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Meritor WABCO Opens New Plant in Hebron, Kentucky

10 May 2000

Meritor WABCO Opens New Plant in Hebron, Kentucky

    TROY, Mich., May 10 Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems,
a joint venture of Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC and the WABCO Automotive
Products Group of American Standard Companies Inc. today announced
the opening of its new QS9000-certified production and distribution facility
in Hebron, Ky.  The new operation confirms the company's commitment to grow
its commercial vehicle control system products.
    Walter E. Frankiewicz, vice president and general manager, Braking
Systems, Meritor Automotive , and acting president and general
manager of Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, said, "As vehicle control
systems technologies continue to progress, we want to be prepared to serve our
customers in the most effective manner possible.  This new facility will allow
us to operate more efficiently, which in turn will translate into better
service for our customers."
    Since 1990, when the joint venture was formed, the organization has
experienced tremendous growth due to increased market demand for vehicle
control system products, which has prompted new product development and helped
boost sales.
    Frankiewicz commented that this growth has been accomplished largely
because of the efforts of the Meritor WABCO employees.  "We have a dedicated
and talented workforce that truly exemplifies the concept of teamwork.  We are
extremely proud of our employees and their achievements in the last ten
years," Frankiewicz said.
    Meritor WABCO chose Hebron, Ky. to be centrally located to its customer
base.  Additionally, this location allows the organization to retain its
current workforce.  Frankiewicz commented, "Keeping our employees in mind
while making this move was very important to us.  By moving to Hebron, we're
able to continue utilizing the expertise of our employees to best serve our
customers."
    The Hebron facility will serve as Meritor WABCO's North American
production and distribution center for braking and suspensions systems.  The
new facility houses various leading-edge assembly and testing operations for
several products, including:  ABS valves and electronic control units, modular
valve assemblies, vacuum pumps, air dryers and leveling valves.
    "As a value-added offering to our customers, we'll build a variety of sub-
assemblies at the new facility and ship them just-in-time to the OEM's
production line," Frankiewicz commented.  "By providing production-ready sub-
assemblies, we'll take out several time-consuming steps in the production
process.  At the same time, we'll provide customers the opportunity to cut
costs and avoid a few hassles along the way."