Q&A talks with Anthony P. Defeo, president of Xcalliber.
Q. Can you describe your business?
A. Xcalliber is a parts and transmission builder serving the Allison Transmission industry worldwide since 1984. We manufacture both stock and performance parts for Allison Transmissions in our two locations in Brookfield.
Our customer base ranges from the direct-to-consumer market, to larger commercial fleets. Our commercial customers are located on all seven continents servicing many industries, such as transit, school bus, mining, waste hauling, construction, beverage distribution and others.
Check out the other 2024 SBA Award winners
Q. How did you get into this business?
A. This was a family business started in 1984 focused on selling hard parts for Allison Transmissions. I entered the business in 2000, after graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in mechanical engineering and minor in computer science.
As Allison transmissions became smarter and controlled by computers, we quickly realized we would need to pivot. We began forging relationships with the manufacturer of other components used within the architecture of these transmissions. Our product line expanded quickly. With the advent of the internet, a company website and search engine optimization, we quickly began selling our products all over the world.
Q. How has your business grown?
A. Since 2020, our total revenue has almost doubled. With assistance from the SBA over the past four years, Xcalliber has invested heavily in new machinery.
This machinery has allowed us to continue to vertically integrate and keep products competitively priced. Pricing coupled with the launch of our new e-commerce friendly website over the past two years has fueled sales both domestically and internationally.
Q. What’s a major challenge your business has overcome in the past year?
A. Global supply chain issues have continued to be challenging. However, by increasing our own production capacity and capabilities, we have been able to overcome some of these challenges.
Q. What major strategic plans do you have in the next few years?
A. We plan on continuing to grow the rebuilding side of our business, as the demand for remanufactured transmissions seems to be accelerating faster than the demand for replacement parts.
This may lead us to purchase an additional facility dedicated solely to remanufacturing and installing transmissions.
