International Dealer News IDN 137 June/July 2017 | Page 23

MATERIALS, TESTING, RANGE There aren’t many motorcycle brands left still in production with quite the history and international motorsports profile that Ferodo carried with it into the 21st century under the ownership of American multi-national Federal-Mogul for the past 20-years. Robin Bradley went to Mondovi, near Turin, Italy, to see Ferodo brake pads being made… Words by Robin Bradley [email protected] F erodo is a storied brand that owes its origins to the earliest days of the motorcycle industry and wider motorsports market. It is right up there with other legendary British names such as Castrol, Avon, Bates, Lucas and countless motorcycle brands – from Arial, BSA, Velocette and Matchless to Brough, Vincent, Triumph, Royal Enfield and Norton – all of which have been equipped with Ferodo pads at various times, making Ferodo as much an institution as a brand. We only have a handful of so called “Legacy” brands left as we head towards the third decade of the 21st century, especially in aftermarket parts terms. As I found out on my recent visit to the Ferodo brake pad manufacturing faci lity at Mondovi, near Turin in Italy, the common denominator among those who have survived is that the brand has been kept up to date with market requirements and with manufacturing technology investments, and has never stood still, keeping its position as one of the leaders of the pack. Bought by the giant American industrial group Federal-Mogul in 1998, the Southfield, Michigan headquartered conglomerate has deep pockets and brings the kind of capital resources to Ferodo (and the sister brands based in its Ferodo Racing and Federal-Mogul Motorsports divisions) that are needed to keep top flight brands competitive. Those brands include Champion spark plugs and filters, which Federal-Mogul also bought in 1998, the year before the corporation marked its 100th anniversary. Further acquisitions have included the Beru brands (another 100-year-old spark plug brand) and the 2014 acquisition of Honeywell’s Friction Materials business. Federal-Mogul’s Motorsports division operates in four key areas – engine and sealing parts, braking, steering and chassis and service items. In terms of motorcycle parts, Ferodo, Champion, Beru and Goetze engine components are the primary product lines. ‘BALANCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE’ Sales Director John Davies: “Our requirements for a high- performance friction material are good performance during all three phases of the braking cycle” “At Donington Park, round six of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship, Alex Lowes, braked by FERODO, recorded the team's first PODIUM of the season. In race one, after being forced wide at the first corner, he recovered from 22nd place and crossed the line in an incredible third!” INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - JUNE/JULY 2017 23