Company Builds Expertise and Resources through Acquisitions, Agreements, and Investments in North America
ELYRIA, Ohio – Oct. 30, 2019 – Expanding steering-centered technologies to complement its robust braking and electronics portfolio, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC is taking further steps toward more deeply integrated systems and capabilities, an integral part of the pathway to highly automated and safer vehicles. Resources built through recent acquisitions and agreements, as well as investments in expertise and facilities, are providing the tools and talent with which Bendix continues its leading-edge development and manufacture of active safety, air management, braking and steering solutions for commercial vehicles across North America.
“For more than eight decades, the Bendix name has been synonymous with air braking and vehicle safety,” said TJ Thomas, director of marketing and customer solutions – Controls Group, at Bendix. “Now, with the continued fusing of more vehicle technologies into our advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), it’s a natural step to add steering to the Bendix portfolio and deepen our knowledge in that arena, since brakes and steering are the main ADAS actuators.”
Last year, Bendix acquired the ProSteering business of JM Engineered Products, a Lebanon, Tennessee-based remanufacturer of all-makes power steering systems. This expanded the manufacturing and steering gear expertise built over six decades by Bendix and its parent company, the Munich, Germany-based Knorr-Bremse Group.
In March 2019, Knorr-Bremse completed its acquisition of Hitachi Automotive Systems’ commercial steering business, which included key components of steering gears and torque overlay steering, crucial elements in the future of driver assistance and highly automated driving solutions. Additionally, another Knorr-Bremse agreement brought the use of Sentient Blueprint Steering – in production use since 2013 – into the fold, providing Bendix with steering-related software to integrate camera input and power new ADAS functions.
Powering the Next Generation of ADAS
“Taken together, all of these efforts represent a major addition to what Bendix can offer vehicle manufacturers and customers, whether we’re talking about systems including ADAS functionality steering, or components like OEM and aftermarket base steering gears,” said Dustin Carpenter, Bendix product line director for Steering. “One example of this is Lane Centering on the next generation of the Bendix® Wingman® Fusion™ collision mitigation system. Lane Keeping Assist, active return, and steering assist are also other functionalities that will be enhanced by the steering software’s proven capability to do things like resist disturbances from the road and tires without compromising steering feel.”
Bendix’s torque overlay steering (TOS) technology will also be able to compensate for side winds, road crown, and be custom-tuned to a driver’s desired steering feel. Bendix will be launching steering gear variants and torque overlay steering for Class 6-8 vehicles through North American OEMs over the next few years.
In addition to the acquisitions, Bendix has grown its team of experts and established a steering product line team while investing in a new steering test lab and equipment to specifically support the North American market the company serves.
“Ultimately, this reflects a global steering strategy unfolding here in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, plus another building block in Bendix and Knorr-Bremse’s work to shape tomorrow’s transportation together with our partners across the commercial vehicle industry,” Thomas said. “Better technologies that increase the return on investment in safety equipment lead to safer roads for everyone.”
Bendix stresses that no technology commercially available today is a substitute for a safe, professional driver practicing safe driving habits and supported by ongoing, proactive driver training. The company’s technologies are not meant to encourage or enable aggressive driving. Ultimate responsibility for the safe operation of any commercial vehicle remains with the driver, who is in control of the vehicle at all times, regardless of how advanced the vehicle’s safety systems are.
Bendix delivers on safety, reliability, lower total cost of ownership, and vehicle performance and efficiency, while backing its safety technologies with unparalleled post-sales support. All are critical to the success of fleets and owner-operators, and contribute to commercial vehicle and highway safety.
For more information about Bendix safety systems and technologies, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725) or visit www.bendix.com or safertrucks.com/solutions. Visit the Bendix multimedia center at knowledge-dock.com for further insight on advanced safety technology development, driver assistance systems, and commercial vehicle safety regulations.
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, energy management solutions, and 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 3,200 people, Bendix is driven to deliver solutions for improved vehicle safety, performance, and overall operating cost. Contact us at
1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725) or visit bendix.com. Stay connected and informed through Bendix expert podcasts, blog posts, videos, and other resources at knowledge-dock.com. Follow Bendix on Twitter at twitter.com/Bendix_CVS. Log on and learn from the Bendix experts at brake-school.com. And to learn more about career opportunities at Bendix, visit bendix.com/careers.