Driving brake technology forward Haldex CVS

DRIVING BRAKE

TECHNOLOGY FORWARD

Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems is a global leader in the manufacture of advanced brake and suspension systems for commercial vehicles. Philip Yorke looks at how the company has evolved to become the best in its class through continuous investment in R&D and the creation of added value across the board.

Haldex CVS produces a diverse range of products used in airbrake and suspension systems for commercial vehicles such as trucks, trailers and buses. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Haldex is a leading provider of proprietary and innovative solutions to the global vehicle industry with a focus on products that enhance safety, vehicle dynamics and the environment. Haldex is listed on the Nasdaq OMX Stockholm Stock Exchange and in 2009 had over 4000 employees and net sales of more than SEK 5.5 billion. Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems contributes more than 60 per cent to the group’s global turnover of SEK 8 billion. Haldex’s other divisions specialise in the design and manufacture of hydraulic systems, springs and traction systems.

The company has manufacturing facilities in Sweden, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, Brazil, India, China and the USA. Haldex is also the number one globally when it comes to automatic brake adjusters and has the world’s leading OEMs as its customers, including Volvo, MAN, Daimler Chrysler, Ford, Audi, Skoda and Renault.

Increasing market share

Haldex continues to gain market share and to secure big orders from the world’s leading OEMs. Recently the company won a major commission for an advanced, all-wheel drive system for the Volvo Car Corporation. This was awarded as a result of successful continuation of its ongoing business with Volvo cars. Volvo chose Haldex as the supplier of choice for its latest AWD technique, which is designed to replace the current ‘generation four’ product for its current and future platform. The new Haldex AWD-system is the fifth generation product of the well-established Haldex AWD-coupling. This latest AWD product has been developed to meet future market requirements based on weight, cost and fuel consumption.

The new order commences in 2012 and is strategically important to Haldex as it strengthens its position as market leader in the long term and enhances its solid and valuable relationship with the Volvo Car Corporation. The Haldex AWD coupling will be manufactured and supplied from the Haldex production facility located in Landskrona in Sweden. The company currently supplies

both proprietary and advanced systems for ‘all-wheel’ drive solutions to a large number of major OEMs including Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Volvo, Ford Motor Company, Land Rover and General Motors.

Another major contract awarded to the company recently was an order from SAF Holland worth SEK 100 million for a new design of disc air brakes. The contract spans a five-year period and commenced in the second quarter of 2011. These advanced air brake systems will also be manufactured in the Haldex plant in Landskrona, Sweden.

The new ModulT air disc brake design from Haldex is significantly lighter than a conventional disc brake and provides the end user with an even more reliable and robust design. At the same time, weight savings are up by 15 per cent compared to current designs, which results in a higher payload being achieved and therefore the new product also makes a contribution to the environment through enhanced efficiency.

Building on success in emerging markets

Haldex continues to build on its success in some of the world’s fastest-growing markets including China, India and Brazil. Already these markets are demanding and achieving the same high standards in terms of products and production expertise as those in western Europe and the USA. The company opened its first office in China over 15 years ago and has been assembling products there for more than 10 years. In 2005 it opened a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near Shanghai in association with other Haldex Group companies, including the spring steel division, Garphyttan Wire.

Haldex has also increased its capacity for the manufacture of compressors since it won a major contract in association with ASIMCO of China to supply one of the world’s largest diesel engine manufactur-

ers. AMISCO is China’s largest manufacturer of compressors with an estimated 60 per cent share of the Chinese OEM market. Similar gains have been achieved in Brazil and India as technology levels and safety standards are raised to meet the increasing government investments in highway infrastructure.

Creating greater value

According to a representative from the company, the goal is to create greater value for customers by concentrating on providing extra benefits and accelerating operational excellence initiatives. “We are concentrating on creating extra benefits for the customer. We don’t offer individual components − we offer real, added value. Product development will be accelerated and service will be expanded. Customer proximity is very important. Development will focus on strategic and system-orientated technology that improves vehicle performance and facilitates the ease of operation and thereby creates value for the customer.

“The new Haldex will build on our long established strengths. There is a new world for the new Haldex and we will build our success based upon emerging markets, bestin-class products and focus on loyal OEM and aftermarket customers. Our formula for success begins with focus and is supported by operational excellence and value added products and strong growth in the emerging markets. In summary, the new Haldex puts emphasis on being the trusted partner for our customers and prospects, in existing and entirely new markets.” n