WABCO, a leading innovator and global supplier of technologies that improve the safety and efficiency of commercial vehicles, will expand its manufacturing capabilities in North America. The company will invest $17 million to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Charleston, SC (USA) to meet increasing customer demand for its advanced air disc brakes (ADB), energy-efficient air compressors and related systems.
WABCO announces that it had signed a long-term supply agreement with Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems to provide an advanced air disc brake (ADB) system for trailers in North America. As part of the agreement, WABCO will launch its innovative MAXX22T, the most optimized ADB system for trailer applications in the region. The new system combines WABCO’s leading braking technologies with Hendrickson’s premier medium- and heavy-duty suspension and axle systems. The company made the announcement at the 2015 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) held in Louisville, KY (USA).
Responding to increasing customer demand, WABCO will localize its air disc brake production in the United States while continuing to manufacture air compressors, actuators and other braking system components in Charleston. WABCO started to manufacture air compressors in South Carolina in 1996.
Construction of the new, 145,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The company will then relocate from its exiting Charleston site to the new facility. WABCO anticipates the new production facility to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2016. The company’s investment is expected to create more than 50 new jobs and help sustain approximately 175 existing jobs.
“In 2014, we have experienced significant growth in North America and are excited to expand our manufacturing capabilities in the United States to better serve our local customers,” says Nik Varty, WABCO President, Americas. “For the first time, we will localize the production of our advanced air disc brakes which will allow us to continue to capitalize on the dynamic growth opportunities of the North American market place.”
