Company currently reaches 126 countries and grows with acquisitions
Fras-le turned 65 on February 22nd 2019, celebrating one of the periods of largest international expansion in its history, notably in the last two years, with seven new operations in Brazil and abroad. The strength of the Randon group and solid leadership has led the company to consolidate its presence in 126 countries with a wide portfolio.
In 2017 Fras-le has acquired three companies in Argentina and Uruguay and established a sales office and distribution center in Colombia, not to mention the duplication of the China unit in 2018. In Brazil, Fras-le continued to expand its operations by signing a joint venture with the American multinational Federal Mogul, now part of the Tenneco group, which in the subsequent year resulted in the formation of Jurid do Brasil, in Sorocaba (SP). The new company is focused on the OE market for light vehicles in Brazil and South America. Also in 2018, Fras-le signed a joint venture with the Indian friction manufacturer ASK, creating ASK Fras-le Friction, focused on the production of brake linings and pads for heavy duty vehicles in India.
In the same year, the company agreed to a partnership with Nucap through the purchase of the NRS (Nucap Retention System) anchoring system manufacturing rights. In July, the contract with the American company Meritor was renewed for a further 10 years, consolidating an agreement that lasts over 20 years for the sales and distribution of brake linings for commercial vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In October, the company bought the entire stock of the company Jofund S/A, holder of the Fremax brand, thus adding 2,500 references to its already diversified portfolio, with full synergy between the brake disc and pad businesses.
“Fras-le reaches its 65th year experiencing a very rewarding moment. We are developing and working with high technology with our partners, delivering value to customers, investors and providing to the world high-performance products. All of this is thanks to the talents and commitment of our employees, who were able to assimilate different cultures and providing competitive advantage”, said Fras-le’s CEO, Sérgio Carvalho.
The manufacturer of friction materials and related automotive parts is currently among the five largest in the world. It operates through factories strategically located in Brazil, the United States, Argentina, Uruguay, India and China and distribution centers in Argentina, Colombia, Europe and the United States, as well as commercial operations in the United States, Colombia, Chile, Europe, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. This network provides the utmost agility and readiness in fulfilling customer’s needs worldwide.
With its business focused on the OEM and aftermarket segments, the company has a Research and Development Center composed of Chemical, Physical and Pilot Laboratories, as well as the Center of Technology Randon (CTR), which is the largest independent automotive technological center in South America. The company has the most relevant certifications of the automotive and environmental sectors, and has been receiving several awards every year given by customers, suppliers and other entities, constantly attesting to the quality of its products and processes.
