Friction One Acquires Raybestos®, Securing the Foundation Behind One of Braking's Most Trusted Names

LOS ANGELES — June 29, 2026 — Today, we announced the acquisition of the Raybestos® brand, bringing one of the aftermarket’s most recognized and trusted braking names together with Friction One’s advanced manufacturing, engineering, validation, and supply capabilities.

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At the center of our vision is a simple commitment: Authentic Raybestos - a disciplined approach to carrying the Raybestos name forward with the engineering foundation, product knowledge,catalog resources, and customer support the brand has long represented.

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The acquisition includes the Raybestos brand and key assets that have supported its braking products for generations, including productformulations, engineering specifications, application data, catalog resources,marketing assets, and related technical materials. For us, the acquisition is not simply about carrying forward a recognized name, but about responsibly preserving the foundation behind Raybestos while building along-term strategy for the brand’s next chapter.

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“We are thrilled to complete this deal, as Raybestos is one of the most respected names in the industry. The concept of ‘Authentic Raybestos’ defines our approach,” said Jim Zhang, Founder and CEO of Friction One. “Raybestos has earned the trust of the aftermarket over many years. Our commitment is to carry that legacy forward through disciplined engineering, advanced manufacturing capability, rigorous validation, continued innovation,and long-term investment. We are taking a thoughtful approach because the Raybestos name deserves to be protected and strengthened. As a family-owned business, Friction One measure success in decades, not quarters. That long-term commitment is exactly what a brand like Raybestos deserves, and it's the foundation of how we intend to steward it forward.”

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Friction One operates a multi-plant, advanced manufacturing platform with operations in Mexico and China, supported by U.S.-based distribution, engineering, catalog management, product development, and supply chain resources. The company’s investment in automation, validation, quality systems, and global supply capability provides the foundation to support the continued evolution of the Raybestos portfolio.

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Richard Speros, Vice President of Sales, North America,said the acquisition represents a long-term commitment to distributors, retailers, installers, technicians, and every customer who has built theirbusiness around the Raybestos name.

“Authentic Raybestos means respecting what customers have trusted while building the support structure needed for the future,” said Speros. “For customers, that comes down to coverage, consistency, and support. Raybestos application coverage remains central to the strategy, and Friction One is committed to supporting that coverage with catalog management, engineering resources, and supply discipline.”

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Few people understand that engineering heritage better than Nate Kinkley, Director of Product Engineering at Friction One. Kinkley previously served as Director of Product Engineering at Brake Parts Inc., where he spent years helping shape and advance the Raybestos product portfolio.

“This represents a full-circle moment in my career,” said Kinkley. “I’ve had the privilege of supporting Raybestos across its products,customers, and engineering heritage. Friction One stands out as the ideal steward for that legacy, and I’m honored to help guide the brand forward.”

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We will continue developing the Raybestos portfolio through a disciplined process focused on engineering review, rigorous product validation, application coverage, supply chain stability, and production excellence. The first Raybestos-branded products under Friction On eare expected to reach distribution in Q4 2026, beginning with friction and drums & rotors.

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More than a century after helping define brake performance,Raybestos enters its next chapter with the foundation that built its reputation, the advanced manufacturing capability to support its future, and acommitment to move forward as:

Authentic Raybestos.

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About Friction One

Friction One is a global manufacturer and distributor of brake components, including brake drums & rotors, brake pads & shoes,brake calipers, brake hoses, hydraulics and related braking products. The company’s product portfolio covers more than 99% of global passenger and commercial vehicle applications across 15,000+ SKUs, supplying retailers, buying groups, and warehouse distributors throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Friction One manufactures through operations in Mexico and China, operates U.S.-based distribution, and is family-owned and led by Founder and CEO Jim Zhang.

About Raybestos

Founded in 1902, Raybestos® is one of the most recognized and respected names in braking. The brand built its reputation on early innovation, including the introduction of the woven brake lining in 1906, and went on to supply braking and friction materials trusted in demanding applications for more than a century, including service to the U.S. military during both World Wars. Long known to technicians as "The Best in Brakes" and "The Technician's Choice," Raybestos has stood for engineering quality, reliability, and trust across generations of the automotive aftermarket, spanning friction, rotors, drums, calipers, and related braking components.

Media Contacts

Richard Speros, Vice President of Sales

Richard.Speros@friction1.us |  +1 (901) 603-5421

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Cody Hooper, Vice President of Sales

Cody.Hooper@friction1.com |  +1 (661) 212-5458