The Chakan plant will manufacture a complete production line of disc braking systems for scooters and motorbikes in the country. "Breco targets the emerging markets in Asia. We have a pool of 5,800 employees. Brembo is the owner of the Brembo, Breco, Marchesini and Sabelt brands," Mauro Pessi, managing director, Brembo Group, told media persons.

The company operates in 14 countries and has 33 production and business sites. Paolo Magri, Brembo motorcycles business unit director, said the investment in Pune would provide an opportunity to improve their presence in the Indian market. "Brembo Group, through its Indian subsidiary (KBX), holds 50 per cent market share of motorbike brake systems manufactured in the country. Our clients include leading local as well as international companies such as Bajaj, Hero Honda, Honda Motors, Yamaha, Suzuki and Royal Enfield. The Pune centre has an employee strength of 220," he said.

Shrikant Pangarkar, chief executive officer, India operations, said the company had earmarked Rs eight to nine crore in 2009 for the Pune plant.

Brembo has been active in India since 1998-99, when Kalyani Brakes acquired a licence to manufacture brake discs for motorcycles using Brembo technology. Kalyani Brakes was subsequently acquired by Bosch chassis Systems India Ltd, an Indian subsidiary of the German multinational, and KBX incorporated thereafter — in 2006 as a joint venture between Bosch and Brembo. Now, Brembo is planning the phase-out of KBX within six months and push the new brand Breco.