Europe’s Wabco acquires steering gear maker RH Sheppard

[kscarbel2]

Heavy Duty Trucking  /  August 23, 2017

Belgium-based Wabco Holdings has signed an agreement to acquire RH Sheppard Co., a supplier of commercial vehicle technologies, including vehicle steering capabilities, such as active steering technology.

Full dynamic control of vehicles is necessary to achieve an autonomous truck and Sheppard’s active steering system is an important piece in Wabco’s advance toward self-driving vehicles. Active steering could complement Wabco’s other dynamic control technologies of active braking, stability control, and suspension control.

“This acquisition represents another key milestone as Wabco advances toward enabling self-driving commercial vehicles,” said Jacques Esculier, Wabco chairman and  CEO. “We have a clear line of sight on the fundamental technologies – such as active steering, active braking, electronic stability control and other advanced driver assistance systems – which will enable significant intermediary steps on our industry’s path to realize fully autonomous driving.”

Sheppard also offers a suite of power-steering gears for heavy-duty commercial and specialty vehicles and also provides engine pumps and remanufacturing services.

Wabco’s purchase price is $145 million and the transaction is subject to U.S. regulatory clearance. The deal is expected to close by the end of this year's third quarter.

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[kscarbel2]

Wabco to acquire RH Sheppard

Truck News  /  August 24, 2017

BRUSSELS, Belgium – Wabco Holdings announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire privately held RH Sheppard.

The transaction is subject to customary U.S. regulatory clearance and it is expected to close by the end of the third quarter 2017. Wabco’s purchase price is $145 million, subject to customary adjustments.

Sheppard had sales of $130 million in 2016. It offers a suite of power-steering gears that has set the industry standard for heavy-duty commercial and specialty vehicles.

“This acquisition represents another key milestone as Wabco advances toward enabling self-driving commercial vehicles,” said Jacques Esculier, Wabco chairman and chief executive officer. “We have a clear line of sight on the fundamental technologies – such as active steering, active braking, electronic stability control and other advanced driver assistance systems – which will enable significant intermediary steps on our industry’s path to realize fully autonomous driving.”

“We are excited at the prospect of joining Wabco,” said Oliver Hoar, president and chief executive officer, Sheppard. “Our leading technologies will be fully integrated into the strategy of this industry leader on a journey to create opportunities for further growth in North America and globally.”

[kscarbel2]

ZF bought TRW.

Now, Wabco has purchased Sheppard.

America no longer has any commercial truck steering gear manufacturers.

Bendix, once the "American" air brake system component maker of choice, is owned by Germany's Knorr-Bremse.

The other brake valve option in North America is.........Belgium's Wabco.

It is damning that the the commercial truck industry of the world's greatest country has all but been taken over by foreign aggressors, and all with the approval of the United States Department of Justice.

[Red Horse]

KSC- welcome back!  Is WABCO the former American Wabco? ( Westinghouse?)