Clarience Technologies has acquired Pressure Systems International (P.S.I.), expanding its portfolio to include tire-related technologies as commercial fleets make the shift toward electric vehicles.
The acquisition includes both P.S.I. operations and Truck System Technologies (TST) operations, which are based in San Antonio. Under the agreement, P.S.I. will operate as a distinct business unit of Clarience, with Tim Musgrave remaining in his position as P.S.I.'s president and CEO.
With nearly 2 million of its systems installed on commercial trailers, P.S.I. has continued to drive the adoption of automatic trailer tire inflation systems.
“As electric vehicle fleets seek to maximize range and minimize downtime, tire rolling resistance plays an increasingly important role in determining EV range,” Brian Kupchella, Clarience's CEO, said in a statement. “P.S.I. is an industry innovator that expands our technology capabilities, making the company a strong fit with Clarience Technologies.”
Tire rolling resistance is critical to ensure optimal EV range—as nearly every other factor contributing to range limitation will be eliminated in an electric vehicle, Clarience pointed out. As autonomous driving technologies begin to take hold, automated maintenance like tire inflation affects range, safety, and uptime.
"Lights, tires, and brakes are the top three issues fleets deal with causing downtime," Kupchella said via email. "Through our established Road Ready system, which integrates P.S.I. and 10 other leading smart component partners in our LogIQ network, fleets have visibility to all three 24/7 and can see issues as they occur to improve uptime and potential future catastrophic failure."
"Down the road, as EVs and eventually AVs are adopted, these same things will be critical to range—which ultimately affects downtime," Kupchella added. "Across all our companies, we are working on solutions for EVs through our companies’ wide A2Z for eMobility initiative. Beyond their current product offerings, we’re excited to see how P.S.I. can inspire innovations across the entire Clarience Technologies team of companies to deliver new and better solutions for EV safety and range.”
P.S.I. joins technology lineup
P.S.I. is not unusual in its acquisition by Clarience Technologies. Once the company was launched in 2020 from several transportation technology brands, Clarience swiftly acquired several other companies to accelerate its growth.
One of the Clarience Technologies businesses, Road Ready, has already been working closely with P.S.I. as part of its LogIQ smart partner network, which provides truck and trailer health data to fleet customers through Road Ready’s interface.
Over the past two years Clarience Technologies acquired several other companies to accelerate growth, starting with ECCO Safety Group in December 2020. In November 2021, Clarience grew its global footprint by acquiring LED Autolamps, an Australia-based provider of commercial vehicle lighting solutions throughout Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Most recently, Clarience Technologies added Fleetilla, a telematics and asset tracking technology company with an offering that complements the Road Ready system.
In 2020, Clarience opened its new global headquarters in Southfield, Michigan, for its Road Ready telematics business and established a new global research and development center in Pittsburgh. Company officials also have forged relationships with Michigan State University and Lawrence Technological University in Michigan and Carnegie-Mellon University and Penn State Behrend in Pennsylvania to help drive an electric, autonomous, and globally-connected innovations.
