Brembo opens expanded North American factory

Brembo celebrated the grand opening of its expanded North American manufacturing operations in Homer, Michigan on 22 May 2014. According to the company, the occasion marks Brembo’s commitment to North America. The investment, which will total more than $115 million dollars (83 million euros) through to the end of 2015, expands the facility that houses production of brake, disc, caliper and corner module manufacturing.

During the grand opening, Brembo announced that North America will become the number one market for the group by the end of 2014. North America closed 2013 with a 19.4 per cent increase in revenue from 2012 and recently announced a 27.7 per cent increase during the first quarter of this year compared with the first quarter of 2013.

“This expanded and modernized production facility represents a new foundation for Brembo in North America, enabling us to increase our presence in the U.S. market and offer better service to our clients,” said Brembo S.p.A. chairman, Alberto Bombassei.

“Today’s celebration renews our commitment to the North American market,” said Daniel Sandberg, president and CEO of Brembo North America. “The investment in the Homer facility will allow us to expand our product offerings not only in North America, but also for customers across the globe.”

Speakers during the event included Alberto Bombassei, chairman of Brembo S.p.A., Daniel Sandberg, president and CEO of Brembo North America, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Sergio Marchionne, chairman and CEO, Chrysler Group LLC.

Larger factory to help serve new #1 market

Brembo bought the Hayes-Lemmerz brakes discs division in 2007. That acquisition included the Homer, Michigan plant, where Brembo began manufacturing discs in the US. The plant underwent one expansion in 2008 and another two phase expansion in 2012 and 2013. Brembo also built a caliper and corner module manufacturing facility adjacent to the disc plant in 2010. Total manufacturing area is now approximately 440,000 square feet, employing more than 450 people. There are 47 processing lines and 12 painting lines. In 2013, the facility produced 10 million discs and 300,000 calipers and corner modules and is expected to produce 12.5 million discs and 400,000 calipers and modules in 2014.

While the company has always had a strong presence in the North American market due to its significant European-based original equipment manufacturer (OEM) applications, Brembo North America’s recent growth was spurred by two events: the purchase of the Hayes-Lemmerz Automotive Brake Component division in November of 2007 and the substantial growth of US-based OEMs.

Brembo’s North American Headquarters and R & D Center are in Plymouth, Michigan. Brembo also has additional manufacturing facilities in Monterey, Mexico and Avenel, New Jersey.

With a very successful history in racing dating back to 1975, Brembo also has a facility in Mooresville, North Carolina, near the headquarters of several major racing teams. Brembo’s high performance brake systems have supported F1, IndyCar, NASCAR and Sports Cars Racing Series, among others.