Client
Hendrickson
Services
- Project management
- Design and structural engineering
- Custom fabrication
- Heavy-duty display support structure
- Custom display base and integrated lighting
- Custom painting and finishing
- Chrome and specialty finish coordination
- Graphics and branding
- Trade show delivery and coordination
Project Overview
Hendrickson partnered with CEI to create a large-scale display model of its new ELECTRAAX electric drive axle for its debut at ACT Expo 2026.
ELECTRAAX, powered by Driventic, is Hendrickson’s first electric drive axle. The fully integrated ePowertrain combines the axle, gearbox, motor and inverter into one system designed for Class 6-7 school buses and medium-duty trucks.
CEI’s role went well beyond creating the appearance of the finished model. Our team engineered and fabricated the supporting display structure, built the illuminated presentation base, coordinated the finishing of individual components, and brought all of those elements together into a trade show-ready centerpiece capable of safely supporting the substantial weight of the ELECTRAAX assembly.
The Challenge
The ELECTRAAX presented two challenges at once.
Visually, the display needed to accurately represent a complex, highly engineered product while giving attendees an opportunity to see the axle, gearbox, motor, inverter, braking components and high-voltage cabling up close. The scale and intricate components required careful planning and precise execution.
Structurally, this was also an extremely substantial piece of equipment. The finished display needed to securely support the weight of the axle while keeping the supporting structure visually understated so the technology remained the focus.
Finally, every exposed component had to look intentional and presentation-ready. The model would be viewed from only a few feet away on the trade show floor, making the quality of the paint, chrome, finishes, hardware and detailing especially important.
Our Approach
CEI worked closely with Hendrickson to understand the ELECTRAAX system, identify the components that needed to remain visually prominent and determine how the assembly could be presented safely and effectively. That collaboration allowed our design, engineering and production teams to develop the display as a complete system rather than treating the axle and its base as separate elements.
Behind the finished presentation, CEI engineered a heavy-duty internal support structure capable of carrying the substantial weight of the ELECTRAAX assembly. The supports were then integrated into a clean, custom-fabricated base so that the engineering required to hold the axle remained largely out of sight.
The base itself became part of the presentation. Recessed, adjustable lighting was incorporated into the platform to illuminate the underside and key components of the axle, helping attendees see details that might otherwise have been lost on the show floor.
Our production team also paid close attention to every visible surface. Components were custom painted in Hendrickson’s signature red, selected parts received chrome finishes, and the motor and inverter were finished in matte black to create visual contrast and help distinguish major elements of the system. Cable routing, fasteners and smaller details were carefully addressed so the model maintained the credibility of an engineered product while achieving the refined appearance expected of a trade show centerpiece.
Our Solution
The finished display combined engineering, fabrication and finishing into one cohesive presentation.
A robust concealed support system securely carried the ELECTRAAX assembly above a clean, branded display platform. Integrated lighting highlighted the axle from below, while the combination of custom Hendrickson red, chrome detailing and matte-black components created separation between the major systems and gave the entire piece a polished, intentional appearance.
The result allowed attendees to get unusually close to Hendrickson’s new technology and examine the details of the system from multiple angles. Rather than simply showing photographs or technical renderings, Hendrickson could put the scale, complexity and engineering of ELECTRAAX directly in front of its audience.
“I was present for the tradeshow where we debuted the e-axle, and it was an absolute hit! You guys did a phenomenal job with that model. I know it was a behemoth of a project to undertake, and the result was really great.”
Paul Mysak , Market Segment ManagerThe Result
ELECTRAAX made a successful debut at ACT Expo and received significant attention from attendees and industry media.
The completed display gave Hendrickson a powerful centerpiece for introducing its first electric drive axle to the commercial vehicle industry while demonstrating the engineering and innovation behind the new technology.
For CEI, the project demonstrated something equally important: our ability to take a large, complex and extremely heavy piece of technology and develop the engineering, structure, fabrication, lighting and specialty finishes required to transform it into a polished trade show experience.
See how we helped Dayton Superior create a bold trade show exhibit at World of Concrete.
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