Fras-le North America Inc. has started production of brake disc pads at a manufacturing facility in Prattville, AL. Production began this month and represents the first time the company has produced products for the off-highway market in the U.S.
Earlier this year, Fras-le announced that the company would move part of its block production for the heavy-duty market to Prattville, adding nearly 100 employees over the next two years and representing an $11 million U.S. investment.
Off-highway products, primarly brake pads, are produced by Fras-le for OE and OES customers and are used in agricultural, mining, construction and earth moving equipment. Off-highway materials are currently manufactured by Fras-le in Brazil. The addition of off-highway manufacturing in Prattville provides added capacity for the company to serves its customers, the company said.
“Adding production in the U.S. helps reinforce Fras-le’s position as a global leader in off-highway dry friction,” said Daniel Randon, CEO & president. “It also puts us closer to our North American customer base, allowing us to drastically reduce lead time to customers.”