Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC will expand its manufacturing capabilities and capacity with a $3.8 million capital investment in equipment to launch two new production lines in Huntington, Ind.
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
The lines will manufacture a portion of the company’s vibration damper product lines, and will be installed in available space at the company’s Module Center, Bendix officials said. Vibration engine dampers are used to reduce torsional vibration on engine crankshafts to prevent shaft failure and reduce noise. They also play a role in improved fuel economy.
Bendix is set to begin serial production of front gear train and bolted dampers at the facility in a phased approach expected to take place between April and July of 2018. The move is anticipated to add about 20 hourly jobs over three shifts and up to seven new salaried positions.
The location in Huntington supplements the manufacturing capacity of Bendix’s primary damper production plant in North Aurora, Ill. The expansion, company officials said, was prompted by “a significant business win at a key original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customer,’’ plus a production shift to align the company’s global footprint, which will more than double the North American business demands.
The new production in Huntington is expected to generate nearly 170,000 dampers per year on top of current volumes.
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“From our facilities to our proven workforce, the Huntington operation is well positioned to continue growing through the addition of the two new vibration damper lines,’’ said Mike Pogorelc, plant manager. “Our talented, dedicated employees are always ready to accept new opportunities to serve and satisfy additional customers. The team is eager to move forward — we’re poised and ready to provide excellent quality, delivery and service to our business partners.’’
Bendix’s Huntington manufacturing campus opened in February 1980 and consists of four facilities with about 420 employees. In June, PACCAR named the site to its list of premier suppliers that meet the truck manufacturer’s rigorous quality expectation of 10 PPM for parts and components. The distinction is earned by lowering PPM, or product defects expressed in Parts Per Million, to below 10. The Bendix team in Huntington reduced its PPM to just under four.
