Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu manufactures automotive shock absorbers and suspension modules, supplying premium OEMs such as Daimler, JLR, Maserati, Porsche, and BMW from three plants in Sibiu, Romania, alongside aftermarket and motorsport channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersSibiu, Romania
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu does
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu (legal entity thyssenkrupp Bilstein SA) is a Romanian automotive component manufacturer and wholly-owned subsidiary of the German conglomerate thyssenkrupp AG, operating within its Automotive Technology division. Founded in 1996 as a joint venture between German Bilstein and Romanian Compa, it has been fully owned by thyssenkrupp Bilstein since Compa's shareholding was acquired. The company manufactures automotive shock absorbers and suspension components — conventional gas-pressure dampers, electronically adjustable dampers (DampTronic line, including the patented DampTronic X with electromagnetic bypass control under patent 10 2015 102 478.0), complete suspension strut modules, and stabilizer bar systems — at three plants in Sibiu, Romania, following a 2017 Plant Sibiu 2 inauguration (~60 million EUR, 21,000 sqm) and a July 2020 capacity extension that together totaled over 100 million EUR of investment in four years.
The company serves three customer segments. The primary OE segment supplies embedded suspension components directly to premium automotive manufacturers including Daimler, Jaguar Land Rover, Maserati, Porsche, and BMW for new vehicle production, with components co-developed and specified into vehicle platforms (e.g., Porsche 992). An aftermarket segment distributes replacement parts, street-performance, off-road, and motorsport products through the global Bilstein catalog and reseller channels. A Special Projects (KSW / Kundensonderwunsch) unit executes hundreds of customer-specific custom suspension projects. The business is operated on a B2B quote-based pricing model with no publicly disclosed pricing or unit economics, and is governed by automotive-industry certifications (IATF 16949:2016, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018).
Go-to-market is OEM-embedded direct supply to automotive manufacturers, supplemented by sales-led aftermarket distribution. Operational modernization includes company-wide SAP ERP (2013), centralized logistics (2005), and Smart Factory/Industry 4.0 initiatives launched in 2019 with collaborative robots. The company employs over 1,000 people (grown from ~400 in 2011) and is led by CEO and Chairman Radu Betea, with Nicolae Viașu as general director / legal representative. As a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of thyssenkrupp AG, strategic direction is set within the parent's Automotive Technology portfolio of 60+ locations across four continents.
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu
- Legal name
- thyssenkrupp Bilstein SA
- Website
- https://bilstein.ro
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu manufactures automotive shock absorbers and suspension modules, supplying premium OEMs such as Daimler, JLR, Maserati, Porsche, and BMW from three plants in Sibiu, Romania, alongside aftermarket and motorsport channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Suspension Components
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (33633)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Suspension Systems & Components (Springs/Shocks/Struts/Air Suspension) (IMACAIAA)
Keywords
Where Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sibiu
- HQ country
- Romania
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Original Equipment (OE) Components: Manufacturing and supplying shock absorbers and suspension components to major automotive OEMs (Daimler, Jaguar Land Rover, Maserati, Porsche) as original equipment for new vehicles.
- After-Market Parts: Replacement suspension components sold through after-market distribution channels for street performance, off-road performance, and motorsport applications.
- Special Projects (KSW): Custom special projects fulfilling customer-specific requirements, particularly for passionate drivers seeking vehicle performance improvements.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu product offering
Product offeringCore offering
thyssenkrupp Bilstein SA in Sibiu, Romania manufactures automotive shock absorbers and suspension components, including conventional gas pressure shock absorbers, electronically adjustable dampers (DampTronic), and integrated suspension strut modules. The plant also produces aftermarket replacement dampers and executes KSW special projects for motorsport and performance vehicle programs.
Product overview
thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu manufactures shock absorbers and suspension systems as part of the thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology division. The product portfolio includes conventional gas pressure shock absorbers, electronically adjustable DampTronic dampers with electromagnetic valve technology, and complete suspension strut modules. Products are supplied both as Original Equipment (OE) to major automotive manufacturers and through the After-Market channel covering street performance, off-road, and motorsport applications. The company also fulfills Special Projects (KSW) for custom customer-specific suspension solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Gas Pressure Shock Absorbers
- DampTronic Electronically Adjustable Shock Absorbers
- Suspension Strut Modules
- Aftermarket Shock Absorbers
- KSW Special Projects (Motorsport and Performance)
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 100 million EUR in investments at Sibiu facilities in four years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators11 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Continental AG: Large diversified automotive supplier with chassis and suspension adjacencies within its broader portfolio — overlapping capability set but not specialized in OE dampers the way Bilstein is.
- Marelli: Broad automotive components supplier (formerly Magneti Marelli) with suspension-adjacent product lines — comparable as a tier-1 automotive supplier but not specialized in dampers.
Direct peers
- Showa Corporation: Subsidiary of Honda specializing in automotive shock absorbers and steering components, with global OE and aftermarket presence — directly comparable in damper manufacturing.
- ZF Friedrichshafen: Global chassis and suspension technology Tier-1 supplying dampers, active suspension systems, and chassis modules to premium OEMs across passenger and commercial vehicles — directly comparable product portfolio and customer overlap with Bilstein Sibiu.
- BWI Group: Specializes in chassis and suspension systems including advanced semi-active and active dampers — directly comparable technology positioning in electronically controlled suspension.
- Hitachi Astemo: Supplies chassis and suspension components, including electronically controlled dampers, to global OEMs — directly comparable in OE electronically adjustable suspension technology.
- Mando Corporation: Korean chassis and suspension specialist supplying dampers, struts, and modules to global OEMs — directly comparable in OE suspension manufacturing.
- Tenneco (DRiV / Apollo): Owns the Monroe and Öhlins shock absorber brands and supplies OE and aftermarket dampers globally; one of the closest direct competitors to Bilstein in both OE and aftermarket channels.
- KYB Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of hydraulic shock absorbers and suspension systems, supplying major global OEMs and the aftermarket — directly comparable product category and channel mix.
- Gabriel (Ride Control, LLC): Long-established shock absorber brand focused on the aftermarket with OE adjacencies — directly comparable in the aftermarket damper channel where Bilstein competes for street performance and motorsport sales.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu social profiles
Digital presenceThyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu 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 Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu
What does Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu do?
thyssenkrupp Bilstein SA in Sibiu, Romania manufactures automotive shock absorbers and suspension components, including conventional gas pressure shock absorbers, electronically adjustable dampers (DampTronic), and integrated suspension strut modules. The plant also produces aftermarket replacement dampers and executes KSW special projects for motorsport and performance vehicle programs.
Is Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu a public or private company?
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu founded?
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu was founded in 1996. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu based?
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu is headquartered in Sibiu, Romania, in the Europe region.
How does Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Original Equipment (OE) Components are the primary driver. The others are after-Market Parts and special Projects (KSW).
Who are Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Continental AG and Marelli. Direct peers are Showa Corporation, ZF Friedrichshafen, BWI Group, Hitachi Astemo, Mando Corporation, Tenneco (DRiV / Apollo), KYB Corporation and Gabriel (Ride Control, LLC).
Does Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu have an API?
No public API is recorded for Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu.
What industry is Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu in?
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Sibiu's product category is Automotive Suspension Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAIAA, Suspension Systems & Components (Springs/Shocks/Struts/Air Suspension). Its NAICS code is 33633.