Fras-Le taking science to the track with new proving ground

Jan. 1, 2020
LAS VEGAS ? The road ahead is laying out in more than 10 miles of track for Fras-Le. The company, which focuses strongly on its global reach, next month will open its new proving ground in Brazil. According to CEO and Director of Investor Relations D

LAS VEGAS — The road ahead is laying out in more than 10 miles of track for FRAS-LE.

The company, which focuses strongly on its global reach, next month will open its new proving ground in Brazil. According to CEO and Director of Investor Relations Daniel Randon, 18 types of tracks covering 10 miles will be key for the company. Not only will it be able to test its many passenger and commercial offerings, the company will also outsource use of the proving ground to OEM companies in South America for testing. .

The track will be able to hold heavy-duty vehicles up to 16 tons per axle.

“We want to be known as a technological company,” Randon explains. “We can improve the tests, because you can’t always repeat tests, repeat the conditions.”

Some of the company's offerings that could be tested at the facility are its Street Master, Magnum Pro, Ceramaxx and Extreme Service lines, the latter being its fleet offering, for extreme service applications.

In addition to moving forward with the proving ground, Randon says the company also is working to be more supportive for its clients not only technically, but with commercial service. He adds that the company reinvests 4 percent of its revenue into research and development, some of which is conducted at a facility in Alabama.

“The market always is improving, so we are coming up with new offerings to support the needs of the market,” Randon says. He adds that while some ideas can be replicated across multiple countries, the R&D also is cognizant of different needs in different areas.

The Brazil-based company with the new location reaches farther than just the South American country. For 55 years now, FRAS-LE has spread its reach around the globe, manufacturing products in Brazil, Alabama and China. It has offices in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Dubai, South Africa and Germany, as well.

About the Author

Tschanen Brandyberry

Tschanen Brandyberry is Special Projects Editor for the UBM Americas – Automotive Group, moving into the position following roles as managing editor of Motor Age and associate editor of Aftermarket Business World. She joined the Automotive Group in 2006 after working in editing and writing positions at The Morning Journal in Lorain, Ohio, and The Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, in addition to public relations agency experience. Tschanen is a graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

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