EUROPEAN LEAF SPRING MANUFACTURERS

Leading European leaf spring manufacturers

 

- The manufacturers below are listed in alphabetical order for easy reference -

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Caveo Automotive

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Location: Tunisia and Spain

Market focus: OEM supplier for LCVs, trucks, and trailers

Products: Leaf springs and stabilizer bars

Positioning: Business partner of leading automotive manufacturers with focus on cutting-edge suspension solutions

Website: www.caveoautomotive.com

Caveo is one of the major players in the suspension industry, with extensive expertise in demanding markets. The company is determined to pursue dynamic growth and provide worldwide service while maintaining close relationships with customers' specific needs.

 

ELO Automotive

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Location: Portugal (Seixal plant)

Founded: 1965

History: Part of the Batista Russo Group (formerly MAN importer)

Website: www.elo-automotive.com

ELO Automotive is a Portuguese manufacturer with nearly 60 years of history in the commercial vehicle industry, focusing on quality suspension components for the European market.

 

Federnwerk Bischoff

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Location: Germany (Staßfurt, Sachsen-Anhalt)

Founded: 1853 (family-owned business)

Employees: Over 100

Production facility: 8,000 m² manufacturing area, 1,000 m² warehouse

Specialization: Hot-formed leaf springs in medium and small series, as well as custom single pieces

Products: Parabolic springs for commercial vehicles, conventional and shaped leaf springs, railway springs, buffer springs, technical springs

Market: OEM supplier for vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket, railway sector, agricultural machinery, mechanical engineering

Services: Custom production according to drawings or samples, maintenance and refurbishment of railway springs, truck service center

Positioning: The only remaining producer of hot-formed leaf springs in medium and small series in East Germany

Vehicle coverage: Commercial vehicles, trucks, trailers, motorhomes, railway vehicles, agricultural machinery, classic cars

Website: www.federnwerk-bischoff.de

Federnwerk Bischoff represents over 170 years of German engineering tradition. Originally founded as a family smithy in 1853, the company has evolved into a modern medium-sized production and trading company while remaining family-owned. The company's product range spans from small technical springs (25×4mm) for mechanical engineering to large leaf and parabolic springs for railway vehicles. 

 

Hendrickson Europe

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Location: European operations (part of US-based Hendrickson International)

Products: Steel and composite leaf springs, U-bolts, fasteners, stabilizers, axles, lift axles, and complete suspension systems

Market: OEM and aftermarket

Innovation: ULTIMAAX elastomer suspension systems

Positioning: Global leader with strong European presence

Website: www.hendrickson-intl.com/en-eu

Hendrickson combines American engineering expertise with European market knowledge, offering innovative solutions including composite springs and advanced suspension technologies for the commercial transportation industry.

 

Lesjöfors Automotive

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Location: Sweden (part of Lesjöfors Group)

Products: Automotive springs including leaf springs

Positioning: Major European spring manufacturer with extensive product range

Website: www.lesjofors-automotive.com

Lesjöfors is one of Europe's largest spring manufacturers with a comprehensive automotive division serving both OEM and aftermarket customers.

 

MBHA Group

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Location: Spain (headquarters) 

Founded: 1963

Annual capacity: Over 60,000 tonnes

Product range: 250+ different references

Market: OEM Tier 1 supplier and aftermarket

Key customers: Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault, Scania, MAN, Iveco, Volvo, Ford, Isuzu, Mazda, Volkswagen, Nikola

Export: Present in 15+ countries across 5 continents

Divisions:

• MBHA (main manufacturing)

• MBHA Projects (R&D and innovation)

• Baldur Süspansiyon (Turkey operations)

• Ziur Composites (composite material solutions)

Website: www.mbha.com

MBHA is one of Europe's largest leaf spring manufacturers with over 55 years of history. The company combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge automation and innovation. Their "Crafting Innovation" philosophy represents their commitment to both manual expertise and technological advancement. MBHA serves as Tier 1 premium partner to world-leading automotive brands.

