In 2022 and 2023, we saw a significant increase in the number of brake rotors and air disc brake calipers that DuraBrake was selling. Part of the increase may be due to our improved sales and marketing efforts but it may also be due to the increase that everyone has been expecting to see for some time.
We’re seeing some dealers and distributors get into the market early and are leading their local markets for air disc brakes, but there is still plenty of opportunity for growth for other dealers and distributors. Many of our brake drum customers have wanted to get into air disc brakes because they don’t want to miss out and started stocking some of our popular numbers with success. Given that we have the largest number of SKUs for air disc brake rotors and an impressive number of air disc brake caliper models, our customers know that they can get the parts they need from us. In fact, there are quite a few part numbers in the market that have been difficult to get from the brake and axle manufacturers this year and we have been able to tool them up and get them in stock. For example, we have two versions of the rotors for the Hendrickson MAXX22T brake system in stock, ones that are in short supply.
Part availability seems to be the primary complaint of dealers and distributors that we have interviewed. Either the brake or axle manufacturer is not able to get them parts, or they are very expensive, and they don’t know about other aftermarket options. As mentioned, we have a very extensive offering of brake rotors and calipers, and we like to help. So don’t hesitate to contact us. In addition, caliper cores have also been an area of heartburn for dealers and distributors. They are expensive cores and ensuring that they get the credit for them when they have given the core credit to their customers is important and can be time-consuming and nerve-wracking. For this reason, we have found success in our no-core calipers. We won’t charge you a core charge and you are free to use those cores to do whatever you want with them….get a free core with another manufacturer, turn it into a paperweight, dress it up for Halloween, or take it on vacation, the ideas are endless.
If you are a dealer or distributor looking to get into the air disc brake aftermarket and don’t know how to get started, contact us, and we’ll help you figure out what you need to start a successful air disc brake business.
