Our man Simon Cudby just completed a bucket-list level ride through the Alps on a KTM adventure bike—including a stop at the actual KTM production facility and headquarters in Munderfing and Mattighoffen, Austria. It was a good time to check out the facility, because a new building has just been added specifically for the racing teams.
"A new building was inevitable after the integration of Husqvarna three years ago, and the decision to go into the MotoGP class," said Pit Beirer, KTM's motorsport director, in an MXGP press release. "For this concept, it was a matter of great concern to us that the entire KTM Motorsport family could strive for further success under one roof. A special thanks to the team from Architekturbüro Hofbauer from Wels, [Austria], for the brilliant planning. With Stefan Pierer as a great thinker and leader of the KTM Group, and with the passion of our employees, we will be able to pursue further major goals together and celebrate our future successes.”
“In 1992 KTM Racing was still a single small workshop, and successfully tackled Rally and Motocross alongside the initial niche of Enduro under the strong leadership of Heinz Kinigadner," said Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM Group. "Meanwhile, since Pit Beirer took over our motorsport in 2006, the team has grown to more than 300 employees worldwide and employs more than 60 factory riders. Ready to race and motor racing are a way of thinking that keeps the company fresh and drives our more than 3000 employees in Mattighofen and Munderfing every day. Five percent of our annual sales flow into our motorsport and makes KTM Europe’s biggest sport motorcycle manufacturer with the ambitious goal of being on the podium all over the world in the coming years.”
Here are Simon's photos and captions of both the production facility and the new race shop.
![The KTM Factory offers public tours of the manufacturing facility on a regular basis.]()
The KTM Factory offers public tours of the manufacturing facility on a regular basis. Simon Cudby ![The main facility houses the manufacturing plant, and across the street is the R and D center.]()
The main facility houses the manufacturing plant, and across the street is the R and D center. Simon Cudby ![Antonio Cairoli’s bike on display in the entrance to the marketing department.]()
Antonio Cairoli’s bike on display in the entrance to the marketing department. Simon Cudby ![Every stairwell features a big display of KTM’s race bikes.]()
Every stairwell features a big display of KTM’s race bikes. Simon Cudby ![The first area in the factory is the frame department with various frame models awaiting assembly.]()
The first area in the factory is the frame department with various frame models awaiting assembly. Simon Cudby ![The production line builds a specific model and number of bikes at one time. On this day the KTM 250 EXC-F model for the US market was being built. These motors wait at the start of the line.]()
The production line builds a specific model and number of bikes at one time. On this day the KTM 250 EXC-F model for the US market was being built. These motors wait at the start of the line. Simon Cudby ![First stop on the line was motor installation into the frame.]()
First stop on the line was motor installation into the frame. Simon Cudby ![Rear suspension and swing arm components being added.]()
Rear suspension and swing arm components being added. Simon Cudby ![Near the end of the line the front suspension, sub frames, controls, and electronics have been installed.]()
Near the end of the line the front suspension, sub frames, controls, and electronics have been installed. Simon Cudby ![Each bike is tested at the end of the line to check for correct component installation.]()
Each bike is tested at the end of the line to check for correct component installation. Simon Cudby ![KTM builds their spoked wheels in house by hand.]()
KTM builds their spoked wheels in house by hand. Simon Cudby ![The wheels are checked for tension by a machine that was designed by the wheel building team. The hand built wheels rarely need much adjustment.]()
The wheels are checked for tension by a machine that was designed by the wheel building team. The hand built wheels rarely need much adjustment. Simon Cudby ![KTM history is everywhere in the factory. Many of the employees we born in the local town, and KTM is a major employer in the area.]()
KTM history is everywhere in the factory. Many of the employees we born in the local town, and KTM is a major employer in the area. Simon Cudby ![Swing arms await the next run on the production line.]()
Swing arms await the next run on the production line. Simon Cudby ![A tour bus pulled up and unloaded a big group of enthusiasts for the factory tour.]()
A tour bus pulled up and unloaded a big group of enthusiasts for the factory tour. Simon Cudby ![The brand new Factory Racing building is located a short distance from the factory.]()
The brand new Factory Racing building is located a short distance from the factory. Simon Cudby ![The race shop lobby features KTM motocross, road racing, and Husqvarna bikes. The Husqvarna racing facility is housed in this building also.]()
The race shop lobby features KTM motocross, road racing, and Husqvarna bikes. The Husqvarna racing facility is housed in this building also. Simon Cudby ![Upstairs features some meeting rooms named after some KTM legends, such as the Decoster meeting room.]()
Upstairs features some meeting rooms named after some KTM legends, such as the Decoster meeting room. Simon Cudby ![This room has several big photo posters showing The Man himself.]()
This room has several big photo posters showing The Man himself. Simon Cudby ![The infamous DeCoster burnout wheel from the New Jersey supercross!]()
The infamous DeCoster burnout wheel from the New Jersey supercross! Simon Cudby ![This giant wall poster shows the KTM racing titles from 2015.]()
This giant wall poster shows the KTM racing titles from 2015. Simon Cudby ![Deep inside the race shop itself, there are CNC machines to build custom parts on demand.]()
Deep inside the race shop itself, there are CNC machines to build custom parts on demand. Simon Cudby ![Jeffrey Herling’s 2016 MX2 championship bike.]()
Jeffrey Herling’s 2016 MX2 championship bike. Simon Cudby ![KTM is all-in on MotoGP racing. Here bikes are being prepped for a test session.]()
KTM is all-in on MotoGP racing. Here bikes are being prepped for a test session. Simon Cudby ![The outside of the new Factory Racing building that the team moved into three months ago.]()
The outside of the new Factory Racing building that the team moved into three months ago. Simon Cudby ![Another look at this impressive new building.]()
Another look at this impressive new building. Simon Cudby
