Wabtec Corporation has acquired the railway friction business from the Indian company Masu, a manufacturer of friction products across the automotive and rail industry. USD 34 million is the value of the acquisition.
“Masu is a strategic acquisition for Wabtec that complements our product portfolio and builds upon our leadership position in the railway friction market. It aligns with our growth strategy to provide operators with innovative, scalable products that increase productivity, utilisation, and capacity. We have now state-of-the-art friction manufacturing capabilities on every continent and will better serve operators and car-builders around the world, reducing operating costs while improving performance,” Lilian Leroux, President of Wabtec’s Transit business said.
The acquisition, which has received necessary regulatory approvals and is subject to customary closing conditions, will expand Wabtec’s installed base and accelerate growth across its brake product portfolio.
Wabtec has a strong portfolio on India’s brake system supply market and provided its products for Indian Railways’ locomotives and LHB coaches, as well as for the metro trains across the country. “This acquisition will strengthen Wabtec’s position as a ‘Made in India’ manufacturer, provide an attractive offering for customers, and open new opportunities for regional and international expansion,” Sujatha Narayan, Senior Vice President and Regional Leader for Wabtec in India said.
Railway composite brake blocks and disc pads are manufactured to meet world standards such as UIC and AAR. The railway brake blocks and disc pads are used in all types of rolling stock such as locomotives, coaches, multiple units, freight railcars, etc. These products have a very stable friction coefficient over wide range of speeds and also in wet conditions. Further it has excellent wear characteristics with smooth judder free silent braking. It also has low weight and therefore is popular with maintenance people.
Masu is based in New Delhi and was founded in 1982 with the aim to become the leading supplier of brake pads and brake linings. Since then, the company has carved a niche for itself in the friction material industry and grown into a group of companies which manufactures and exports a wide range of world class friction products. The Indian company developed advanced technology for brake products, friction design and manufacturing and assists its customers with technical and engineering expertise for selecting the right friction grade for the required application.
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