WABCO Holdings Inc., a leading global supplier of technologies that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles, announces 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, SC. 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 sq. ft. facility, expanding its manufacturing footprint by more than 60%. In addition, WABCO increased employment at the Charleston facility to approximately 230 individuals. The company created more than 50 new jobs over the past 2 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,” says 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,” says 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% while almost completely eliminating brake fade. In addition, ADBs extend service intervals up to two times versus drum brakes. Superbly engineered with 25% 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.
