Westport axle

[james j neiweem]

I believe westport axle supplies chasis for Mack and Volvo trucks. Well as of 2 hours ago the Brazilian Holding Company was sold to Universal Truck Load Services located in Michigan. Should have kept the operation under LLC in Pa. Not sure what this will mean for Mack if anything.

[41chevy]

Could be good for MACK as they are now building the next generation Engines, axles and transmissions in the Hagerstown, Maryland plant.

[kscarbel]

The Wall Street Journal / December 2, 2013

WARREN, Mich. -- Universal Truckload Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: UACL) announced today that it will acquire the sole shareholder of Westport Axle Corporation from an international industrial group headed in Brazil by SM Brasil Participacoes S/A.

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Westport provides value-added warehousing and component distribution services to U.S. manufacturers of Class 4-8 trucks, RVs and super-duty trucks. Westport also machines and distributes steering knuckles and axle components for the automotive industry. For the year-ended December 31, 2012, Westport had operating revenues of $58.4 million, and $66.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

The cash purchase price is $123.0 million and is subject to a post-closing adjustment. To finance the acquisition, Universal anticipates increasing its senior credit facility to $300.0 million. Universal expects to receive regulatory approval for the transaction and close in late December 2013, subject to customary closing conditions.

"We are very excited about the opportunities this new partnership brings to Universal," commented Scott Wolfe, Chief Executive Officer. "The acquisition of Westport strategically enhances our customer base by further penetrating industrial markets, specifically to manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty trucks. We believe that Westport's value-added services and limited capital requirements fit nicely into Universal's business model and long-term growth strategy. We look forward to working with Westport's proven management team to enhance their already-strong customer relationships as we further expand Universal's value to our customers."

About Universal:

Universal Truckload Services, Inc. is a leading asset-light provider of customized transportation and logistics solutions throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. We provide our customers with supply chain solutions that can be scaled to meet their changing demands and volumes. We offer our customers a broad array of services across their entire supply chain, including transportation, value-added, and intermodal services.

So now, the Brazilans have cast off their U.S. Westport subsidiary because they weren't making any money with it, and Mack brand chassis will now be assembled by a freight company. Sounds great.

(Westport assembles Volvo chassis for Mack brand production in Allentown. The work was previously performed by Lancaster Preferred Partnership).

[kscarbel]

Could be good for MACK as they are now building the next generation Engines, axles and transmissions in the Hagerstown, Maryland plant.

Next generation engines, axles and transmissions ???

[maxidyne237]

Kscarbel, when did Mack start outsoucing axle manufacturing and frame assembly, and what were the reasons? (Im sure it was price)

[blackdog2]

Quality the 2 piece 44k that crack and cost the costumer $ and down time

[kscarbel]

Kscarbel, when did Mack start outsoucing axle manufacturing and frame assembly, and what were the reasons? (Im sure it was price)

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/2094-is-volvo-good-or-bad-for-mack-trucks/page-13

[41chevy]

Next generation engines, axles and transmissions ???

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2013/10/18/volvo-adding-up-to-140-jobs-in-hagerstown-md/

part 2 of the article covers the 2015 CARB / EPA spec clean engines soon to be developed and built there. It also cvers the M Drives built there since 2012

[kscarbel2]

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2013/10/18/volvo-adding-up-to-140-jobs-in-hagerstown-md/

part 2 of the article covers the 2015 CARB / EPA spec clean engines soon to be developed and built there. It also cvers the M Drives built there since 2012

Engines and mDrive, all drivetrain components designed and built by Volvo. Hence Hagerstown's name - Volvo Powertrain. Nothing Mack about those components.

[41chevy]

Engines and mDrive, all drivetrain components designed and built by Volvo. Hence Hagerstown's name - Volvo Powertrain. Nothing Mack about those components.

I know. . . Sad but at least made here.

[james j neiweem]

Are'nt the rear axles on Macks made by meritor? What about the suspensions?

[kscarbel]

Are'nt the rear axles on Macks made by meritor? What about the suspensions?

Air suspensions are designed and built by Hendrickson. I'm not sure if leaf springs now are coming from Dana, Hendrickson or both.

Volvo announced on October 18 that production of the legacy Mack axles and carriers would return to the former Mack Truckss Hagerstown plant (now Volvo Powertrain). Meritor had produced the legacy Mack axles from 2004 (Dana from 1984 thru 2003).

In order to get Volvo's business, ArvinMeritor (now simply known as Meritor) purchased Volvo's axle manufacturing unit in Lindesberg, Sweden in 1999 (for US$135 million). As Volvo so often does with vendors, the company promised Meritor unrealistically high volumes and in return demanded rock bottom pricing. Since that time, Meritor hasn't found the relationship particularly profitable. In the U.S., Meritor is all too glad to see Volvo take over legacy Mack axles and carrier production as they're not making much money. Volvo still depends on Meritor for axles in Sweden.