Multimatic Acquires Majority Stake in PKM Consulting to Enhance Racing Damper Technologies
Multimatic, a globally recognised, privately owned company that supplies components, systems, and engineering services to the automotive sector, has agreed to purchase a majority share in PKM Consulting, a top supplier and service provider of advanced racing dampers with a proven track record in multiple motorsport disciplines.
PKM Consulting will operate as an independent division within Multimatic's Special Vehicle Operations Group, taking over all racing damper activities by 2027. They will benefit from the full support and access to the resources, innovation, and expertise of Multimatic.
The acquisition has been planned to ensure a smooth transition, preserving the ongoing management and operations of PKM Consulting without any interruptions. It prioritises the continued integrity and confidentiality of all customer relationships. The three founding partners of PKM Consulting will stay on the management team, with Thierry Gravier appointed as General Manager and Paul-Etienne Berthe and Emmanuel Pereira as Assistant General Managers.
Pascal Zurlinden, Vice President of Operations at the Multimatic Special Vehicle Operations Group, expressed his enthusiasm about the merger. "We are thrilled to merge with PKM Consulting, significantly expanding our knowledge and operational capabilities in the racing damper sector. As family-owned companies, we are committed to the long-term success of our customers worldwide. This partnership greatly enhances our capacity to meet these objectives with extensive expertise and operational skills."
Established in 2008 near the Paul Ricard racetrack in Signes, France, PKM Consulting began as a motorsport consulting firm helping teams and manufacturers enhance vehicle dynamics performance. Following rising demand, they started producing their successful line of racing dampers. Over the past decade, PKM Consulting has solidified its reputation through its customers' successes in prestigious events like the World Rally Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. They have also led in other motorsport innovations, including state-of-the-art hydraulic jacks and other hydraulic systems for race cars.
Thierry Gravier, President of PKM Consulting, is optimistic about the future following the acquisition. "Joining forces with Multimatic opens incredible opportunities. Our clients will benefit immensely from Multimatic’s vast resources and expertise. Paul-Etienne, Emmanuel and I will continue leading the management team to foster customer relationships and uphold the highest standards of confidentiality typical in motorsport. We are excited to develop future strategies for racing damper technologies with Multimatic’s talented team."
This acquisition positions Multimatic to deliver top-notch products and services to manufacturers and private teams through a specialised racing damper division at PKM Consulting. It also caters to the increasing demand for spool valve dampers in production vehicle applications.