AFI Group Milestones

Auto Friction Industries Sdn. Bhd. (AFI) had strong beginnings in Selangor, finding it’s foothold in the export of brake pads to Japan.

Amidst the Asian financial crisis, AFI continued to expand, establishing the Auto Friction Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. (AFM) factory in Kuala Terengganu.

With health and safety being one ot AFI’S top priorities, the company reinvented itself by making the switch from asbestos formulation to semi-metallic formulation.

As AFI continued to gain traction, it introduced its very own brand, AFI BRAKE. The company also started the production of low metal and refined non-asbestos organic (NAO) brake pads.

AFM succeeded in receiving the MS ISO 9001: 2000 certification. a testament to its commitment towards consistently enhancing consumer satisfaction and providing quality products.

AFI was renamed AFI BRAKE (M) Sdn. Bhd. Subsequently. it continued to further develop its domestic reach, establishing Bremsen Brake (EM) Sdn. Bhd in Sabah.

AFI was recognized for its outstanding business achievement. winning the Golden Bull Award 2008 and Enterprise 50 Award.

AFI Group continues to strengthen its presence in Malaysia with its marketing office strategically located along Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur. As part of its expansion, the group introduced Hi-Q® Distributors (M) Sdn. Bhd., a dedicated arm specialising in the distribution of high-quality auto spare parts and lubricants for passenger vehicles.

In recognition of its entrepreneurial spirit, business excellence, and steady growth, AFI Brake (M) Sdn. Bhd. was honoured with the prestigious Golden Bull Award 2008 as one of Malaysia’s 100 Outstanding SMEs. This accolade marks a significant milestone for the company, affirming its position as a trusted industry leader and celebrating its dedication to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

AFM’s international reach continued to grow as it began exporting to Oceania and Southeast Asia in 2011 and to the Middle East and South Asia in 2012.

Auto Friction Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. was renamed AFI Brake Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. (ABM) in 2014.

ABM marked its 20 anniversary by receiving the Malaysian Standard MS1164:2005 certification and E-Mark European Union Product Certification. Products certified by E-Mark are recognized by all EU member states, allowing AFI to venture into the European market.

AFI Metal Sdn. Bhd. was established, focusing on the production of brake shoes and enhanced their metal stamping process using the latest progressive stamping die technology. In the same year, ABM began development of its truck brake parts range.

AFI began exporting its diverse range of products to Africa and West Asia. It also set up Bremskerl for the domestic distribution of its truck brake parts range.

Continuing on its upward growth trajectory, AFI Group Sdn. Bhd. was established as the holding company for all of its subsidiaries.

With business growing exponentially, AFI set a new foundation stone for a 14,200m² factory in Kuala Terengganu.

2023 saw the completion of AFI’s new factory and the start of its progressive Industry 4.0 automation process that utilizes modern control systems and sophisticated software systems. The Industry 4.0 automation process integrates the ERP system with the Internet of Things, allowing data to be obtained in real-time and processing to be streamlined.

In our pursuit of sustainability, AFI Brake was proudly awarded the LeafMark™with a Level ‘N’ rating — certifying that our brake pads contain less than 0.5% copper by weight. This milestone affirms our commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing and compliance with global standards for cleaner, greener mobility.

AFI Brake Factory earned the GreenRE Gold Certification under the Industrial Facilities Category. This recognition highlights our commitment to sustainable manufacturing, efficient resource use, and reduced environmental impact while upholding strong product quality and safety standards in support of a greener automotive industry.