Carlisle Brake & Friction

What Carlisle Brake & Friction does

Carlisle Brake & Friction is a privately held, wholly-owned subsidiary of CentroMotion and a global manufacturer of high-performance brake, clutch, and transmission friction materials and assemblies, founded in 1925 and headquartered at 920 Lake Road, Medina, Ohio. The company's product portfolio is organized into integrated system categories spanning park and emergency brakes (SAHR and mechanical caliper disc series plus the Electric Park Brake), brake actuators (multi-servo, wedge, link), wet and dry friction materials (proprietary EPD-824, N-series including N-680, TC Series, HDT, and industrial NF-series), disc brake pads (off-highway, Hawk Fleet, defense/HMMWV, and light rail), hydraulic actuation components (single, twin, and QuickFill master cylinders, slave cylinders, power brake valves, relay valves), service brakes (H6/J6 caliper and integrated wet brake assemblies up to 1240mm disc diameter), and transmission and clutch friction materials. Underlying capabilities include in-house design and compounding of friction materials, steel opposing-plate stamping and laser cutting, and full brake-system assembly.

The company serves off-highway OEM manufacturers and aftermarket distributors across construction (backhoes, wheel loaders, excavators, articulated dump trucks, compactors), mining (haul trucks, front-end loaders, underground equipment, winches), and agriculture (tractors and implements) as primary verticals, with secondary exposure to defense/military, light rail/transit, and on-highway commercial vehicles. The business model is B2B hardware sales: engineered brake, clutch, and transmission components are designed-in to OEM platforms under negotiated per-application terms and monetized through direct enterprise field sales, while aftermarket replacement parts flow through a global authorized distributor network spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is contracted application by application.

The company markets through industry trade shows (CONEXPO-CON/AGG, Agritechnica), targeted video and YouTube content, a content-rich website with downloadable technical resources, and a #CarlisleCBF100 social-media campaign tied to its 2025 centennial. It is positioned within CentroMotion alongside sister brands Elliott Manufacturing, Gits Mfg., maximatecc, Power-Packer, and Weasler, and it markets under the trade name Carlisle CBF with sub-brands including Hawk Performance Fleet and Japan Power Brake.

Name

Carlisle Brake & Friction

Legal name

Carlisle Brake & Friction

Website

https://carlislecbf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Carlisle Brake & Friction, a CentroMotion subsidiary founded in 1925 and headquartered in Medina, Ohio, designs and manufactures proprietary brake, clutch, and transmission friction materials and hydraulic brake assemblies for off-highway OEMs in construction, mining, agriculture, defense, light rail, and on-highway markets, selling direct to OEMs and via a global aftermarket distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Brake Systems

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (33634), Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (336340)

akta.pro primary industry

Truck Chassis, Axle, Suspension & Brake Systems Manufacturing (IMACABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brake Friction & Rotors (Pads/Shoes/Discs/Drums) (IMACAIAE), Hydraulic Brake Systems (Master Cylinders/Calipers/Lines/Boosters) (IMACAIAD), Aftermarket Brake Components Manufacturing (Pads/Rotors/Calipers/Lines) (IMACANAB)

Keywords

• Brake friction materials
• Off-highway braking systems
• Hydraulic actuation components
• Wet brake friction discs
• Transmission clutch friction

Headquarters

HQ city

Medina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. OEM Brake and Friction Product Sales: Carlisle Brake & Friction generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of high-performance brake, clutch, and transmission products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in off-highway vehicle markets including construction, mining, and agriculture equipment.
2. Aftermarket Replacement Parts: The company sells aftermarket replacement products including brake linings, seal kits, and overhaul kits through its global distributor network, providing recurring revenue from the installed base of equipment.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Carlisle Brake & Friction designs, develops, and manufactures high-performance brake, clutch, and transmission friction materials, caliper disc park and service brakes, and hydraulic actuation products for off-highway and on-highway vehicles. Its portfolio covers wet brake friction discs, dry friction materials, industrial friction, brake block linings, master and slave cylinders, power brake valves, relay valves, and brake actuators sold to OEMs and the aftermarket through a global distributor network.

