Marmon Highway Technologies (MHT) companies have invested more than $25 million in research and development since 2003 to develop new products and solutions to help their OEM, fleet and aftermarket customers operate more efficiently through weight savings, reduced maintenance costs and extended product life, according to the company. MHT has also spent more than $130 million over the same period on equipment and facilities to design, test and manufacture these new products.
“Our continually expanding investment in R&D and infrastructure has resulted in an unprecedented number of new products being introduced in 2009 and 2010,” said Kelly Dier, president of MHT. “While other companies pulled back to try to wait out the latest cyclical downturn in the trucking industry, we’ve used our financial strength and stability to invest in the future for our customers.”
MHT includes 13 industry-leading companies: Fontaine Fifth Wheel, Fontaine Modification Co., Fontaine Spray Suppression, Fontaine Trailer Co., Marmon-Herrington, MHT – Europe, MHT − South America, Perfection, Triangle Suspension Systems, TSE Brakes, Webb Wheel Aftermarket, Webb Wheel OEM and Webb Wheel Transit.
To show customers throughout North America the results of its investment,
MHT formed Ideas in Motion – The Marmon Highway Technologies Innovation Expo, a private trade show that brings new products and technology from MHT companies directly to fleet customer locations.
Some of the featured products, technology and services include:
• The Fontaine Ultra line of fifth wheels, including the Fontaine Ultra NS, the only fifth wheel to offer infinite, automatic slack adjustment; the Fontaine Ultra LT, the lightest-weight fifth wheel slider system available; and the Fontaine Ultra HD, a lighter-weight, heavy-duty fifth wheel for severe service applications. (Fontaine Fifth Wheel)
• Certified installation of alternative fuel engines, alternative fuel delivery systems and auxiliary power units (APUs). (Fontaine Modification Co.)
• The Flex Wedge lightweight mud flap retaining system, fiberglass fenders, Hogebuilt wide-based tire fenders, heavy-duty construction fenders, and Body Armor fender coating to protect against unsightly pings showing through to the front of a fender. (Fontaine Spray Suppression)
• The modular Fontaine Magnitude 55MX heavy-haul trailer and patented lightweight Fontaine Revolution Hybrid Dropdeck trailer, which boasts a concentrated load capacity of 54,000 lbs. in just 5 ft. (Fontaine Trailer Co.)
• A Tire Pressure Adjustment System (TPAS) that allows the fastest possible deflation, as well as individual tire pressure settings. (Marmon-Herrington)
• A lightweight leaf spring replacement for Mack camelback suspensions. (Triangle Suspension Systems)
• The TSE Omnibrake High Output Technology (HOT) for disc brake and S-cam drum brake applications, a proven alternative to piston-type disc brakes that provides higher parking or emergency force while maintaining low hold-off pressure — all in a smaller profile. (TSE Brakes)
• The patented Webb Vortex brake drum that is lighter, cooler and less expensive than standard drums; W43 asbestos-free friction for the transit market; and Super Kits, a superior-performing brake drum, friction and hardware package for the transit and coach markets, as well as other severe duty applications. (Webb Wheel Products)
