Stemco, an EnPro Industries company, announced on Monday, April 16, that it has acquired Motor Wheel Commercial Vehicle Systems, a manufacturer of engineered critical brake components, including drums and component assemblies for heavy-duty trucks and other commercial vehicles. The business was acquired from Precision Partners Holding Company for cash; terms were not disclosed.
The business will become part of the brake products group of Stemco. Motor Wheel’s primary product is the CentriFuse brake drum for heavy-duty vehicles and commercial trailers. The company’s patented technology creates a braking surface designed to resist wear, while the lightweight design is engineered to improve both fuel efficiency and payload capacity.
“The acquisition of Motor Wheel aligns with our strategic direction and will enable us to offer a more complete line of premium brake system components,” says Jon Cox, Stemco president. “This lightweight high-performance brake drum coupled with our brake lining and new brake shoes creates a unique value proposition for today’s fleet customers.”
Brake drums are the fourth braking product added by Stemco since the third quarter of 2009. Friction products were added through an agreement to provide brake linings manufactured by Duroline, a Brazilian company, to the North American market; automatic brake adjusters were added through the Stemco Crewson joint venture; and new brake shoes were added through the acquisition of Rome Tool and Die.
Motor Wheel is headquartered in Livonia, Mich., and has manufacturing facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Berea, Ky. Jim Reis, vice president of Stemco Brake Products, will lead the Motor Wheel business.
