- Celebrates Grand Opening of state-of-the-art manufacturing facility
- Invests $20 million in 145,000 square-foot plant
- Increased number of high-tech U.S. manufacturing jobs at site to 230
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WABCO Holdings Inc. (NYSE:WBC) (www.wabco-auto.com), a leading global supplier of technologies that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles, today announced the expansion of its manufacturing capabilities in North America. For the first time in the company’s history, WABCO localized the production of its most advanced Air Disc Brakes (ADB) for commercial vehicles in the United States.
WABCO celebrated with its Board of Directors the opening of its state-of-the-art manufacturing site in North Charleston, South Carolina. WABCO invested $20 million in the new facility to meet increasing customer demand for its industry-leading Air Disc Brakes, energy-efficient air compressors and related safety systems.
The Company moved from an existing Charleston location to a new, 145,000-square-foot facility, expanding its manufacturing footprint by more than 60 percent. In addition, WABCO increased employment at the Charleston facility to approximately 230 individuals today. The Company created more than 50 new jobs over the past two years alone in line with previous commitments.
“We are excited to expand our manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. to be closer to our customers in the region. Customer intimacy remains a major differentiator for WABCO around the globe as we capitalize on dynamic growth opportunities,” said Jacques Esculier, WABCO Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “By localizing the production of Air Disc Brakes in the region we demonstrate our commitment to advancing commercial vehicle safety and shaping the future of the transportation industry. Our Air Disc Brakes pave the way to higher automation of commercial vehicles and platooning, both of which rely heavily on superior braking performance.”
“Commercial vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators in North America value the superior performance of single-piston Air Disc Brakes compared to traditional drum brakes and other ADBs available in the market today,” said Jon Morrison, WABCO President, Americas. “Our new Charleston facility enables WABCO to supply industry-leading safety and efficiency technologies to customers across North America and beyond.”
WABCO manufactures its industry-leading, high performance, single-piston ADBs in Charleston to serve commercial vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators in North America. WABCO’s portfolio of ADBs is sold under the brand names MAXXUS™ for heavy-duty trucks and MAXX22T™ for trailers.
Compared to today’s drum brakes, WABCO ADBs reduce stopping distance up to 10 percent while almost completely eliminating brake fade. In addition, ADBs extend service intervals up to two times versus drum brakes. Superbly engineered with 25 percent fewer parts, WABCO ADBs improve reliability while lowering maintenance costs. Technicians are known to exchange brake pads on Air Disc Brakes four times faster than the linings of a drum brake.
MAXX22T is the unique ADB system offering significant weight savings for trailer applications in North America. WABCO signed a long-term supply agreement announced in 2015 with Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems combining WABCO’s leading braking technologies with Hendrickson’s INTRAAX® and VANTRAAX® integrated suspension systems. The powerful Air Disc Brake system offers overall weight reduction of up to 100 lbs on tandem axle trailers, thereby, helping to improve vehicle fuel efficiency or enable an increase in transport payload.
In addition, WABCO manufactures high-performance air compressors at its North Charleston facility. WABCO and Cummins, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of diesel engines and related technologies for commercial vehicles, established a joint venture – fully operational in 1998 – to produce single- and twin-cylinder air compressors for heavy-duty trucks, buses and industrial equipment.
About WABCO
WABCO (NYSE:WBC) is a leading global supplier of technologies and services that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles. Founded nearly 150 years ago, WABCO continues to pioneer breakthrough innovations for advanced driver assistance, braking, stability control, suspension, transmission automation and aerodynamics. Partnering with the transportation industry as it maps a route toward autonomous driving, WABCO also uniquely connects trucks, trailers, cargo, drivers, business partners and fleet operators through advanced fleet management systems and mobile solutions. For five consecutive years, Institutional Investor named WABCO among the “Top 3” in its sector for “Best CEO.” WABCO reported sales of $2.8 billion in 2016. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, WABCO has 13,000 employees in 40 countries. For more information, visit www.wabco-auto.com.
WABCO North America media contact
Dick Pacini, +1 248 770 6446, dpacini@millerschingroup.com
WABCO Global media contact
Nina Friedmann, +49 69 719 168 171, wabco@klenkhoursch.de
WABCO investors and analysts contact
Christian Fife, +1 248 270 9290, christian.fife@wabco-auto.com