Request For First Brands Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2025, leading to the shutdown of Raybestos and Centric Parts in January 2026. These two major brake component manufacturers supplied automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and aftermarket retailers across North America. Their exit has created immediate sourcing challenges for companies dependent on these suppliers.
For over 50 years, Aranda Tooling has manufactured high-volume metal-stamped components for Tier 1, 2, and 3 automotive suppliers. With production capacity exceeding 1 million parts per week, we help manufacturers maintain continuity when established suppliers exit the market.
This article covers the production impact of the First Brands bankruptcy and key capabilities to evaluate when selecting alternative metal stamping suppliers.
Production Impact of the First Brand’s Closure
First Brands reported net sales of approximately $5 billion for 2024, with braking products representing 33% of revenue. The scale of this closure means thousands of automotive manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers must identify new sources for brake backing plates, mounting brackets, hardware, and related stamped components.
The shutdown affects both replacement parts markets and original equipment production. Manufacturers that relied on Raybestos or Centric for production components now face gaps in their supply chains. Lead times from remaining suppliers have extended as demand concentrates among fewer manufacturers.
Companies transitioning away from affected suppliers should prioritize manufacturers with demonstrated capacity, quality systems, and operational stability spanning multiple decades.
Essential Capabilities for Alternative Suppliers
When evaluating metal stamping suppliers to replace First Brands’ sources, manufacturers should assess these key areas:
- Production capacity. Press tonnage ranging from 60 to 1,300+ tons
handles both small hardware and larger structural components across different production volumes. - Material flexibility. Capability to work with stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum in thicknesses from 0.005 to 0.5 inches with maximum part widths up to 48 inches.
- Quality documentation. ISO 9001:2015 certification
and experience meeting OEM specifications across automotive supply tiers. - Tooling support. In-house tool and die design reduces lead times for custom components and engineering changes during production transitions.
- Proven track record. Decades of operational history demonstrate supply chain stability and the ability to maintain long-term partnerships.
How High-Volume Stamping Addresses Supply Gaps
Metal stamping produces consistent parts at volumes that match automotive production schedules. Once tooling is validated, stamping operations can ramp up quickly – a key factor when replacing suppliers on short notice.
The process works efficiently for brake components because it handles the material specifications and tolerances these parts require. Progressive dies can form, punch, and trim parts in a single press stroke, reducing per-part costs at volume while maintaining dimensional accuracy.
For manufacturers evaluating new suppliers, production volume matters less than production consistency. Suppliers should demonstrate the capability to maintain quality and delivery schedules across thousands or millions of parts.
Aranda Tooling’s Automotive Production Capability
Since 1975, we’ve manufactured precision metal components for automotive OEMs and their supply chains. Our facilities house over 50 presses, and we employ over 300 workers worldwide, producing more than 1 million precision parts per week.
Our automotive stamping services include progressive die, transfer die, and compound die processes. We work with engineering teams to develop tooling for custom specifications and maintain production schedules for ongoing orders.
For companies affected by the First Brands closure, our high-volume metal stamping capacity can accommodate significant production volumes. Our maximum press bed handles tooling up to 240 by 70 inches with press strokes reaching 31 inches, accommodating larger automotive components when required.
We maintain quality documentation and traceability systems aligned with automotive industry requirements, and our production planning supports both long-term contracts and shorter-term sourcing transitions.
Next Steps for Affected Manufacturers
The First Brands bankruptcy requires automotive manufacturers to act quickly. Companies should begin qualifying alternative suppliers now to avoid production interruptions.
When evaluating suppliers, request capability documentation, quality certifications, and capacity details. Review sample parts to verify dimensional accuracy and discuss lead times for both tooling and production.
If you need to source stamped brake components or automotive parts, contact us to discuss your specifications and request a quote.