Famed brake manufacturer continues to innovate and deliver superior quality products to the marketplace. 

On July 13, brake product manufacturer Ferodo celebrated its 125th anniversary. Founded by Herbert Frood in 1897, the company (which is an anagram of Frood’s last name) started by manufacturing braking materials for horse-drawn carts in Chapel-en-le-Frith, located in the Peak District of Derbyshire, in the UK. 

Today, Ferodo brake products are the Original Equipment (OE) choice for one in every four new vehicles manufactured each year as well as a preferred choice for automotive aftermarket brake applications, and motorsport, as well as other transportation sectors. 

“It’s a unique privilege to be able to look back on Ferodo´s more than 125 years of braking excellence,” said Neville Rudd, Group Vice President and General Manager of Tenneco´s global OE Braking business “But Ferodo is also constantly looking forward to new developments and technical solutions to keep its business—and that of its customers—ahead of the competition.”

Part of Tenneco, Ferodo’s Original Equipment braking business is still headquartered in Chapel-en-le-Frith, which houses the company’s R&D facilities as well as manufacturing. Additionally, Ferodo operates OE engineering centres and other manufacturing locations across Europe, the Americas and in the Asia Pacific region.

Ferodo braking products are supplied as Original Equipment to virtually all major light and commercial vehicle manufacturers and are marketed in over 200 countries around the globe.

Tenneco´s braking business also serves customers in the two-wheel segment as well as in the off-highway, agricultural, industrial and railway markets. At present, around 52% of Tenneco´s OE global braking activity serves customers in Europe, with the balance in North America (28%) and Asia Pacific (20%). Light vehicles currently account for around 75% of global activity, while commercial vehicles constitute around 18% and railway products 7% of Ferodo’s business. 

For aftermarket service providers and end consumers, Ferodo friction products (which are fully homologated and meet all OE quality standards), are marketed and distributed through Tenneco´s DRiV aftermarket business. Today, Ferodo covers more than 98% of the European aftermarket for brake pads, offering parts for most cars on the road. 

In addition, Ferodo´s aftermarket portfolio includes an extensive range of brake discs, shoes, hydraulics and accessories for light and commercial vehicles, as well as disc brake pads for motorcycles, mountain bikes and electric bikes (e-bikes).

A brief history of innovation

Given this is a very special occasion for Ferodo, here’s a little background into some of the company’s milestones and innovations over the years: 

1901: Frood received a patent for brake blocks. These were the first commercial brake pads using friction materials that included cotton cloth filled with resin, camel hair, leather and wood. 

1907: Ferodo products are now used on commercial vehicles, trucks and buses

1922: Ferodo becomes the first brand to supply original equipment linings for the mass market Austin 7 in the UK. 

1923: Ferodo markets its first replacement brake 

1956: Ferodo becomes the first brand to supply disc pads for the first mass-produced passenger car equipped with standard disc brakes (Triumph TR3). 

1980: Ferodo introduces non-asbestos organic (NAO) braking materials as OE equipment on passenger cars.

2012: Eco-Friction low copper/copper-free brake pad range introduced

2019: Advanced copper-free hybrid friction material composites introduced for OE internal combustion engine and electric/hybrid vehicle applications.

2021: Tenneco´s DRiV aftermarket business introduced its range of Ferodo Fuse+ Technology brake pads, bridging the gap between outstanding braking performance and high-end comfort.

2022: DRiV-made bike disc brake pads are made available to service centres and end consumers. Ferodo also introduces copper-free brake pads for Original Equipment Commercial Vehicle applications, as well as the first series introduction of products for truck applications in North America.