Bendix(R) Celebrates 75th with Eye on Brake Technology for the New Millennium
16 September 1999
Bendix(R) Celebrates 75th with Eye on Brake Technology for the New Millennium
TROY, Mich., Sept. 15 -- AlliedSignal Friction Materials'
well-known Bendix(R) brand is celebrating its 75th year in the automotive
industry by preparing to bring new brake technology to the market for the new
millennium.
With more than 12,000 parts in its line, the Bendix brand is supplied to
both original equipment vehicle and brake manufacturers and aftermarket
distributors and repair specialists. AlliedSignal has continually introduced
and will continue to develop new products designed to meet the changing needs
of today's vehicle braking systems.
According to John H. Weber, President of AlliedSignal Friction Materials,
a $1-billion unit of AlliedSignal Inc. , "We've led the brake
business for 75 years because of our dedicated employees and history of
significant automotive technology contributions. For three quarters of a
century, our worldwide customers have supported the Bendix brand and depended
on it for quality brake products, state-of-the-art friction technology, and
excellent service."
Weber added, "Today, as we move forward into the year 2000 and beyond, the
Bendix pioneering spirit of innovation is very much alive and well. Although
our brands are incredibly strong throughout the industry, in today's global
market, there is an even greater sense of urgency to accelerate our new
product development efforts to ensure our strong market position for the
future."
Prolific History
Driving innovation to meet market demands has been a tradition of Bendix
since its founding by Vincent Bendix in 1924. While Bendix's earliest
automotive interest prompted him to try his luck as a car manufacturer,
extreme competition soon pushed him out of the market. He became determined,
however, to solve the problem of starting automobile engines. Curiosity drove
him to pursue this project, and he soon saw success with his invention of the
starter drive in 1911, which he advertised as, "the mechanical hand that
cranks your car."
In 1924, after having met French engineer Henri Perrot at a European Auto
Show, Bendix acquired the license to Perrot's shoe-brake patents. With this,
Bendix launched the Bendix Engineering Works and embarked upon a remarkable
career, which has been carried on by AlliedSignal long after his death in
1945.
The success of the Bendix brand has been marked by a long list of major
product contributions in the automotive, aviation, aerospace and
transportation industries. In 1967, Bendix reached a milestone when the
200-millionth automotive brake came off the line in South Bend, Indiana. With
brakes on cars, trucks, trailers, buses, farm and construction equipment,
airplanes, golf cars, and even bicycles, Bendix was recognized as the producer
of more brakes for more kinds of vehicles than any other producer in the
world.
In July 1969, one giant leap for mankind also became a giant leap for
Bendix as Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin Jr. became
the first men to walk on the moon, carrying scientific instrument packages
designed and built by Bendix. The Bendix Corporation, as it was then known,
was heavily involved in space missions during the late 60s and 70s and had a
Bendix Launch Support Division located at the Kennedy Space Center.
Along with these big industry successes are a few odd but long-remembered
consumer products like the Bendix automatic washing machine, which primarily
used the Bendix name and manufacturing facilities, and enjoyed more than 50
percent of the market in the 1930s. The Bendix affiliation with this product
ended when WWII approached and material shortages developed.
After years of experience manufacturing the first reliable four-wheel
brake system, semi-metallic disc pads, dual-master cylinders, anti-lock
brakes, power brakes, and disc brakes, AlliedSignal continues to unleash new
Bendix brake technologies and products that are welcomed by the world's most
popular vehicle manufacturers and professional installers alike. This history
of innovative braking technology, backed by outstanding customer service, has
led Bendix to become the "best known name in brakes."
Prolific Future
Bendix products continue to be among the top contenders in the brake
industry. AlliedSignal recently introduced three significant Bendix products
to the aftermarket. The patented Bendix(R) TitaniuMetallic(TM) disc brake
pads provide superior out-of-the-box braking without the traditional break-in
period. They were voted among the Top Ten Products of 1999 by Undercar
Digest. Also an award-winning product, Bendix(R) Import Quiet (IQ) disc brake
pads have virtually eliminated the squeaks associated with some brakes.
Finally, fleet, sport-utility vehicle, and minivan drivers can now enjoy
smooth stopping both on- and off-road, and in even the most grueling
temperatures, as a result of Bendix(R) MetLok(TM) brake pads developed
exclusively to meet the needs of these vehicles.
Through these and other product introductions, the Bendix brand has been
positioned as the problem-solver for installers (Bendix: Your Brake Problems
Stop Here). Bendix has a reputation of offering answers to tough brake
questions, technical support and Bendix Brake training through its Stop Shop
Program, the AlliedSignal Bendix Brake Answerman, and staff ASE certified
technicians.
In addition to product innovations and customer support, AlliedSignal's
Bendix brand also has scheduled an aggressive program of marketing,
advertising and public relations initiatives throughout its anniversary year
and into the new millennium. This will include a customer sweepstakes
promotion to win a trip for two to the NASCAR Winston Cup Las Vegas 400 race
in March 2000.
AlliedSignal Friction Materials is one of AlliedSignal's nine strategic
business units. It manufactures and markets Bendix(R) friction materials and
brake products globally and JURID(TM) brake products in Europe and Asia.
AlliedSignal Inc. is an advanced technology and manufacturing company
serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services, automotive
products, chemicals, fibers, plastics and advanced materials. It is one of
the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a
component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. The company employs 70,400
people in some 40 countries. Additional information on the company is
available on the World Wide Web at http://www.alliedsignal.com/ .
AlliedSignal was named the best diversified company by Forbes Global
magazine; the most admired aerospace company by Fortune magazine, both
globally and in the U.S.; and one of the 100 best companies to work for by
Fortune.
This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about future
business operations, financial performance and market conditions. Such
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties inherent in
business forecasts.