20th August 2009 - TMD Brake Academy is Well Received

The automotive industry is shaped by fast technological developments. This also applies to brakes, where increasingly complex modules and higher safety factors place ever growing demands on mechanics. For this reason, skills and knowledge must be continuously refreshed after the initial vocational training. The Brake Academy is a combined training concept of TMD Friction, the manufacturer of Textar and Pagid brake pads and of other friction material brands, as well as of the two cooperation partners SW-Stahl and FTE automotive. It is aimed at repair shop staff and employees in the aftermarket, providing practical opportunities for further professional brake pad and brake related training.

The instructors pass on practice-oriented knowledge about the basics and function of brake systems and pads. The seminars cater to the needs of the aftermarket and independent repair shops and are addressed to master mechanics, assistants and apprentices alike. The experts use the example of Textar and Pagid brake pads to give valuable tips on professional mounting, and demonstrate assessment and diagnosis of various damage profiles. Further topics are hydraulic brake and clutch control systems, as well as the correct use of special tools. Such technologies as brake-bywire, or electronic brake, are also covered.

The workshop is mainly based on the technical book “Textar – at a glance”, published by TMD Friction, which is also used by chamber of trades and master schools. The 80-page textbook contains technical data, current legal regulations, as well as answers and solutions concerning daily handling of brake systems.

The technologies and materials for brake systems and pads are becoming increasingly complex. To remain successful, the staff of repair shops and parts suppliers relies on continuous training. The positive reaction to the TMD Brake Academy is evidence of this demand. The seminars – each with 25 to 40 participants – have been rated as “useful” by 99 percent of the approximately 200 previous participants in 2009, with average overall satisfaction ratings of more than 90 percent. TMD Friction has now responded to this positive feedback by regional expansion of its Brake Academy: Following the good response to the Brake Academy in Germany, the leading manufacturer of brake friction products from Leverkusen is also offering seminars in Austria and Poland, starting this year. TMD Friction is one of the largest suppliers to the global replacement parts aftermarket with its Textar, Pagid, Mintex, Don, Cobreq, and Cosid brands.

Volker Birkholz, Head of the Brake Academy in the Aftermarket Division of TMD Friction Group, is pleased with the success of the offer: “To ensure that the staffs of independent repair shops and of the independent aftermarket continue to meet the requirements of the market, TMD Friction supports them with application-oriented advanced training. Since its introduction, we have received a lot of positive feedback on the Brake Academy, mainly because the imparted knowledge is very practiceoriented.  We are pleased to be able to expand the seminars to Poland and Austria and intend to hold them in additional Eastern European countries in the near future.”

Information on the Brake Academy and dates:

Since its foundation in 2007, the so far 18 seminars have been attended by nearly 400 participants. The next workshops are scheduled for August 22nd, 2009 in Leipzig, September 5th, 2009 in Schwerin, October 24th, 2009 in Landshut and November 21st, 2009 in Breslau (Poland). The costs for the approximately seven-hour event are a symbolic amount of 29 Euro per person (lunch and training material included).

About TMD Friction

TMD Friction Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of brake friction materials in the original equipment market for passenger cars as well as commercial vehicles. Its product portfolio comprises disc brake pads and drum brake linings for passenger cars and commercial vehicles together with brake pads for racing cars and friction materials for rail and industrial applications. TMD Friction is one of the largest suppliers to the global replacement parts aftermarket with its Textar, Pagid, Mintex, Don, Cobreq, and Cosid brands. With locations in Germany and five other European countries, as well as the US, Brazil, Mexico, China and Japan, TMD Friction generated a turnover of €639 million in 2008. TMD Friction Group employs approximately 3,800 people worldwide.

About the seminar partners:

SW-Stahl

SW-Stahl was founded in 1987 and is now located in Remscheid, the centre of the tool industry. The product range includes a selection of more than 4000 highquality, innovative automotive tools, which are marketed by the vehicle parts trade and production-related trade.

FTE automotive

FTE automotive is an internationally leading manufacturer of hydraulic brake and clutch systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. 60 years of development, production and system distribution. Latest technologies for increased safety and comfort on streets all over the world.