New Release — 2026

The Brake Industry Handbook

An Insider’s Guide to Markets, Technology, and Careers

By Brian Hagman — Founder of The BRAKE Report & Hagman Search

The Brake Industry Handbook
29
Chapters
200+
Pages
73
Glossary Terms
5
Appendices
What’s Inside

The knowledge that takes a decade to learn — in one book.

Whether you’re an engineer entering the brake industry, a sales professional learning OE dynamics, or an executive evaluating suppliers, this is the reference that didn’t exist until now.

How the Industry Really Works

Go beyond textbook descriptions. Learn how OE programs get sourced, why Tier 1 suppliers accept 3–6% margins, how the aftermarket “virtuous cycle” generates 15–25% on the same parts, and what EV adoption means for every company in the supply chain.

Technology Changing Everything

From copper-free friction and Euro 7 particulate regulations to electro-mechanical brakes and autonomous vehicle redundancy architectures — understand the forces reshaping a $30+ billion global market.

Careers & Hiring Intelligence

Written by the brake industry’s leading executive recruiter. What hiring managers actually look for, how to evaluate brake companies, interview questions you’ll face, compensation negotiation, and the hidden job market.

Who This Book Is For

Built for professionals across the brake industry ecosystem.

No matter where you sit in the supply chain, this handbook gives you the full picture.

E

Engineers & Technical Staff

Understand the full system — materials, testing, manufacturing, and where the technology is heading — to make better decisions and accelerate your career.

S

Sales & Business Development

Learn the OE sourcing cycle, aftermarket distribution, and commercial vehicle segments so you can speak your customers’ language fluently.

L

Executives & General Managers

Evaluate acquisition targets, competitive positioning, and market dynamics with a reference that maps the full competitive landscape.

N

New to the Industry

Onboard yourself in weeks instead of years. Covers the terminology, companies, career paths, and unwritten rules that insiders take for granted.

Full Table of Contents

29 chapters. 5 appendices. Everything connects.

From the physics of stopping to the politics of getting hired — the first book to cover the brake industry end to end.

Industry & Markets
1 The Race That Changed Everything
2 How Brakes Actually Work
3 The Market Landscape
4 The Competitive Landscape
5 How OE Business Really Works
6 The Material Wars
7 Motorsports and Braking
8 The Commercial Vehicle World
9 Inside the Factory
10 Testing and Validation
Technology & Supply Chain
11 The Aftermarket Supply Chain
12 The Regulatory Pressure Cooker
13 The Electric Revolution
14 The Technology Frontier
15 The Autonomous Future
16 Types of Brake Companies
17 Careers in the Brake Industry
18 Understanding the Supply Chain
19 Geographic Manufacturing Hubs
20 How to Evaluate a Brake Company
Careers & Professional Growth
21 What Hiring Managers Look For
22 Interview Questions You’ll Face
23 Negotiating Compensation
24 First 90 Days: Onboard Yourself
25 When Your Company Gets Acquired
26 The Hidden Job Market
27 Winning in the Aftermarket
28 Commercial Vehicle Braking
29 Electronic Brake Systems Explained
App A: 73-Term Glossary App B: Major Company Directory App C: Key Industry Resources App D: Career Tools App E: Technical Deep Dives
About the Author

Brian Hagman

Brian Hagman is the founder of Hagman Search, an executive recruiting firm specializing exclusively in the global brake industry, and the publisher of three automotive trade publications: The BRAKE Report, The EV Report, and Self Drive News.

Since 2012, he has covered the brake industry as both journalist and recruiter, building relationships across OE manufacturers, aftermarket distributors, friction material suppliers, and technology companies worldwide. This handbook distills the insider knowledge he’s gained from thousands of conversations with executives, engineers, and professionals across every segment of the industry.

The BRAKE Report
The EV Report
Self Drive News
Hagman Search
Get the Book

The reference the brake industry has been missing.

Download the complete PDF free, or order the hardcover edition from Amazon.

Also available on Kindle — $9.99