18th
June 2008 - WABCO Continues
Growth in China; Wins New Business in Beijing Bus Aftermarket in Support
of 2008 Olympic Games
WABCO Holdings Inc. has
announced that the Beijing Public Transport Corporation (BPTC) has
awarded the company a new contract to provide braking products and
aftermarket services for BPTC’s fleet of more than 20,000 buses before
and during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in August and the Beijing
Paralympics Games in September, the sport movement for disabled persons.
As operator of the world’s
largest municipal bus service, BPTC has chosen WABCO to supply a range
of braking products including customized solutions for foot brake
valves, air dryers and cartridges, and multi-functional air processing
units as well as electronically controlled air suspension products. In
addition, WABCO will support BPTC to improve its service and maintenance
capabilities through technical training and advanced diagnostic systems.
Details of the new contract are not disclosed.
“The superlative size of our
public bus network and the higher demand on its service associated with
the upcoming Olympic activities in Beijing further reinforce our
commitment to safety, reliability, efficiency and comfort,” said Zhong
Qianghua, Deputy Technical Director of BPTC. “WABCO understands our
aftermarket needs, contributes technical knowhow and offers expert
teamwork. We expect WABCO to partner with us to achieve our Olympic
objectives and, furthermore, help increase vehicle service life while
reducing downtime and driving down operating costs.”
Previously, WABCO reported
that in Q1 2008 its sales in China increased by 87 percent versus a year
ago while the market grew by 3 percent in the same period year on year.
WABCO has been expanding its distribution channels for aftermarket
products and services from Europe to other regions, resulting in 2007 in
a compound annual growth rate of 10 percent for its aftermarket sales
over the past 3 years.
“Connecting with customers
and understanding their challenges will continue to contribute strongly
to our aftermarket growth in China and internationally,” said
Jean-Francois Barth, WABCO Vice President, Aftermarket. “By enriching
our product offering and adding new services such as training and
diagnostic capabilities, we can continually anticipate and meet each
customer’s expectations. We are delighted to partner with BPTC and
passionate about delivering outstanding results for their world-class
fleet before, during and well after the 2008 Olympic events.”
About WABCO
WABCO Vehicle Control
Systems is one of the world's leading providers of electronic braking,
stability, suspension and transmission automation systems for heavy duty
commercial vehicles. Customers include the world’s leading commercial
truck, trailer, and bus manufacturers. Founded in the U.S. in 1869 as
Westinghouse Air Brake Company, WABCO was acquired by American Standard
in 1968 and spun off in 2007. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, WABCO
employs more than 7,700 people in 31 countries worldwide. In 2007,
WABCO’s total sales were $2.4 billion. WABCO is a publicly traded
company and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with the stock
symbol WBC. Website: www.wabco-auto.com
Source: WABCO Press Release