Bilstein Suspension History

Fulcrum Suspension considers Bilstein to be the best in the Industry. Call us on 1800 385 278. 

We stock a complete range of both performance and off road suspension solutions engineered and mafactured by Bilstein. We mainly utilise their 4x4 range of shock absorbers to create our own Bilstein 4WD lift kits, suited to ussie conditions. 

Bilstein boasts a history of over 140 years, founded back in 1873. From our humble beginnings in the business of window fittings manufacture, nobody expected BILSTEIN to one day become a household name in the automotive world with a massive influence on road safety and driving comfort. High quality standards were given top priority, granting the company’s founder, August Bilstein, an outstanding reputation not only within local regions but also into neighboring countries. 

By the time the 1920s had rolled around, August’s son Han Bilstein had taken over management of the company. Returning to his home in the Westphalia region from the USA, Hans brought with him some new ideas regarding nickel and chrome-plating processes. By 1927, BILSTEIN had stepped into the automotive industry. Priding ourselves on innovation, Bilstein supplied the first chrome-plated bumper for series automobile production, began with the manufacture of jacks and produced the first functional side-car jack, all in a world that was still getting used to the automobile.  

Ever since its introduction, the BILSTEIN’s monotube gas-pressure technology shock absorbers have found their way into the vehicles of countless car marques. From Bugatti to Porsche, Lamborghini to Land Rover, there’s no mistaking why vehicle manufacturers place their trust in BILSTEIN when it comes to suspension. This is due in no small part to BILSTEIN’s ability to individually adjust suspension requirements and driving dynamic qualities to suit every model, whether it be for OEM replacement purposes or optimizing vehicle handling dynamics. BILSTEIN applies its high quality standards to all of its products and specially customises them to suit a range of applications from everyday driving to the race track and even tackling rough terrain. 

 

 

It was in 1927 that Hans Bilstein made the first move towards the automotive accessories industry, through his co-operation with the Berlin-based lifting gear company Levator-Hebezeug-Fabrik. He did not have to wait long to see his activities bear fruit.

In 1928, four years before the opening of the first motorway between Cologne and Bonn, Bilstein supplied the first chrome-plated bumper for mass-produced cars. Just one year later the company began producing car jacks. In typical Bilstein style, it entered this market with a resounding technical innovation, introducing the first usable side jack to a world that was only slowly getting used to the car. But the true world sensation was still to come.

When August Bilstein laid the foundations for the innovation incubator Bilstein in Altenvoerde in Germany’s Westphalia region in 1873, nobody had any idea of the crucial influence the company’s products would one day have on the driving comfort and safety of cars. Instead it was metal window fittings – sold under the catchy name of AUBI, an abbreviation of August Bilstein – that soon made the company famous far beyond the boundaries of Bilstein’s local region and even abroad.

 

 

A whole series of technical innovations followed and the revenues earned through these patents provided a solid basis for the later successes of what was still a young company. In order to meet the exacting quality demands already in the preliminary stage of manufacturing the fittings, the company set up its own strip iron rolling mill in 1919. In line with the motto “A rolling stone gathers no moss”, Hans Bilstein, who had taken over the running of the company from his father, returned to his native Westphalia from the USA, which in the 1920s was still a long way away, bringing with him new concepts for nickel- and chrome-plating processes.

It wasn’t until 1954 that Bilstein had begun to revolutionise shock absorber technology. Thanks to a discovery made by French researcher, Prof. Bourcier de Carbon, BILSTEIN achieved their goal of eliminating the physical disadvantages of the conventional telescopic shock absorber as well as making the dampers lighter and more versatile. After a lengthy development stage and a considerable investment in the necessary production facilities, BILSTIEN introduced the very first monotube gas-pressure shock absorber in 1957, fitted to a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. 

 

 

If your looking to upgrade your suspension with Bilstein, we can help you out. We are the largest Bilstein distributors in Australia and install Bilstein on a daily basis through our store network. If you would like a quote or to see what we can offer you, please send us a message through our website or give us a call on 1800 385 278.