LAS VEGAS. Renewal of an exclusive five-year commercial supply agreement for brake lining for the U.S. and Canadian commercial vehicle markets was announced by Meritor Inc. and Fras-le S.A. at the 2012 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week here in Las Vegas.
Under the commercial agreement, Fras-le will continue to supply friction materials to Meritor for both production and aftermarket consumption. Fras-le aftermarket brake lining products are exclusively distributed in the U.S. and Canada through Meritor’s North American facilities, including distribution centers in Plainfield, IN.; Brampton, Ontario, Canada; and Florence, KY.
The companies have enjoyed a successful supply partnership for 15 years, including the co-development of friction materials to address the needs of North American commercial vehicles. Meritor currently offers a broad range of Fras-le friction materials in either Meritor or Fras-le brands to serve customers in linehaul, severe service, transit bus, and other commercial applications in North America.
At their joint press briefing, Fras-le also announced that the company will start producing brake linings in the U.S., investing $11 million in its facility in Alabama and adding aboud 100 additional jobs. Fras-le’s North American corporate headquarters is located in the Detroit suburb of Northville, MI.
“Fras-le is excited to continue its strategic partnership with Meritor in North America. We are proud that our commitment to being a global leader in friction technology and innovation has helped Meritor continue its market leadership position in brake systems,” said Zomar Oliveira, Fras-le North America’s director of operations.
“Fras-le is extremely committed to quality friction materials and exceeding the expectations of both production and aftermarket customers,” said Joe Mejaly, president of Meritor Aftermarket and Trailers.
Fras-le manufactures over 9,000 part numbers including heavy duty brake linings, light brake linings, brake pads, clutch facings, motorcycle brake shoes and pads, molded and woven brake linings, brake shoes for railway and subway and universal flat sheets. With plants in Brazil, China and the United States, distribution centers in Argentina and Europe, and commercial offices in the United States, Chile, Europe, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Africa and China, Fras-le keeps a well-structured team to serve its customers in more than 80 countries on all continents.
