The SABO brand is part of the Roberto Nuti Group, which includes Roberto Nuti Spa, Sabo Suspension System, Sabo-Hema automotive and Mupo. While SABO operates in over 80 countries, its roots lie firmly in Italy, where it was established in 1962 by Roberto Nuti, who was already trading automotive spare parts in the 1950s.
Design, research and development are performed at our long-standing headquarters, located in the heart of Italy’s ‘Motor Valley’: a place with a tradition of cutting-edge inventiveness, nurtured for generations in world-beating workshops, technical institutes and mechanical engineering companies. The twin passions of mechanics and motoring have been handed down through the generations, as the presence of three internationally famous race circuits – Imola, Misano and Mugello – clearly demonstrates. This is the region that has given us Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati, De Tomaso, Maserati and numerous world leaders in the packaging and medical sectors.
Roberto Nuti Group has the exclusive distribution for the Italian market for MEI/QAS brake levers, the MEI brake calipers, the AYD tie-rod and Pilot seats.
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THE LOAD IS ON US
Our mission
To design and manufacture shock absorbers and air springs that meet the performance, safety and comfort needs of customers worldwide. Our aftermarket spare parts provide the same quality as original parts and offer perfect interchangeability, all at a competitive price. Further strengths include outstanding service and prompt delivery of the full range from readily available stocks.
Our vision
Ever since our founding, almost 60 years ago, we’ve been committed to improving road transport and becoming a key player on the suspension spare parts market. Now – thanks to the excellent product range, design, manufacturing capacity, quality and service – we aim to become the leading producer, at both industrial and business level, of aftermarket shock absorbers and air springs for the transport sector.
Today
SABO brand spare parts are distributed in over eighty countries worldwide. The year 2020 saw the company obtain the certification needed to enter the railway sector. SABO is now heading towards its 60th year of business and looks to the future with confidence.
2015
SABO Suspension System is a joint venture between Roberto Nuti Spa and several key Turkish companies operating in the technological and sales fields of the commercial transport sector – is founded. Sabo Suspension System, based in Bursa, Turkey, manufactures air springs.
2010
With the acquisition of MUPO Srl, the Roberto Nuti Group enters the motorcycle/scooter industry. The year 2010 also sees the launch of a major new SABO brand product: Sabo Air Spring.
The start of the year sees the establishment of Hema Automotive Ltd: a joint venture between ROBERTO NUTI Spa and Indian group Hema Engineering Industries Ltd. The plant in Gurgaon, near New Delhi, is inaugurated on 13 January 2010. It produces shock absorbers mainly for the Indian domestic market, but also Asian and Middle Eastern areas.
2000
The 2000s get under way with the construction and inauguration of the current headquarters, located in the industrial park of Castel Guelfo, near Bologna.
1990s
Moving into the ’90s, SABO begins internal manufacturing of shock absorbers following the acquisition of a production plant in Vicchio del Mugello, Tuscany. ROBERTO NUTI Spa is now a fully fledged manufacturing company. After gaining work experience outside the company, Elisabetta Nuti, Massimo’s sister, joins the firm: she is currently the CFO.
1980s
Throughout the mid-80s, the company strengthens its exclusive distributorship of established brands, all selected for their quality. During the same period, Massimo, Roberto’s son and today’s General Manager, joins the company.
During the boom years of the 1980s, many small sub-contractors seek to expand by offering their products directly, resulting in increased competition.
Massimo, who in the meantime has become Sales & Marketing Manager, suggests a solution to cope with these market changes: the catalogue should only include articles sold exclusively and efforts should focus on SABO shock absorbers. Completion of the range, combined with excellent SABO product quality, gives sales a major boost, allowing the company to expand and establish a solid reputation on international markets, a reputation that is still growing today.
1970s
SABO (an acronym for Shock Absorber Bologna) shock absorbers go into production.
1962
After moving to Bologna, Roberto Nuti opens a small company distributing spare parts for trucks. Shortly afterwards, he begins marketing articles that he has built by skilled craftsmen. Right from the start, the young entrepreneur focuses on suspension, brakes and steering. Products are packaged with great care and advertised via an appealing, user-friendly catalogue. He founds the company ROBERTO NUTI in 1962.
1950s
A young Roberto Nuti leaves his father Arnolfo’s bicycle shop in La Spezia on the Liguria coast and moves to Milan. Here he begins working as a sales rep for Fiat 500 “Topolino” accessories.