Since Specialized started using suspension forks and shocks from Öhlins in 2016, the Swedish suspension products have become a household name in the mountain bike universe. The suspension elements are now rolling under a new company umbrella, with the billion-euro automotive supplier Tenneco acquiring a majority stake in the suspension specialist. The founder, Kenth Öhlin, will remain on board.

Tenneco has already flirted with the mountain bike industry and acquired the suspension specialist Marzocchi in 2008 for 15 million euros. Under Tenneco, however, Marzocci's commercial decline was confirmed. In November 2015, Fox Racing acquired Marzocchi from Tenneco and is providing an interesting product range for the 2019 model year, in which the Marzocchi forks have reliable Fox technology under the hood.

It is currently unclear whether Specialized will continue to rely on Öhlins following the change of ownership. For Öhlins, the cash injection could be an opportunity to broaden its product portfolio and distribution. Originally, Öhlins was only active in the gravity sector, but the product portfolio is now also suitable for the masses with products in the enduro and trail sector.

ohlins.com