Marking the first time the company has produced heavy-duty brake linings in the U.S., production has begun at the Fras-le friction manufacturing plant in Prattville, Ala. Previously, Fras-le only manufactured disc brake pads at the facility.
The new friction materials being made in Prattville are supplied to Meritor for aftermarket use on new and remanufactured brake shoes. Meritor’s aftermarket group is the exclusive distributor of Fras-le’s heavy-duty brake linings in North America. Last year, Fras-le S.A. and Meritor announced the renewal of an exclusive, five-year friction material supply agreement for brake linings for the North American commercial vehicle market. Fras-le and Meritor have had a supply partnership for 16 years, including co-development of friction materials to address the needs of North American commercial vehicles.
Fras-le’s new production capability is the result of an $11 million investment by the manufacturer to expand its commercial vehicle business in North America. The expansion added new equipment to the Prattville facility and hired nearly 100 new employees.