KYB traces its origins back to November 19, 1919, when inventor Shiro Kayaba founded the Kayaba Research Center in Japan to research hydraulic technology. In 1927, the company began manufacturing hydraulic dampers and aircraft equipment under the name Kayaba Seisakusho. The business was formally established as Kayaba Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in 1935, and later reorganized into Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd. in 1948. [2]

During the post-war automotive boom, KYB became a pioneer in hydraulic suspension technology. Its expertise in aircraft hydraulic systems was successfully adapted into automotive shock absorbers, which became the company’s flagship product. Over the following decades, KYB expanded manufacturing and sales operations across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. [3]

In 2015, the company officially adopted KYB Corporation as its global corporate name. In Japan, it later returned to using the historic Kayaba name as its official trade name while continuing to use KYB internationally as its global brand. [4]

• Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

• Founded: November 19, 1919

• Industry: Automotive, Hydraulics, Industrial Machinery

• Stock Exchange: Tokyo Stock Exchange (Prime Market) [5]

KYB manufactures a wide range of products, including:

Automotive Components

• Shock absorbers

• Struts

• Suspension systems

• Coil-over suspension

• Steering systems

• Electronic power steering (EPS)

• Hydraulic pumps

Motorcycle Components

• Front forks

• Rear shock absorbers

• Suspension units

Industrial Hydraulics

• Hydraulic cylinders

• Pumps

• Motors

• Valves

• Construction equipment hydraulics

Railway Equipment

• Dampers

• Braking systems

• Semi-active suspension systems

Aircraft Components

• Hydraulic actuators

• Valves

• Wheels

• Brake systems

Specialty Vehicles

• Concrete mixer trucks

• Construction machinery

• Tunnel boring equipment

• Stage and auditorium control systems [6]

KYB is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of automotive shock absorbers. Its products are supplied as original equipment to numerous global automakers, and it also serves the aftermarket with replacement suspension components. The company manufactures millions of shock absorbers annually through production facilities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. [7]

KYB operates manufacturing plants, engineering centers, and sales offices across multiple regions, including:

• Japan

• United States

• Germany

• Spain

• Czech Republic

• China

• Thailand

• Indonesia

• Vietnam

• India

• Brazil

• Mexico

• Malaysia

• Taiwan

The company has a broad international footprint with dozens of facilities supporting automotive and industrial customers worldwide. [8]

KYB’s corporate mission centers on using hydraulic and vibration-control technologies to improve safety and comfort. Its guiding principles emphasize:

• High manufacturing quality

• Engineering innovation

• Customer satisfaction

• Environmental responsibility

• Continuous technological advancement

Its corporate statement is:

“Our Precision, Your Advantage.” [9]

Research has been a defining feature of KYB since its founding. The company invests in:

• Suspension technology

• Electronic suspension systems

• Hydraulic engineering

• Ride comfort

• Vehicle dynamics

• Electric power steering

• Railway suspension

• Aerospace hydraulics

KYB also operates dedicated testing facilities for automotive and motorcycle suspension development. [10]

KYB is widely regarded as a premium suspension manufacturer. It is especially known for:

• High-quality OEM-equivalent replacement parts

• Long service life

• Reliable damping performance

• Strong engineering standards

• Broad compatibility with Japanese, European, Korean, and American vehicles

Its aftermarket shock absorbers are commonly used by professional mechanics, fleet operators, and automotive enthusiasts seeking factory-quality replacements. [11]

With more than a century of engineering history, KYB has evolved from a small hydraulic research laboratory into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of ride-control and hydraulic systems. Its products are used in passenger vehicles, motorcycles, railways, aircraft, construction equipment, and industrial machinery, reflecting a long-standing focus on precision engineering and hydraulic innovation. [12]

1. Corporate Information | About KYB | KYB Corporation

2. KYB Global – KYB Americas LLC

3. History | About KYB | KYB Corporation

4. Feature: The History of KYB and Its BusinessesKYB’s current businesses have been built on the creativity and tireless technological exploration of the

5. Corporate Spirit | About KYB | KYB Corporation

6. KYB Corporation

7. About KYB-UMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd | History, Core Values & etc

8. 会社案内 | 長岡カヤバ株式会社

9. 会社概要 | カヤバについて | カヤバ株式会社

10. カヤバの歴史・カヤバ史料館 | カヤバについて | カヤバ株式会社

11. カヤバについて | カヤバ株式会社

12. История KYB