NRS Brakes has been approved as an official partner supplier to The Group APSG, the merged Federated Alliance and Pronto Network distribution organization whose vendor program covers roughly 150 aftermarket brands across braking, friction, chassis, and powertrain categories. The Toronto-based manufacturer of galvanized steel-backed brake pads with mechanically attached friction now sits alongside ADVICS, Bendix, Bosch, Brembo, Centric, Raybestos, and Wagner on The Group’s approved list. The partnership extends NRS Brakes’ reach into the traditional North American aftermarket distribution channel.
Highlights
- NRS Galvanized Brakes added as an approved vendor partner to The Group APSG
- Mechanical attachment system replaces conventional adhesive bonding to address delamination
- Galvanized steel backing plates target corrosion resistance over the service life of the pad
- Product line includes piston cushion inserts engineered for noise reduction and electronic wear sensors where applicable
What the Approval Covers
The Group APSG operates as an aftermarket buying and distribution organization formed by the merger of the Federated Alliance and Pronto Network. Its vendor partner roster spans the major OE and aftermarket brake brands — ADVICS, Bendix, Bosch, Brembo, Centric, Dynamic Friction, Powerstop, Raybestos, TRW, Wagner, and Winhere among them — and approval signals access to the buying group’s member distributors and the service centers they supply.
For NRS Brakes, the approval lands amid steady expansion of its galvanized pad catalog. The brand introduced six new part numbers earlier this spring, extending coverage by roughly 1.7 million vehicles in operation across Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, and Toyota platforms.
How the Mechanical Attachment System Works
NRS Galvanized Brakes differ from conventional aftermarket pads in how the friction material bonds to the backing plate. Where most pads rely on adhesive integral molding — heat and pressure cure glue between the friction puck and a painted steel plate — NRS uses a patented mechanical attachment system. Small galvanized hooks formed into the backing plate physically lock the friction material in place as it is molded, eliminating the adhesive interface that is the typical failure point for delamination under high heat or extended service.
The backing plates themselves are galvanized rather than painted, a finish intended to resist the rust jacking that can separate friction from plate on conventional pads operating in salted winter conditions.
What the Kits Include
The NRS Galvanized Brakes line carries the following features in current part numbers:
- Mechanically attached friction designed to eliminate delamination between friction material and backing plate
- Galvanized steel backing plates for corrosion resistance throughout the service life of the pad
- Z-number FMSI coverage across OE-specified applications
- Piston cushion inserts engineered to dampen vibration at the caliper-piston interface and reduce brake noise
- Electronic wear sensors included where the application requires them
“Not all brake pads are created equal,” said Montu Khokhar, CEO of NRS Brakes. “This approval from The GROUP validates what installers and progressive distributors have already discovered — that NRS Galvanized Brakes provide a smarter, stronger alternative engineered for long-term durability, OE-level function and zero noise operation.”
The company says its galvanized construction and mechanical attachment design appeal to distributors and installers focused on reducing warranty comebacks. NRS positions the technology as targeted at the friction delamination, backing-plate corrosion, and noise complaints that drive return rates on conventional adhesive-bonded pads.
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