Winkler
Winkler (Christian Winkler GmbH & Co. KG) is a German commercial vehicle parts specialist founded in 1901, distributing over 200,000 spare parts for trucks, trailers, buses, transporters, and agricultural machinery across Europe through online, branch, and mobile channels, complemented by custom manufacturing and repair services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1901
- HeadquartersStuttgart, Germany
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Winkler does
Winkler (legal entity: Christian Winkler GmbH & Co. KG) is a German commercial vehicle parts specialist founded in 1901 and headquartered in Stuttgart. The company manufactures, distributes, and services spare and wear parts for trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, buses, transporters, and agricultural machinery, maintaining an inventory of over 200,000 parts across three central warehouses to serve customers throughout the DACH region and additional European markets including France, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia.
The product portfolio is organized into three pillars: vehicle parts (Fahrzeugteile) covering brakes, suspension, hydraulics, lighting, electronics, engine and drivetrain, cab components, load securing, and tank/silo equipment; operating equipment (Betriebsausrüstung) including work safety gear, workshop tools, and chemical products; and services encompassing custom spring manufacturing (Federnfertigung with approximately 850 leaf and parabolic spring variants in stock), custom hose manufacturing (Schlauchfertigung), multi-brand vehicle diagnostics, axle and hydraulic cylinder repair, and authorized service work for KAMAG vehicles. Winkler is the exclusive distributor of ATHOS premium tires and offers dedicated content assets such as the Hydraulic Magazine Online.
The commercial model combines three revenue streams: replacement parts sales (OEM and private label), workshop equipment and operating supplies, and professional repair and maintenance services. Distribution occurs through the B2B online shop (shop.winkler.com) with an OCI e-procurement interface for enterprise integration, a network of physical branches, in-house expert advisors (Fachberater), and the Winkler Now mobile app. Customer segments are horizontally defined and include agricultural businesses, commercial vehicle operators, bus companies, and workshops, with the marketing approach combining website content, newsletter, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, XING, YouTube), industry trade shows, and employer branding via Kununu. The company operates with 1,001-5,000 employees and is privately held with no external private equity or venture capital involvement disclosed.
Winkler firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Winkler
- Legal name
- Christian Winkler GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://winkler.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1901
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Winkler (Christian Winkler GmbH & Co. KG) is a German commercial vehicle parts specialist founded in 1901, distributing over 200,000 spare parts for trucks, trailers, buses, transporters, and agricultural machinery across Europe through online, branch, and mobile channels, complemented by custom manufacturing and repair services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Winkler industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Vehicle Parts Distribution
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363), Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (33639)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013), Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial Vehicle Parts Distribution (Heavy-Duty Truck/Bus) (TLAKAOAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Tires, Wheels & Retread Supply Distribution (TLAKAOAD), Replacement Wear Parts Manufacturing (Filters/Belts/Hoses/Wipers/Spark Plugs) (IMACANAA), Aftermarket Tools, Equipment & Garage Accessories Manufacturing (Jacks/Lifts/Diagnostic Tools/Compressors) (IMACANAM)
Keywords
Where Winkler is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stuttgart
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Winkler business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Replacement Parts Sales: Sale of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and private label replacement parts for commercial vehicles including trucks, trailers, buses, transporters, and agricultural machinery. Products include vehicle parts (brakes, suspension, hydraulics, lighting, electronics), spare parts, and wear parts.
- Workshop Equipment and Operating Supplies: Sale of workshop equipment, tools, chemical products, oils, greases, and maintenance supplies for commercial vehicle maintenance operations.
- Repair and Maintenance Services: Professional services including vehicle repair, axle repair, hydraulic cylinder repair, spring manufacturing, hose fabrication, seat repair, and climate service for buses.
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Winkler product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Winkler manufactures and distributes over 200,000 replacement and wear parts for commercial vehicles including trucks, trailers, omnibuses, transporters, and agricultural machinery. The company operates across three product pillars — vehicle parts (brakes, suspension, hydraulics, lighting, electronics), operating equipment (workshop tools, safety gear, chemical products), and services (custom spring and hose manufacturing, vehicle diagnostics, repair services). Products are stocked across three large central warehouses serving the DACH region and parts of Europe.
Product overview
Winkler is a commercial vehicle parts specialist (Nutzfahrzeugspezialist) offering a comprehensive product portfolio centered on three pillars: Fahrzeugteile (Vehicle Parts), Betriebsausrüstung (Operating Equipment), and Services. The vehicle parts division provides over 200,000 replacement and wear parts for trucks, trailers, omnibusses, transporters, and agricultural machinery, organized into categories including axle/chassis/steering, brakes, suspension (air springs, leaf springs, shock absorbers), hydraulics, lighting, electronics, HVAC, engine/transmission, and tank/silo equipment. The own-brand ATHOS premium tires complement the wheel and tire offerings. The services division includes custom spring manufacturing (Federnfertigung) and custom hose manufacturing (Schlauchfertigung), vehicle diagnostics, repair services (instandsetzung), and the Winkler Now mobile app. The B2B online shop integrates with customer procurement systems via OCI interface and provides access to the full catalog.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fahrzeugteile (Vehicle Parts)
Companies that use Winkler
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Winkler technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Winkler partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- KAMAG TransporttechnikcoreAuthorized service partner for KAMAG Transporttechnik vehicles. Performs complete repair, maintenance, and service work including all warranty services. Provides comprehensive service support for KAMAG vehicles.
