where masks were handed out
before we entered the area where
brake pad materials were measured
and mixed. We moved on to the
complex machines used to make
the brake-pad backing plates and
the high-pressure tools that bond
the two together. Next was the rotor
manufacturing area, which included
computer-controlled lasers that cut
the various rotors from raw sheets
of steel. After that was the quality
control and testing areas. Galfer
utilizes rigorous quality-control
procedures to ensure the products
are manufactured to specifications.
We ended at the test bench, part of
the development team's tools for
testing new ideas, designs and the
proprietary blends of materials used
in the pads and rotors.
Backing up that process on the
track, several of the athletes that
joined us on the tour have gone
on to win major events in the few
months since. Ortola has won two
Moto2 events, and Danish won the
Czech Grand Prix in Moto3. Hol-
combe locked up the 2026 FIM En-
duro3 World Championship, secur-
ing his 10th career World title. And
40-year-old Cairoli posted impres-
sive results at three rounds of AMA
Pro Motocross this summer, with
a sixth-place moto finish at Spring
Creek as the high-water mark.
U.S. PRESENCE
About 75 percent of
Galfer brakes go to
aftermarket use, with
the remaining 25
percent supplied to
several motorcycle
and bicycle
manufacturers for
production bikes.
During our visit, it was
estimated that Galfer
produced nearly two
million brake pads last
year. The company has a
staff of 130 people.
Giorgio Milesi, one of Galfer co-
founder Maffio Milesi's three sons,
opened Giocar America in 1992 and
operated as Galfer USA along with
his son Alessandro until the two
companies ended their working rela-
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FEATURE I GALFER BRAKES FACTORY TOUR
