What Knott-Avonride does

Knott-Avonride Limited is a UK-based manufacturer and importer specialising in trailer technology and brake technology for industrial vehicles, operating as the UK operating entity within the Knott Group conglomerate. Founded in 1983 and registered in England & Wales (Company No. 01691074), the company runs a dual-site footprint comprising its Burton upon Trent headquarters and a South Wales manufacturing facility in Maesteg. It holds ISO 9001:2015 certification audited by BSI.

The company organises its offering into two business segments. Trailer Technology covers trailer chassis, trailer lowering systems, and Electronic Traction Systems (ETS). Brake Technology spans drum brakes, disc brakes (including cam, hydraulic fixed-calliper, hydraulic sliding calliper, mechanical sliding calliper, pneumatic, and hydromechanical variants with torque ratings from 2,600 Nm to 120,000 Nm), oil-cooled wet multi-disc brakes operating on the ball-ramp principle in both multi and mono servo configurations, and electromagnetic brakes marketed under the Knott-Vortex sub-brand through a joint venture with Indian partner Vortex (covering 37–500 mm diameters and braking torques up to 1,500 Nm).

Knott-Avonride pursues a B2B sales-led go-to-market, selling directly to industrial vehicle OEMs and fleet operators across seven verticals: forestry and agriculture (primary), construction and mining, military vehicles and trailers, airfield ground support equipment, municipal vehicles, material handling, and trailer manufacturers (primary). Pricing is quote-based with no public disclosure. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales of brake components/systems and trailer technology products, with no subscription, licensing, or recurring service line evidenced in the data. Marketing channels include the corporate website (product catalogues, technical bulletins, maintenance documentation), an email newsletter, and LinkedIn/Twitter corporate accounts. No revenue figures, funding rounds, M&A activity, or leadership changes are disclosed.

Name

Knott-Avonride

Legal name

Knott-Avonride Limited

Website

https://knottuk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Knott-Avonride Limited is a UK manufacturer of brake and trailer technology products — including disc, drum, multi-disc, and electromagnetic brakes plus trailer chassis and lowering systems — serving industrial vehicle OEMs and fleet operators across agriculture, construction, mining, military, airfield, municipal, and material handling sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Brake and Trailer Components Manufacturing

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (33634), Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (336330), Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (33633)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Brake Friction & Rotors (Pads/Shoes/Discs/Drums) (IMACAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydraulic Brake Systems (Master Cylinders/Calipers/Lines/Boosters) (IMACAIAD), Brakes, Clutches & Couplings (Electromagnetic Brakes, Torque Limiters) (IMAGACAK), Truck Chassis, Axle, Suspension & Brake Systems Manufacturing (IMACABAL), Brake Control & Modulation Systems (ABS/ESC/EBD Modules & Hydraulics) (IMACAIAF), Material Handling & Industrial Lift Vehicle Manufacturing (Forklifts/Telehandlers/Reach Stackers) (IMACAFAD)

Keywords

• Industrial brake systems
• Trailer technology components
• Disc brake manufacturing
• Electromagnetic brakes
• Commercial vehicle braking

Headquarters

HQ city

Burton Upon Trent

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Brake Components and Systems: Manufacturing and sale of brake components including disc brakes, drum brakes, multi-disc brakes, and electromagnetic brakes to industrial vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators.
2. Trailer Technology Products: Sale of trailer chassis, lowering systems, and related trailer components.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Knott-Avonride manufactures and supplies braking systems and trailer technology components for industrial and commercial vehicles. Its product portfolio spans two business segments: Brake Technology (drum brakes, disc brakes with multiple configurations including cam, hydraulic fixed-calliper, sliding calliper, pneumatic, and hydromechanical types, multi-disc wet brakes, and electromagnetic brakes) and Trailer Technology (chassis, trailer lowering systems, and ETS electronic traction systems). The company serves industrial OEMs and fleet operators across forestry, agriculture, construction, mining, military, airfield ground support, municipal, and material handling sectors.

Product overview

Knott-Avonride is a UK-based manufacturer and importer specializing in trailer and brake technology. The product portfolio consists of two core business segments: Trailer Technology (including chassis, trailer lowering systems, and ETS electronic traction systems) and Brake Technology (comprising drum brakes, disc brakes with various configurations including cam, hydraulic fixed-calliper, sliding calliper, pneumatic, and hydromechanical types, multi-disc wet brakes, and electromagnetic brakes). The company serves diverse industry sectors including forestry and agriculture, construction and mining, military vehicles and trailers, airfield ground support equipment, municipal vehicles, and material handling. Electromagnetic brakes are offered under the Knott-Vortex brand through a joint venture with Indian partner Vortex.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Knott-Vortex: Joint venture brand with Indian partner Vortex for electromagnetic brakes, available in sizes 37-500mm diameter with braking torques up to 1,500 Nm

Products and services

• Brake Technology

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• VortexcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerIndian joint venture partnership with Vortex, a specialist manufacturer of clutches and electromagnetic brakes. Products sold under the Knott-Vortex brand name for electromagnetic brake applications including ERA, ERB, ERC, EAA, EAR, and ERG series brakes with sizes from 37-500mm diameter and braking torques up to 1,500 Nm.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Haldex AB: Swedish supplier of brake and air suspension systems for heavy commercial vehicles. Direct peer in disc brake, drum brake and ABS/brake modulation technology for trucks, trailers and off-highway vehicles.
• SAF-Holland SE: European manufacturer of trailer axles, suspensions and brake systems for trucks and trailers. Closely comparable in product portfolio (trailer brakes, axles, suspension) and target markets (commercial vehicle OEMs and fleets).
• JOST Werke AG: German manufacturer of fifth wheel couplings, landing gears, king pins and related trailer components. Direct peer in trailer chassis and coupling technology serving commercial vehicle OEMs.
• Meritor, Inc. US supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets. Comparable in brake systems for heavy-duty trucks, trailers and off-highway equipment.
• BPW Bergische Achsen KG: German manufacturer of trailer axles, brake systems and chassis components for commercial trailers. Directly comparable to Knott-Avonride's trailer technology segment and shares the same European OEM customer base.
• AL-KO Vehicle Technology: European manufacturer of chassis, axles and braking systems for caravans, trailers and light commercial vehicles. Direct peer in trailer chassis and brake components for OEMs in the UK and European markets.

Broad incumbents

• WABCO (ZF Friedrichshafen): Now part of ZF, WABCO was a global supplier of braking systems, ABS, EBS and air management for commercial vehicles. Broad incumbent serving overlapping markets with deeper R&D and global reach.
• Continental AG (ContiTech): Global automotive supplier with a commercial vehicle and industrial brake portfolio. Broad incumbent with significantly greater R&D, global manufacturing and integration capabilities than Knott-Avonride.
• Brembo S.p.A. Italian global leader in braking systems, primarily for cars and motorbikes but expanding into commercial vehicle segments. Broad incumbent with deeper R&D, brand recognition and scale advantages.
• Knorr-Bremse AG: Global leader in braking and other systems for commercial vehicles and rail. Operates as a broad incumbent with overlapping commercial vehicle brake products but a much wider portfolio and global footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/KnottAvonride
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knott-avonride-limited

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Knott-Avonride