Corteco is the unit of the Freudenberg Group specializing in the Independent Aftermarket (IAM). IAM’s end-customers are independent garages and repair shops unaffiliated with specific brands. They mainly service older vehicles or used vehicle systems after their manufacturer warranties have run out.
Founded in 1996, Corteco is a division of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST). Two brands have a home under the Corteco umbrella: Corteco and TransTec.
The Corteco brand offers a wide-ranging selection of about 26,000 items with high, original-equipment quality. A large portion comes from Freudenberg, especially seals and vibration control products, along with vehicle interior filters and components for steering and chassis systems. Its customers are mainly wholesalers, that is, distributors supplying components to independent service shops. The Corteco brand has its roots in Europe and has traditionally been strong in countries like Italy, France and many East European markets. In Italy, the name Corteco has become a synonym for radial shaft seal rings (oil seals), just as the Simmerring® has in Germany.
TransTec originated in the United States and has been part of Freudenberg since 2013. The brand is also active in the IAM and has been especially successful in North America. TransTec’s target customers are different from those of Corteco. TransTec is geared to professional repairers and reconditioners of complete vehicle systems, especially automatic transmissions as well as hydraulic and electrical power steering systems. TransTec assembles all the components required for a general overhaul or a repair into kits – all from a single source, from seals to fasteners. This enormously simplifies and streamlines a customer’s procurement process.
In broad terms, Corteco is the generalist in the Independent Aftermarket with a wide array of products and customers. TransTec, on the other hand, focuses on specific applications and corresponding customer bases.
The two brands have a total of about 2,600 customers in 100 countries. They are served by 15 branch offices and 11 warehouses. Milan, in the U.S. state of Ohio, is home to the largest warehouse. The second largest is in Hirschberg, Germany. It is Corteco’s main warehouse for Europe and is relocating into a modern, newly-built facility at the Freudenberg headquarters in Weinheim in 2025 (see article). The most recent warehouse opening took place this spring in Istanbul, Turkey (see article).
