HISTORY3 | Antolin

From a mechanics garage to a multinational company

Grupo Antolin started its business journey as a mechanics garage (specialized in vehicle and agriculture machinery repairs) in Burgos, Spain, and run by Avelino Antolin López and his sons Avelino and José.

Today, Grupo Antolin is a leading multinational company in the development, design and manufacture of interior components for the automobile industry (Overhead, Doors, Lighting and Cockpits & Consoles). A strong and competitive company established in 26 countries in which more than 25,000 people develop their talent. Creativity, leadership and client satisfaction continue to be our core values today and are the best recipe for success in the future.


1950		Rubber-metal steering joint The Antolin brothers invent the rubber-metal steering joints by placing a rubber insert in the joint, thus prolonging the useful life of this component. At the time, this invention solved important safety problems in vehicle steering.
1959		ANSA is born Foundation of the ANSA company by the Antolin family dedicated to the manufacture of steering joints and vehicle suspension systems.
1967		Manufacture of trims August of that year sees the foundation of Talleres ARA, S.L. in Burgos (Spain), dedicated to the manufacture of trims and accessories for automobiles.
1968		Diversification strategy Talleres ANSA signs an agreement with Lemförder, a leading German joint manufacturing company for the construction in Burgos of the Ansa-Lemförder, S.A. plant, of which the Antolin brothers are the majority shareholders. This was the launching point for the company's product diversification strategy, which then acquired manufacturing licenses for interior car parts, such as latches and power windows.
1978		ARA Guarnecidos is founded ARA Guarnecidos, S.A. (Aragusa) was established as the direct result of the diversification of vehicle interior parts and separated from ARA.
1979		Glasutec technology The Pianfei Solano company was founded in collaboration with the Italian Pianfei company, the first overhead manufacturing plant to include the technological innovation: Glasutec. In 1999, the company changed its name to Grupo Antolin-Eurotrim.
1983		Window regulators The Dapsa company was established in September of that year (separating from ARA). The manufacture of power windows for the manufacturers of Talbot and Fasa Renault automobiles began in 1984.
1985		Grupo Antolin holding The Grupo Antolin holding was set up to manage, coordinate and consolidate all the activities of the various companies forming the corporation.
1989		Internationalization The company's internationalization phase begins, with the inauguration of one plant per year abroad. Sales offices are set up in the most relevant decision-making centers in Europe, such as the United Kingdom (1989), France (1990), Germany (1993) and the USA (1993).
1993		R&D&i strategy A new R&D&i approach that would make it one of the pillars of the company's overall strategy. The Grupo Antolin-Ingenieria was created in January of that year, coinciding with the establishment of Cidaut (Foundation for Transportation and Energy Research and Development).
1996		New headquarters The construction work for the new Grupo Antolin headquarters in Burgos, Spain is completed.
1998		New image The corporate image changes. The new brand was created to present a company that was more dynamic and innovative and focused on the future.
1999		Product range expansion Addition of sunvisors to Grupo Antolin's product portfolio.
2000		Modularity A new method of growth is generated by the transformation of simple products into modular products that cover all the product's inherent functions.
2002		Door Trim Module Grupo Antolin launches the DTMDoor Trim Module, its most complete exponent of modular integration. The door panel becomes the supporting element for all the door components: handles, power windows, loudspeakers, latches or wiring, improving the waterproofing and safety features.
2004		Capital increase Company capital is increased with the participation of five Spanish savings banks.
2005		Weight reduction Grupo Antolin-Magnesio is created in Burgos with the goal of completing the Group's ample experience in metal and plastics and to expand the potential for vehicle weight reduction.
2012		Lighting The Group purchases the European provider CML Innovative Technologies, specialized in vehicle lighting systems. As a result, Grupo Antolin becomes one of the leading European companies in vehicle interior lighting. Grupo Antolin establishes itself in Italy by the acquisition of the CRS business line (specialized in the manufacture of automobile interior linings) and creating the Grupo Antolin-Italia company.
2013		Family Company The Antolin family acquires the 22.8% stake held by a group of Spanish savings entities, reflecting the family’s commitment to the company's future. The Group Antolin’s shareholders and management remain committed to sustainable and profitable growth in the coming years.
2014		Strengthening Antolin consolidated its position as a global supplier and now ranks 56 in the worldwide ranking of automotive sector suppliers. The company will further its growth in the areas with potential for expansion in the automotive industry in order to continue providing an integrated management service (from innovation research to the delivery of the end product) to automobile manufacturers worldwide.
2015		Top Management Changes José Antolin Toledano becomes Honorary Chairman after more than 50 years dedicated to the company. Ernesto Antolin Arribas was appointed as the company's new Chairman and María Helena Antolin Raybaud the new Vice-Chairwoman. Purchase of Magna Interiors Grupo Antolin completes the acquisition of Magna Interiors and becomes one of the largest players in the car interiors market internationally. The new Grupo Antolin doubles its size with sales of more than €4 billion and a workforce of around 28,000 employees.
2016		Present in 42 out of the 154 launches worldwide Grupo Antolin attained consolidated sales of 5,247 million euros, which represents an increase of 49.6% compared to the previous year. In addition, an investment of more than €285 million was made in 2016, the largest figure in its history, in order to equip itself with the best technological means to further improve its commitment to innovation. María Helena Antolin is named President of SERNAUTO and King Felipe VI awards Mister José Antolin the prize Kingdom of Spain to the Business Career.
2017		New Vision and Values Grupo Antolin presents the company’s new Vision and Values. The sale of the Seating Business Unit as part of the company's business strategy. The company achieved sales of 5,037 million euros in 2017 and is present in 9 of the 10 best-selling vehicles in the world.
2019		Launch of the Strategic and Smart Integrator Plan.

