Optronics International has completed its acquisition of USA Harness, which serves the transportation industry with its USA-PLUS sealed modular wiring harness system and its patented USA-PLUS modular connection system.
The acquisition makes Optronics the newest of only a few manufacturers capable of fully serving the light-, medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle industry with both lighting and harness technologies, Optronics says.
“In less than a decade, Optronics has dramatically changed the competitive landscape in commercial vehicle lighting with its focus on technological innovation, broader options and greater value, and we’re about to do the same with harnesses,” says Brett Johnson, Optronics president and CEO. “OEMs have become ever more adamant in encouraging us to enter the harness side of the business, because the competition in that segment has remained so limited.”
Coupled with its diverse international background and experience, the newly acquired engineering and manufacturing capabilities of USA Harness will position Optronics to hit the ground running in North America, while fully leveraging its synergies as a global lighting and harness supplier, the company says.
“We have watched Optronics’ exponential growth over the years and have engineered more and more harness systems for use exclusively with their lighting,” says Debby Thompson, USA Harness interim president. “Though we’ll continue to produce harness systems that interface with all major lighting manufacturers, we’re excited to now be able to offer a fully integrated modular power delivery and lighting solution.”
Optronics is committed to its global manufacturing culture, and according to company officials, the acquisition of a U.S.-based harness manufacturing capability gives the company even greater supply chain latitude.
“Just like the OEMs we serve, we’re going to manufacture harness and lighting systems wherever it makes the most sense,” Johnson says.
With their blended experience, both companies will begin selling integrated modular lighting and harness systems from day one. Targeted manufacturers include those making heavy-duty dry van, reefer, tank, car haul and flatbed trailers, as well as those making light- to medium-duty trailers. Heavy-duty truck and body manufacturers also will be a focus, as will heavy-duty off-highway vehicles, armored couriers and other specialized vocational equipment manufacturers, Optronics says.
