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