BREMSKERL looks to tap Indian aftermarket space

Indian subsidiary of Bremskerl, Germany is looking for suitable dealer and distributer network to tap the domestic aftermarket segment.

The 14th Auto Expo (Components) is the third edition that Bremskerl Friction Material India is participating since the company’s inception in 2011. Its parent firm BREMSKERL-REIBBELAGWERKE EMMERLING GmbH is a renowned SME in the European auto ancillary industry, which manufactures brake and clutch linings for rail vehicles, industrial applications and commercial vehicles. The company’s automated production and modern research facility helps develop state-of-the-art brake and clutch lining variants, often tailor-made for individual requirements of its customers.

Mr. Stefan Purbs, Sales Director, Bremskerl Germany, flanked by Mr. Mathew Pathalil, Assistant General Manager (right), and Mr. Vinod Solomon, Manager – Operations, Bremskerl India

In the commercial vehicle category, Bremskerl makes drum brake linings and disc pads for trucks, trailers, buses, crane vehicles and special vehicles. It caters to products for most of the International brands. The company has similar subsidiaries like that of India in North America, Great Britain, and China, thereby making a fair global presence in the segment.

In India, the company is in dialogue with four leading OEMs and a trailer manufacturer to supply brake linings and pads, revealed Mr. Mathew Pathalil, Assistant General Manager, Bremskerl India. “We do realize that OEM business is a slow and steady process, so we are simultaneously focusing on the aftermarket segment to realize the potentials in India”, he added.

The company counted the auto expo as a great platform to seek suitable partners who can help form a distributer network for its products in the country. “The customer footfall was phenomenal this year, with keen enquiries from dealers and retailers, and some OEMs”, observed Mr. Pathalil. From April 2018, our prime focus is going to be on establishing dealer network in the country, starting with the Southern region with higher aftermarket potentials, he said.

Although directly present in Indian only recently, Bremskerl is a leading supplier to Indian Railways for the past 15 years via a license partner. The company claims that is pioneered in introducing non-asbestos brake blocks and brake pads to the railways in India. “With our expertise in the development of asbestos-free products for several decades in Europe, our products are of class-leading quality and durable enough to last long”, claims Mr. Stefan Purbs, Sales Director, Bremskerl Germany.

Bremskerl has developed 6 grades of non-asbestos brake friction products for commercial vehicles, including for premium products like Volvo Trucks. The company has done extensive field trials in the local conditions and operational requirements since 2014 to develop best products for the local market. “For instance, Bremskerl’s twin-bond technology has innovatively addressed the lack of flexibility and cracking issue common with locally-made non-asbestos brake liners in India”, says Mr. Mathew Pathalil.