At its headquarters in Bessenbach, east of Aschaffenburg, the manufacturer of axles, suspension systems, and commercial vehicle components, SAF-Holland, recently celebrated its three-millionth axle. The product rolled off the line at the Bessenbach Plant 03 in mid-April 2025. The Lower Franconian location serves as the central production site for the premium product SAF Intra, an air-sprung suspension system that, according to the company, is used and valued worldwide in its various versions, among other things, for its cost-effectiveness. The company writes:
“The anniversary marks a milestone in the history of the production site, which has been a central component of axle and suspension manufacturing since 2000.”
Proven for Decades
The SAF Intra products came onto the market over 20 years ago and have conquered the European roads during this time. The air suspension unit is described as a robust version for 9-ton applications and is said to feature high cost-effectiveness, low maintenance requirements, and a “well-thought-out product design.” According to the manufacturer, the chassis has been continually developed in consultation with fleet customers since its introduction, so that today a whole range of different variants are available.
Variants for Different Purposes
For example, SAF Trakr, a version with electric recuperation for power generation during driving. The energy recovered through a high-voltage generator unit can then be used to operate a refrigeration unit or – in tanker trucks – the pump. The standardized concept allows for an identical design as the standard axles.
Another variant is the SAF Intradisc plus Integral, a "worldwide unique" development with a two-piece brake disc, optimized for standard transports. The cost-effectiveness is demonstrated here in that the two-piece brake disc can preserve material or extend the lifetime of the pads. For the series, the manufacturer also grants a 10-year anti-corrosion warranty with the Premium Coated coating. "Long-distance fleet operators particularly appreciate the durability and efficiency of the series," it is said.
Perfected with Automation
With the optimization of SAF Intra technology, there was also a continuous improvement of Plant 03 in Bessenbach, so that gradually both the productivity and the quality of the components increased, as the company reports. In the course of this, the rejection rate per million units (PPM rate) was continuously reduced, parallel to the continuous expansion of automation.
Skillfully Mastered Critical Phases
Several employees, who have been with the company since the year 2000, still contribute their experiences to the production today, reports SAF-Holland. Challenging conditions, arising from volatile market conditions, could be mitigated during this time through flexible shift work models and dynamically adapted to the needs of the trailer manufacturers, it is said.
The company, which began in the late 19th century as “SAF” (Otto Sauer Achsenfabrik) producing plows and steel axles for agricultural vehicles and merged in 2006 with the US commercial vehicle supplier Holland, founded in 1910, now plans further investments at its headquarters. Starting from the fourth quarter of 2025, the new wheel hub assembly will be introduced through an expansion. Additionally, another logistics area is intended to optimize material supply and thus contribute to strengthening the market position.
The corporate strategy is based, among other things, on continuous growth and the expansion of its product portfolio, as demonstrated by the acquisition of several companies in recent years, for example, Haldex. Also, at last year's IAA Transportation, the expert for trailer and commercial vehicle chassis provided insights into his future plans, addressing topics such as electrification, automation, and connectivity to drive the transformation of the mobility industry forward.
And regarding production oriented towards environmental standards: As with many other companies in the automotive industry, photovoltaic systems are increasingly being used for their own electricity needs. At SAF-Holland's Bessenbach location, up to 25 percent of the required electricity is covered by PV elements, according to their own information, since 2024.
