WP Suspension
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycle suspension systems |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Wim Peters |
| Headquarters | Munderfing , Austria |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Wim Peters (founder, former managing director and consultant) |
| Parent | KTM AG |
WP Suspension GmbH is an Austrian company that manufactures suspension systems for motorcycles. Established in 1977 by Wim Peters in Malden, Netherlands, it has evolved into one of the leading manufacturers within its industry. Currently, WP Suspension functions as a fully owned subsidiary of KTM AG.
Company history
The origins of WP Suspension trace back to Dutch motocross competitor and mechanical engineer Wim Peters, who developed enhanced suspension components while recuperating from a 1975 racing accident. What began as a personal project soon attracted interest from other riders, prompting the formal creation of the company in 1977.
The company's distinctive white coil springs earned their name White Power due to being sourced from a hospital bed supplier that only offered white powder coating. This branding became synonymous with the company's success in motocross competitions throughout the late 1970s and 1980s.
WP transitioned from producing aftermarket parts to becoming an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) starting in 1983, initially supplying KTM and subsequently extending partnerships to Husaberg and BMW Motorrad. That same year, WP reintroduced the upside-down (USD) fork design into large-scale production—a concept originally developed by BMW that has since become standard on high-performance motorcycles.
The suspension systems crafted by WP played a key role in KTM's inaugural Motocross World Championship victory in 1984 with rider Heinz Kinigadner. After facing bankruptcy and undergoing restructuring in 1991, the firm adopted the name WP Suspension.
In 1994, WP applied its suspension expertise to motorsport by providing components for the Benetton B194 Formula 1 vehicle, aiding Michael Schumacher in capturing his first world championship title.
KTM subsidiary
Beginning in 1997, KTM Power Sports progressively acquired ownership of WP Suspension. Wim Peters remained engaged as managing director and later as a consultant until 2004. Manufacturing operations were relocated to Munderfing, Austria, in 2009, ceasing production at the original Malden facility in the Netherlands. During the 2010s, WP diversified into manufacturing motorcycle frames, exhaust systems, and oil and water cooling units, briefly operating under the name WP Performance Systems GmbH. By 2020, non-suspension product lines were either divested or absorbed by other KTM divisions, allowing WP to concentrate exclusively on developing and producing motorcycle suspension solutions.