1950

Rubber-metal steering joint

The Antolin brothers invent the rubber-metal steering joints by placing a rubber insert in the joint, thus prolonging the useful life of this component. At the time, this invention solved important safety problems in vehicle steering.

1959

ANSA is born

Foundation of the ANSA company by the Antolin family dedicated to the manufacture of steering joints and vehicle suspension systems.

1967

Manufacture of trims

August of that year sees the foundation of Talleres ARA, S.L. in Burgos (Spain), dedicated to the manufacture of trims and accessories for automobiles.

1968

Diversification strategy

Talleres ANSA signs an agreement with Lemförder, a leading German joint manufacturing company for the construction in Burgos of the Ansa-Lemförder, S.A. plant, of which the Antolin brothers are the majority shareholders. This was the launching point for the company's product diversification strategy, which then acquired manufacturing licenses for interior car parts, such as latches and power windows.

1978

ARA Guarnecidos is founded

ARA Guarnecidos, S.A. (Aragusa) was established as the direct result of the diversification of vehicle interior parts and separated from ARA.

1979

Glasutec technology

The Pianfei Solano company was founded in collaboration with the Italian Pianfei company, the first overhead manufacturing plant to include the technological innovation: Glasutec. In 1999, the company changed its name to Grupo Antolin-Eurotrim.

1983

Window regulators

The Dapsa company was established in September of that year (separating from ARA). The manufacture of power windows for the manufacturers of Talbot and Fasa Renault automobiles began in 1984.

1985

Grupo Antolin holding

The Grupo Antolin holding was set up to manage, coordinate and consolidate all the activities of the various companies forming the corporation.

1989

Internationalization

The company's internationalization phase begins, with the inauguration of one plant per year abroad.

Sales offices are set up in the most relevant decision-making centers in Europe, such as the United Kingdom (1989), France (1990), Germany (1993) and the USA (1993).

1993

R&D&i strategy

A new R&D&i approach that would make it one of the pillars of the company's overall strategy. The Grupo Antolin-Ingenieria was created in January of that year, coinciding with the establishment of Cidaut (Foundation for Transportation and Energy Research and Development).

1996

New headquarters

The construction work for the new Grupo Antolin headquarters in Burgos, Spain is completed.

1998

New image

The corporate image changes. The new brand was created to present a company that was more dynamic and innovative and focused on the future.

1999

Product range expansion

Addition of sunvisors to Grupo Antolin's product portfolio.

2000

Modularity

A new method of growth is generated by the transformation of simple products into modular products that cover all the product's inherent functions.

2002

Door Trim Module

Grupo Antolin launches the DTMDoor Trim Module, its most complete exponent of modular integration. The door panel becomes the supporting element for all the door components: handles, power windows, loudspeakers, latches or wiring, improving the waterproofing and safety features.

2004

Capital increase

Company capital is increased with the participation of five Spanish savings banks.

2005

Weight reduction

Grupo Antolin-Magnesio is created in Burgos with the goal of completing the Group's ample experience in metal and plastics and to expand the potential for vehicle weight reduction.

2012

Lighting

The Group purchases the European provider CML Innovative Technologies, specialized in vehicle lighting systems. As a result, Grupo Antolin becomes one of the leading European companies in vehicle interior lighting.

Grupo Antolin establishes itself in Italy by the acquisition of the CRS business line (specialized in the manufacture of automobile interior linings) and creating the Grupo Antolin-Italia company.

2013

Family Company

The Antolin family acquires the 22.8% stake held by a group of Spanish savings entities, reflecting the family’s commitment to the company's future. The Group Antolin’s shareholders and management remain committed to sustainable and profitable growth in the coming years.

2014

Strengthening

Antolin consolidated its position as a global supplier and now ranks 56 in the worldwide ranking of automotive sector suppliers. The company will further its growth in the areas with potential for expansion in the automotive industry in order to continue providing an integrated management service (from innovation research to the delivery of the end product) to automobile manufacturers worldwide.

2015

Top Management Changes

José Antolin Toledano becomes Honorary Chairman after more than 50 years dedicated to the company. Ernesto Antolin Arribas was appointed as the company's new Chairman and María Helena Antolin Raybaud the new Vice-Chairwoman.

Purchase of Magna Interiors

Grupo Antolin completes the acquisition of Magna Interiors and becomes one of the largest players in the car interiors market internationally. The new Grupo Antolin doubles its size with sales of more than €4 billion and a workforce of around 28,000 employees.

2016

Present in 42 out of the 154 launches worldwide

Grupo Antolin attained consolidated sales of 5,247 million euros, which represents an increase of 49.6% compared to the previous year. In addition, an investment of more than €285 million was made in 2016, the largest figure in its history, in order to equip itself with the best technological means to further improve its commitment to innovation. María Helena Antolin is named President of SERNAUTO and King Felipe VI awards Mister José Antolin the prize Kingdom of Spain to the Business Career.

2017

New Vision and Values

Grupo Antolin presents the company’s new Vision and Values. The sale of the Seating Business Unit as part of the company's business strategy. The company achieved sales of 5,037 million euros in 2017 and is present in 9 of the 10 best-selling vehicles in the world.

2019

Launch of the Strategic and Smart Integrator Plan.