What Steertec Raufoss does

Willi Elbe (operating as Steertec Raufoss at the Raufoss, Norway subsidiary) is a German Tier 1 automotive supplier founded in 1951 and headquartered in Tamm, Germany, with approximately 900 employees worldwide. The company operates three core technology platforms: steering technology, driveline technology, and cold forming technology. Its product portfolio includes steering columns, intermediate shafts, mechanical and hydraulic power steering components, cold-formed metal parts, and electromechanical steering solutions. Willi Elbe serves premium automotive OEMs, commercial vehicle manufacturers, off-highway, motorcycle, and defense customers globally, with components fitted in approximately 64 million vehicles annually.

The company runs a local-for-local manufacturing model with production facilities across Germany, Switzerland, Norway, China, Bulgaria, and Mexico, producing 9 million parts per year at a quality rate below 10 PPM. Willi Elbe holds proprietary patented technologies, including aluminum cold forming (described as globally unique) and steer-by-wire technology targeted at next-generation mobility applications. The company maintains long-standing customer relationships, notably BMW since 1951, and has expanded into EV manufacturers in the USA and China over the past decade.

Following its acquisition by AEQUITA Group in 2020, Willi Elbe returned to operating profitability, opened a new consolidated headquarters in Tamm in 2024, and is targeting revenue above EUR 250 million against a 2025 base of EUR 188 million. The Raufoss, Norway subsidiary (Steertec Raufoss / Willi Elbe Raufoss), which originated from the 2001 acquisition of Raufoss Technology's steering column division, brings specialized cold forming expertise. The company holds ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001, IATF 16949, and TISAX certifications, reports a zero gender pay gap, and has reduced CO2 emissions by 14% versus 2023 with three plants on renewable electricity.

Name

Steertec Raufoss

Legal name

Willi Elbe Gelenkwellen GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://willielbegroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Willi Elbe is a German Tier 1 automotive supplier founded in 1951, providing steering, driveline, and patented aluminum cold forming technologies to premium OEMs, commercial vehicle, off-highway, motorcycle, and defense customers across eight global plants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tamm

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automotive Components Sales: Willi Elbe generates revenue through the sale of customized steering and driveline components and systems to automotive OEMs. As a Tier 1 supplier, the company develops and manufactures customer-specific solutions including steering columns, intermediate shafts, driveline components, and cold-formed aluminum parts. Revenue is transaction-based, derived from long-term OEM supply contracts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Willi Elbe is a Tier 1 automotive supplier that develops and manufactures customized steering and driveline components, including steering columns, intermediate shafts, steering spindles, complete steering modules, cardan shafts, universal joint shafts, and propeller shafts. The company also applies a proprietary CO2-efficient aluminum cold forming technology to produce lightweight, near-net-shape components for automotive and defense customers. Operations span six manufacturing plants across Europe, Asia, and North America with approximately 900 employees globally.

Product overview

Willi Elbe is a Tier-1 automotive supplier offering three interconnected product lines: Steering Technology (steering columns, intermediate shafts, steering modules), Driveline Technology (cardan shafts, universal joint shafts, propeller shafts), and Cold Forming Technology (aluminum components via proprietary cold forming process). The product portfolio centers on lightweight, precision-engineered components connecting driver, vehicle and road. The company leverages CO2-efficient aluminum cold forming as a key differentiator, enabling complex geometries and near-net-shape production. Solutions target passenger cars, commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles, and motorcycles, with applications extending to defense sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Steering Technology

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual production of 9 million parts with PPM rate below 10
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mando Corporation: Korean Tier 1 supplier of steering, braking, and suspension systems to global OEMs — directly comparable in steering columns and chassis components.
• JTEKT Corporation: Major manufacturer of steering systems, driveline components, and bearings; serves passenger and commercial vehicle OEMs globally — directly competing in steering columns and driveline.
• ThyssenKrupp Automotive Steering (Presta): Steering column and electric power steering manufacturer with deep OEM relationships; comparable in steering column technology and Tier 1 supply model.
• Robert Bosch (Automotive Steering division): World's largest steering system supplier, including electric power steering and steer-by-wire — a direct competitor in steering technologies and OEM supply.
• Showa Corporation: Specializes in steering systems (primarily power steering gears and columns) for passenger vehicles and motorcycles — directly comparable to Willi Elbe's steering technology focus.
• Nexteer Automotive: Global Tier 1 supplier specializing in steering and driveline systems, including steering columns and intermediate shafts — directly comparable product portfolio to Willi Elbe's core offering.
• NSK Ltd. Manufacturer of steering and driveline components, including steering columns and intermediate shafts; serves global automotive OEMs — comparable product lines and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• ZF Friedrichshafen: Large Tier 1 supplier with steering and driveline product lines (ZF Steering Systems) plus broader chassis and drivetrain portfolio — overlapping in steering and driveline but operating at much larger scale.
• Continental AG (Automotive Group): Broad automotive supplier with steering and driveline offerings within a wider electronics, tire, and chassis portfolio — overlapping in steering systems but at much greater scale.
• Hitachi Astemo: Tier 1 supplier of steering, suspension, and ADAS components as part of a broader automotive portfolio — overlapping in steering and chassis technologies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steertec-raufoss

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Steertec Raufoss