Fras-le, one of the five largest manufacturers of friction materials in the world, headquartered in Caxias do Sul (RS/Brazil), participates in the APTA 2008 – American Public Transportation Association, from October 6 to 8, in San Diego, California, United States. Through Fras-le North America, the company is displaying products of its heavy line, developed for city buses and road buses from materials especially formulated to provide long-term durability. The commercialization for the markets of the United States and Canada is made through ArvinMeritor, distributor of Fras-le`s heavy line products in those markets.

 

Fras-le is the leading company in sales of brake blocks in the North-American market, to which it exported, in 2007, among brake blocks and pads,  the amount of US$ 36.5 million, or 47.5% of the company’s total exports. In addition to the commercial office already established in the United States, the company announced, in June 2008, the acquisition of the friction materials division of the American company Haldex. The new company, connected to the subsidiary company Fras-le North America, began operating officially on October 1^st and is expected to expand its current installed capacity of brake pads by approximately 26% or seven million parts/year. By being locally present in the largest consuming market worldwide, the company opens up to the great opportunities of growth existing in the foreign market.

 

Additionally to the industrial units of Caxias do Sul and Prattvile, Fras-le also has a plant in Pinghu, Asia, and commercial offices in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Europe, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa to assist its customers in more than 80 countries, on the five continents.

 

 

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