Confidentiality note: The customer name is withheld under a commercial confidentiality agreement. Project details and figures are based on information supplied by Dongying Chiheng Brake Materials Co., Ltd.
Customer Background
The customer is a leading European automotive aftermarket chain operating in Germany, France, the United Kingdom and more than ten other countries. Its private-label brake-product sales exceed EUR 200 million annually. It needed an Asia-Pacific ODM supplier combining stable quality, flexible delivery and competitive cost for a broad drum brake shoe range.
The Challenge
- Maintain consistent friction, wear and shear strength across many SKUs.
- Meet ECE R90-related requirements with complete test documentation.
- Support frequent smaller replenishment orders without excessive inventory.
- Reduce cost without compromising quality.
Qualification and Trial
In early 2022, the customer conducted a three-day audit covering quality management, process control, testing, supply chain and social responsibility. Chiheng achieved 92 out of 100 and entered the approved supplier list.
The Q2 trial covered five SKUs and 500 sets per SKU. Samples were delivered in three weeks for ECE R90-oriented testing. The supplied record states that TÜV SÜD testing found friction, wear and shear-strength results above required thresholds.
Solution
Formula and process optimization
Chiheng adjusted friction formulations and controlled bonding, dimensions and inspection for repeatable production. The optimization reportedly reduced unit cost by 12%.
Vendor-managed inventory
Dedicated safety stock supported dispatch within 48 hours. The reported inventory cycle fell from 90 days to 35 days.
Joint development
Chiheng supported competitor analysis, product definition and samples when the customer expanded into travel-trailer brakes.
Results
- More than 2 million brake shoe sets delivered over three years.
- End-market complaint rate reported below 0.1%.
- Best Quality Supplier recognition for two consecutive years.
- Cooperation expanded in 2025 to electromagnets and backing-plate stampings.
- Framework volume progressed from 500,000 sets in year one toward 800,000 in year two.
Capabilities Demonstrated
Multi-SKU ODM management, ECE R90-oriented documentation, friction-material optimization, batch consistency, VMI replenishment and joint development.