Product overview

Carlisle Brake & Friction is a global leader in high-performance brake, clutch, and transmission solutions for off-highway applications. The company's comprehensive product portfolio is organized into integrated system categories: (1) Park & Emergency Brakes including SAHR RT Series, G1, G2, SA10, SA14, SA7, SA2500, RT, RT7000, FCP Series, SCL70, SCL56, and Electric Park Brake; (2) Brake Actuators including Multi Servo, Wedge, and Link actuators; (3) Wet Brake Friction Materials including EPD-824, N-series (N-1292, N-266, N-269, N-360, N-611, N-653, N-670, N-680), TC Series, and Steel Discs; (4) Industrial Brake Friction including NF-120, NF-506, NF-612, NF-621, NF-780; (5) Disc Brake Pads for off-highway, Hawk Fleet (F1, F3), defense (HMMWV), light rail (G180, SMD2), and brake block linings (MB23, MB21, MB20, EC23, EC20, CF2000); (6) Hydraulic Actuation Components including Master Cylinders (Single, Twin, QuickFill variants), Slave Cylinders, Power Brake Systems, and Relay Valves; (7) Service Brakes including H6, J6, SCL56, SCL2, M4, B2, AA4, AB4, F4 Series and Wet Brake Assemblies; (8) Transmission & Clutch Friction including EPD-468, EPD-824, N-series, HDT, PTO Clutch, Paper/Cork Clutch Plates, and Steel Clutch Plates. The company designs, develops, and manufactures its own friction materials, brake assemblies, and hydraulic actuation products to provide complete brake system solutions for construction, mining, agriculture, and other demanding industrial applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hawk Performance Fleet: Fleet disc brake pads brand under Carlisle Brake & Friction offering carbon semi-metallic disc brake pads for severe-duty automotive and truck fleet applications.
• Japan Power Brake

Products and services

• Electric Park Brake Electrically actuated park brake designed for electrified drivetrains of off-highway vehicles. Lightweight design utilizing Carlisle friction technology for maximized service life and performance, targeting OEM manufacturers developing electrified construction, mining, and agriculture equipment.
• Park and Emergency Disc Brake Family (SAHR RT, Modified RT, G1, G2, SA10, SA14, SA7, SA2500, RT7000, SCL70, FCP) Complete family of spring-applied hydraulically released (SAHR), mechanically actuated, and spring-applied air/hydraulic released sliding caliper disc park and emergency brakes for off-highway equipment. Includes SAHR RT Series, Modified RT Series, G1 Series, G2 Series, SA10, SA14, SA7, SA2500, RT7000, SCL70, and FCP Series, sold to OEM manufacturers for static and secondary braking applications.
• Brake Actuators (Multi Servo, Wedge, Link) Family of brake actuators including Multi Servo (up to 50% reduction in pull rod travel for given brake torque), Wedge (consistent efficiency as brake pack wears), and Link actuators (entry point with 50 years of design expertise). Sold to off-highway vehicle manufacturers for service and park brake functions.
• Wet Brake Friction Materials (EPD-824, N-Series, TC Series, Steel Discs) Complete portfolio of wet brake friction materials for oil-cooled wet brake applications, including the proprietary EPD-824 next-generation energy management material, the N-series of paper-type friction materials for high static, dynamic, and high-energy applications, the TC Series for very high energy applications, and steel opposing plates manufactured with high-speed laser cutting equipment. Sold to OEM manufacturers of off-highway equipment.
• Industrial Brake Friction (NF-120, NF-506, NF-612, NF-621, NF-780) Industrial friction materials including NF-120 high-friction flat boards, NF-506 molded semi-metallic for high-temperature applications, NF-612 medium-friction large flat boards, NF-621 molded high-coefficient material for static applications, and NF-780 medium friction slab molded sheets up to 30 by 30 inches, sold for drum brake and heavy-duty industrial applications.
• Disc Brake Pads (Off-Highway, Hawk Fleet, Defense, Light Rail, NF-series) Complete disc brake pad portfolio covering off-highway (Carlisle Semi-Ceramic, Semi-Metallic, NF-782, NF-783, NF-785, NF-786, NF-787, EL121 mine haul), Hawk Performance Fleet F1 and F3 carbon semi-metallic pads for severe-duty automotive and truck fleets, HMMWV semi-metallic defense pads, and G180 and SMD2 light rail transit pads. Sold to OEMs, fleet operators, defense vehicle manufacturers, and through aftermarket distributors.
• Brake Block Linings and Brake Shoes (MB23, MB21, MB20, EC23, EC20, CF2000) Brake block linings and shoe products for on-highway commercial trucks, trailers, and severe-duty applications, including MB23 for liquid tanker, grain, cement, and refuse; MB21 and MB20 premium on-highway linings; EC23 and EC20 linings meeting F.M.V.S.S. #121 standards; CF2000 cohesive friction linings; and replacement brake shoes with induction hardened cam/anchor ends. Sold to commercial vehicle OEMs and aftermarket fleets.
• Master Cylinders (Single, Twin, Twin QuickFill) Full range of single, twin, and Twin QuickFill master cylinders for hydraulic braking systems. The patented QuickFill design delivers up to 50% more oil volume than traditional master cylinders, enabling reduced pedal travel or reduced pedal effort. Sold to OEM manufacturers of hydraulic-brake off-highway vehicles.
• Slave Cylinders (Pusher)

