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24th March 2005 - Bendix C.V. Systems Celebrates Milestone Anniversary

Company Celebrates 75th Anniversary on March 24; Elyria Headquarters Established in 1941

Ever since the first air-braked vehicle rolled off the production lines, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and its predecessors have continued to shape the commercial vehicle industry through safety and innovation.

Elyria-based Bendix, a world leader in commercial vehicle safety and braking system expertise, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. On March 24, 1930, Bendix-Westinghouse Automotive Airbrake Company was established in Wilmerding, Pa.; the company moved its base of operations to Elyria in 1941.

“Our continued emphasis on innovation combined with the skill, service and dedication of our employees has enabled us to celebrate 75 years as a pioneer in the commercial vehicle industry,” said Joe McAleese, Bendix president and chief executive officer. “I’m confident that Bendix will continue its rich tradition of achievement and set industry standards of excellence for years and years to come.”

Bendix will commemorate this milestone with employee events throughout the year in Elyria, as well as its other facilities across North America. Bendix has manufacturing plants in Acuña, Mexico, Frankfort, Ky., and Huntington, Ind., as well as distribution centers in Sparks, Nev., Montreal and Mexico City.

Throughout the past century, Bendix has been responsible for a number of revolutionary changes in the commercial vehicle market. The following timeline highlights several of the most notable accomplishments in its history:

 • 1930 – Bendix-Westinghouse Automotive Air Brake Company is established, with company headquarters located in Wilmerding, Pa.
 • 1934 – Bendix-Westinghouse takes its automotive air brakes worldwide, establishing licensing agreements in France, Germany, Italy and England.
 • 1941 – Bendix-Westinghouse establishes new headquarters in Elyria, Ohio.
 • 1949 – Air brakes become standard on all heavy-duty trucks, tractor-trailers, buses, fire trucks and off-highway vehicles.
 • 1960 – Bendix begins development of automatic slack adjusters, air dryers, dual brake valves and its first-generation antilock braking system.
 • 1975 – Bendix dual air brake system becomes standard for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 121.
 • 1993 – Bendix forms global air brake joint venture with Munich-based braking leader Knorr-Bremse.
 • 2000 – Bendix begins production of driver control modules for International Truck, among the first integrated products of its type in the industry to capitalize on a migration toward pre-manufactured, pre-tested sub-assemblies.
 • 2001 – Bendix introduces its XVision® night vision system, the first thermal imaging, night vision system for commercial vehicles.
 • 2002 – Knorr-Bremse acquires 100 percent ownership of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems.
 • 2004 – Bendix forms a foundation brake and wheel-end joint venture with Dana Corporation called Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC, headquartered in Elyria.
 • 2005 – Bendix® ABS-6 Advanced with ESP® (Electronic Stability Program) debuts on vehicle platforms from five commercial vehicle OEMs.

About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, a member of the Knorr-Bremse Group, supplies air brake charging and control systems and components, wheel-end and electronic braking systems, vehicle modules and leading-edge safety technologies under the Bendix brand name for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses and other commercial vehicles. Employing more than 1,800 people, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, with manufacturing plants in Acuña, Mexico, Frankfort, Ky., and Huntington, Ind. For more information, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725) or visit www.bendix.com.

Source: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Press Release