Italian brake component manufacturer Brembo is continuing its investment spree.
Loyal A&R readers will remember that Brembo bought a portion of Pirelli back in April of this year, and now the Italians have gobbled up Danish company SBS Friction A/S, which is known best in the marketplace for the SBS line of brake pads.
The deal sees Brembo taking 100% ownership of the Danish company, in an agreement that is worth 224 million Danish kroner ($36 million), with SBS being valued at 300 million Kr.
“We are particularly glad to welcome SBS Friction in our Group,” said Alberto Bombassei, Chairman of Brembo. “Despite the highly complex market context, Brembo has maintained its natural propensity to invest in innovation.”
“This acquisition is an important step in our strategy: it enables us to integrate even more specific competences in a key sector, to further strengthen our range of ‘made-in-Brembo’ solutions for the benefit of our customers.”
Though Brembo might have the better name recognition, SBS is the #1 European-made aftermarket brake pad for the motorcycle industry worldwide, which is certainly the reason that Brembo wanted to bring the Danish company within its ranks.
Employing roughly 200 people in its Svendborg, Denmark, it would seem that SBS will continue its work in the Danish city. It remains to be seen however if the SBS brand will continue as-is, or if the company’s products will be rebadged with the Brembo name going forward.
“Brembo has long been a trustworthy partner that knows the value of SBS Friction’s technological knowhow and its strong niche position,” said Peter Eriksen Jensen, Chairman of SBS Group.
“We are pleased that SBS Friction will get a strong, long-term, industrial owner who will support the company’s continued development. The transaction is a good solution for SBS Group, SBS Friction, the employees, and the city of Svendborg.”
Source: Brembo
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