FRANKFURT, Germany – In a sleek and modern new stand at this year’s Automechanika Frankfurt, Brembo is unveiling a new innovation. The focal point of the company’s exhibit this year is the new range of ultraviolet-coated brake discs it has developed.
"More and more in the aftermarket, coated discs were starting to appear," said Marco Moretti, aftermarket business unit marketing director for Brembo. "We decided to react in a ‘Brembo’ way. We always try to be innovators in the market, not just follow."
Brembo was first in the aftermarket to introduce painted discs 10 years ago, Moretti said, but the paint was only on the external seams of the product. Now, the UV-coated discs answer the call from a wide range of consumers looking for aesthetic appeal. While the aluminum flecks in the paint give the discs a stylish metallic appearance, there are performance and environmental benefits to the UV-coating as well.
The protective paint coating guarantees greater resistance and complete protection of the disc from storage through to installation, according to Moretti. During the process of coating, no VOCs — environmentally harmful emissions — are produced. In addition, compared with conventional coatings, less energy is needed to cure the paint. Brembo’s ultraviolet coating dries at room temperature. The new UV-coated discs are being distributed to both the OEs and the aftermarket.
And speaking of aesthetics, Brembo found a unique way to draw visitors into its stand this year with the "Art is a Disc" competition. Brembo invited students from a German art and design school to paint a Brembo brake disc and submit it for entry. In all, more than 50 students entered, and Brembo’s network of repair shops in Germany voted on 10 finalists. The work of the 10 finalists is on display in the "Art Gallery" at Brembo’s stand, where visitors can vote for their favorite.
The competition will be held not only at the exhibition stand in Frankfurt, but also on the web. Users can view the exhibits throughout the week on the Brembo Facebook page and cast their votes for the preferred disc via the Survey App. The winner will receive a brand-new Vespa.
