM, Stellantis, etc.), high-end sports car brands (McLaren, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini), defense organizations (NATO, UN), and the global performance aftermarket across 65+ countries.

Product overview

APP Group is a multi-division automotive parts company with five core business divisions: Carbon Fiber Composites Manufacturing (producing aero parts for high-end sports cars via Apollo Aero brand), OEM Parts & Systems (supplying components to major vehicle manufacturers), EV Conversion System manufacturing (APP EV Systems LLC offering BEV powertrain conversion kits), Performance Aftermarket (global distribution and online retail via BuyBrakes.com and brakes-shop.com), and Defence and Security (armored vehicle brake systems). The company distributes multiple branded products including Wilwood Disc Brakes, Hawk Performance, Hardrace, Stoptech, and Girodisc. Operations span three regional hubs in USA (Bellingham, Washington; Detroit, Michigan; Reno, Nevada), Europe (Harderwijk, Netherlands), and China (Shanghai), serving customers in 65+ countries worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Apollo Aero: Carbon fiber parts manufacturer combining modern 3D technologies with perfected carbon fiber techniques
• APP EV Systems
• Apollo-Aero
• Brakes-shop.com
• Hardrace
• BuyBrakes.com

Products and services

• Carbon Fiber Composites Manufacturing Manufactures carbon fiber aero parts and systems for high-end sports cars including McLaren, Porsche, Ferrari, and Lamborghini using proprietary Function Formed Carbon Composite technology. Also acts as Tier 1 carbon fiber supplier to Toyota/Lexus and Stellantis. Operations in Shanghai, China and Bellingham, Washington State.
• OEM Parts & Systems Design and supply (through manufacturing partners) of high performance induction, exhaust, accessory, and brake systems to vehicle manufacturers in the USA, including Toyota, GM, FCA, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, and Harley Davidson. Engineering support from the Detroit office.
• EV Conversion System Manufacturing (APP EV Systems) Designs, builds, and sells turn-key Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) powertrain conversion kits for owners of internal combustion-powered classic vehicles. Kits engineered and validated to OEM specifications and marketed as easier than an engine rebuild. Sold via AppEVsystems.com.
• Performance Aftermarket Sales and distribution of brake and suspension systems to the performance aftermarket and motorsports industries worldwide, including online retail sales and distribution of braking systems and components in North America and Europe, and European distribution of a full range of performance brands and parts for Japanese vehicles.
• Defence and Security Design and supply of brake systems for armoured vehicles for the security and defence industries worldwide, including NATO and the UN. Specialised materials and engineering for high weight, high temperature, and extreme durability conditions.
• BuyBrakes.com Internet-based retail sales platform operated by APP AutoDNA LLC offering a full range of brake products directly to consumers in the North American market.
• Brakes-shop.com European online retail platform operated by APP Europe (Advanced Performance Parts B.V.) for performance brake products and components, serving dealers and end consumers across Europe.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of European orders fulfilled within 2-3 days from own inventory
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• K&NcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerManufacturing partner supplying induction systems to APP's OEM Parts & Systems division for supply to vehicle manufacturers.
• StoptechcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerManufacturing partner supplying brake systems and components through APP's manufacturing partners for OEM supply.
• IDDEAcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerManufacturing partner supplying components to APP's OEM Parts & Systems division.
• Hawk PerformancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAPP Europe is the exclusive importer and distributor for Hawk Performance in Europe, offering brake performance products.
• GirodisccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAPP Europe is the exclusive importer and distributor for Girodisc performance brake components in Europe.
• HardracecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAPP Europe is the exclusive importer and distributor for Hardrace in Europe, specializing in reinforced suspension products for street and race applications.
• EBC BrakesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAPP Europe carries EBC Brakes products as part of their performance brake component offerings.
• FerodominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAPP Europe carries Ferodo products as part of their performance brake component offerings.
• CentricminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAPP China distributes Centric brake components in the Chinese market.
• Wilwood Disc BrakesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWilwood Disc Brakes shown as brand in APP's portfolio, suggesting distribution relationship.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Electric Classic Cars: Electric Classic Cars is a UK-based specialist that converts classic internal combustion vehicles to electric powertrains, directly overlapping with APP EV Systems' BEV conversion kit business for the same classic-car customer segment.

Direct peers

• Borla Performance Industries: Borla designs and manufactures high-performance exhaust systems for sports cars, muscle cars, and trucks, supplying both aftermarket and OEM customers. It directly overlaps with APP Group's OEM Parts & Systems division which supplies exhaust systems to vehicle manufacturers.
• K&N Engineering: K&N manufactures high-flow air intake systems and performance filtration products for automotive and motorcycle applications. APP Group names K&N as a manufacturing partner supplying induction systems to its OEM division, making them directly comparable in performance induction products.
• EBC Brakes: EBC Brakes manufactures aftermarket brake pads, rotors, and calipers for motorcycles, cars, and trucks across performance and sport segments. APP Europe carries EBC products, and EBC is a directly comparable competitor in the same performance aftermarket brake category.
• Brembo: Brembo is a global leader in high-performance brake systems for premium and sports car OEMs and the aftermarket. It directly competes with APP Group across performance brake calipers, rotors, and friction products for the same performance and motorsports customer base.
• Girodisc: Girodisc manufactures aftermarket performance brake rotors (typically two-piece designs) for high-end sports cars and supercars. APP Europe is the exclusive European distributor, positioning Girodisc as a direct product-line peer to APP's brake offerings.
• Bilstein (ThyssenKrupp / H&R): Bilstein is a global manufacturer of high-performance shock absorbers and suspension components for OEMs and the aftermarket. APP Group distributes Hardrace (comparable reinforced suspension products), making Bilstein a directly overlapping peer in performance suspension systems.
• Wilwood Engineering: Wilwood designs and manufactures high-performance disc brake systems for racing, muscle cars, and street performance vehicles. APP Group distributes Wilwood under its brand portfolio, making it a directly overlapping peer in performance brake calipers, rotors, and master cylinders.
• Stoptech (Carlisle Companies): Stoptech is a manufacturer of high-performance brake systems and is distributed by APP China. It serves the same performance/aftermarket and OEM customer base with overlapping caliper, rotor, and pad product lines.
• Hawk Performance (Carlisle Companies): Hawk Performance manufactures performance friction materials (brake pads, rotors) for motorsports and street performance vehicles. APP Europe holds exclusive distribution rights for Hawk in Europe, making the companies directly comparable across product, customer, and channel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

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 APP Group