When a truck carrying brake discs was involved in an accident on its way to Italian car maker Alfa Romeo, local company Brembo seized the moment to start manufacturing and supplying parts to the sports car manufacturer

Brembo was established in 1961 as a small mechanical workshop by Emilio Bombassei, his sons Alberto and Sergio, and his brother-in-law, Italo Breda, just a few miles from Bergamo, Italy.
During the early years, Brembo focused on mechanical work for third parties such as Alfa Romeo and Pirelli, but it was also servicing sectors outside of automotive with mechanical repairs.
In 1964 a fortuitous event changed the fate of the company: a truck from England transporting brake discs for Alfa Romeo overturned.
At the time, Alfa was one of the very few car makers, especially in Italy, to fit its models (such as the Giulia 1300) with the new disc brakes.
Fearing that the discs had been damaged in the accident, Alfa Romeo asked Brembo to repair them.
Realising that the English-made products were not so sophisticated after all, Brembo proposed the idea of producing them directly in Italy, and at a more competitive price.
In 1965 Brembo had a total workforce of 28 employees. However, the company’s small size did not prevent it from exploring a variety of different applications for disc brake technology.
From the late 1960s throughout the 1970s, Brembo produced disc brake systems for trams, buses, earth-moving machinery and even cable cars, including the Sugarloaf Mountain cable car overlooking Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the Mont Blanc cable car.
Beginning in 1972, Brembo invested heavily in growth, production and research.
The result of these efforts led to the development of Brembo’s first complete disc braking system, which would equip the classic Italian motorcycle, the Guzzi V7 Special.
The comparison tests demonstrated the performance benefits of the disc brake applied to the bike, and the success of the Moto Guzzi and Brembo duo forced the competition to conform.
In 1975, Ferrari owner Enzo Ferrari called on Brembo to supply the most iconic car in Formula 1 – an event which the company notes provided definitive affirmation of Brembo’s technological supremacy and quality.
This milestone marked the turning point that allowed Brembo to enter the racing world and provided an exceptional test bench for cutting-edge technological solutions that would transform new products for both its OEM and Aftermarket business.

Fifty years later, Brembo is a key player in the world of racing and claims it has long been the choice for teams competing in the most demanding motorsport championships worldwide, contributing to over 700 titles.
Earlier this year the company also announced its entry into the world of mountain bike competitions alongside the Gravity Team of Specialised Bicycles, further expanding its horizons.
At the beginning of the 1980s, Brembo focused on the development of products and innovative technological processes, concentrating on the high-performance car segment; ultimately deciding to manufacture calipers in material that was innovative for that period – aluminium.
Alfa Romeo first adopted it for the Alfetta GTV, and the Italian car maker was followed immediately afterwards by German auto manufacturer Porsche, which, within just a few short years, was fitting its entire range with this caliper.
Brembo continued to grow in the 1990s, and in July 1995, it was listed on the Milan Stock Exchange.
During this decade Brembo began its international growth, which would lay the foundation for internationalisation of the markets and production destined to become an important part of company strategy.
Moreover, radical innovation was underway, both from a product point of view, with the singlebody, four-piston and four-pad calipers and the first radial motorcycle calipers, as well as from a management point of view.
The new millennium began under the sign of internationalisation and growth.
Brembo expanded in Brazil, England, Spain, Poland, China, Japan, India, the USA, and Argentina, while the activity of the group, through acquisitions and partnerships, also extended into motorcycle wheels (Marchesini), complete ranges of pads, shoes, drum brake kits, and hydraulic components for brakes and clutches.
During these years Brembo also undertook production of carbon-ceramic discs, with the company stating that today, these are standard on all Ferrari cars and optional on the most performing supercars.
In 2020, Brembo inaugurated its new North American headquarters and research and development (R&D) facility in Plymouth, Michigan.
This would mark its first R&D centre created outside of Italy, while in 2012, Brembo opened its new production centre in Nanjing (China), which serves its European customers’ plants that produce cars and commercial vehicles in Asia.
Today, Brembo has a long-standing reputation for providing innovative solutions for original equipment and aftermarket and says it leads the world in the design and production of high performance braking systems and components for top-flight manufacturers of cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles.
The company has taken up the challenge of the new electric mobility, introducing Sensify, which uses artificial intelligence to adapt vehicle braking and, according to Brembo, allows the company to be positioned as a major player in the software field.
This advanced braking system interprets the best action to take during braking, making it much more precise, and reportedly guaranteeing a new driving experience and a greater feeling of safety.
Guided by its strategic vision – “Turning Energy into Inspiration” – Brembo declares its ambition is to help shape the future of mobility through cutting-edge, digital and sustainable solutions.

With more than 16,000 people across 18 countries, 39 production and business sites, 10 R&D centres, two Inspiration Labs and turnover of €3.84 billion ($AUD 6.8 billion) in 2024, Brembo claims to be the trusted solution provider for everyone who demands the best driving experience.
Brembo says continuous investment in research and development, even in times of severe market crisis, has allowed the company to stay one step ahead of its competitors.
In recent years, Brembo has continued to invest in R&D, opening two dedicated ‘Brembo Inspiration Lab’ offices located in Silicon Valley California and Shanghai to support emerging and future technologies, with a team of specialised scientists and engineers focused on big data, artificial intelligence, and advanced software development, which it says demonstrates the significant step of transforming the company from a product manufacturer to a full solution provider.
Signifying the company’s commitment to the Asia Pacific region and in line with its global expansion strategy, Brembo set up its solely owned subsidiary, Brembo Australia, in 2024, to support the growing Aftermarket business.
Working with a number of long-standing key Australian distribution partners to actively grow its offering, Brembo claims it will reach more technicians and enthusiasts with its range of products suited to European and non-European applications, as well as its motorbike parts. This has also opened access to both its Auto Upgrade and Motorbike Upgrade products.
Brembo’s membership of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) is an important part of its growth strategy in this part of the world, with the company reporting that it feels the AAAA plays a vital role in keeping the Aftermarket connected, educated and inspired.
This membership allows Brembo to engage with workshops across Australia, grow awareness of its expanding range, and reinforce that all vehicles, not just high-performance cars, can access the best in braking technology as the company believes: “Every driver deserves safety and every car deserves Brembo.”

To learn more about Brembo, visit www.bremboparts.com