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Recognizing Excellence: What the FMSI Award Means for DFC and the Brake Industry
The FMSI Award is a distinguished honor in the automotive brake industry. It recognizes companies that excel in innovation, quality, and contributions to industry standards. For Dynamic Friction Company (DFC), this award is not only an honor but also a validation of their commitment to quality and leadership. Join us as we explore the Friction Materials Standards Institute (FMSI), the significance of its prestigious award, and the influential role DFC plays in shaping the industry.
What is FMSI?
The Friction Materials Standards Institute (FMSI) provides a standardized numbering system for friction materials. This system helps manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors match friction materials and brake parts accurately across brands. According to Jesus “Chuy” Villalobos, DFC’s Research and Development Manager, FMSI “serves as the standard bearer for the part numbering system that the entire industry uses.” Thus, this standardized approach simplifies product identification, ensuring compatibility and quality across products.
The Importance of the FMSI Award
The FMSI Award for New Assignments and Applications honors companies that make significant contributions to expanding the FMSI catalog. For companies like DFC, this award represents their dedication to advancing FMSI’s objectives. By introducing new friction materials and part numbers, DFC helps improve accuracy and efficiency across the industry. For automotive brake manufacturers, these contributions are essential to smooth product identification and distribution.
Since 2017, DFC has earned this award multiple times. Each year, DFC submits around 100 new part numbers, covering approximately 95% of all new entries to the FMSI system. This dedication solidifies DFC’s influence on industry standards and ensures compatibility across brake programs.
DFC’s Role in Setting Standards and Driving Innovation
DFC’s commitment to quality extends beyond individual products. Instead, it’s about advancing industry standards as a whole. Jesus “Chuy” Villalobos, who has worked with FMSI on behalf of DFC since 2015, takes great pride in this work. As his colleagues explain, “Once he’s done identifying everything, it comes directly after FMSI, and as a result, he supplies the most data and wins the award year after year.” For DFC, this dedication to cataloging new parts and identifying applications makes them a leader in the industry and highlights their focus on quality.
Additionally, DFC’s R&D team ensures all products meet or exceed OEM quality standards. This commitment shows in their high-quality brake pads and rotors, which are designed to suit various vehicle needs. Through these innovations, DFC has become a reliable choice for distributors and customers looking for premium brake products backed by high standards.
Why the FMSI Award Matters to DFC Customers
For DFC’s customers, the FMSI Award is more than a symbol of excellence—it’s a mark of trust. By choosing DFC brake products, customers know they are selecting parts from a brand committed to safety, quality, and innovation. Reflecting on his passion, Chuy shared, “Every time I open a box of pads or a rotor, it’s like opening a Christmas present.” This excitement, combined with DFC’s dedication to FMSI’s system, drives their delivery of award-winning quality.
Driving the Future of Braking Excellence with FMSI Leadership
Ultimately, DFC’s FMSI Award proves their leadership in the automotive brake industry. Their work in maintaining industry standards shines through in every product they manufacture. By supporting FMSI and introducing new part numbers each year, DFC reaffirms its position as a leader in braking. Through their dedication to compatibility, consistency, and performance, DFC shapes the industry’s future.