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CentroMotioncoreOthersCarlisle Brake & Friction is a brand within CentroMotion, a global manufacturing company specializing in friction products, mechanical power and information systems, and thermal and motion controls. CentroMotion's well-known brands include Power-Packer for hydraulic motion control, CrossControl and maximatecc for operator information systems, Elliott Manufacturing and Weasler Engineering for power transmission, and Gits Manufacturing for engine thermal solutions.
• ADF DieselminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Carlisle distributor located in Dorval, QC, Canada serving the Canadian market with Carlisle brake and friction products.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Brembo: Global brake system and disc manufacturer serving passenger cars, commercial vehicles and motorsport. Overlaps with Carlisle in caliper disc brakes and severe-duty friction products, though Brembo's center of gravity is high-performance on-road vehicles and motorcycles.
• Knorr-Bremse: Global market leader in commercial vehicle and rail braking systems, with significant overlap in friction materials, brake actuators and severe-duty braking solutions. Most directly comparable to Carlisle given shared focus on heavy-duty braking and similar customer base in commercial and rail applications.
• WABCO (ZF): Leading supplier of braking, stability and air-management systems for commercial vehicles, now part of ZF Group. Overlaps with Carlisle in brake actuation, master cylinders and friction products for on-highway and off-highway trucks, though WABCO's primary focus is on-highway air-brake systems.
• Haldex (SAF-HOLLAND): Commercial vehicle brake and air-system supplier (Haldex brand) covering brake adjusters, actuators and air disc brakes; now part of SAF-HOLLAND. Overlaps with Carlisle on commercial vehicle brake actuation and adjuster products for trucks, trailers and severe-duty vehicles.
• Akebono Brake Industry: Specialist brake and friction manufacturer with deep expertise in friction material formulation and caliper disc brakes. Comparable to Carlisle in proprietary ceramic and low-metallic friction technologies serving both OEM and aftermarket channels, with overlap in severe-duty applications.
• Nisshinbo: Diversified Japanese manufacturer with a brake friction business producing disc brake pads and friction materials for passenger and commercial vehicles. Overlaps with Carlisle in friction chemistry and brake pads, particularly for Asian OEMs that also supply global off-highway equipment manufacturers.
• Federal-Mogul (DRiV / Tenneco): Powertrain and friction products business (now DRiV, a Tenneco business) producing brake friction, sealing and powertrain components for automotive and commercial applications. Comparable to Carlisle in friction products portfolio and commercial vehicle aftermarket channels.
• TMD Friction: Specialist friction-material manufacturer (brake pads, linings and clutch facings) serving passenger, commercial and industrial applications. Closely comparable to Carlisle in wet and dry friction chemistry, with Page brand products for industrial and severe-duty markets directly overlapping Carlise's friction materials portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Mobility Solutions: Global Tier-1 automotive supplier with a broad commercial vehicle braking portfolio (disc brakes, ABS, EBS, brake actuation). While not exclusively focused on off-highway, Bosch increasingly competes in commercial vehicle brake systems, making it a broad incumbent comparable to Carlisle's severe-duty brake offerings.
• Continental (ContiTech): Diversified automotive and industrial supplier with ContiTech offering industrial brake calipers, disc brakes and friction products for commercial and off-highway vehicles. Broad incumbent that overlaps with Carlisle in industrial brake components and severe-duty applications across multiple verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUmhIiBcr4TpoCh0r-u8MXw
• Xx.com/cbfcareers
• Facebookfacebook.com/CarlisleCBF

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carlisle Brake & Friction