Surface Transforms
Surface Transforms is the UK's only manufacturer of carbon-ceramic brake discs, supplying OEMs (Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari, historically GM), motorsport, and aftermarket channels from its Liverpool facility using proprietary continuous carbon fiber CCST technology. The company entered administration in April 2026 after losing its General Motors contract representing 84% of revenue.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersLiverpool, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Surface Transforms does
Surface Transforms Plc is a UK-based designer and manufacturer of next-generation carbon-ceramic brake discs, founded in 1992 as a spinout from ICI and listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (ticker: SCE) since 2004. The company operates from a single manufacturing facility in Knowsley, Liverpool, and is the UK's only manufacturer of carbon-ceramic brake discs for automotive use. Its proprietary CCST (Carbon-Silicon Carbide) technology uses continuous carbon fiber woven into a 3D multi-directional matrix, in contrast to the chopped fibers used in conventional carbon-ceramic discs, delivering 3x heat conductivity and weight savings of up to 70% versus iron brakes. Manufacturing relies on two patented processes: CVIST (Chemical Vapour Infiltration) and MIST (Melt Infiltration), along with an anti-oxidant self-healing coating.
The company monetises through three channels: (1) long-term OEM series supply contracts for carbon-ceramic brake assemblies with automotive manufacturers including Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari, Nissan, Koenigsegg, and historically General Motors; (2) aftermarket upgrade kits distributed through a global network spanning UK, Europe, USA, Australia, China, Taiwan, Dubai, and Indonesia; and (3) motorsport applications (F1, GT racing) and emerging military/special vehicle programmes. Pricing is quote-based and vehicle-specific, with no public disclosure.
The business is currently in administration following the loss of its General Motors contract, which represented 84% (£15.3 million) of FY2025 group revenues. Joint administrators from Alvarez & Marsal were appointed on 22 April 2026 after a strategic review and formal sale process failed to secure firm offers. No returns are expected for shareholders, and the company's £44 million capacity expansion programme—intended to scale annual sales capacity from £50 million to £150 million by 2027—has been halted.
Surface Transforms firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Surface Transforms
- Legal name
- Surface Transforms Plc
- Website
- https://surfacetransforms.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Closed
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Surface Transforms is the UK's only manufacturer of carbon-ceramic brake discs, supplying OEMs (Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari, historically GM), motorsport, and aftermarket channels from its Liverpool facility using proprietary continuous carbon fiber CCST technology. The company entered administration in April 2026 after losing its General Motors contract representing 84% of revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Surface Transforms industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Brake Components
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (33634), Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (336340)
- SIC
- Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Brake Friction & Rotors (Pads/Shoes/Discs/Drums) (IMACAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Aftermarket Brake Components Manufacturing (Pads/Rotors/Calipers/Lines) (IMACANAB)
Keywords
Where Surface Transforms is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Liverpool
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Surface Transforms business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- OEM Series Supply Contracts: Long-term recurring revenue from series supply contracts with automotive OEMs for carbon-ceramic brake discs. The company has secured multiple contracts worth over £290m as stated in the investment case. Revenue from these contracts is recurring as brake discs are replaced during vehicle lifecycle.
- Aftermarket/Service Channel: Sale of brake disc upgrade kits and replacement parts through global distributor network for existing vehicles. Targets high-performance vehicle owners seeking upgraded braking systems.
- Motorsport Applications: Supply of carbon-ceramic brake materials and components for motorsport applications, including F1 and GT racing vehicles.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Vehicle-specific brake disc kits |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Surface Transforms product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Surface Transforms designs and manufactures next-generation carbon-ceramic brake discs using proprietary CCST (Carbon-Silicon Carbide) technology for automotive OEMs, motorsport, and military/special vehicle applications. The company produces lightweight brake disc assemblies supplied directly to vehicle manufacturers under series supply contracts, and aftermarket upgrade kits sold through a global distributor network. It is the UK's only manufacturer of carbon-ceramic brake discs for automotive use.
Product overview
Surface Transforms is the UK's only manufacturer of carbon-ceramic brakes for automotive use. The company produces a proprietary next-generation carbon-ceramic material called CCST (Carbon-Silicon Carbide), which uses continuous carbon fiber woven into a 3D matrix rather than the chopped fibers found in conventional carbon-ceramic brakes. The product portfolio includes OEM series supply brake assemblies for automotive manufacturers (Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini, Nissan, Ford, Mercedes-AMG), aftermarket CCST brake upgrade kits for high-performance vehicles, and specialized carbon-ceramic brakes for motorsport and military/special vehicle applications. The company's manufacturing process encompasses nine stages from carbon fiber preform through carbonisation, chemical vapour infiltration, heat treatment, machining, melt infiltration, anti-oxidant coating, inspection, and despatch.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CCST (Carbon-Ceramic Material Technology) Proprietary Carbon Fiber Reinforced Ceramic (CFRC) material using continuous carbon fiber woven into a 3D multi-directional matrix, forming the basis of Surface Transforms' brake disc products with 3x the heat conductivity of standard ceramic components.
- Automotive OEM Carbon-Ceramic Brake Assemblies Carbon-ceramic brake disc assemblies designed and supplied directly to automotive OEMs and niche/low-volume car builders for series production under long-term supply contracts.
- CCST Brake Upgrade Kits Aftermarket brake disc upgrade kits using CCST technology sold via the global distributor network for owners of high-performance road and track vehicles seeking improved braking and reduced unsprung weight.
