KYB: Brand overview
KYB, formerly known as Kayaba, is a Tokyo-based company founded in 1919 as the Kayaba Research Center and known for its expertise in shock absorbers, hydraulic equipment, and suspension components. In the 1930s, this Japanese corporation expanded its hydraulic shock absorber manufacturing capabilities and has since grown to become one of the world’s largest suppliers of shock absorbers to automotive OEMs.
KYB’s product catalog is not limited to shock absorbers and includes various components such as struts, hydraulic cylinders, actuators, and pumps. This diversity allows the company to meet the needs of various industries, including construction equipment, industrial vehicles, and rail cars, further emphasizing its versatility and adaptability to different sectors.
Some of the prominent automakers that supply KYB components include Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Ford, and General Motors. The company’s diversified product portfolio covers motorcycle, automotive, and industrial applications, which is a testament to its ability to handle different categories of vehicles.
With a global presence characterized by manufacturing facilities located in various countries and sales offices around the world, KYB has a workforce of approximately 15,000 employees. The company’s financial strength is evidenced by its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and annual revenues of approximately $4 billion.
Despite its strong market position, KYB faces competition from other industry players such as Hitachi Astemo, Showa Corporation, and Tenneco’s Monroe brand.
Meaning and History
What is KYB?
Since its founding in 1919, KYB Corporation has been at the forefront of the automotive sector. Through its commitment to innovation, product quality, and customer satisfaction, the company is globally recognized as a leading manufacturer of superior automotive components such as shock absorbers, suspension systems, and hydraulic equipment.
before 2005
2005 – 2008
2008 – 2011
2011 – today
As stated in the KYB branding guide, the oblique cuts of the letters symbolize sunlight illuminating the road. The red color symbolizes joy, warmth, and enthusiasm, as the company enjoys working in the field of automotive components. But there may be other associations as well. The elongated cutouts are reminiscent of abstract shock absorbers, cylinders, valves, and other KYB products. The red color, in turn, represents the vibrant emotions of a fast ride. At the bottom, the slogan “Our Precision, Your Advantage” is written in gray italic font.
The oblique cuts of the letters resemble rays of light leading through a dark tunnel. The red color is reminiscent of the roar of a car engine, exciting and hopeful. The elongated shapes are reminiscent of the tools in a mechanic’s kit, simple but very important. The slogan written in gray, like a quiet whisper, suggests that precision really does matter.
KYB color codes
Alizarin Crimson | Hex color: | #e61536 |
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RGB: | 200 21 54 | |
CMYK: | 0 91 77 10 | |
Pantone: | PMS 185 C |
Raisin Black | Hex color: | #221f20 |
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RGB: | 34 31 32 | |
CMYK: | 0 9 6 87 | |
Pantone: | PMS Neutral Black C |