Piet Kreeft

Piet Kreeft, the founder of AST Suspension, launched his career at KONI Suspension, where he quickly established himself in the motorsport division. In this role, he provided expert support to professional racing teams, assisting with the development and fine-tuning of suspension systems for high-performance vehicles. His work took him to race circuits all over the world, where he gained invaluable experience in the fast-paced and highly demanding environment of motorsport, helping teams optimize their performance on some of the most challenging tracks. This hands-on experience laid the foundation for his future success and the eventual founding of AST Suspension, a company known for its precision engineering and innovation in suspension technology.

Nikki Lauda

Over the span of nearly 15 years, Piet Kreeft committed an extraordinary amount of time to motorsport, dedicating upwards of 40 weekends each year to support a wide range of motorsport events, encompassing both car and motorcycle racing. His role involved traveling to numerous high-profile events across the globe, providing technical assistance and ensuring the optimal performance of suspension systems for racing teams. His tireless work and deep passion for the sport earned him the respect of many in the motorsport community, including legends like Niki Lauda. In this particular photograph, Piet can be seen engaged in a conversation with Lauda and renowned motorsport figure Henk Richten, capturing a moment of shared expertise and camaraderie among some of the most influential individuals in the racing world.

Aragosta Suspension

After nearly 15 years at KONI, Piet Kreeft left to establish Aragosta Suspension, initially focusing on motocross and Grand Prix racing bikes. Under his leadership, Aragosta quickly rose to prominence, becoming a global leader in these specialized fields. Building on this early success, the company expanded its offerings to include suspension systems for a wide variety of vehicles, making a significant impact in prestigious competitions such as the World Rally Championship, Kartcross, and Touring Car events. One of Aragosta's most notable achievements was its dominance in the Paris-Dakar Rally, where the company set multiple records in both the T1 and T2 categories, solidifying its reputation as a leader in performance suspension. In 1986, after six successful years at Aragosta, Piet moved on to WP Suspension, where he spent the next three years collaborating closely with Benny Wilbers. Together, they focused on developing advanced motorcycle suspension systems, including front forks, further contributing to the progression of high-performance suspension technology in motorsport.

INDY cars

Piet Kreeft worked extensively on INDYCAR cars, collaborating closely with the legendary driver Emerson Fittipaldi. In 1989, their partnership culminated in Fittipaldi winning the INDYCAR 500 World Championship, thanks in large part to the innovative suspension systems designed by Piet. His expertise in suspension engineering played a key role in the development of INDYCAR chassis, and he remained deeply involved in the sport for nearly a decade, contributing to the advancement of racing technology. In 1993, building on his wealth of experience in motorsport engineering, Piet went on to establish his own company, HI TECH, further cementing his legacy in the world of high-performance suspension systems.

Smits Factory

After departing from HI TECH, Piet Kreeft co-founded AST Suspension alongside Peter Smits and Gerard Smits of Smits Factory. By combining their deep technical expertise and access to Smits Factory's advanced manufacturing resources, they were able to produce every component in-house. This approach gave them complete control over the design and production process, allowing AST to develop suspension systems with unparalleled quality control and exceptional flexibility in manufacturing. This commitment to precision and innovation quickly set AST apart from many others in the suspension industry, establishing the company as a leader in high-performance suspension solutions.

GRAND-AM

AST has evolved into a globally recognized brand, renowned for its street and sport dampers, with a diverse range of applications across the world. The company's success can be attributed to the close collaboration between Piet Kreeft, Peter Smits, and Marleen Theuws, who joined the team in 2002. Together, they played a pivotal role in AST’s remarkable growth, particularly in European motorsport, where the company gained significant recognition. Since 2007, AST has made impressive inroads into the U.S. market, expanding its presence and establishing itself as a key player in the industry. In 2010, the company achieved a major milestone when it was chosen as the official shock supplier for the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, further solidifying its reputation in the world of motorsport and high-performance suspension systems.

THE MOTON CONNECTION

AST acquired Moton Suspension Technology, along with its exclusive technologies and damper designs, further enhancing its portfolio of high-performance suspension systems. Established in 1999, MOTON quickly earned a reputation as a leading brand in the motorsport industry, known for its advanced, high-quality adjustable dampers. By June 2000, MOTON had already made a significant impact, with 30% of the cars competing in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans fitted with MOTON dampers.

Since then, MOTON dampers have been instrumental in securing victories across numerous professional motorsport events, including the FIA GT and FIA Sportscar Championships, FIA ETCC and FIA WTCC Championships, Grand-Am and World Challenge Championships, as well as many national GT, Touring, and club racing competitions around the world. MOTON has firmly established itself as a trusted provider of high-performance shock absorbers, relied upon by top manufacturers and racing teams globally.

MOTON's products are predominantly used in GT and Touring cars, as well as high-performance street cars, offering cutting-edge, user-friendly technology that meets the demands of both professional racers and enthusiasts alike.

Marleen Theuws and Coen de Korte

In 2016, AST Suspension and Smits Factory were acquired by the Roosen Industrial Group, paving the way for exciting new opportunities and the further enhancement of our advanced manufacturing capabilities. As we enter this new chapter, we are proud to unveil a refreshed logo, symbolizing our evolution and growth. Under the dynamic and passionate leadership of Marleen Theuws and Coen de Korte, who joined the company in 2017, we are more committed than ever to pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence. With a strengthened team at our headquarters, we are poised to elevate our impact and drive the future of high-performance suspension systems to new heights.

25 years

AST x MOTON Suspension is proud to celebrate its 25th anniversary! For a quarter of a century, we’ve been at the cutting edge of high-performance suspension technology, fueled by a relentless passion for excellence and an unwavering commitment to precision engineering. Over the years, our journey has been defined by continuous innovation, unparalleled quality, and the trust we’ve earned from our valued customers, partners, and the motorsport community. This milestone is not just a reflection of the hard work and dedication that has gone into every product we create, but also a celebration of the relationships we’ve built along the way.

As we reflect on our past achievements, we’re excited for the future and the new heights we will continue to reach. We want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of you—our loyal customers, supporters, and collaborators—for being an essential part of our journey. Here’s to the next 25 years of innovation, performance, and success!