- Motorsport Carbon-Ceramic Brakes Carbon-ceramic brake products for motorsport applications including F1 and GT racing, offering lightweight construction, high performance, and durability at significantly lower cost than Carbon-Carbon brakes.
- Special Vehicle Carbon-Ceramic Brakes Carbon-ceramic brake solutions for military and special vehicles achieving 20-30kg unsprung weight savings through lightweight composite materials, supporting fuel efficiency and payload objectives.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 70% weight reduction compared to iron brakes (approximately 20kg of unsprung weight)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Surface Transforms
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Surface Transforms technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Surface Transforms partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Alvarez & MarsalcoreAlvarez & Marsal were appointed as joint administrators of Surface Transforms PLC on April 22, 2026. Joint administrators Michael Magnay, Jonny Marston, and Joanna Bull from the firm are managing the affairs, business and property of the company as agents without personal liability.
- Hinz Motorsport (North American Distributor)majorNorth American distributor for Surface Transforms carbon-ceramic brake products based in Wisconsin, USA. Part of global distributor network covering UK, Europe, USA, Australia, China, Taiwan, Dubai, and Indonesia.
- Ross Sport Europe (UK Distributor)majorUK distributor for Surface Transforms carbon-ceramic brake products based in Cambridgeshire. Established business developing parts for high-performance vehicles, providing proven quality parts and customer service.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Surface Transforms competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Brembo: Global leader in high-performance brake systems and carbon-ceramic disc manufacturing for automotive OEMs and motorsport. Direct competitor to Surface Transforms in carbon-ceramic disc series supply to Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche and other luxury/performance OEMs.
- SGL Carbon: German carbon-based materials company and historic carbon-ceramic brake disc supplier (joint venture with Brembo via BCBS). Comparable product line to Surface Transforms' CCST discs for automotive and industrial applications.
- Akebono Brake Industry: Japanese manufacturer of brake systems and components for passenger cars, with established carbon-ceramic disc offerings. Comparable as an automotive brake system supplier serving major OEMs across geographies.
- AP Racing: UK-based specialist manufacturer of high-performance brake and clutch systems for motorsport and high-performance road cars. Direct competitor in carbon-ceramic brake disc supply for motorsport (F1, GT) and premium road car applications.
Broad incumbents
- Continental AG (ATE Brakes): Major Tier 1 supplier of brake systems, hydraulic components, and advanced braking electronics to global automotive OEMs. Overlaps with Surface Transforms in brake system supply and through its broader portfolio of vehicle safety components.
- ZF Friedrichshafen (TRW Brakes): Global Tier 1 automotive supplier with significant brake system and chassis business (TRW legacy). Comparable as a major automotive brake system manufacturer with global OEM relationships and broader portfolio than Surface Transforms' specialised carbon-ceramic offering.
- Robert Bosch (Automotive Brakes): One of the largest automotive suppliers globally, with brake systems, ABS/ESC, and disc products. A member of Surface Transforms' senior management previously held a General Manager role at Bosch, indicating industry overlap.
- Tenneco (DRiV, Federal-Mogul): Aftermarket and OE supplier of braking, friction, and powertrain components. Comparable to Surface Transforms in friction/brake product manufacturing and aftermarket distribution.
Regional players
- EBC Brakes: UK-based manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket brake pads, discs, and rotors for performance and motorsport applications. Comparable to Surface Transforms' aftermarket distributor channel strategy and product focus on upgraded braking systems.
Emerging players
- Stoptech (Centric Parts / APC Group): US-based high-performance brake system manufacturer serving the automotive aftermarket and motorsport with rotors, calipers and brake kits. Comparable as an aftermarket distributor-style brake upgrade business serving enthusiast segments.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Surface Transforms social profiles
Digital presenceSurface Transforms compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Surface Transforms financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Surface Transforms leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Surface Transforms funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Surface Transforms M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Surface Transforms
What does Surface Transforms do?
Surface Transforms designs and manufactures next-generation carbon-ceramic brake discs using proprietary CCST (Carbon-Silicon Carbide) technology for automotive OEMs, motorsport, and military/special vehicle applications. The company produces lightweight brake disc assemblies supplied directly to vehicle manufacturers under series supply contracts, and aftermarket upgrade kits sold through a global distributor network. It is the UK's only manufacturer of carbon-ceramic brake discs for automotive use.
Is Surface Transforms a public or private company?
Surface Transforms is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently closed.
When was Surface Transforms founded?
Surface Transforms was founded in 1992. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Surface Transforms based?
Surface Transforms is headquartered in Liverpool, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Surface Transforms make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. OEM Series Supply Contracts are the primary driver. The others are aftermarket/Service Channel and motorsport Applications.
Who are Surface Transforms's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Brembo, SGL Carbon, Akebono Brake Industry and AP Racing. Broad incumbents are Continental AG (ATE Brakes), ZF Friedrichshafen (TRW Brakes), Robert Bosch (Automotive Brakes) and Tenneco (DRiV, Federal-Mogul). EBC Brakes is listed as a regional player. Stoptech (Centric Parts / APC Group) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Surface Transforms have an API?
No public API is recorded for Surface Transforms.
What industry is Surface Transforms in?
Surface Transforms's product category is Automotive Brake Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAIAE, Brake Friction & Rotors (Pads/Shoes/Discs/Drums), with a secondary code of IMACANAB, Aftermarket Brake Components Manufacturing (Pads/Rotors/Calipers/Lines). Its NAICS code is 33634 and its SIC code is 3728.