The Original Gabriel (Ride Control, LLC), the originator of the world's first automotive shock absorber in 1907 and a leading full-line supplier of light vehicle and heavy duty OE and aftermarket shocks and struts, has announced that it is now distributing its Fleetline shocks and GasSLX adjustable shocks products directly to heavy duty aftermarket suppliers and distributors.
The company has competitive pricing and product programs in place "that provide new opportunities for Gabriel heavy duty customers to grow sales," said Lisa Bahash, president and CEO of Gabriel.
The news came at the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2013, being held in Las Vegas this week. HDAW is the largest North American gathering of the independent heavy duty industry.
"Serving the HD aftermarket directly has been our goal for some time," she said.
Gabriel had been part of a prior organization before 2009 and has been working on launching its brand and is now able to deal directly with the heavy duty market.
"Heavy customers will receive excellent service through Gabriel's long-established distribution system and know-how," Bahash said. "We especially welcome direct interaction with our heavy duty aftermarket customers."
Broad product coverage
Gabriel heavy duty OE replacement coverage "is second to none," Bahash said, with one of the broadest product coverages of any ride control supplier, especially in the heavy duty industry.
Gabriel's extensive product line covers more than 3,000 OE part numbers and more than 2,000 competitors' aftermarket part numbers, she added. This exceeds Gabriel's nearest competitor's listed offerings by more than 50 percent in total.
Gabriel first designed and manufactured shocks for heavy duty applications in the 1950s and has continued to add to its line-up ever since, she pointed out. The company's "products are proven in the heavy duty market having withstood the tough demands of real-world use for over half a century
"Another main differentiator," continued Bahash, "is that we only focus on ride control. We know this market inside and out."
Product lineup
The Gabriel heavy duty lineup includes its Fleetline 83000 series shocks for Class 3 to 6 vehicles; Fleetline 85000 series for Class 6 to 8 trucks, buses and trailers; Fleetline cab shocks; and GasSLX, an adjustable shock for Class 7 to 8 trucks and buses.
"No one knows or cares more about Gabriel products than we do," said Michael Lipski, vice president, sales and marketing for Gabriel. "As the manufacturer, we bring engineering expertise acquired over decades and extensive marketing support capabilities.
"We also bring the entrepreneurial heritage of the company that invented the first shock absorber for automotive use - The Snubber. We call it our 'independent spirit.'"
