About us

150 years of experience. "Tailor-made safety"

The KARSUS (Kárászy Suspension) name came along after 150 years of existence and experience of KÁRÁSZY Company in the field of shock absorbers. Recycling has always been a fundamental criterion in the designing of KARSUS shock absorbers. We pay the greatest attention to environmental protection and the application of green technologies in the manufacturing process.

Company milestones

1872
The beginning

István Kárászy began the family’s involvement in the vehicle industry with the manufacture of horse-drawn carriages. The first official trade license was issued by the Hungarian authorities in 1874.

1920
From carriages to motor vehicles

The second generation of the Kárászy family expanded its expertise from forged springs for horse-drawn carriages to components for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

1960
Shock absorber refurbishment begins

The Kárászy brothers began refurbishing passenger-car shock absorbers, providing a highly specialized service at a time when new replacement units were largely unavailable in Hungary.

1990
Production and international expansion

Shock absorber production and repair services expanded, primarily for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, alongside the distribution of established international shock absorber brands.

2000
The railway division

Service, renewal and recycling technologies for railway shock absorbers were developed, laying the foundations for Kárászy’s dedicated railway division.

2003
First development for Hungarian State Railways

Kárászy developed its first passenger-coach shock absorber range for Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) and established a dedicated railway shock absorber manufacturing facility.

2008
Railway series production

Small- and medium-series production of railway shock absorbers under the KÁRÁSZY brand was launched, with three product ranges developed to address a broad spectrum of domestic railway requirements.

2010
Buses and commercial vehicles

Kárászy extended its shock absorber development expertise to buses and commercial vehicles in cooperation with established vehicle manufacturers as part of a significant national development project.

2016
Engineering for high-speed rail

Development began on primary, secondary and anti-yaw shock absorbers for the demanding operating conditions of high-speed railway vehicles.

2018
KARSUS makes its mark on railway engineering

The KARSUS name was established following the development and testing of a comprehensive railway shock absorber portfolio comprising seven distinct product series.

2019
20,000th railway shock absorber

The production of the 20,000th railway shock absorber marked a significant milestone in Kárászy’s railway manufacturing history.

2021
IRIS certification

Kárászy achieved ISO/TS 22163 certification, further strengthening its quality management standards for the railway industry.

2022
150 years of engineering heritage

Kárászy celebrated its 150th anniversary in Budapest together with partners, employees and friends, marking a century and a half of technical expertise and continuous development.

2024
New manufacturing facility

A new manufacturing facility was completed, integrating modern production technologies with a stronger focus on energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

2026
A new generation of railway solutions

KARSUS enters a new phase of railway engineering with an expanded, application-driven product portfolio and a renewed international presence. This milestone marks the next stage in the continued development of KARSUS railway solutions.

Engineered for Every Demand

From standard applications to fully custom-engineered solutions, KARSUS develops shock absorbers tailored to the operational requirements of modern railway vehicles. Our engineering team supports every stage from concept and testing to serial production.

Rail cars
Locomotives
Trucks
Buses
“KARSUS tailor-made safety engineered for the future”

Our products are designed to meet the most demanding field requirements


Custom-engineered solutions

Regional product adaptations and tests

Prototype support

Small or large series production

Sustainable Innovation

KARSUS shock absorbers are engineered for reliable, long-term performance under demanding operating conditions. Robust construction, high-quality components and application-specific engineering help ensure consistent operation throughout an extended product lifecycle.

Long service life

Sustainability is a key priority in the development and manufacturing of KARSUS shock absorbers. We use recyclable materials, work to reduce production waste and apply environmentally responsible manufacturing processes wherever possible. Every KARSUS shock absorber can be refurbished and returned to service, helping to extend product life and reduce the need for new replacement units.

KARSUS K148 shock absorber
Long lifecycles

Global presence

KARSUS shock absorbers operate in railway vehicles across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. From one application to the next, the technical requirements and operating conditions may differ, but the principles behind every KARSUS product remain the same: precise engineering, consistent manufacturing quality and dependable long-term performance. Wherever the journey leads, KARSUS delivers the same standard of excellence.

We continuously strive to ensure whoever travels by a vehicle equipped with KARSUS shock absorbers can get home comfortably and safely anywhere and anytime.

KARSUS – Tailor-made safety

Technical documents

Access current KARSUS certificates and product documentation.