A CLECKHEATON company making friction products for the automotive and rail industries has engineered the takeover of a Scottish firm.

TMD Friction Group has acquired Eurofriction Ltd, the automotive friction parts manufacturer.

Eurofriction supplies replacement brake pads for cars to leading distributors in the European independent after-market.

It generated sales exceeding £12m in 2009 and employs 130 people at one location in Kilmarnock.

German-owned TMD Friction said the acquisition further strengthened its position as a European and worldwide leader in the development, manufacture, sale and distribution of high quality brake pads to the independent automotive aftermarket.

George Walker, the majority shareholder and managing director of Eurofriction, will resign from his role as MD and leave the business.

However, he will continue to provide support over the coming months to ensure a smooth integration following the takeover.

Mr Walker said TMD Friction was “the most innovative technology leader” in its field, adding that the deal would bring long-term stability to the plant with the prospect of future growth.

Josef Besting, senior vice-president of TMD Friction’s global aftermarket division, said: “This acquisition is a perfect fit. Eurofriction’s business complements our own activities and helps us grow our manufacturing footprint and customer base further.

“While customer demand for both branded and private-label products from TMD Friction increases, we see a growing need to build up additional manufacturing resources dedicated to our aftermarket organisation.”

TMD Friction Group makes disc brake pads and drum brake linings for cars and commercial vehicles together with brake pads for racing cars and friction materials for rail and industrial applications. Its brands include Textar, Pagid, Mintex, Don and Cobreq.