ICER BRAKES, the Pamplona, Spain-based brake pad manufacturer, is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2026, tracing its roots to a 1961 founding as Materiales de Fricción S.A.E. The company, whose name derives from the acronym Industrial Comercial Enrique Ruiz, has grown into a 100% Spanish-owned braking specialist present in more than 70 markets across five continents. ICER now produces over 20 million brake pads annually from its manufacturing facility in Tudela, Spain, supplying the aftermarket with one of the industry’s most extensive braking product ranges.
Highlights
- Founded in June 1961 as Materiales de Fricción S.A.E., predecessor to the ICER BRAKES brand
- Produces more than 20 million brake pads per year from its Tudela, Spain facility
- Present in over 70 countries across five continents
- Manufactured its first brake pad, for an Austin vehicle, in 1968 — just seven years after founding
From Materiales de Fricción to a Global Brand
A group of entrepreneurs founded Materiales de Fricción S.A.E. in June 1961, laying the groundwork for what would become ICER BRAKES. The name — an acronym for Industrial Comercial Enrique Ruiz — grew synonymous with quality braking solutions as the company built its reputation as a trusted partner for aftermarket distributors worldwide.
The company manufactured its first brake pad in 1968, fitted for an Austin vehicle, just seven years after its founding. International expansion followed in 1970, when ICER shipped its first exports to Germany and the United States.
Manufacturing Scale and Global Reach
Today ICER operates from its manufacturing facility in Tudela, Spain, producing more than 20 million brake pads annually. The company supplies customers in over 70 countries across five continents and describes its current lineup as one of the aftermarket’s most extensive product ranges, covering complete solutions for the braking system.
ICER positions itself as a leader in First-to-Market brake pad development, crediting its Engineering and R&D teams for consistently introducing new part references ahead of competitors.
Six Decades of Product Innovation
ICER established its own Technology Centre in 1974 and expanded it in 2005 with a Schenck dynamometer, which the company says ranks among the most advanced testing setups of its kind. In 1990, ICER launched one of the industry’s most comprehensive asbestos-free product ranges.
More recently, the company has extended its portfolio with dedicated braking solutions for electric vehicles and its LMD range for last-mile delivery vehicles, both of which have received industry recognition, including the Innovation Gallery Award at Motortec Madrid 2025.
Looking Toward Euro 7
ICER says its innovation focus is also aimed at anticipating upcoming regulatory requirements, including the forthcoming Euro 7 standard. The company frames its R&D investment as part of a broader strategy to stay ahead of market and regulatory shifts as it moves into its next decade.
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