The heavy-duty aftermarket refers to the market for spare parts, accessories, maintenance, and repair services for heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks, buses, and construction machinery. This market is crucial for the maintenance and performance of vehicles used in the transportation, construction, and agricultural industries. Important components include seals, among others.
A supplier of seals for the heavy-duty aftermarket recently expanded its delivery program to include additional product groups to steadily increase its market share in this demanding spare parts market. The focus of Corteco's heavy-duty aftermarket products, a part of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, is currently on radial shaft seals. These seals are specifically developed for the demanding conditions in construction and agricultural machinery as well as other heavy-duty applications. This year, Corteco plans to expand its aftermarket delivery program for the heavy-duty sector to include additional product groups such as accumulators.
"Transferring series quality directly to the independent aftermarket is not an additional effort for us but a logical consequence. We benefit from our extensive experience and the very strict requirements of series development, especially from the automotive sector. These can ideally be used for the heavy-duty market as well. That is why we will continue to expand our offerings in this area," says Dr. Christian Dickopf, Senior Vice President at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, responsible for Corteco.
More than 300 Test Stands for Seals
In the heavy-duty segment, there are no universal solutions: each application case must be considered individually. This approach relies on the long-standing experience from the automotive and truck sectors.
This philosophy is reflected in the product quality, which is tested under extreme conditions. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies often goes beyond the requirements of individual OEMs. A unique feature is the test field in Weinheim, which, according to the company, is the largest of its kind worldwide with over 300 test stands. Here, seals and other products are tested under simulated conditions to guarantee their performance over a lifespan of more than 300,000 kilometers.
"The requirements of individual OEMs vary, but they are all high," says Robert Leins, head of the test field at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. "For us, it's always about transferring reality into our laboratory and reproducing it in fast-forward. An average test cycle here is completed in 240 hours."
Heavy-duty seals must withstand not only mechanical stresses but also extreme temperature fluctuations, chemical influences, and UV radiation. Extensive testing ensures that the products are prepared for all real-world applications.
