Equipment Report

Wastequip opens new WRX facility in Southern California

Charlotte, North Carolina-based waste handling equipment manufacturer Wastequip has opened its newest WRX facility, pronounced “works,” in Jurupa Valley, California. The facility is part of the company’s strategy to expand its parts and service footprint nationwide. 

The new location offers customers access to localized parts inventory for quick availability and pickup. Later this year, the facility will begin offering service for refuse trucks, hoists, tarping systems and related equipment.

“We are excited about our newest WRX facility, which marks our parts and service expansion into Southern California,” says Eric Mattson, president of Wastequip’s trucks division. “This location allows us to provide localized parts inventory and eventually equipment service to haulers and municipalities in the Southern California area. As part of the Wastequip family, customers know they can rely on the technical expertise, service capabilities and parts inventory at any WRX location to keep their operations running smoothly.”

WRX was launched in 2020 as part of Wastequip’s vision to localize waste equipment service, providing customers with access to fleet maintenance and parts inventory and strengthening its dealer network. WRX facilities have introduced compactor service solutions, and customers can use the WRX website to schedule a variety of compactor services, such as general wear and tear, safety inspections, grease service and replacement of hydraulic oil, filters and hoses.

The new facility offers parts inventory for refuse trucks, hoists and other scrap handling equipment. The location will offer equipment service later this year, joining existing WRX locations in Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas and in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Autocar sets up EV assembly space in Birmingham, Alabama

Autocar LLC, based in Hagerstown, Maryland, now has an electric vehicle (EV) assembly line at its manufacturing facility in Birmingham, Alabama. The company makes vocational trucks, including models for the waste and recycling sector.

“When we set up the Birmingham plant in 2017, it was a significant moment for Autocar, and we got it done in record time,” says Andrew Taitz, chairman of Autocar. “Deepening the plant’s capabilities with our own EV assembly technology [shows] we have the talent, vision and commitment to keep advancing with all market developments.”

Autocar says its in-house designed powerpacks and high-voltage battery packs are the first EV powertrain components that are being assembled on the new line in Birmingham.

Taitz says the company’s new EV assembly line can help Autocar meet its customers’ expectations regardless of their selected powertrain.

“Our customers know, trust and expect Autocar quality,” Taitz says. “Whichever powertrain option Autocar customers choose, build quality is never optional. It’s a given. Assembling our battery packs in-house, on a dedicated EV line, is the latest technology commitment to our promise of ‘Always Up’ for all our trucks,” he adds.

During the build phases of Autocar’s EV power units and battery packs, assembly technicians can access digital confirmation terminals and scanners to validate the health of each truck’s battery and electrical architecture, the firm says.

Autocar says its new EV line leverages the experience and awareness of master assembly technicians with the benefits of a digitally enhanced assembly system.

The truck maker credits Blackstone Construction, based in Birmingham, for having shaped and installed the structure for Autocar’s new EV line.

Autocar also cites industrial engineering and technical expertise provided by Chicago-based Triz Advanced Manufacturing. Autocar was assisted by the Triz Engineering business unit in setting up the dedicated EV component assembly line “to ensure the best power unit and battery pack build quality.”

The truck maker says its electric Terminal Tractor (E-ACTT) is the brand’s first truck to benefit from components made using the Triz Advanced Manufacturing design, integrating power units and battery packs created in Birmingham. The E-ACTT is assembled in Hagerstown using these components.