Leading Manufacturer Selects Bendix to Assemble Integrated Control Module for All American School Bus
HUNTINGTON, Ind. – October 2, 2008 – Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, the North American leader in the development and manufacture of leading-edge active safety and braking system technologies for commercial vehicles, is overcoming the slowdown in both the U.S. economy and the commercial vehicle industry to continue more than a decade of growth in its module business.
Blue Bird Corporation, one of the world’s leading school bus manufacturers and a long-time Bendix customer, is expanding its partnership with Bendix. The company will add the assembly of the integrated control module (ICM) for its All American school bus to the partnership, making Bendix a key manufacturing partner for Blue Bird’s school bus platforms. Blue Bird puts thousands of school buses on the road each year.
A Diverse Market Presence
Assembly of various integrated modules for commercial vehicles, including school buses, is just one of the diverse lines of business represented by the overall Bendix operation in Huntington, Ind. There, Bendix operates four facilities, including a state-of-the-art distribution center that also houses both braking product assembly and remanufacturing, a post-sales center for component core processing, and two module facilities.
“The diversity of our business ventures, as well as our service to multiple markets, has enabled us to sustain our presence and grow our business, even during this challenging time for the commercial vehicle industry,” said Joe McAleese, president and CEO of Bendix. “Our ability to respond to a variety of customers’ needs has positioned us to serve as a trusted partner to both the complete range of leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and a significant network of aftermarket distribution channel partners.”
The Bendix Huntington module facility has assembled the ICM for Blue Bird’s Vision school bus since 2003, annually contributing approximately 6,000 modules to Blue Bird’s overall manufacturing process. Beginning this November, Bendix will add the ICM for the Blue Bird All American transit-style school bus to its assembly line. The addition of this more complex module for transit buses will result in the build of additional modules by Bendix for Blue Bird.
“The addition of the second Blue Bird module to our Huntington operation is evidence of Bendix success and expertise in design, manufacturing, and logistics,” McAleese said. “It also validates our competence and world-class quality when it comes to products that were traditionally outside of our core business. This is an important win for Bendix, and we’re enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue to grow our presence in the commercial vehicle industry.”
Maximizing the Module Investment
Bendix will assemble both Blue Bird ICMs on a single assembly line, making it the company’s first truly mixed-model line. A mixed-model assembly line enables production of multiple products on the same line, even if those products are vastly different. Utilization of a mixed-model concept not only helps to minimize the capital investment required for the manufacturing operation, it also ensures optimum utilization of the line and its workers, as well as flexibility and overall efficiency.
Manufacturers that partner with Bendix for module design and assembly streamline their operations, can improve operating efficiencies, and can concentrate their focus on core competencies. Bendix also has an unmatched track record of on-time delivery. The company has consistently exceeded world-class delivery performance for more than half a million modules.
Nearly a Decade of Growth
Bendix launched its module capabilities in Huntington when it opened the doors of the first dedicated modules facility in 2000. The manufacturing technology employed at the modules center features synchronized scheduling that permits parts to be delivered to the OEM just in time and in the line sequence dictated by the OEM’s production schedule. Ultimately, these modules become part of commercial vehicles from some of the world’s most recognizable nameplates – Navistar International, General Motors, Blue Diamond, Kenworth, Blue Bird, and more. Since the inception of module production, the business has experienced year-over-year growth of at least 30 percent annually. By the time the new Blue Bird module hits the Bendix assembly line in November, the company will have more than 400 employees in all four Huntington locations, representing nearly 20 percent of its overall workforce.
“We’ve been able to drive such phenomenal growth in this segment of our business because we’ve proved that we can be a reliable partner for module production,” said Mike Pogorelc, plant manager for Bendix Huntington facilities. “By partnering with Bendix, our customers are able to focus on their core competencies. They also realize significant efficiencies – they’re able to streamline their supply base, simplify their internal logistics, and reduce their inventory and operating costs. Factor in our ability to consistently deliver an exceptional quality product on time, and it’s a very attractive proposition for our customers.”
“The dedication and determination of our Huntington workforce is also a big part of our success,” McAleese remarked. “Teamwork is an essential element of our company culture. Our employees consistently demonstrate an exceptional ‘can do’ attitude, combined with a passion for quality, continuous learning, customer service, and exceptional performance. Their contributions have helped us advance in all areas of our business operations.”
Bendix produces more than 100,000 vehicle modules in Huntington each year. Modules range from the simplest – such as a module that contains a vehicle’s brake and accelerator pedals – to highly complex – such as a completely dressed truck cab containing more than 1,000 individual components from more than 140 suppliers. Bendix module expertise is a key differentiator for the company and one that enables it to sustain growth, even during the most challenging economic cycles.
About Blue Bird Corporation
Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C, and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. For more than 80 years, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,800 employees, two Georgia-based manufacturing facilities, and an extensive network of dealers and service-parts facilities throughout North America. The company’s global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. Please visit the Blue Bird Corporation Web site at www.blue-bird.com.
About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of the Knorr-Bremse Group, develops and supplies leading-edge active safety technologies, air brake charging, and control systems and components under the Bendix® brand name for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses, and other commercial vehicles throughout North America. An industry pioneer, employing more than 2,200 people, we are driven to deliver solutions for improved vehicle performance, safety, and overall operating cost. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, with manufacturing plants in Acuña, Mexico; Bowling Green, Ky.; and Huntington, Ind. For more information, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725) or visit www.bendix.com.
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