- ATHOS (own brand)coreWinkler offers ATHOS premium tires as part of their proprietary private label product line, providing high-quality tire options under their own brand alongside third-party manufacturer products.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Winkler competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SAF-HOLLAND SE: SAF-HOLLAND is a major European manufacturer of trailer axles, suspension, and brake systems for commercial vehicles. While primarily a manufacturer rather than a parts distributor, it competes with Winkler's proprietary parts and supply relationships with fleet operators across Europe.
- Robert Bosch GmbH (Automotive Aftermarket): Bosch is the world's largest automotive supplier and operates a major aftermarket parts business spanning diagnostics, brakes, electrical, and wear parts. It is a structural competitor and adjacent player to Winkler in commercial vehicle workshops across Europe.
- Knorr-Bremse AG: Knorr-Bremse is the global market leader in commercial vehicle braking systems and a major supplier of other commercial vehicle subsystems. Its aftermarket parts business competes with Winkler's brake and compressed-air categories across the DACH and broader European region.
- BPW Bergische Achsen KG: BPW is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of truck and trailer axles and suspension systems, and is also a Winkler technology/integration partner (axle number search). It represents the kind of OEM player that could disintermediate independent distributors via direct service networks.
- Continental AG (Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket): Continental is a major global tire and automotive components manufacturer with a substantial commercial vehicle aftermarket business. Its tire, brake, and electronics product lines compete directly with Winkler's offerings, including its own-brand ATHOS premium tire positioning.
Direct peers
- Granit Parts (Fricke Group): Granit Parts is the aftermarket distribution arm of the Fricke Group, supplying replacement parts for agricultural machinery, commercial vehicles, and ground-care equipment across Europe. Its multi-segment, multi-country distribution model closely mirrors Winkler's structure.
- Kramp Group: Kramp is a leading European distributor of replacement parts, accessories, and workshop supplies for the agricultural and commercial vehicle industries. Like Winkler, it operates a large central warehouse model serving dealers and workshops across multiple European countries.
- PV Automotive GmbH: PV Automotive is a German commercial vehicle parts specialist distributing wear parts, accessories, and workshop supplies for trucks, trailers, and buses. Its product portfolio and target customer base (commercial vehicle workshops and fleet operators) align closely with Winkler's core offering.
- Bohnenkamp AG: Bohnenkamp is a major German-based wholesale distributor specializing in tires, wheels, and related components for commercial vehicles, agricultural machinery, and trailers. The company overlaps directly with Winkler's wheel/tire distribution and agricultural segments, including proprietary tire brands.
- Europart Trading GmbH: Europart is a leading European commercial vehicle parts distributor headquartered in Hagen, Germany. It is one of Winkler's most direct competitors, serving truck, trailer, bus, and transporter workshops across multiple European countries with a comparable parts distribution and services model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Winkler social profiles
Digital presenceWinkler financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Winkler leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Winkler funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Winkler 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 Winkler
What does Winkler do?
Winkler manufactures and distributes over 200,000 replacement and wear parts for commercial vehicles including trucks, trailers, omnibuses, transporters, and agricultural machinery. The company operates across three product pillars — vehicle parts (brakes, suspension, hydraulics, lighting, electronics), operating equipment (workshop tools, safety gear, chemical products), and services (custom spring and hose manufacturing, vehicle diagnostics, repair services). Products are stocked across three large central warehouses serving the DACH region and parts of Europe.
Is Winkler a public or private company?
Winkler is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Winkler founded?
Winkler was founded in 1901. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Winkler based?
Winkler is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Winkler make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Replacement Parts Sales are the primary driver. The others are workshop Equipment and Operating Supplies and repair and Maintenance Services.
Who are Winkler's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SAF-HOLLAND SE, Robert Bosch GmbH (Automotive Aftermarket), Knorr-Bremse AG, BPW Bergische Achsen KG and Continental AG (Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket). Direct peers are Granit Parts (Fricke Group), Kramp Group, PV Automotive GmbH, Bohnenkamp AG and Europart Trading GmbH.
Does Winkler have an API?
No public API is recorded for Winkler.
What industry is Winkler in?
Winkler's product category is Commercial Vehicle Parts Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAKAOAB, Commercial Vehicle Parts Distribution (Heavy-Duty Truck/Bus), with a secondary code of TLAKAOAD, Tires, Wheels & Retread Supply Distribution. Its NAICS code is 3363 and its SIC code is 5010.