WABCO Automotive SA is on a mission to find the longest working WABCO trailer ABS or EBS valve operating in the South African

transport industry.

"So far we've indentified a four-year-old EBS ECU with a 550 000km history on a married combination at Van Tonder Transport, but

we know there are much longer operating ABS and EBS valves out there," says Enoch Silcock, MD of WABCO Automotive SA.   "This

search is all about demonstrating that our claims regarding the longevity of these valves are true and that they do stand the test of

time, well beyond the warranty.

"Van Tonder Transport runs a very tight ship and has proved that if you take care of the basic necessities, suck as regular maintenance

and proper usage, and you don't try to cut corners, your valves will keep going, give you a return on your investment and reduce your

operating costs in the long term.  On the flip side, cheaper products need to be replaced three or four times during the period in which

a quality valve will still be functioning perfectly."

 Van Tonder Transport is the biggest specialised bulk grain transporter in South Africa.  The company runs a fleet of more than 50 MAN

truck tractors with Trailord grain-links that have a capacity of about 37 tons per combination, enabling hauls of about 44 000 metric tons a

month over long distances and some 100 000 tons over shorter distances, where it carries out between two and three loads per truck per

day.

WABCO's relationship with Van Tonder Transport dates back more than a decade, for the early days of the introduction of ABS to South

Africa.  With the advent of EBS, WABCO was able to offer a more advantageous offering that yielded better lining wear, improved braking

and enhanced safety.

WABCO invites fleet operators who can beat Van Tonder Transport's four year valve performance to contact the company by email

or through the company's Facebook Page.  Once a technician has verified the claim, details of the fleet will be publicised on WABCO's

website.