 

Molle Balestra SPA

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Location: Italy

Founded: 1949

Market: European commercial vehicle sector, AfterMarket leader in Italy

Products: Leaf springs for commercial, industrial, agricultural, and railway vehicles

Specialization: Technical skills, assistance, and custom design

Key strengths:

• LEADER in the Italian AfterMarket with top-level technical skills

• Always available to customers to fix all issues and meet any needs with customized productions

• PARTNER of the most important manufacturers of trailers, axles, and the best distributors of the After Market sector

• CONTINUOUS RESEARCH in excellence with continuous improvement plans (LEAN MANUFACTURING in factories and offices)

• Production plants with great flexibility to match needs of large and small series

Website: www.mollebalestra.it

Since 1949, Molle Balestra has been a cornerstone of the Italian suspension market, combining traditional Italian craftsmanship with modern manufacturing excellence. The company's commitment to customer service and technical expertise has made it a trusted partner for major trailer and axle manufacturers across Europe.

 

Mubea

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Location: Germany (Attendorn headquarters), global operations

Founded: 1916 (over 100 years of history)

Specialization: Composite leaf springs and lightweight automotive components

Innovation focus: GFRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic) and CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) springs

Market: OEM Tier 1 supplier to leading global automotive manufacturers

Key achievements:

• First series production of GFRP leaf springs (2014 Mercedes Sprinter rear axle)

• First all-composite leaf spring for light trucks (2022 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra)

• SPE Automotive Innovation Awards Grand Award winner

• Weight reduction up to 75% compared to steel springs, 58% compared to hybrid solutions

Technology advantages:

• Up to 50% lighter than conventional steel leaf springs

• Double the durability of steel springs

• Corrosion-resistant

• Improved ride comfort and reduced noise/vibration

• Progressive spring rate technology

• 70% reduction in carbon emissions during production

Positioning: World market leader in composite spring technology and lightweight automotive components

Website: www.mubea.com

Mubea represents the cutting edge of leaf spring technology evolution. As a family-owned company with over a century of experience, Mubea has pioneered the transition from traditional steel to advanced composite materials. Their decade-long R&D investment in composite leaf springs has revolutionized the industry, particularly with their tension leaf spring (TLS) design that eliminates the need for shackles while providing progressive spring rates. The company's "Mubea Way" philosophy emphasizes innovation, quality, and sustainability, making them the preferred partner for automotive manufacturers transitioning to electric and hybrid vehicles where weight reduction is critical.

 

NFZ Federnwerk GmbH

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Location: Germany

Product range: 4,000+ different leaf springs and spring components

Spring types: Conventional (trapezoid), parabolic, and Z-springs (Lenkerfedern)

Vehicle coverage: Pickups, light commercial vehicles, motorhomes, trucks

Market: Direct manufacturer sales throughout Europe

Warranty: 2-5 years depending on product

Additional products: Reinforcement kits, helper springs, auxiliary air springs

Delivery: Europe-wide within days

Website: www.blattfedern24.shop

NFZ Federnwerk is a German manufacturer offering one of the most comprehensive product ranges in Europe, with direct online ordering capabilities and extensive technical support. They specialize in all three major spring technologies and provide complete reinforcement solutions.

 

PSF Polish Spring Factory (TES brand)

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Location: Poland

Brand: TES

Market: 20+ European countries

Specialization: Only parabolic spring producer in Poland

Products: Leaf springs, U-bolts, accessories, reinforcement sets

Vehicle coverage: Commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles, trucks, trailers, agricultural machinery, buses

Positioning: Strong market position in Poland and Europe through quality focus and traditional workmanship

Services: Online product catalog with technical parameters and reference drawings

Website: www.psfactory.pl

PSF specializes in springs for vehicles of almost all brands and is unique in Poland for parabolic spring production. The company emphasizes international quality standards in business cooperation.

 

Schomäcker Federnwerk GmbH

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Location: Germany

Innovation philosophy: Innovation through teamwork – Developing the future together with customers

Approach: Takes innovative paths with customers by bringing together the knowledge of all partners. Developers create new development approaches by uniting material experts, software developers, customer application engineers, and researchers at institutes and universities into one team.

Technology: With interdisciplinary competence, simulations replace lengthy test series and expensive production trials. As a result, component and process developments overcome old boundaries and produce products that set new standards.

Website: www.schomaecker.de

Schomäcker represents the collaborative future of leaf spring development, where cross-functional expertise and advanced simulation technology accelerate innovation and reduce development costs while pushing the boundaries of suspension component performance.

 

Seferiadis S.A.

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Location: Greece

Type: Family business

Products: Leaf springs

Positioning: Guaranteed and internationally recognized company with constant growth

Website: www.seferiadis.gr

Seferiadis Bros S.A. is a Greek family-owned leaf spring factory with international recognition in the suspension industry.

