WE ARE THE NUMBER 1 BRAND IN THE HEARTS OF MECHANICS AND LEADERS IN SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.

Four years after starting to informally manufacture aluminum pots, Indústria e Comércio Nakata Ltda. was founded by the Nakata brothers Masaru, Katsuhide, Hiroto, and Eigi. The company is an evolution of the business initiated by their father, Japanese immigrant Fukuichi Nakata, who upon arriving in Brazil, leveraged his talent and knowledge of metals to make buckets and adapt wings to mugs, and later, distillation apparatus for mint.

The Nakata brothers' venture is established in Jabaquara, with an area of 1,600 m2, providing ample space to start serving automakers and the replacement market with quality. Nakata's first headquarters is located in a building at 183 Ibituruna Street, in the Jabaquara district of São Paulo. These are modest facilities but suitable for the beginning of the enterprise and the demands of a changing market. It is also where the production of mechanical components for Bendix washers begins.

It is already clear that Brazil will start manufacturing automobiles as part of an industrialization policy developed by Juscelino Kubitschek, which requires component localization. With six years of existence, Nakata has 25 employees and produces steering pins and axle sleeves for General Motors, engine components for Mercedes, and valve lifters for the Volkswagen air-cooled engine.

A significant step towards expansion is taken in 1967 with the move to a proprietary headquarters in Diadema, São Paulo, increasing the company's area from 1,600 m to 4,200 m. With much more space available, the number of employees grows, and positive results quickly follow.

Nakata grows and exclusively focuses on automotive sector products. The flagship product is the steering rod, but suspension ball joints also play a significant role in sales. These product lines were introduced by Katsuhide Nakata after several visits to Germany.

As a supplier to virtually all automakers in Brazil, Nakata, which at that time produced steering rod assemblies, joints and suspension (ball joints), bushings, and valve lifters, decides to go public to continue its growth. The public offering includes 5,000 preferred shares at the price of Cr$ 1.60 and has the slogan "One of the top ten companies in the auto parts industry in 1975 goes public in 1973."

One of Nakata's most well-known products, the line of shock absorbers, arrived in the 1970s with technology from the Japanese industry Tokico.

Tested and approved on the tracks, the Nakata HG shock absorber is chosen by Ford as standard equipment for the launch of the second generation of the Escort XR3 in Brazil, one of the most coveted sports cars in the country. With this new technology, the car gains significantly in safety, comfort, and drivability.

Nakata achieves two prestigious excellence awards: being named one of the top 100 small companies in the world by the American economics magazine Forbes, and receiving the title of the best shock absorber in Brazil, the HG, in a test conducted by Quatro Rodas magazine that compares all brands in the market.

Continuously evolving, the company starts to fully focus on serving independent market establishments. After a successful journey supplying automakers as well, Nakata adopts a new business strategy based on the growth of the automotive aftermarket. Starting this year, the exclusive focus shifts to the replacement market.

In April, the American multinational Dana acquires approximately 98% of Nakata's capital, with 32.77% belonging to the founding family and the remainder through the purchase of preferred shares on the São Paulo Stock Exchange. The transaction value is not disclosed. This marks Dana's eighth acquisition in South America since 1996.

In complete alignment with the best environmental preservation practices, Nakata achieves ISO 14001 Certification, an international standard that assures companies of the effectiveness of their processes in environmental management.

New items for the automotive aftermarket ensure expansion and recognition for Nakata in the 21st century. Nakata continues to expand its portfolio to serve the replacement market with even more quality and efficiency. With this goal in mind, the brake line is introduced. In 2009, the new universal joint (cross joint) line arrives.

With an investment of approximately US$ 1.0 billion, the American company The Cypress Group acquires the aftermarket segment of Dana Corporation and creates a new company, Affinia, with a complete focus on the aftermarket and a presence in the North America, Europe, Asia, and South America markets. In Brazil, the transition strengthens the Nakata brand as the flagship of the company in the country.

Nakata experiences a significant portfolio expansion with the arrival of constant velocity joints, followed by brake shoes and wheel hubs (2013), control arms (2016), shock absorbers, wheel hubs, belts, and motorcycle kits (2016), and the driveshaft and differential line (2017).

Following a successful period of management and the appreciation of the company, Cypress reaps its profits, and Nakata is acquired by a prestigious national group in the industry.

In order to expand its presence in the replacement market, the Fras-le Group, a member of the Randon Companies, announces the acquisition of Nakata.

One of the significant actions in this new phase is the inauguration, in 2021, of the shock absorber plant with 4.0 technology, integrated into the Nakata Complex in Extrema (MG), which covers an area of 34,000 m². Nakata is ready for a new cycle of growth in the national aftermarket.

The Fras-le Group of Companies is now named Frasle Mobility. The union of strong brands makes them an even larger group.