Gates Brake

About Gates Corporation

Few names carry as much weight in the automotive and industrial world as Gates. Founded on October 1, 1911, when Charles Gates Sr. purchased a small Denver, Colorado leather and tire company, Gates has grown over more than a century into one of the world's foremost manufacturers of power transmission belts and fluid power products. What began with a single rubber belt innovation — the V-belt, developed in 1917 — evolved into a global engineering powerhouse serving automotive, industrial, agricultural, construction, and energy markets alike.

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Gates operates manufacturing and sales facilities across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. With a workforce of over 15,000 employees and decades of co-engineering relationships with virtually every major Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) worldwide, Gates has earned the trust of engineers, technicians, and DIYers who demand parts that perform under pressure — literally and figuratively.

Engineering at the Core

What sets Gates apart isn't just longevity — it's an unrelenting focus on materials science and precision engineering. Gates designs and validates its components alongside vehicle manufacturers during new model development, meaning Gates parts don't just meet OE specifications — in many cases, they helped define them. This approach results in aftermarket parts that fit correctly and perform reliably, whether you're maintaining a daily driver or servicing a heavy-duty commercial fleet.

In the cooling system category, Gates radiator coolant hoses are a prime example of this philosophy. From factory-molded hoses engineered to fit modern tight engine compartments to multi-ply silicone construction rated for extreme temperature ranges, Gates coolant hoses are built to manage the thermal demands of today's engines with long-lasting durability.

On the drive system side, Gates is equally dominant. The brand's serpentine belt drive master kits bring together belts, tensioners, and pulleys into comprehensive system solutions — a smarter approach than replacing components piecemeal. Gates' Micro-V® and FleetRunner® serpentine belt lines are recognized industry-wide for their ability to handle the demanding multi-accessory drive systems found in modern vehicles.

A Legacy of Innovation

Gates has consistently pushed boundaries throughout its history — from becoming the world's largest synchronous timing belt manufacturer after acquiring Uniroyal Power Transmission in the 1980s, to developing advanced carbon-fiber belt drives for bicycles and high-performance CVT belts for powersports vehicles. Whether the application is a passenger car, a freight truck, a piece of farm equipment, or an electric vehicle, Gates brings engineered solutions that reduce maintenance intervals, cut downtime, and extend service life.

For any technician or enthusiast who values quality backed by over 110 years of engineering heritage, Gates remains a benchmark brand in the parts industry.