Strategic partnership for north american aftermarket
Carbex and Helwig Carbon Products have entered into a new strategic partnership to strengthen the availability and implementation of the i-BRUSH monitoring system across the North American aftermarket. Through the agreement, Helwig will serve as exclusive distributor for the i-BRUSH monitoring system within selected core market segments, providing local sales, service, and implementation directly from the United States.
License agreement and local manufacturing investment
The new partnership also includes a license agreement for manufacturing i-BRUSH-equipped brushes for the North American market. As part of the collaboration, Helwig will invest in production equipment to support local manufacturing and delivery capabilities for the i-BRUSH monitoring system offering.
Local delivery, service, and complete customer solutions
A key advantage of the collaboration is the ability for customers to source a complete solution directly from the United States through Helwig. Customers will be able to purchase fully equipped brush solutions together with the i-BRUSH monitoring system, receive pre-configured and paired systems, and obtain local technical support and service directly from Helwig without requiring direct involvement from Carbex in day-to-day aftermarket operations. This creates a more streamlined customer experience with shorter lead times, reduced transportation requirements, lower overall costs, and a more sustainable supply chain.
Advanced monitoring for rotating electrical equipment
Developed by Carbex and proven through years of successful implementation worldwide, the i-BRUSH monitoring system provides continuous insight into carbon brush condition and performance in rotating electrical equipment. The system monitors brush wear, temperature, current, current density, ambient conditions, and vibration, helping operators improve visibility into equipment behavior, optimize slip ring and component performance, and reduce the risk of unexpected failures such as flashover and fire.
Improved Equipment Visibility and Operational Reliability
Carbon brushes remain critical components in many AC and DC motors and generators across a wide range of industries. However, brush condition has traditionally required manual inspection, limiting visibility into developing issues and equipment behavior. By enabling continuous condition monitoring and data collection, the i-BRUSH monitoring system gives maintenance teams improved understanding of machine performance and supports more efficient maintenance planning, troubleshooting, and operational reliability.
Complete i-BRUSH monitoring system portfolio
The partnership supports the complete i-BRUSH monitoring system portfolio, including i-BRUSH 2.0, i-BRUSH Core, and i-BRUSH Connect, enabling customers to select the solution best suited to their operational requirements, maintenance strategies, and operating environments.
Official Launch and First Joint U.S. Installation
The collaboration officially launched with a joint kickoff and training session in the United States, where Carbex provided technical and application training for Helwig’s sales and service organization. The companies have already completed their first joint i-BRUSH monitoring system installation in the U.S. market.
“This partnership gives us a powerful platform in North America together with a highly respected partner and is a strategic step for Carbex in becoming the leader in connecting carbon brushes with smart monitoring. By combining our monitoring technology with Helwig’s strong market presence and decades of expertise, we are creating greater value for customers and accelerating long-term growth.” said Joakim Hedlund, Carbex.
“Industrial operators are increasingly seeking practical ways to improve equipment reliability and reduce maintenance risk,” said Nitin Kulkarni, Helwig Carbon Products. “The i-BRUSH platform gives customers greater flexibility to select the right solution for implementing predictive maintenance strategies across a broad range of applications.”
Continued Expansion Within the OEM Industry
While strengthening its aftermarket presence through strategic partnerships, Carbex continues its long-term expansion within the OEM industry, maintaining strong focus on developing OEM collaborations and advancing next-generation monitoring and brush technologies for global industrial markets.
Driving the Future of Smart Carbon Brush Solutions
By combining Carbex’s monitoring technology with Helwig’s North American manufacturing capabilities, service organization, and application expertise, the partnership creates a stronger and more localized offering for customers across multiple industries. Together, the companies aim to simplify implementation, improve equipment visibility, reduce lead times, and accelerate the adoption of smart carbon brush solutions throughout the North American aftermarket.
About Helwig Carbon Products, Inc.
Helwig Carbon Products, Inc. is a leading American manufacturer of carbon brushes, brush holders, spring assemblies, shaft grounding products, metal graphite brushes, and carbon graphite vanes, rotors, bushings, seals, segmented rings, and more. Since 1928, Helwig has developed innovations that have become industry standards across a wide range of industrial applications. With an extensive North American field support network, world-renowned engineering expertise, and industry-leading application knowledge, Helwig helps customers improve equipment reliability and performance.
For more information, visit www.helwigcarbon.com
About Carbex
Carbex develops and supplies carbon brushes and smart monitoring systems that optimize performance, sustainability, and reliability in demanding industrial applications. By combining advanced brush materials with intelligent monitoring of parameters such as wear, temperature, voltage drop, and current distribution, Carbex enables predictive maintenance, extended component lifetime, and data-driven performance optimization. With more than 130 years of experience in carbon brush technology, Carbex develops and manufactures high-quality solutions in Sweden for industries where reliability and precision are critical — quality at the core.
