SAF-Holland, one of the world's leading manufacturers of axle systems and chassis components based in Lower Franconia, plans to establish a new production line for brake calipers in Düzce, Turkey. To this end, production capacities will be expanded at the location about 100 kilometers east of Istanbul. In the future, the site will produce the ModulT brake calipers from the subsidiary and southern Swedish specialist for commercial vehicle brake systems and air suspensions, Haldex. According to the company, this is a first step towards further expanding manufacturing capacities in the Black Sea region.
Strong Demand in the Turkish Market
The Düzce plant was established in 2016 and produces the SAF air suspension unit of the Intra series for the Turkish market and neighboring regions. The number of employees increased from initially 23 to about 100 today. In 2023, they already celebrated the production of 250,000 SAF axles there. Now, production is also being expanded to include ModulT brake calipers—according to SAF-Holland, "the next logical step to meet the increasing demand for
high-quality brake components."
As emphasized by Bilal Azizoglu, Managing Director of SAF-Holland Türkiye, local production enables faster delivery to customers in the region:
"We offer not only shorter delivery times and the highest quality, but also send a clear signal of our confidence in the location and our commitment to the markets in Turkey and beyond."
The new production line was established in the second plant in Düzce. The building, covering an area of 7,500 square meters, was designed to enable the implementation of the latest manufacturing and quality standards. In the long term, new jobs are also expected to be created here, according to the report.
The planning and implementation of the project also involved close collaboration with Haldex experts from Sweden. "Their comprehensive know-how in brake technology flowed directly into the development of production processes."
Advanced, Lightweight Brake System
The ModulT technology originated from an initial development for trailers introduced in 2011. In 2016, they celebrated the production of the one-millionth ModulT in Landskrona, Sweden, Haldex’s headquarters. The transfer
of the brake system for application on trucks was completed by the commercial vehicle brake and air suspension system expert just about half a year ago, at the end of 2024. A special feature of the concept is the single-piston design, which allows for reduced weight and a wide support mechanism that stabilizes by evenly distributing the load on the pressure plate. The advantages of a simplified brake system promise, among other things, lower maintenance effort and costs. In contrast, other manufacturers use a two-piston system, thus requiring more weight and components to exert sufficient force on the pressure plate.
Just a Few Months Ago, Expansion of the ModulT System to Trucks
According to its own information, the product is offered by Haldex exclusively for higher braking torques. The goal in development was to "produce the lightest brake available on the market for trailers," as Charlotte Wall, Vice President of Product Management at Haldex, emphasized in November 2024 when the brake system, after extensive developments and testing procedures, was introduced in
the version for trucks. Appropriate adjustments to the brake caliper were necessary for the transfer to heavy trucks.
Wall: "The difference between trailer and truck brakes mainly lies in the adjustment function," as trucks or buses have a different, more complex braking range compared to trailers. The required mechanism can be realized through a special concept: "Thanks to the modular design, we can use the same individual parts and sliding function in all truck brakes, while the cast parts and brake pads are always matched to the tire size."
Haldex's goal is generally to offer lighter and more efficient braking solutions for the entire commercial vehicle industry.
SAF-Holland is one of the world's leading manufacturers of chassis-related assemblies and components for trailers, trucks, and buses. The headquarters is located in Bessenbach near Aschaffenburg. In 2024, the publicly-listed company employed around 5,500 people. In the same year, a revenue of 1.88 billion euros was achieved. In addition to Haldex, the brands include Holland, Assali Stefen, KLL, Neway, V. Orlandi, Tecma, and York.
