Laba7’s founder and CEO explains the company’s unique approach to developing test tools for suspension components
Laba7

Youthful vigor:

Laba7’s founder and CEO, Andrius Liškus, explains the company’s unique approach to developing test tools for suspension components

Words by Frank Millard

Laba7 is a shock absorber test specialist with a fresh approach and a healthy ambition. Founder and CEO Andrius Liškus has a background in engineering and is a huge fan of motorsport, which inspired the formation of his company. Just over five years ago, one of Liškus’s friends asked him to build a machine to test the shock absorbers in his workshop. The solution became Laba7’s first shock dynamometer.

Liškus examined the market to see what else was available and swiftly realized that not only was there little competition, but those companies were doing much the same as they had been for decades. Their products had not advanced much, which left the field open for an innovative startup. That is how Laba7 began, explains Liškus: “We started with a simple shock dyno and now we have 10 or more machines. We offer shock absorber diagnostics, testing and repair equipment – but in the long term we will move into more general automotive testing.”

The magnetic touch
Liškus insists that his company’s equipment must be novel and at the same time provide easily readable and repeatable measurements. Customer support is also important because, as Liškus puts it, the perfect equipment does not exist. “We have someone who is more or less available 24/7 if something breaks or if advice is needed. We are here to help,” he says.

“The difference between Laba7 and its competitors is that we scan the market to see how it’s done elsewhere and seek feedback from clients as to whether they are happy or not with their existing equipment. If we can see there is room for improvement, we will assess what innovations we can apply to Laba7’s equipment.”

Most of these products focus on connectivity and the interface itself. Still today, many companies use cables, which is logistically very inefficient. “They provide a robust connection, but in general the concepts are old-school. This year, Laba7 is launching an electromagnetic testing dyno, which only a few companies in the world can provide. It uses the latest technology such as SiC transistors, which help to achieve the high testing forces and speeds required for testing shock absorbers.”

Aesthetics are a core element of the company’s analysis tools, highlights Liškus. He notes that every piece of Laba7 equipment features a sleek, stylish design, adding that the company is currently crafting a new, contemporary, minimalist black and white design.

Laba7 is still in its infancy, having been in operation for about five years. Therefore, gaining the trust of big companies is not easy. “It is challenging to convince companies that have been using equipment from providers with 20 or 30 years of market experience to switch to us,” notes Liškus. “Another aspect is that many people are accustomed to how the other equipment operated, so we have focused on making ours more user-oriented and user-friendly.

“It is not easy but not impossible,” he adds. “We have won several big clients because they saw that Laba7’s equipment is comprehensively better, and they recommended the company to others.”

Age of ambition
Another principle of Laba7’s R&D is to produce as much in-house as possible. Whenever it encounters a product or feature that isn’t available on the market or doesn’t meet its requirements, the company handles much of the development internally. “We try not to buy off-the-shelf equipment or components in the same way many other companies do. At the end of the day, while it may expedite market entry, it comes at a cost due to the increased expense of the equipment.”

As an example, the company developed its own electromagnetic dyno datalogger. Existing dataloggers and motor controllers were costly, so the supplier dedicated two years to building a brand-new system.

It also comes down to accuracy of measurement. Although the in-house approach may result in a longer time-to-market, Liškus is confident that by going down this route, Laba7 can offer users the best measurement and equipment available.

Liškus’s advice to automotive industry professionals is to always be on the lookout for innovation and avoid solely relying on equipment that's been in the market for a long time. Although Laba7 may be relatively new, this company fueled by flexibility and innovation is poised for longevity in the industry. ‹




Playing it safe
Liškus notes that Laba7 not only provides visually pleasing designs but also prioritizes safety in its solutions. “We integrate safety features into our designs to ensure user protection,” he explains. “Our focus is on seeking the best and most innovative solutions rather than opting for the easiest route. As a youthful company with a young workforce, we’re highly agile when it comes to customizing products for clients. Unlike our larger competitors, which often outsource their R&D, Laba7 remains small and nimble, making it extremely flexible in meeting client needs.”

Laba7 complies with all safety regulations but looks to go the extra mile. “Even for our most powerful equipment – for example, we have a system equipped with 100kW electromagnetic motors – we check it meets the safety standards and that it will not interfere with other electromagnetic equipment,” explains Liškus.

He believes that in the five years since the company entered the shock absorber and suspension segment, it has achieved more than others have in 25 years. “I am confident we will expand into other automotive and measurement fields, with innovations such as power measuring dynos for motorcycles and cars.”
Furthermore, Laba7’s recently developed electromagnetic testing device can be used to evaluate other components, not only suspension system components.

Back to News