Main Navigation

Uncategorized

Brake Manufacturers Point Out They Are Part Of The Solution To Reducing Copper In U.S. Watersheds

The Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC) of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) recently issued a statement in response to recent media reports and PR regarding the negative impact of the use of copper in brake friction products as it affects U.S. waterways.
By Shop Owner Staff
Published:

The Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC) of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) recently issued a statement in response to recent media reports and PR regarding the negative impact of the use of copper in brake friction products as it affects U.S. waterways.

Related Articles

Copper was introduced into brake friction products when the health risks associated with asbestos were discovered. Copper strands were selected for their effective and safe heat transference properties. In the early 1990s however, copper levels in watersheds showed an increase. In the mid-1990s, the AASA BMC said it commissioned watershed studies in California. The studies were conducted in cooperation with scientists and environmental groups.

While the studies identified many sources of copper in waterways – including plumbing pipes, boat paint and other products – the conclusions showed that dust created by brake friction wear was a contributor.

Founded in 1973, the BMC, which represents more than 80 percent of the producers of brake friction materials in North America, points out that it "is working tirelessly toward a solution," and has been actively involved in reducing the role brake dust plays in polluting U.S. waterways from the beginning. Today, the amount of copper in brake friction is generally less than 10 percent – and many BMC member companies currently produce products with no copper content, the council says.

In late 2010, California passed a law calling for a reduction of copper content in brake friction to less than 5 percent by 2021 and .05 percent by 2025. Washington state passed similar legislation in early 2010.

The AASA BMC and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) say they played a significant role in helping shape these state laws. Since the laws’ passage, AASA BMC and MEMA have worked with both states on rule making which will regulate adherence. The associations’ efforts include recommended product identification, marking and testing standards and a registration process for maintaining documentation.

A recent press release issued by the Green Automotive Alliance announced the creation of a state-by-state petition to ban copper and other hazardous materials in automotive brake pads. One sponsor of the petition, FDP Friction Science, the manufacturer of Eco-Stop brake pads, stated in the announcement that it was " the only manufacturer of copper-free brake pads currently on the market" – a statement that is being disputed by other North American brake pad manufacturers.

"Due to many recent articles and industry marketing campaigns there seems to be a misconception that all friction products used on brake pads and shoes contain large amounts of copper. In the North American aftermarket there is broad range of friction applications whereby Semi-Metallic materials are available and sold that may not contain, or have little copper content. These Semi-Metallic products make up a large part of most friction companies product portfolio and therefore the assumption that all brake friction products contain copper is misleading. Copper is generally found in NAO or Ceramic friction products usually in the high-price segment," stated Bob Wilkes, BMC chairman.

Jack Cameron, BMC group executive and AASA vice president, added, "Many brake friction manufacturers offer non-copper product lines including leading suppliers such as Bosch, Federal-Mogul/Wagner and Affinia/Raybestos."

MEMA and the AASA BMC say they are confident that current activities will lead to the successful replacement of copper in friction materials within the prescribed timelines. Legislation in other states will not be needed since the changes in brake friction formulation are across all product offerings sold in every state, the council states.

"Consumers can rest assured that the manufacturers of brake friction materials will provide brake friction products free of copper in advance of the 2025 deadline," the BMC wrote in its statement.

You May Also Like
Uncategorized

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

By Art Blumenthal
Leveraging more than 30 years of experience as both an aftermarket business owner and aftermarket technology executive, Art Blumenthal LLC provides business intermediary and advisory services to both buyers and sellers of industry businesses of all sizes. Art is a member of IBBA (International Business Brokers Association, Inc.). For more information, or to initiate a no-obligation confidential consultation, visit www.art-blumenthal.com.
Published:

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

Read Full Article
More Uncategorized Posts
Will You Adapt And Cope With Changing Technology?

I remember my boss complaining that electronic ignition was going to destroy our business back in the mid-’70s. “They are taking away our tune up business,” he would say. In some ways, he was right. Technology and change are things we can’t control. In fact, “change” is perhaps the one thing we can count on. And, as in life, it’s how we deal with change that matters.

By Shop Owner Staff
The Secret To Price Advertising

Believe it or not, price advertising is a good thing. I am sure you will agree, everyone likes to find a good value, and price advertising lets people in your community know that you are looking for ways to help them save money. The problem most shop owners come across is that they’re unsure of exactly how to price advertise.

By Shop Owner Staff
Phone Shoppers Made Easy

Although there is no silver bullet that will allow you to bring in every first-time caller, there are a number of things you can do to get more appointments. In this article, I would like to share some of the best practices your advisors can use that will generate immediate results.

By Shop Owner Staff
The True Cost Of Comebacks

Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue, other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.

By Shop Owner Staff
Other Posts
Want To Increase A/C Sales?

Have your techs, as part of their preliminary checks, turn on the A/C and see if the system is working. Is the compressor turning on? Are all the fan speeds working? Is the system getting cold? Is there a smell from the vents?

By Shop Owner Staff
Call For Entries For The ATMC National Excellence In Training Awards

The Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC) has issued a call for entries for the 2014 National Excellence in Training Awards. The annual program is designed to highlight the importance of training to the success of the transportation industry by honoring highly effective or innovative training programs. The awards are open to any person or entity providing training in the industry.

By Shop Owner Staff
CARS 2014: ‘Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile’

From ASA comes word that CARS this year “is not your father’s Oldsmobile.” This year’s CARS will be held July 30-Aug. 2 in Detroit and, for the first time, the focus will be on younger techs. Each program at CARS this year has been handpicked with an eye toward making your shop better, said Donny Seyfer, chairman-elect of the Automotive Service Association, which sponsors CARS.

By Shop Owner Staff
GAAS Attendees Get ‘Connected’ In Chicago

Attendees of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium’s (GAAS) 2014 Connected conference were engaged in a range of high-level topics affecting the automotive aftermarket now and in the future.

By Shop Owner Staff