 

Sogefi Group

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Location: Italy

Market: Global automotive supplier

Website: www.sogefigroup.com/en

Sogefi is a major Italian automotive components group with suspension systems division serving global OEM markets.

 

Springtech Automotive AG

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Location: Austria (headquarters) with 8 warehouses across 8 European countries

Product range: Extensive coverage for trucks, trailers, vans, and pickups

Vehicle brands covered:

• Trucks: DAF, Iveco, Mercedes, MAN, Volvo, Scania, Renault, Astra

• Trailers: BPW, SAF, ROR, Schmitz, Kässbohrer, Gigant, and 10+ more brands

• Vans: Sprinter, Crafter, Transit, Boxer, Jumper, Ducato, Daily, Master, Movano, Nissan NV, Toyota Dyna, Hyundai H1

• Pickups: Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mazda B, Nissan Navara, VW Amarok, Isuzu D-Max

Production: Automated production with extensive quality inspections

Market approach: Customer-oriented with tailor-made offers based on price, lead time, and quantity priorities

Quality: OEM equivalent performance, often more robust than original springs

Services: Online catalog, white-label/private-label supply, flexible order quantities from 1 piece

Distribution: 8 warehouse network across Europe for fast delivery

Website: www.spring-tech.at

Springtech differentiates itself through exceptional logistics capabilities and customer service. The company is the only European leaf spring producer offering products from 8 strategically located warehouses, enabling rapid delivery across the continent. They serve many top European truck part resellers and are market leaders in several countries, often supplying white-label products.

 

VDL Weweler-Colaert

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Location: Belgium (part of VDL Groep, Netherlands)

Founded: Nearly 100 years of history

Products: Suspension parts, high-quality chassis components, multi-leaf springs, parabolic springs, landing legs, axle lift devices

Market: Global supplier for trucks, trailers, and buses

Innovation: INTEGRA landing leg, innovative axle lift devices

OEM partnerships: Leading manufacturers of automotive LCVs, trucks, and trailers

Motorsport: Proud supplier to Dakar Rally teams (Martin Macík Jr. victories)

Awards: IAA Innovation Award winner

Website: www.weweler.eu

VDL Weweler-Colaert is a leading manufacturer with extensive expertise and an active presence in the most demanding markets. Part of the larger VDL Groep, the company continuously innovates and has received international recognition including IAA Innovation Awards. They maintain strong relationships with OEM customers and demonstrate their technology through successful motorsport partnerships.

 

OEM vs. aftermarket suppliers

 

European manufacturers typically serve both markets, though with different focus levels:

Primary OEM suppliers:

• MBHA Group

• VDL Weweler-Colaert

• Hendrickson Europe

• Sogefi Group

• Caveo Automotive

• Mubea

These companies work as Tier 1 suppliers directly with vehicle manufacturers, developing custom springs for new vehicle platforms and maintaining strict quality certifications.

Strong aftermarket presence:

• Springtech Automotive

• PSF Polish Spring Factory

• NFZ Federnwerk GmbH

• Seferiadis

• Molle Balestra

• Federnwerk Bischoff

These manufacturers focus on replacement market, offering comprehensive product catalogs, fast delivery, and competitive pricing for distributors and end-users.

Some manufacturers successfully serve both markets, leveraging their OEM engineering expertise to offer high-quality aftermarket alternatives.

 

Key takeaways

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• Europe hosts diverse leaf spring manufacturers from small family businesses to multinational corporations

• Major production centers include Spain, Germany, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden

• Leading manufacturers like MBHA produce over 60,000 tonnes annually

• Modern aftermarket leaf springs from quality European manufacturers match OEM standards in quality, materials, and performance

• Aftermarket manufacturers often respond faster to OEM design weaknesses, offering stronger and longer-lasting alternatives

• Most European manufacturers produce both conventional and parabolic springs

• Technology focus includes automation, composite materials, advanced testing, and simulation-driven development

• Distribution networks vary from single-location producers to multi-warehouse systems

• OEM relationships provide quality foundations for aftermarket products

• European manufacturers maintain high quality standards and certifications (ISO 9001, EN standards)

• Many companies offer custom solutions and engineering support

• Online ordering and technical catalogs increasingly available

• Collaborative innovation approaches unite material experts, engineers, and researchers to accelerate development

 

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