Est. 1956 · Third-Generation Family-Owned / Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM / 1609 W. 14th St, Long Beach, CA 90813
Long Beach, CA · Since 1956

Precision brake & clutch manufacturing, built to outlast the job.

Third-generation, family-owned. For 70 years we've turned drums, machined rotors, and relined brake bands for the U.S. Department of Defense, the Port of Long Beach, and heavy industry across Southern California.

Call (562) 436-4224 Request a Quote

Friction Materials Co. is a third-generation, family-owned brake and clutch manufacturer based in Long Beach, CA, minutes from the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles. Since 1956, the company has manufactured and remanufactured brake bands, drums, rotors, and friction materials for the maritime, industrial, defense, and vintage-vehicle markets.

About the Company

70 years. Three generations. One shop.

Friction Materials Co. started out rebuilding clutches and brakes in Long Beach in 1956 and has grown into a full manufacturer and remanufacturer of brake applications and friction materials — still run by the same family, three generations in.

We use only high-quality friction materials, and our location puts us minutes from the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles — which is exactly why crane operators, tug companies, and the defense industry call us first when a brake band needs to be right the first time.

70
Years in Business
1956
Founded in Long Beach
3rd
Generation, Family-Owned
4
Ports Served: LB / LA / SD / Oakland
Lathe machining a metal drum, representative of Friction Materials Co.'s drum turning and rotor machining process
What We Build

Three shops, one roof.

Brake rebuild, maritime/marine, and industrial friction components — all manufactured and remanufactured in-house in Long Beach.

Brakes

Drum turning, rotor machining, flywheel resurfacing, and full relining for brake shoes, punch press plates, and elevator brakes — from lift jacks to vintage cars to container handlers.

Drum Turning Rotor Machining Flywheel Resurfacing Shoe Relining

Maritime & Marine

Manufacturing and remanufacturing of brake bands and winch brakes for the marine and crane industries — built for the Port of Long Beach, Port of LA, and the tug boats that run between them.

Navy Bladder Brakes Crane Brake Bands Festoon Wheels Deck Winch Brakes

Industrial

Friction components manufactured to hold up in severe-duty conditions — from punch press brakes on the shop floor to ski lift rollers on the mountain.

Hydraulic Cylinders Punch Press Brakes Gantry Crane Bands Ski Lift Rollers
Real Project — Long Beach Harbor

A construction crane's brake band, relined and back on the job.

This is our own work on a harbor crane serving the Port of Long Beach — not a stock photo. When a crane's brake band fails, downtime on the water isn't cheap.

Raw Materials & Hardware

Friction materials, by the roll.

We don't just do the labor — we supply the friction materials and hardware that go into the rebuild.

Rolls and sheets of woven, molded, and block brake lining material stocked by Friction Materials Co.

Materials We Stock & Supply

LONG BEACH, CA · SHOP STOCK
  • Woven Brake Lining
  • Block Brake Lining
  • Molded Brake Lining
  • Brake Lining Sheets
  • Hardware Kits
  • Bearings & Seals
Brake hardware kit with springs, pins, and clips Wheel bearing product supplied by Friction Materials Co. Brake seal product supplied by Friction Materials Co.
Real Project — Vintage Restoration

Same shop that rebuilds Navy brakes also relines your classic.

Heavy equipment and hobby restorations get the same standard: real friction material, machined true, and relined to last — not a reman part off a shelf.

Who We Serve

If it's severe-duty, we've probably already built for it.

U.S. Dept. of Defense
Navy bladder brake manufacturing
Port of Long Beach
Crane & winch brake bands
Port of Los Angeles
Maritime friction components
Port of San Diego & Oakland
Regional maritime service
Amusement Parks & Ski Resorts
Ride & lift friction components
School Districts
Fleet & facility brake service
Crane Operators
Gantry & container handler brakes
Vintage Collectors
Classic car & motorcycle relining
The Process

What happens when you bring us a part.

01

Call or Bring It In

(562) 436-4224, or drop it off at 1609 W. 14th St., Mon–Fri 8–4.

02

We Inspect It

Drum, rotor, band, or lining assessed for turning, machining, or a full reline.

03

We Build It

Only high-quality friction materials, machined and relined in-house — no shortcuts.

04

Back In Service

Tested, ready to install, backed by 70 years of doing this exact work.

Get In Touch

Bring us the part. We'll bring it back to spec.

Address1609 W. 14th Street
Long Beach, CA 90813
HoursMonday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Need a Quote?Mon–Fri, 8–4
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