ENGINEERING
Founded in 2010, SUMO is an engineering-driven automotive company with operations in Colorado, USA and Batemans Bay, Australia, specializing in suspension, steering, drivetrain, and performance components.
Our Team
Joseph — Engineering, Manufacturing & Product Development, USA
35+ years of experience in machining, welding, product design, engineering, and motorsports.
X-ray certification, maintains aerospace tolerances, and has engineered components used globally in autocross, off-road, rally and motorsport.
Kevin — Engineering, Manufacturing & Product Development, Australia
45+ years of experience in fabrication, suspension, vehicle setup and product manufacturing.
Responsible for Australian manufacturing, prototyping and test fitment.
Together we have 80+ years combined experience designing, building and racing vehicles.
Engineered by SUMO
Today, SUMO products and engineering support enthusiasts, repair shops, manufacturers, racing teams, and private-label partners throughout the world.
Our designs have been manufactured under many names over the years.
You’ve probably installed or driven on our parts — even if the box didn’t say SUMO.
Across the industry, our engineering has powered products for multiple brands. Our work has often inspired others, but our focus has always remained on innovation rather than imitation.
Behind every SUMO product are hundreds of hours of research, testing, manufacturing experience, and real-world validation.
That's where better products begin.
Anyone can duplicate a shape.
Not everyone can engineer performance.
Our Philosophy
We don't develop products simply because they exist.
Every project begins with one question.
Can it be better?
Sometimes the answer is yes.
Sometimes it isn't.
If we don't believe we can offer a meaningful improvement in design, performance, manufacturability, installation, serviceability, appearance, or value, we'd rather recommend an existing solution than manufacture another copy.
That philosophy allows us to focus our time and resources where they create genuine value.
Built with Purpose
We design parts the way we want them on our own cars:
- Strong
- Reliable
- Easy to install
- Easy to service
- Track-tested
- Real-world proven
Our goal is simple:
Build products that make cars better.
Engineering Before Manufacturing
Good engineering begins with asking the right questions—not assuming we already know the answers.
Every project begins with research, not production.
We study OEM components, aftermarket competitors, manufacturing methods, customer feedback, installation concerns, and real-world performance before a single component is designed.
Some products solve failure points.
Others improve strength, reduce weight, simplify installation, enhance appearance, increase performance, or simply provide a better overall solution.
Our goal isn't to duplicate parts.
Our goal is to build something we'd rather install on our own vehicles.
Continuous Improvement
We rarely start with a blank sheet of paper.
Every design teaches us something.
Whether it's an OEM component, a competitor's product, a manufacturing technique, customer feedback, or our own testing, every project adds to our knowledge and influences future designs.
The final SUMO product often combines the strongest ideas from multiple sources while incorporating our own engineering, manufacturing, and testing experience.
Reverse Engineering
Reverse engineering is one of the most misunderstood terms in manufacturing.
To many people it means copying.
To us, it means understanding.
Understanding why a product succeeds is just as important as understanding why another one fails. Many products are exceptionally well designed. Others reveal opportunities for improvement. Our job is to understand the difference.
Every component tells a story through its geometry, materials, manufacturing methods, wear patterns, strengths, weaknesses, and compromises.
Only by understanding those decisions can we determine whether there is an opportunity to improve the design.
Sometimes there is.
Sometimes there isn't.
If we cannot genuinely improve a product, we'd rather recommend the existing solution than manufacture another copy.
When we do develop a product, it reflects SUMO's engineering philosophy—not someone else's blueprint.
When We Don't Build a Product
If we believe an existing product already represents the best available solution, we won't manufacture it simply to add another part number to our catalog.
Instead, we'll recommend the existing product or source it through one of our trusted manufacturing partners, allowing us to focus our engineering efforts where we can create genuine value.
We'd rather earn a reputation for honest engineering than offer products that don't deserve to exist.
What We Do
✔ Design and engineering of new products
✔ Reverse engineering of existing parts
✔ Prototype development & testing
✔ Low-volume manufacturing
✔ Scaled production
✔ Private Label Manufacturing
We offer products under the SUMO brand, and also provide private label and co-development programs for industry partners.
Engineering Capabilities
- 3D Scanning (Small Components to Complete Vehicles)
- CAD Design & Engineering
- Prototype Development
- Fabrication & Machining
- Production & Quality Control
- Test Fitment & Validation
- Packaging & Documentation
Our locations in Colorado, USA and Batemans Bay, Australia allow us to support both hemispheres and deliver quickly to customers.
Sponsorship
SUMO provides limited sponsorships for vehicles in multiple racing disciplines.
We work with drivers and teams that help us test products, collect data, validate designs, and continue improving our products through real-world competition.
SUMO exists to engineer automotive products that deserve to exist.
If we can't genuinely improve a design, we won't build it.
If we believe we can make it stronger, lighter, simpler, easier to install, easier to service, more reliable, better looking, or better performing, we'll pursue it until we're proud to put the SUMO name on it.