Verified Nov 2026
Metal Fabrication
·
Ennepetal, North Rhine-Westphalia
·
Since 1873
Bilstein, officially thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH, is headquartered in Ennepetal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and was founded in 1873. It employs roughly 1,000 to 5,000 people and manufactures shock absorbers, dampers, and suspension systems for automotive original equipment, aftermarket, and motorsport customers, along with electronics and industrial equipment applications. Among recent developments, the company's DampTronic X valve concept has moved into original equipment production. The company is privately held.
Bilstein at a glance
Revenue
<$10M
Est. band
Employees
1,000-5,000
Founded
1873
Headquarters
Ennepetal, North Rhine-Westphalia
Certifications
IATF 16949 · ISO 14001 · ISO 50001 · ISO 9001
Import activity
110
Industries
Automotive
Electric Vehicles
Electronics
Industrial Equipment
Sourcing and import activity
From US customs bill-of-lading records
US sea imports
110
Named foreign suppliers
28
Top origins
Germany · Belgium · Turkey · Slovenia
Shared foreign counterparties do not establish that these companies buy from Bilstein.
What this tells a buyer
No customs shipment data is available in the record, and the most recent reported development is the DampTronic X valve concept moving into original equipment production, as described by Bilstein on its website.
Products listed for the company include suspension systems and valve components, and the company holds IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 50001 certifications.
The company has operated for more than 150 years and reports production sites in Germany, Romania, the USA, China, and Mexico, with an estimated annual revenue band below $10M per the record.
Source: US customs bill-of-lading records and public filings · Last verified Nov 05, 2026
STABILITY SIGNALS
Established & active
153 years in operation (founded 1873).
Holds IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 9001 certification(s) per public sources.
Overview
Bilstein, officially thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH, is headquartered in Ennepetal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and was founded in 1873. It employs roughly 1,000 to 5,000 people and manufactures shock absorbers, dampers, and suspension systems for automotive original equipment, aftermarket, and motorsport customers, along with electronics and industrial equipment applications. Among recent developments, the company's DampTronic X valve concept has moved into original equipment production. The company is privately held.
At a glance
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Founded | 1873 |
Headquarters | Ennepetal, North Rhine-Westphalia |
Employees | 1,000-5,000 |
Revenue | <$10M (estimated) |
Primary capability | Metal Fabrication |
Certifications | IATF 16949 · ISO 14001 · ISO 50001 · ISO 9001 |
What Bilstein makes
Products listed for the company include suspension systems and valve components, and the company holds IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 50001 certifications.
Products and capabilities described on the company's own site include Suspension, Valve (source: bilstein.com).
Certifications
Bilstein is associated with the following certifications in public sources. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part:
IATF 16949 — bilstein-gruppe.de
ISO 14001 — bilstein-gruppe.de
ISO 50001 — bilstein-gruppe.de
ISO 9001 — bilstein-gruppe.de
Trade and customs footprint
No customs shipment data is available in the record, and the most recent reported development is the DampTronic X valve concept moving into original equipment production, as described by Bilstein on its website. US customs bill-of-lading records list 110 inbound shipments across 28 foreign suppliers, with top origins including Germany · Belgium · Turkey · Slovenia.
Latest developments
2026-10-29 — BILSTEIN DampTronic X: From valve concept to OE production - BILSTEIN (bilstein.com)
2026-09-27 — Bilstein Group: Vorarbeiten für 60-Millionen-Euro-Projekt in Ennepetal gestartet (wp.de)
2026-09-18 — bilstein group expands aftermarket: More parts, new markets, and modern logistics - Automechanika,Independent aftermarket (IAM) | News | PROFI-Werkstatt - Die Zeitschrift für den Nutzfahrzeug-Aftermarket - die Zeitschrift für den Nutzfahrzeug-Aftermarket (profi-werkstatt.net)
2026-09-10 — Ferdinand Bilstein UK Commits £40m to Markham Vale Distribution Centre Expansion - Garage Wire (garagewire.co.uk)
2026-04-30 — Expansion phase 2a is underway at our logistics site in Gelsenkirchen. | bilstein group (linkedin.com)
2025-09-18 — BBVA Advises InterAuto on its Sale to Bilstein Group - BBVA CIB (bbvacib.com)
Company details
The company has operated for more than 150 years and reports production sites in Germany, Romania, the USA, China, and Mexico, with an estimated annual revenue band below $10M per the record. Bilstein was founded in 1873, has an estimated 1,000-5,000 employees, and is headquartered in Ennepetal, North Rhine-Westphalia. On the LightSource stability read it is rated "Established & active": 153 years in operation (founded 1873). Holds IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 9001 certification(s) per public sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does Bilstein make?
Bilstein, officially thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH, is headquartered in Ennepetal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and was founded in 1873. It employs roughly 1,000 to 5,000 people and manufactures shock absorbers, dampers, and suspension systems for automotive original equipment, aftermarket, and motorsport customers, along with electronics and industrial equipment applications. Among recent developments, the company's DampTronic X valve concept has moved into original equipment production. The company is privately held.
Where is Bilstein headquartered?
Bilstein is headquartered in Ennepetal, North Rhine-Westphalia.
When was Bilstein founded?
Bilstein was founded in 1873.
How big is Bilstein?
Bilstein has an estimated 1,000-5,000 employees, with revenue in the <$10M range (estimated).
What certifications does Bilstein hold?
Bilstein lists IATF 16949 · ISO 14001 · ISO 50001 · ISO 9001 on its website. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part.
Does Bilstein import from overseas suppliers?
US customs bill-of-lading records show 110 inbound shipments for Bilstein, with top origins including Germany · Belgium · Turkey · Slovenia.
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Last verified Nov 2026. Is this your company? Request a correction.
Location & contact
Phone
+1 800-537-1085
Certification
IATF 16949 · ISO 14001 · ISO 50001 · ISO 9001
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