BBS International GmbH

BBS Schiltach: Where Innovations and Passion Have Tradition

• Concentration on technology and development, racing, BBS premium wheels, 17-inch +
• Growth in quality and innovations
• Constant number of employees
• Enhancing the value of the BBS brand
"A manufacturer in the best sense of the word" – That is how BBS's owner, Guido Dumarey, describes the future orientation of BBS International at the headquarters in Schiltach. "Technology from motor sport" – From the race-track to the road, runs the slogan. And this is in no way restricted to the light alloy wheels of the BBS brand: it also applies for serial production at the Herbolzheim location. "Naturally the knowledge which we gain in the Development department in Schiltach will continue to be integrated into the serial production in Herbolzheim," explains Mr. Dumarey. In doing this he sets store by the traditional values of BBS, which still apply despite the crisis in recent years. Once again with great reason, BBS was chosen as the "Best Brand” by the readers of the automobile trade press in 2010. 
Focuses and innovative technologies at a glance:
The BBS brand
Quality and innovationIn the last 40 years BBS has developed into the leading brand for aluminum wheels, with the name BBS standing not only for quality and sportiness, but also for innova-tive technologies and high-quality design. This has been proven for years by the good rankings in all readers' surveys conducted by the automobile trade press. 
Motor sport
Formula 1 has for years raced on wheels forged by BBS. Currently five of the twelve Formula 1 teams rely on the know-how from Schiltach. But the light alloy wheels from BBS are also a permanent fixture in other racing series, such as the IndyCar Series, the World Touring Car Championship and the FIA GT Championship, and in brand series such as the Porsche Supercup. In addition, BBS wheels also demonstrate their endurance in rally sport, for example in the Paris-Dakar Rally. For over 35 years BBS has been developing and constructing wheels for racing in close cooperation with the racing teams, always with the aim of achieving maximum aerodynamic performance, minimum weight and the greatest possible rigidity. 
FEM Analysis
In the FEM Analysis the characteristics of a new wheel type are determined as early as the design stage according to the "Finite Element Method." This permits simulation of how the wheel will behave under real operational conditions, thus enabling the structure to be optimized at a very early stage, long before the first prototype is produced.Weight optimization through Flow Forming and undercutIn Flow Forming the rim well of a wheel blank which was produced by forging or casting is subjected to high pressure and a high temperature in a complex process. It is constantly rotated and rolled out on a mold in several cycles. In the process the rim well becomes thinner, the material is compacted, and the stability is increased. A current example is the FI WHEEL, which is made of high-strength aluminum in a special forge alloy according to aircraft specifications. The inner well, which is rolled as it is rotated, provides it with additional stability while further optimizing the weight. The result is a weight of just 7.4 kilograms for the 19-inch wheel. Relieving and un-dercutting the spokes ensures that the ideal ratio of weight to stability is obtained for a light alloy wheel. Here turning or milling tools are used to work the inside parts of the wheel spoke and also areas which are relevant for stability. However, before the durability of a prototype is tested directly on the test rig, a computer simulation of the wheel type concerned undergoes multiple test cycles with differing spoke configurations in order to ascertain the optimum ratio in the design phase.
The AI Wheel
Air Inside TechnologyConstruction using the hollow chamber principle, which is found in lightweight design in nature, allows the rotating masses to be greatly reduced – while significantly in-creasing stability and load-bearing capacity. For this purpose hollow chambers are integrated into the "Air Inside Technology" light alloy wheels – depending on the model, for example in the spokes or also in the internal and external shoulders. This process reduces the weight significantly, in some cases even by several kilograms per wheel. At the same time the resistance to horn deformation can increase by up to 60 percent on certain AI Wheels.
Easy-to-Clean coating for more protection, also in the winter
Easy-to-Clean is a dirt- and dust-repellent coating process which was developed with the help of innovative technology. This type of coating has a very low surface ten-sion, which results in it permanently repelling water and dirt without chemicals and is comparable with the roll-off or "lotus blossom effect." The result: Oily fluids, dirt and brake dust can hardly adhere to the wheel surface any more, and if they do can be removed using the simplest means. In addition,the Easy-to-Clean hard coating significantly slows down the aging process and the wear on the surface and thus protects against loss of luster. The new generation of BBS Winter Wheels was also developed using this technology. Consequently the wheels are very well-protected against the wear and tear of the snow season and can be made to look as good as new without expensive cleaning agents.
The design
With the cross spoke pattern BBS has created a standard which is a benchmark in terms of design and at the same time creates the optimum wheel from a strength and weight perspective. This design principle is today also embodied in all BBS products. The cross spoke in its most advanced and attractive interpretation is cer-tainly reflected in the CH Wheel from BBS. But when examining the details, the BBS design is also outstanding on account of its functionality. An example of this func-tionality is the use of the stainless steel rim protector which can be replaced without removing the wheel or tire if it is damaged.
Further information:
BBS International GmbH – Norbert Zumblick
Welschdorf 220 – D-
 Schiltach
Tel. +49 7836 52-0 – Fax: +49 7836 52-4106 
info@bbs.com – www.bbs.com
Press and public relations:
Press’n’Relations GmbH – Uwe Pagel
Magirusstrasse 33 – D-89077 Ulm 
Tel: +49 731 96287-29 – Fax: +49 731 96287-97 
upa@press-n-relations.de - www. press-n-relations.de
About the company 
BBS – These three letters stand for the leading brand for sporty and high-quality aluminum wheels. BBS wheels repeatedly set new technological benchmarks, both for the sporty models of the vehicle manufacturers and in Formula 1 or the Paris Dakar Rally. Not without reason is BBS repeatedly chosen as the 'Best Brand' by the readers of the automobile trade press. Founded 40 years ago, BBS produces its wheels 'Made in Germany' in the two plants in Schiltach and Herbolzheim and is an original equipment manufacturer which supplies both the automotive manufacturers and the aftermarket all around the world.