Brake Pads: Sharper NK Profile With New Initiatives

SBS Automotive wishes to compete on quality with new initiatives focusing on brake comfort and packaging improvements

As a leading aftermarket supplier of disc brake pads, SBS Automotive has an ongoing focus on initiatives which contribute to further strengthen the position and profile of the NK range.

One step ahead

”NK brake pads is a strong alternative to original parts and ”premium” brands – both in respect of range and product quality. Our ambition is always to be one step ahead and to offer even better solutions, which create value for our customers,” explains SBS Automotive CSO, Lars From.

Comfort in focus

With NK’s three-layer noise reduction shim technology, the noise nuisance is reduced by suppression and vibration separation through the combination of coating, steel and adhesive.

With the new initiatives, NK puts comfort at the top of the agenda. The aim is to offer the market’s most silent brakes.

Noise reducing shims are the traditional and most efficient method to reduce noise problems. NK has further developed this technology and has recently implemented a new three-layer shim concept on the complete brake pad range in order to further reduce the risk for noise nuisance. With NK’s three-layer noise reduction shim technology, the noise nuisance is reduced by suppression and vibration separation by a combination of coating, steel and adhesive. Also the fastening of the shim is important for the noise reduction effect. On NK brake pads the shims are fastened on the complete surface to achieve maximum retention and to suppress vibrations.

Also the brake pad chamfers and their impact on noise have been analyzed. On certain reference numbers the chamfers have been enlarged, which has had a positive comfort effect without reducing the brake performance.

The NK team expects that these new initiatives will meet even the strictest demands to brake comfort regardless of reference number and car model.

New ”Easy-Up” boxes – more sizes

SBS Automotive — NK offers one of the most comprehensive brake pad ranges in the market with a coverage on more than 99% of the car fleet. NK brake pads are “Matching Quality” with 5-year-guarantee against defects in material and workmanship and a wear guarantee on minimum 35.000 kilometers. The improved box concept with additional sizes and “Easy-Up” emphasizes NK’s focus on quality issues.

Parallel to the comfort initiatives, NK has also improved the packaging concept and optimized the box sizes. The box construction has been changed to “EasyUp” boxes which are both easy and fast to open and offer optimal product protection. Further, more box sizes have been introduced which reduces stock and logistics costs.

Quality profile sharpened

With the improvements, NK further strengthens its quality profile.

Andreas Hagbarth, Product Manager: ”Brake parts are safety parts. We believe in quality as the basic parameter. We have conducted comparable tests with original parts, which place NK at the very top in terms of comfort, brake performance and durability. Therefore we offer the aftermarket’s best guarantee with 5 years against defects in material and workmanship as well as a unique wear guarantee on minimum 35.000 kilometers. With our new initiatives we add new dimensions to the total quality perception of our NK brake pads.”

Market coverage

The NK brake pad range is one of the most comprehensive in the aftermarket. With a market coverage on more than 99% of the car fleet and with fast introduction of new reference numbers, the NK range always covers the actual repair need in the garages.