Annual Report 2012 - Knorr-Bremse AG.
Annual Report 2012 - Knorr-Bremse AG.
Annual Report 2012 - Knorr-Bremse AG.
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<strong>Report</strong><br />
55<br />
Directly alongside the new production plant is the <strong>Knorr</strong>-<strong>Bremse</strong> Technology Center India (TCI). Here,<br />
<strong>Knorr</strong>-<strong>Bremse</strong> Commercial Vehicle Systems has focused its engineering and development services for<br />
commercial vehicle products specifically for the Asian market. One core activity is software development.<br />
In order to benefit from synergies, a new software development center for the Rail Vehicle Systems<br />
division is being set up in the same building. By 2015 the TCI will be providing work for some 200<br />
employees. Pune is an established hub of IT and software activities in India, which means there is an<br />
extensive local pool of talented software developers.<br />
By setting up this new development center <strong>Knorr</strong>-<strong>Bremse</strong> is making sure that the company will have<br />
sufficient resources going forward to meet the growing demand in the Asian market and master increasingly<br />
complex products.<br />
Bendix steps up capacity in Kentucky<br />
In Bowling Green, Kentucky, Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing<br />
site for air disc brakes and foundation drum brakes for the North American commercial vehicle<br />
market. In 2011, the company expanded the size of the facility while also launching a new automated<br />
disc brake line at the location, tripling its assembly capacity and capitalizing on its significant market<br />
gains in foundation brakes. This was followed in the year under review by a further multi-million dollar<br />
investment in a major expansion of production capacity and purchase of new equipment. One key<br />
factor in this decision was new first phase of the US Reduced Stopping Distance regulation enacted in<br />
August 2011. The mandate requires a 30% reduction in stopping distance for new three-axle tractors<br />
with Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWRs) up to 59,600 lbs. and produced after the August 1, 2011,<br />
implementation date. Tractors with two axles, as well as severe service tractors with GVWRs above<br />
59,600 lbs., must comply with the new mandate by August 1, 2013. To help operators meet this requirement,<br />
Bendix developed the Bendix ADB22X air disc brake and the high-performance Bendix<br />
Extended Service (ES) drum brake. Introduction of the new legislation triggered a sharp rise in demand<br />
for these brakes.<br />
<strong>Knorr</strong>-<strong>Bremse</strong> Brazil moves to new plant at Itupeva<br />
In the wake of significant growth in recent years and in anticipation of medium-term growth in the<br />
South American market, <strong>Knorr</strong>-<strong>Bremse</strong> decided last year to expand and relocate its current Brazilian<br />
production plant – the biggest joint facility for the rail vehicle and commercial vehicle divisions in the<br />
Group. The location selected was the city of Itupeva, only 85 km from the current plant in São Paulo.<br />
The process of transferring operations began at the end of <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
The company’s São Paulo plant had reached the limits of its capacity and could not accommodate any<br />
additional product lines. Space restrictions also meant that production processes could not be brought<br />
up to modern standards. As the land surrounding the plant was increasingly being used for residential<br />
purposes, there was no scope to expand the existing site.<br />
The biggest joint<br />
facility for rail and<br />
commercial vehicles<br />
will in future be<br />
located in Itupeva,<br />
Brazil.<br />
The new plant will manufacture brake control systems, bogie equipment and onboard systems for rail<br />
vehicles, but some 70% of its production will be for commercial vehicles, covering the entire product<br />
portfolio for the local truck market, including brake control systems, air supply and treatment systems,<br />
brake cylinders, disc and drum brakes and torsional vibration dampers.<br />
The move to the new location has enabled <strong>Knorr</strong>-<strong>Bremse</strong> to significantly extend its capacity not just in<br />
volume production and equipment refurbishing but also in the fields of surface treatment, functional<br />
and torsion testing and vehicle testing. The focus during the design phase of the new facility in Itupeva<br />
was on optimizing layout and production processes and introducing a modern logistics concept.<br />
The result should be significantly reduced throughput times in the various production processes.