SAF-HOLLAND Announces HOLLAND SmartSTO™, a Safer, Smarter Way to Uncouple, Stow Connection Lines

Muskegon, Michigan, March 15, 2026 – SAF-HOLLAND, a leading global manufacturer of heavy-duty commercial vehicle components, is pleased to announce the launch of HOLLAND SmartSTO™, an all-new solution designed to significantly improve safety, efficiency, and uptime when uncoupling air-release fifth wheels and stowing tractor-trailer connection lines.

Uncoupling often requires drivers to reach beneath the trailer to manually pull the fifth wheel release; a common yet overlooked safety risk that increases injury exposure and slows the process. SmartSTO eliminates that hazard by relocating the air release control outside the cab, where drivers receive clear visual and audible confirmation of disengagement. Its patented system also prevents uncoupling until the gladhands and electrical lines are fully stowed, ensuring proper disconnect procedures while improving safety, awareness, and confidence at every stop.

Prioritizing Safety while Reducing Downtime
By combining Holland’s fifth wheel engineering expertise with Haldex’s advanced air and braking technology, the two brands have integrated their capabilities to deliver a smarter, more connected uncoupling solution, engineered to make a routine task safer and more efficient. With the push of a button, drivers can uncouple the fifth wheel, and SmartSTO verifies that the air and electrical lines are properly stowed before allowing the release.

This not only improves driver safety but helps prevent damage to gladhands and connection lines that can lead to costly roadside repairs and downtime.

“Uncoupling is a routine task, but it carries real safety and operational risk if not done properly,” said Mike Ginocchio, Vice President Product Line Management/PMO Americas, SAF-HOLLAND. “With SmartSTO, we applied our engineering expertise to eliminate a common injury exposure point by integrating intelligent safeguards that protect both drivers and equipment while delivering measurable uptime and confidence for fleets every day.”

Key benefits of SmartSTO:

• Improves driver safety by eliminating the need to reach under the trailer to manually release the fifth wheel.
• Prevents costly damage to air and electrical lines.
• Speeds up uncoupling with simple push-button operation.
• Lowers maintenance costs and unplanned downtime by safeguarding air and electrical connections.
• Easy installation with just three airline connections for a simplified air release retrofit.

SmartSTO is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing air-release fifth wheel systems and simplifying an air release retrofit, making it a practical solution for fleets and OEMs looking to enhance safety without adding complexity.

SmartSTO is simple and safe to operate:

1. Set the tractor parking brake (system will not operate unless it is set).
2. Disconnect air gladhands and electrical power cable from the trailer.
3. Stow the gladhands and power cable to the SmartSTO on the tractor.
4. Fifth wheel release button illuminates to indicate that it’s safe to release the fifth wheel (button will not illuminate unless gladhands and power cable are properly secured and power present).
5. Push and hold button to release the fifth wheel.

A Smarter Approach to Everyday Operations
By combining fifth wheel release and connection-line stowage into one efficient system, SmartSTO helps fleets standardize safer uncoupling practices while improving operational consistency. The result is a solution that protects drivers, equipment, and productivity every time a trailer is uncoupled.

Available in 4th Quarter 2026, HOLLAND SmartSTO is the safest and most efficient solution available for uncoupling air-release fifth wheels and stowing connection lines, reinforcing SAF-HOLLAND’s commitment to smart innovation that delivers real-world value.

About SAF-HOLLAND Group
SAF-HOLLAND SE is a leading international manufacturer of chassis-related assemblies and components for trailers, trucks and buses. An average of around 5,700 dedicated employees worldwide generated sales of EUR 1,877 million in 2024. The product range includes axle and suspension systems for trailers as well as fifth wheels and coupling systems for trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers as well as brake and EBS systems. In addition, SAF-HOLLAND also develops innovative products to increase the efficiency, safety, and environmental friendliness of commercial vehicles. With the brands SAF, Holland, Haldex, Assali Stefen, KLL, Neway, Tecma, V.Orlandi and York, the Group achieved strong market positions in the top three positions in the most important regions worldwide in 2024. SAF-HOLLAND supplies manufacturers in the original equipment market on six continents. In the aftermarket business, the company supplies spare parts to manufacturers’ service networks and wholesalers as well as to end customers and service centers via an extensive global distribution network. SAF-HOLLAND SE is listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is included in the SDAX (ISIN: DE000SAFH001). Further information is available at
www.safholland.com.