Brembo takes majority stake in new Indian motorcycle ABS operation
Brembo has taken another step towards becoming a comprehensive motorcycle systems supplier, signing a joint venture with Ningbo Safe Brake Systems to produce motorcycle ABS units for the Indian market.
The new company, BRSF Active Safety Solutions, will focus on local assembly and supply of anti-lock braking systems for motorcycles in India, with Brembo taking a 60 percent majority stake in the venture.
The deal is the latest in a series of motorcycle-focused moves from Brembo. The Italian braking giant has expanded far beyond calipers and discs in recent years, adding Danish brake pad specialist SBS Friction and Spanish motorcycle braking systems maker J.Juan to its portfolio before completing the acquisition of Swedish suspension specialist Öhlins in early 2025. Brembo is also investing in additional Asian production capacity, including a dedicated motorcycle braking systems plant in Thailand.
That broader strategy is now being implemented in India, the world’s largest two-wheeler market, where Brembo sees a long-term opportunity linked to rising safety standards and more ABS fitment in both commuter and high-powered motorcycles.
Indian ABS production
BRSF Active Safety Solutions will operate from a dedicated manufacturing facility in Chakan, near Pune, one of India’s leading automotive and motorcycle manufacturing hubs. The site will be located next to Brembo India’s existing plant.
The facility will use automated assembly lines, Brembo said, adding that the project has been designed around quality, efficiency and progressive localization of the supply chain. It is expected to employ approximately 50 people initially, with staffing and production increasing in line with demand.
The joint venture is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
Single and dual-channel ABS
The new operation will supply both single-channel and dual-channel ABS solutions to Indian motorcycle manufacturers. Single-channel ABS is common on lower-priced motorcycles, while dual-channel ABS is increasingly expected on larger and more premium machines.
Brembo says that more advanced technologies can also be introduced through the joint venture in the future depending on the market requirements and changes in Indian safety standards.
The move also strengthens Brembo’s BYBRE business. BYBRE, short for “By Brembo”, is the group’s brand aimed at small and medium-displacement motorcycles, and is already well established in India. Brembo India produces brake discs, fixed and floating calipers, front and rear master cylinders and ABS braking systems with plants in Pune and Chennai.
Brembo and Ningbo Safe Brake
Ningbo SAFE Brake Systems brings expert ABS knowledge to the partnership. Founded in 2014, the Chinese company develops and manufactures anti-lock braking systems for two-wheelers and has been a major player in China’s motorcycle ABS sector.
Brembo said the partnership will help it in “progressive development of motorcycle safety standards in India”.
“The joint venture with Ningbo Safe Brake Systems reflects our commitment to support the progressive development of motorcycle safety standards in India,” said Andrea Paganesi, Chief Operating Officer, Motorcycle GBU, Brembo. Leveraging our long-standing experience in the Indian market and investing in local production and industrial capabilities, we aim to lead the market towards more advanced braking solutions.
Hill Shan, founder of Ningbo Safe Brake Systems, said the joint venture will create a local manufacturing base tailored to Indian requirements.
“Within this joint venture, our role is to translate this shared vision into an efficient and localized industrial operation,” Shan said. “Together with Brembo, we are establishing a manufacturing platform focused on quality, reliability and the specific requirements of the Indian motorcycle market.”
part of a bigger brembo drama
For Brembo, the Indian ABS venture is another step in its apparent motorcycle-sector consolidation strategy.
SBS Friction added brake pad expertise, J.Juan expanded Brembo’s motorcycle braking system capability, and Öhlins led the group into the suspension and chassis-control area. Added to existing brands like Marchesini and AP Racing, Brembo’s portfolio now extends far beyond the traditional image of red calipers on premium motorcycles.
The sheer scale of India makes this particularly important. Brembo describes the country as the world’s largest two-wheeler market with 25 million motorcycles and scooters and says the market sees strong potential for technological advancements and greater focus on safety. The appeal for motorcycle manufacturers in India is likely to be local suppliers.
For Brembo, this gives the group a strong foothold in one of the world’s most important motorcycle markets at a time when both safety regulations and consumer expectations are moving in the same direction.
