BBS is one of the premier names in wheels. Not only does the company make a wide variety of aftermarket designs, but it’s also a supplier for automakers. The brand’s basket-weave design was a common sight on German cars in the 1980s. The units with Y-shaped spokes are similarly famous.
In 2024, BBS filed for insolvency in Germany and stopped building wheels. Now, there’s good news because the famous suspension maker KW Automotive is BBS’s new owner. The acquisition clears the way for production to begin again soon.
BBS Is Rolling Again
KW acquired all of BBS’s assets, including its two German factories, the tooling, and any existing inventory. According to a joint statement from the companies, they are not disclosing the purchase price for this deal.
“BBS is a matter close to my heart. After the tough cuts of recent months, we are now creating the conditions for a fresh start.
“The complexity of a wheel should not prevent us from offering every BBS fan and potential customer multiple options for suitable alloy wheels, which can also be fully customized in terms of design. This customer-centric approach, unique in our industry, will undoubtedly be a key to our future success,” said Klaus Wohlfarth, managing partner of KW Automotive GmbH.
Wheel manufacturing should restart at the plant in Schiltach, Germany, soon. The site has a largely automated and digital production line that allows for quick, flexible output. KW is investigating the possibility of developing things further there.
The new owner is also working on re-starting production at the BBS factory in Herbolzheim, Germany, which is the site that focuses on aftermarket wheels. It plans to start with “an extremely lean structure.” The first steps are resuming logistics processes and recommissioning the paint shop.
The company sees its BBS Unlimited product line as its future. These wheels all use a flow-forming production process and have a bolt circle of 5×117.5 millimeters. The business offers hub adapters and centering rings that allow fitting these pieces to nearly any vehicle with a five-bolt pattern, which covers a significant portion of available models. These offerings are available in a range of designs, widths, and finishes.
What Happened?
After BBS declared bankruptcy last year, the firm administering the proceedings fired the wheelmaker’s 240 employees. “Since the situation at BBS Autotechnik GmbH unfortunately made it impossible to continue business operations, and I was forced to terminate the employees’ employment, the sale of the assets and the employment of former BBS employees is a ray of hope,” said insolvency administrator Dr. Dirk Pehl.
BBS had been struggling long before the most recent bankruptcy. The latest proceedings were the fifth insolvency for the company. Let’s see if KW can keep it going better than the previous proprietors.
TopSpeed’s Take
BBS has been a top name in aftermarket wheels for decades. Fans of German cars from the 1980s and ‘90s are likely very familiar with the company’s iconic designs. It’s nice to know the company is back because people can keep modifying their vehicles with these pieces. A set of basketweave wheels on a BMW will always look fantastic.
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