TMD Friction Hartlepool strikes off after revised pay deal
Strike action by more than 180 Hartlepool workers employed at TMD Friction, which make brakes for OEMs, has ended after Unite secured a two-year 11 per cent pay deal.
Strike action by more than 180 Hartlepool workers employed at TMD Friction, which make brakes for OEMs, has ended after Unite secured a two-year 11 per cent pay deal.
Pay strikes intensified at TMD Friction’s Hartlepool factory, according to Unite, the UK’s leading union, on 23 February. Around 150 workers began strike action over pay earlier this month. That number has since increased to over 180 as more workers join the union. The workers have now moved to continuous indefinite strike action, risking brake product shortages for TMD’s partners, which include Rolls Royce, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Bentley and McLaren.
Unite members at TMD Friction’s Hartlepool brake factory are staging strike action early in 2024 over “low levels of pay being offered by their employer”. Nearly 150 members of the Unite trade union will down tools. An initial wave of five days of action begins on Tuesday 2 January, but the union hasn’t ruled out further strikes.
TMD Friction and Hella have agreed to transfer the 50 per cent share currently held by TMD Friction in the brake joint venture Hella Pagid to Hella. Hella will thus become the sole shareholder of Hella Pagid. Founded in 2013, Hella Pagid, a joint venture between automotive supplier Hella and brake friction manufacturer TMD Friction, sells brake components and accessories on the global automotive aftermarket. The purchase price has not been disclosed.
Automotive brake friction solutions specialist TMD Friction has confirmed its sale to German private equity investor Aequita. The transaction will likely be completed in the fourth quarter of this year, subject to approval by the relevant authorities and the fulfilment of other customary implementation conditions.
TMD Friction’s Textar braking brand celebrated its 110th anniversary in July, marking more than a century’s supply of high-end braking products.
PartsXpert Wijlhuizen BV Arnhem is the first company on the mainland of Europe to receive the commercial vehicle brake relining accreditation from TMD Friction, with other countries following soon, including Romania, Poland and additional countries as TMD Friction continues to provide customers with high levels of support across a global basis.
TMD Friction UK has introduced six new brake pads and three new brake discs to its Mintex product portfolio. The six new brake pads cover many popular passenger car and light commercial vehicle makes and models. New parts include pad MDB3389, fitting BMW 2 Coupe, 3 Series, 4 Coupe and Convertible, Z4 Roadster and Toyota Supra (all 2018-) cars.
TMD Friction UK’s Textar brake brand delivered 167 new references throughout 2022. Of the 167 new products launched, 61 were newly developed, high-end brake pads, with 42 ABS sensors, 36 brake discs, 18 wear leads, six accessories and four new brake fluid products also introduced to Textar’s high-quality product lines.
TMD Friction UK has been highlighting the importance of embracing future talent and encouraging the next generation of aftermarket professionals into the industry as part of National Apprenticeship week (6–12 February).
To mark the occasion, the braking specialist is celebrating its own homegrown talent throughout its UK sites. For its part, TMD Friction UK offers a comprehensive apprenticeship programme.
Ring Automotive has partnered with TMD Friction UK to support with the training of technicians at the braking specialist’s new state-of-the-art facility. Personnel attending the research and development facility in Seaton Ross, East Yorkshire, will be equipped with Ring’s market leading MAGflex inspection lamps and high-performance lithium jump starters and battery analysers.
TMD Friction UK has completed the latest IMI-accredited electric and hybrid vehicle training, as the braking specialist focuses on the future of the automotive industry, and commits to support its customers as new powertrains are introduced. Taking place at TMD Friction UK’s research and development (R&D) facility at Seaton Ross, East Yorkshire, the R&D team completed an intense programme of training on electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids.
TMD Friction’s technical training team recently won the Outstanding Achievement award at the annual Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) awards dinner. Taking place at DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes on Thursday 8 December, the IAAF annual awards ceremony recognised exceptional contributions to the aftermarket sector throughout 2022.
Leading braking product manufacturer TMD Friction has launched a new research and development facility in Seaton Ross, East Yorkshire as part of its investment into serving the independent aftermarket. The launch of TMD Friction’s new premises at Seaton Ross follows a move from its previous proving ground at Elvington. The new facility carries out an important part of TMD Friction’s quality focus with safety-critical tests carried out all day on the test track.
Aftermarket braking specialist TMD Friction has launched six new brake pads and eight new brake discs to its Mintex product range, extending its product lines to cover more vehicles.
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