ZF SNAPS UP WABCO

ZF SNAPS UP ITS RIVAL WABCO / SEDIS BOUGHT BY MCB / VOLVO PENTA GETS NEW HEAD / MAGNA TYRE’S NEW RANGE

WORKSHOP

ZF says WABCO acquisition can help shape future

ZF PROMISES THAT THE INTEGRATION OF WABCO WILL OFFER CUSTOMERS “A UNIQUE RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES”

ACQUISITIONS

In one of the biggest commercial vehicles mergers in a decade, ZF Friedrichshafen AG (ZF) has completed the acquisition of commercial vehicle technology supplier WABCO.

Under the terms of the deal, shares of the NYSE-listed commercial vehicles tech company have ceased trading and its new owner says it can now focus on expanding its commercial vehicle service portfolio and on operating customer business.

“The combination of these two successful enterprises will bring a new dimension of innovation and capability for commercial vehicle systems technology. Thanks to our perfectly complementary portfolios and competencies, we are able to offer unprecedented solutions and services for manufacturers and fleets globally. In this way, we are actively shaping the future of the changing transportation industry,” said Wolf-Henning Scheider,

AN UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION

ZF’s CEO Wolf-Henning Scheider said the WABCO purchase will make his company stronger as the industry faces new challenges.

CEO, ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

“This acquisition marks a major milestone in the history of our company. With it, we are consistently continuing the transformation in the powertrain and in the field of digitalisation.”

WABCO is expected to operate as an independent division named Commercial Vehicle Control Systems. ZF said its new acquisition will continue to strengthen its existing service portfolio and put its customers first.

The division will be headed by newly appointed Fredrik Staedtler. Staedtler brings significant CV experience, gained over the past decades working in the industry, most recently as head of ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Technology division, said ZF in a statement.

ZF CEO Scheider added: “We are closing this acquisition in an unprecedented social and economic situation. The thoroughly prepared acquisition will make us even stronger for the future once we have overcome the immediate effects of the pandemic with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact.”

MCB COMPLETES MEA CHAIN

PARTS

Mineral Circles Bearings (MCB) has secured a new distribution partnership with leading European chain manufacturer and industry firm SEDIS.

The company said the collaboration allows it to distribute and offer SEDIS’s full range of products covering transmission, leaf, adapted, conveyor chains including wheels, sprockets, and disks in the Middle East and Africa market.

“This alliance is a great advantage for us considering the burgeoning demand in the Industrial sector. SEDIS cemented itself as a trusted partner in providing robust solutions globally,” said Mohamad Alwan, the head of MCB’s Industrial Division.

Given the wider market reach to support, this collaboration is expected to help local and regional business to maximise their business potential at scale, he added.

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VOLVO PENTA NAMES NEW PRESIDENT

ENGINES

Volvo Penta has announced the appointment of Helene Mellquist as the new president of the company, taking over charge on 1 September, 2020.

The Volvo Group’s engine and power company said in statement that Mellquist, who is currently president for the European division of Volvo Trucks, has also been made a member of the Volvo Group Management Team.

The industry veteran began her career at the group in 1988 and has subsequently held many senior positions at the company, including the top job at Volvo Trucks International. She has also served as the CEO at TransAtlantic AB between 2012-2015.

At Volvo Penta, Mellquist replaces Bjorn Ingemanson, who is retiring in September after a long career at the Volvo Group. Mellquist will join Volvo Penta on July 1st, and work alongside Björn before she takes up her new position on September 1st.

“I feel extremely inspired to continue to develop this part of the Volvo Group together with the team at Volvo Penta. With the strong product portfolio Volvo Penta has in both the industrial and marine segments, I am taking on this task with great expectations and eagerness,” said Mellquist.

Ingemanson added: “After more than 30 years at the Volvo Group and nearly nine years leading Volvo Penta, I am pleased to be handing over to a strong and dynamic leader like Helene. I am very proud of what the Volvo Penta team has achieved both on land and at sea, and I look forward to seeing what the company delivers over the next few years. This is an exciting time at Volvo Penta, and I am sure Helene will do a fantastic job.”

RTA COMPLETES NEW BUS DEPOT

TRANSPORT

Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive director of Roads and Transport Authority (Dubai), has announced the completion of Al Quoz Bus Depot to support the daily movement of buses around the emirate.

The new facility, which compliments other bus depots in Jebel Ali, Al Khawaneej, Al Ruwayyah, Al Aweer and Al Qusais, serves buses operating on 24 routes all over Dubai.

“The construction of this depot complements RTA’s efforts to upgrade the infrastructure of mass transport to encourage people to use public transit means in their daily movement. It will also boost the integration of multimodal transport, reduce the operational cost of buses, and meet the needs of Expo 2020 bus service, which will accordingly

READY FOR ACTION

The RTA continues to upgrade its mass transport infrastructure.

ease the mobility of visitors and organisers,” Al Tayer said during a visit where he inspected the operational readiness of the depot, where employees, engineers and drivers were deployed in various capacities.

During the visit, Al Tayer heard a briefing about the components of the station, which includes a residential quarter comprising of 102 rooms to accommodate 368 drivers, food court for 120 individuals, clinic, 18 bay workshop, rest area, plaza, gym, among others.

The depot has a parking area to accommodate 273 buses in addition to offices for employees and technical staff.

MAGNA TYRES UPGRADES MA04+ RANGE

TYRES

Off-the-road tyre specialist, Magna Tyres, has introduced its first ever ‘three-star’ rigid dump truck tyre in an upgrade of its MA04+ range, increasing payload by 8%.

The Dutch-headquartered company announced that it has added the new 24.00R35 to its MA04+ lineup, making it available in the three-star version in addition to the existing twostar one. According to Magna Tyres, the potential of its latest development is “tremendous”, and it will be the first step in the upgraded generation of Magna’s rigid dump truck tyres.

The increase in payload equals an extra 9t in capacity per dump truck, which has the scope to provide a huge increase in productivity when considering the number of cycles made daily, Magna Tyres added.

“After years of research and hours of technical analysis, Magna Tyres managed to launch its first ever three-star rigid dump truck tyre,”

said a statement from the tyre maker, adding that the new model is part of its upgraded MA04+ range, which has provided many dump trucks worldwide with superior performance since its introduction, enabling the movement of countless loads of raw materials. The proven tread pattern of the MA04+ has turned out to be the right basis for the further development of the range.

“The next level Magna MA04+ ensures customers a stronger tyre, with more rubber in the contact patch, and better and additional steel liners, which will result in increased load capacity. It allows mining operators to increase the productivity and continuity of their earthmoving operations,” said Magna.

The first production of the new tyre will be completed in July, Initially in the 24.00R35 size. Preparations have also been made to bring the other rigid dump truck sizes of the MA04+ range to market in its three-star rated version in the near future, Magna said.