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A Century of Innovation: Shaping the Future of Vibration Control
With over 100 years of expertise in the development and production of rubber and rubber-metal components, SumiRiko AVS has established itself as a leading innovator and manufacturer of automotive anti-vibration systems.
The story begins in 1929, when Sumitomo Riko Company Limited—then operating as Kabata Chotai (Belt) Co. Ltd.—started producing rubber conveyor belts in Yokkaichi, Japan. Building on decades of experience in rubber mixing and processing, the company entered the automotive market in 1954, quickly earning a reputation for excellence in decoupling metal components to reduce noise and vibration.
Meanwhile, Woco Michelin AVS gained recognition as a specialist provider of premium vibration control solutions, eventually becoming the Anvis Group in 2007.
In 2013, Sumitomo Riko expanded its global leadership in anti-vibration technology by acquiring the Anvis Group. Following the successful integration of all functions, the organization was rebranded as SumiRiko AVS in 2017, further strengthening its commitment to innovation and excellence worldwide.
1910
Kléber-Colombes, a company specializing in elastomer and expansion joints, was established and moved into the production facility in Decize a short time later.
1956
Nearly 50 years later, in 1956, the automotive supplier Woco Industrietechnik GmbH went into operation. In its early days, the company focused on the manufacture of technical rubber products and quickly established itself as a development partner and producer for European car manufacturers.
1980
In 1980, Woco entered the antivibration sector. Its work soon resulted in the first automotive parts that used a rubber-metal combination that could reduce vibration and driving noise in cars. The basis of these parts was innovations in the area of natural-rubber, plastic and metal adhesion technology.
1982
Michelin acquired the Kléber Group in 1982 and also worked in the area of anti-vibration rubber technology for vehicles. Driven by the large material expertise of the Michelin Group, the company quickly develops into the market leader for AVS components for French car manufacturers.
2000
At the turn of the millennium, the knowledge acquired in this work flowed into a Joint Venture set up by Woco and Michelin. Under the name Woco Michelin AVS, the company developed its products at its bases in Bad Soden-Salmünster and Decize. The global production footprint growed around the world.
2007
The joint venture is transformed into an independent company and is based in Steinau an der Straße. The company is renamed the Anvis Group and focuses solely on AVS technology.
2013
With the complete takeover by the Japanese Sumitomo Riko Company Limited, the Anvis Group becomes part of the market leader in automotive AVS technology and has since represented the Group as a partner to EU car manufacturers.
2015
With the move to the new company headquarters in Steinau an der Straße, all central company functions are integrated in a new ergonomic environment.
2017
Following full integration into the global structures and processes of the Sumitomo Riko Group, Anvis will be renamed SumiRiko AVS at all locations.
2019
The state-of-the-art technology center was introduced according to the latest standards along the product development process for conventional but above all new vehicle concepts. From material development, construction and testing of samples to the release of series tools, everything is located in one place in direct connection with the development and customer teams.