Apec Braking: 60 Years of Growth in the UK Automotive Aftermarket

For more than half a century, Apec Braking has been a familiar name within the UK and Irish automotive aftermarket. Best known for its brake pads, discs and related braking components, the business has developed from a Bristol-based parts supplier into a major brand serving motor factors, independent garages and automotive technicians.

Today, Apec describes itself as a market-leading specialist with 60 years of experience. Although the company has expanded into other automotive product categories, braking remains at the heart of its identity.

The History of Apec Braking

The company behind the Apec name was incorporated on 8 June 1965 as Automotive Power Equipment Co (Bristol) Limited. It adopted the shorter Apec Limited name in 1998, although its connection with the Bristol automotive trade continued to form an important part of the brand’s history.

An important stage in the company’s development came in 2005, when motor retail group Lookers acquired Apec for £9.25 million. At the time, Apec was described as a leading wholesale distributor of own-brand braking components, employing approximately 50 people and supplying motor factors throughout the country. The acquisition was expected to add around £15 million to Lookers’ annual turnover.

Apec changed ownership again in 2016 when Alliance Automotive Group acquired Apec, FPS Distribution and BTN Turbo as part of its purchase of Lookers’ parts division. The brand has continued to operate under its established identity within Alliance Automotive Group, which subsequently became part of Genuine Parts Company.

Why Has Apec Become So Popular?

Apec’s popularity is particularly strong among motor factors, independent garages and professional technicians rather than through direct sales to motorists. Its reputation has been built around product availability, broad vehicle coverage, competitive pricing and warranties designed to give workshops confidence when fitting replacement parts.

The company states that its principal braking range covers approximately 99% of the UK vehicle parc. More than 18 million Apec brake pads are reportedly produced each year, with the pads designed as direct replacements for original-equipment components. The company’s core Apec Red products are also supported by a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty.

Apec offers more than just brake pads. Its braking catalogue includes discs, drums, cables, hoses, calipers, wheel cylinders, master cylinders, fitting kits and other associated components. This allows garages to source a large proportion of the parts needed for a braking repair from a single brand.

The range is divided into different product programmes. Apec Red represents the company’s established core range, while Apec Blue provides a competitively priced selection for popular, fast-moving vehicle applications. Apec Black is positioned as a higher-performance offering for customers seeking enhanced braking characteristics.

Investment in Distribution and Availability

Apec’s growth has also been supported by investment in warehousing and distribution. At the end of 2018, the company moved into a new distribution centre near Filton in Bristol to accommodate increasing demand and an expanding product range.

The new facility offered more than 160,000 square feet of storage space and approximately 18,250 pallet locations. By comparison, the previous warehouse had capacity for around 5,000 pallets. This significant increase illustrates the scale of Apec’s development and the importance of stock availability within its business model.

Maintaining strong availability is particularly important in the automotive aftermarket. Garages often need parts quickly so that vehicles can be repaired and returned to their owners without unnecessary delays. A wide catalogue is valuable, but it is the combination of coverage and dependable distribution that helps a brand become a regular choice for technicians.

Apec’s Turnover and Financial Performance

According to financial information reproduced from the company’s latest filed accounts, Apec Limited recorded turnover of approximately £83.4 million in the year ending 31 December 2024. This compared with approximately £85.2 million in 2023.

Despite the modest reduction in turnover, reported profit before tax increased from approximately £6.2 million in 2023 to £8.5 million in 2024. The company employed an average of 104 people during the latest reported period.

These figures suggest that Apec maintained substantial sales while improving profitability during 2024. However, it is worth noting that the accounts relate to Apec Limited as a legal business and may include activities beyond the sale of products carrying the Apec Braking name. They should not be interpreted as turnover generated solely by brake pads or individual braking product ranges.

The figures nevertheless demonstrate how far the business has developed. A company expected to contribute approximately £15 million of turnover following its acquisition in 2005 was reporting more than £83 million in annual turnover by 2024.

Continuing to Expand the Range

Apec continues to introduce products for newer vehicle applications, including electric vehicles. In May 2026, the company added 84 products across its Red and Blue braking ranges. These additions included discs, drums, pads, fitting kits, caliper carriers and 64 brake cables, along with components for vehicles such as the electric BMW iX2 and Maxus eDeliver 3.

A further 49 products were announced for the Apec Red and Apec Black ranges in June 2026. The regular addition of new references is important as the UK vehicle parc becomes increasingly varied and garages need access to parts for petrol, diesel, hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

The wider Apec Automotive catalogue has also grown beyond braking and now includes steering and suspension components, shock absorbers, coil springs, wheel bearings, clutch kits, rotating electrics, lighting products and lubricants. Even with this diversification, the company continues to describe braking as the foundation of the brand.

A Recognised Name in Aftermarket Braking

Apec’s position in the UK automotive aftermarket has been built over six decades. Its history, extensive vehicle coverage, sizeable distribution operation and continuing investment in new products have helped it become a widely recognised braking brand among garages and parts distributors.

While independent market-share figures are not readily available, the scale of the company’s turnover, its production volumes and the reported coverage of its braking catalogue provide clear indications of its presence within the sector.

From its beginnings as Automotive Power Equipment Co in Bristol to its current position within a major international automotive parts group, Apec has evolved considerably. Its continuing focus on availability, product development and workshop-friendly warranties means the brand is likely to remain an important participant in the UK and Irish automotive aftermarket for years to come.

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