26th June 2009 - Bendix® ADB22X™ Air Disc Brakes Offer North American Design, Vocation-Specific Specs, and Ease of Services

New Products Offer Economical Solutions for Customers

Committed to customer needs and providing fleets with quality, affordable braking options, Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC is offering several new cost effective air disc brake solutions.

Bendix® brand double diaphragm spring brakes, new heavy-duty rotors and a universal replacement parts strategy for Bendix® ADB22X™ air disc brakes have all been added to the Bendix brand product portfolio from Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, and will be available during the second quarter of 2009.

Interchangeable Spring Brake Options

Bendix double diaphragm spring brakes for air disc brakes offer an affordable solution for today’s trailer customers. The service brake performance and operating characteristics of the Bendix piston style spring brake and the Bendix double diaphragm spring brakes are identical, providing a perfect match for Bendix ADB22X air disc brakes when replaced in service and enable proper brake balance when installed on one or more wheel-ends in trailer applications. The spring brake that Bendix currently uses with the ADB22X disc brake is the piston style version developed for, and widely accepted in, the European market; but this spring brake has not provided North American trailer customers with the most economical spring brake solution. The new Bendix® double diaphragm spring brakes for air disc brakes, are designed specifically in North America for the North American commercial vehicle market, reducing cost for fleets and OEMs. Currently available for trailers, Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake is continuing its efforts to develop the double diaphragm spring brakes for air disc brake tractor applications.

Expanding Heavy-Duty Replacement Rotor Availability

The new generation Bendix® air disc brake rotors are based on the globally accepted Severe Duty Rotors. Bendix® heavy duty rotors offer a reliable, lower cost-per-mile option for customers in less severe North American vocations. The advanced metallurgy of the Bendix® heavy duty rotors provide excellent wear and heat check resistance while reducing cost. The advanced engineering development of this rotor design results in a significant savings to customers without sacrificing performance, durability, or reliability. Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake is currently working to develop a standard-duty rotor, which will complete the rotor family, and will be even more cost effective for lighter GAWR and low duty cycle applications.

Universal Service Parts Mean Savings

The Bendix universal replacement parts offering now provides service parts distribution points with a more cost-effective stocking strategy to cover a broader customer base. The increasing acceptance of Bendix® ADB22X™ Air Disc Brakes in a wide variety of applications and vocations, has initiated the requirement for universal service options. Currently available for brake chambers, spring brakes, wheel hubs and some caliper configurations, universal replacement parts are designed to fit a wide variety of applications. Universal replacement parts enable Bendix distribution partners to reduce inventory levels, improve turnaround time, provide greater coverage, and improve customer service to fleets. Fleet acceptance has been overwhelming as this new strategy allows them to reduce downtime and improve their bottom line.

"Bendix has a clear understanding of our customers’ needs," said Aaron Schwass, director for the foundation brake group at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake. "As a supplier, it’s our responsibility to provide our customers with affordable options without compromising quality. The double diaphragm spring brakes, heavy duty rotors, and universal replacement parts strategy are just a few examples of new products and ideas that Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake has brought to market to help our customers improve their performance and their ROI."

Bendix foundation drum brakes, disc brakes, automatic slack adjusters, and combination spring brakes are produced and made available by Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC under the Bendix® brand name. Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake is a joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC.

About Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC

Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC combines and expands the complementary wheel-end foundation brake technologies of two global leaders – Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC. The joint venture, formed in July 2004, is a single, complete source for OEM brake system design, manufacturing, hardware, and support for all foundation brake components and actuation systems, as well as all-makes coverage of nearly 50,000 medium- and heavy-duty aftermarket parts. Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC is headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, with engineering operations in both Elyria and Kalamazoo, Mich., and a manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Ky. For more information, call 1-866-610-9709 or visit www.foundationbrakes.com.

Source: Bendix Spicer Press Release