First Line’s Borg & Beck brand predicts drum/shoe growth
While we have become accustomed to technological advances driving changes in mature markets, Automotive part supplier First Line, owner of the Borg & Beck brand of braking systems, comments that a more retroactive potential change in the brake market is being driven by automotive ecological and economic considerations. The company says that in recent years, braking technology has remained fairly stable with no great evolutionary advances, which means the biggest change in the market continues to be the growth of the drum/shoe combination as the rear brake solution for many small cars.
As vehicle manufacturers are forced to reduce both the weight and cost of the small cars in their range, they are specifying less sophisticated and less expensive solutions where they can, and drum brake technology gives them the savings they need while still providing the performance they also require.
The full effect of this change has yet to be felt, the Borg & Beck supplier says, noting that this previously unforeseen development will obviously present opportunities for the aftermarket and will drive growth in drums and shoes, which some years ago would have looked very unlikely.
It believes that the brands in growth, in which it includes its own brand, are those that invest in new-to-range (NTR) additions and look to introduce the latest vehicle applications in their range in the shortest possible timeframe.
Borg & Beck ‘on course to double YoY sales’
First Line identifies the core to the popularity of the Borg & Beck range is the commitment to developing the range and ensure that it introduces new vehicle applications to market as soon as possible. Being at the forefront with these additions has raised the awareness of the programme, the supplier says, and kept it ahead of many of its competitors, which is one of the reasons why it is on course to double its sales this year. First Line says this growth comes from both increasing business with its existing customer base and new accounts that recognise the opportunities that the brand gives them in a crowded marketplace.
The Borg & Beck friction range now consists of 1,350 pads, 1,480 discs, 460 shoes, 235 drums, 97 pre-assembled brake shoe kits, 106 wear leads and 380 accessory kits. To supplement these dry products, the Borg & Beck hydraulic programme comprises 1,224 brake hose, 380 wheel cylinder and 104 brake master cylinder references, which in line with the entire range are produced using quality materials and manufacturing processes. Notable NTR references across the range include front pads for the Nissan Juke and Hyundai i30, discs for the 2011 Vauxhall Zafira and wheel cylinders for the Peugeot 208, Citroën C3 and Renault Kangoo.
First Line places particular emphasis on cataloguing, so naturally full application reference details, along with product diagrams and images are available via the Borg & Beck Webcat as well as through the other major electronic cataloguing system providers. Printed catalogues are also available.
First Line says it has also moved to ensure that the entire programme is able to compete equally against other quality braking suppliers, The company has aligned its pricing to provide the workshop with what it describes as “an extremely competitive proposition”. As a result, the combination of quality, range, availability and price is sure to help the brand to continue to increase its share of the market.
First Line summarises that its Borg & Beck braking programme provides the independent workshop with a comprehensive range of high quality ‘dry’ friction and ‘wet’ hydraulic components. The brand is well regarded, has a longstanding reputation for quality and is one of the few aftermarket brand names that is recognised beyond the confines of the trade.
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