The new R&D facility is located in Pune, Maharashtra, near a major production site where SAF-Holland manufactures trailer axles and suspensions under the ‘York’ brand.

The acquisition is expected to leverage the expertise of the Roberto Nuti Group to enhance SI Airsprings product offerings as well as strengthen its global market position.

Founded in 1984, Assali Stefen produces standard axles and components as well as self-steering axles and components for special applications.

With Thermo King’s expertise in electrifying transport refrigeration, the partners aim to achieve reduced fuel consumption in diesel truck-trailers and increased range in electric combinations.

As the TRAKr launches in more and more markets, SAF-Holland is ramping up its production: “We see great opportunities for electrified trailer axles,” said Olaf Drewes, Director Group Innovation.

Through this partnership, Thermo King will offer refrigerated trailers to customers in the Americas which are powered – wholly or in part – by electric axles developed by Range.

The investment will fund the further development of Range Energy’s electric axle technology for semi-trailers, which can reduce fuel consumption in a diesel tractor-trailer combo or energy consumption in a fully-electric one.

Following the acquisition, which is set to close shortly, SAF-Holland will be able to expand its offering of special axle systems which were not previously part of its product portfolio.

The e-Sys is an electric energy recovery and auxiliary traction system developed exclusively by Randoncorp subsidiaries. The Mexican market, according to Suspensys, on average is 25,000 new semi-trailers per year, and is the second largest in Latin America, behind Brazil.

The test was conducted by Mesilla Valley Transportation Solutions (MVTS) of Las Cruces, New Mexico on a 25.5-mile route, comprising urban and highway roads.

The e-Sys is an electrical traction drive system for semi-trailer applications.

Under the name of its sister company within the Boler Group of Watson & Chalin India Pvt Ltd, Hendrickson is introducing additional heavy-duty trailer axles, which are new to the Indian market.