StopTech will cease operations after 27 years in the high-performance brake market, bringing an end to one of the aftermarket’s most recognized enthusiast brands. OEM replacement brands Raybestos and Centric will also shut down. The closures follow financial proceedings involving parent company First Brands Group, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after federal fraud indictments were brought against its founders in September 2025. Production of brake components under all three brands has stopped.
First Brands Group, which also owns Fram filters, Michelin wiper blades, Reese towing products and Autolite spark plugs, has been selling portions of its business in an effort to address more than $6 billion in debt. StopTech, Raybestos and Centric were placed up for sale during the bankruptcy process but did not secure a buyer in time to sustain operations. First Brands announced the operational wind-down of the three brake divisions, including an immediate halt to manufacturing. No new brake pads, rotors or calipers are being produced under those brand names.
StopTech built its reputation in the performance sector with big-brake kits that offered a more budget-conscious alternative to premium systems from companies such as AP Racing and Brembo. The brand became a common choice for track-day drivers and enthusiasts seeking upgraded stopping power. After First Brands acquired the company in 2020, some customers reported declines in product quality, including issues involving brake rotors and replacement caliper components.
Online retailers have indicated they will continue selling remaining StopTech, Centric and Raybestos inventory until stock is depleted. Once existing supplies are exhausted, the brands will no longer produce new components as the bankruptcy proceedings continue and restructuring efforts move forward.
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