Waukesha-based Husco International, a manufacturer of hydraulic and electro-mechanical components for automotive and off-highway application, has been awarded $40 million in new projects.
Husco’s off-highway division will spearhead the projects, which will help several global OEMs in the construction, agricultural, material handling and commercial equipment industries become automation ready.
“Heavy equipment automation is growing across the off-highway market, with an emphasis on making equipment work smarter and with more autonomy,” said Bob Mortensen, president of Husco’s off-highway division. “Through advanced software controls, improved solenoid technology, and patented valve technology, we are making equipment safer, more efficient, and easier to automate. While these machines do not yet drive themselves, our engineering and manufacturing expertise is enabling our customers to achieve their goals of lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption with higher performance and output. We are helping equipment OEMs become automation-ready.”
Husco will also invest $40 million in new equipment, research and development, and tooling across all of its locations to support growth in the off-highway equipment automation sector.
None of the manufacturing investments will be made at Husco’s Waukesha headquarters, which does not have any off-highway manufacturing operations. The manufacturing investments will be made at Husco’s facilities in Whitewater and Maquoketa, Iowa. Some investments will also be made overseas.
Husco also expects to hire 150 full-time employees across all locations this year. A majority of the professional new hires will be based at the Waukesha headquarters, according to a spokesperson for the company. The new positions will focus on engineering, computer science and manufacturing automation.
“Original Equipment Manufacturers are investing heavily in vehicle electrification and automation,” said Austin Ramirez, chief executive officer of Husco. “Many of the vehicles produced in 2023 with Husco systems will have the capability to be operated either from the cab or by remote control. We are getting close to the day when this equipment will run fully autonomously or with a single operator monitoring multiple machines operating simultaneously.”
This is the second sizable contract Husco has announced within the last six months.
Husco also won a $50 million, five-year contract last summer to develop and produce a proprietary system to improve electric vehicle efficiency and extend battery range. Husco declined to name which global automotive OEM gave the company the contract.
