Haldex wins a first disc brake order

Haldex wins a first disc brake order After comprehensive field tests with very good results, Haldex has now received a first smaller, but important, order for disc brakes from the important German vehicle market. This first order from a larger German trailer axle manufacturer consists initially of a few hundred units and is expected to be followed later by regular deliveries. Several other customer projects are ongoing both with axle manufacturers and with fleet owners. After positive experiences and successful truck racing results with Haldex disc brakes during 1998, the German truck manufacturer MAN has decided to install Haldex disc brakes on its remaining fleet of racing trucks. Haldex has developed disc brake variants for steer, drive and trailer axles. The compact, modular design makes Haldex disc brake lighter, which means that more paid cargo can be transported. The design is also unhanded, which simplifies vehicle production and reduces logistic and spare parts costs. The low braking hysteresis (internal friction) gives the Haldex disc brake high efficiency, which is favorable in conjunction with modern ABS systems. During 1998, production start of disc brakes was prepared for, and necessary initial capital expenditures were made, at the subsidiary Haldex Brake Products AB in Landskrona, Sweden. A number of units were also produced for use in field tests and truck racing. Disc brake deliveries typically encompass a complete wheel brake, including both adjuster mechanism and caliper, which has a considerably greater value than Haldex deliveries for drum brakes, which only include the adjuster mechanism. The increasing penetration of disc brakes in the European market (the technology shift from drum brakes to disc brakes on heavy vehicles has not yet started in other main markets) therefore represents a future growth potential. In spite of an increased share of disc brakes in Europe, Haldex recorded a new all-time-high in 1998 for automatic brake adjusters to drum brakes. Over 3 million units were delivered globally, which is estimated to exceed deliveries from all competitors combined. Haldex is a global supplier of proprietary products for trucks, cars and industrial vehicles, with special emphasis on performance & safety. The Group is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and has yearly sales of 5 BSEK with 4,300 employees. The Group has sales companies in Europe, North & South America and Asia. Production takes place at 9 factories in Europé and 9 in the U.S. as well as in a joint-venture in India. For further information contact Claes Warnander, phone +46 8 678 72 70, or Chuck Kleinhagen, phone +1 816 891 2470. February 15, 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/02/15/19990215BIT00340/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/02/15/19990215BIT00340/bit0002.pdf