Suspa

Infobox_Company
company_name = SUSPA Holding GmbH
company_
company_type = Public (GmbH)
foundation = 1951
num_employees = 1,650 (2008-02-27)
location = flagicon|Germany Altdorf near Nuremberg, Germany
revenue = € 160 million
products = Gas springs, dampers, adjustment systems, crash management
homepage = [http://www.suspa.com www.suspa.com]

SUSPA Holding GmbH is a manufacturer of gas springs, dampers, height adjustment systems, crash management systems and safety systems for many different industries. In 2007, the company, located in Altdorf near Nuremberg, Germany had approximately 160 million EUR in sales with 1,650 employees.

Company History

1951 SUSPA Suspension Technology GmbH was inaugurated and manufactured spring struts for two-wheel vehicles. 1959 SUSPA develops a damping system for washing machines which ends the irritating "bouncing". Just three years later SUSPA is the market leader. The first products for the automobile industry are gas springs for opening and closing of tailgates in 1964. 1969 SUSPA develops a height adjustment system and a positioning system for backrests of office chairs.1973 – 1978 SUSPA expands in Europe, Asia and America; SUSPA develops silicone-damped impact absorbers for automobiles. 1988 SUSPA diversifies to a three-component water paint system and thus protects the environment by abstaining from using solvents and amines. 1991 SUSPA develops height adjustment systems for tables and work surfaces. 1994 a new business is founded in India. The mass production of spoiler adjustment systems begins in 1999 and SUSPA becomes a system supplier for the automotive industry. One year later SUSPA produces its first crash management system and opens an assembly plant in the Czech Republic. In 2003 the production capacities in Asia are expanded. Steadily increasing price competition in the world market coupled with heavily increased material costs forces SUSPA in 2008 to stop manufacturing gas springs for chairs and to focus more on the core business (Automotive and Industry).

Company Structure

The company is divided into two divisions, Automotive and Industrial. Automotive contains three business segments: Powered Systems, Crash Management Systems and Components. The Industrial division contains two business segments: Industrial Applications and Household Applications.

SUSPA has the following subsidiary companies:
* SUSPA Holding GmbH, Altdorf near Nuremberg (Germany)
* SUSPA Compart GmbH, Sulzbach-Rosenberg (Germany)
* SUSPA Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH , Kleve (Germany)
* SUSPA CZ, Bor (Czech Republic)
* SUSPA UK Ltd., Northampton (Great Britain)
* SUSPA Incorporated, Grand Rapids (Michigan, USA)
* SUSPA Incorporated, Detroit Office, Bloomfield Hills (Michigan, USA)
* SUSPA Pneumatics (India) Pvt. Ltd., Chennai (India)
* SUSPA (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Nanjing (Peoples Republic of China)
* SUSPA Compart Asia Ltd. (Singapore)

Products

The most important product is the gas spring offered in many different varieties, but during the last few years SUSPA has expanded it’s capabilities to become a system supplier, especially for the automotive industry, for which they develop and produce complete adjustment- or crash management systems. SUSPA adds value to the gas spring by adding more features; hence, e.g. table columns which can easily be operated and only consist of one single gas spring (Product: VARISTAND).

Gas Springs

* Non-Locking Gas springs for automotive and industrial applications
* Lockable Gas springs

Dampers

* Hydraulic Dampers
* Friction Dampers

Adjustment Systems

* Automotive Powered Spoilers
* Seat Comfort Drives
* Powered Tailgates and Trunklids
* Convertible Roof Power Closures
* Office Desk Height Adjustment Systems

Crash Management

* Crash Management Systems
* Occupants Protection Systems
* Pedestrian Protection Systems

Piston Rods and Tubes

* Spindles
* Bolts
* Pins
* Piston Rods
* Tubes

Executive Board

CEO: Dipl.-Ing. Guido Wey (since 2003)

CFO: Dipl.-Wirtsch. Ing. Timo Stahl (since 2005)