ELYRIA, Ohio — On April 1, Bendix introduced the Premier Distributor Program, a new channel partner program that rewards distributors for meeting criteria established by the company. Since then, 22 distributors have earned the highest ranking of platinum, placing them in the top 10% of the comprehensive Bendix independent aftermarket distributor network, which covers the US and Canada.

Distributor performance is evaluated in six key business performance areas. All distributors in the Bendix network earn scores that place them in one of four categories: bronze, silver, gold, or platinum. The highest-scoring distributors are rewarded on a sliding scale with increased and diverse support from Bendix. The program benefits Bendix as well, the company says, by further enhancing and strengthening the manufacturer’s channel partner relationships through improved two-way communication and clearly defined annual expectations.

“The Premier Distributor Program builds consensus of what a top-quality distributor looks like and how a top-quality distributor acts,” said John Flad, Bendix vice-president for aftermarket sales, North America. “Thanks to the outstanding response of our leading distributors, the program helps make Bendix a better supplier.”

The Premier Distributor Program runs on an annual fiscal year, from April 1 through March 31. Bendix plans to regularly evaluate the program with the possibility of enhancing and expanding it.

This year’s Bendix platinum distributors are:

– Albany Brake & Supply Company, Albany, Ga.
– Brake and Clutch Supply, Seattle, Wash.
– Capitol Clutch & Brake Company, West Sacramento, Calif.
– Carolina Rim & Wheel, Charlotte, N.C.
– Clutch & Brake Xchange, Stockton, Calif.
– Covington Heavy Duty Parts Inc., Andalusia, Ala.
– Drive Train Industries, Denver, Colo.
– Dutch Gosnell Manufacturing & Supply Inc., Lafayette, La.
– Franklin Truck Parts, Commerce, Calif.
– Godfrey Brake Service & Supply, Rapid City, S.D.
– Interstate Turbo, Commerce City, Colo.
– Leach Enterprises, Crystal Lake, Ill.
– Northern Virginia Supply Inc., Springfield, Va.
– Orlando Truck Parts, Orlando, Fla.
– Page Brake Warehouse Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah
– San Antonio Brake & Clutch, San Antonio, Calif.
– Southwest Brake & Parts Inc., Detroit, Mich.
– Terminal Air Brake Supply, Fresno, Calif.
– Total Truck Parts, West Palm Beach, Fla.
– Triple “R” Truck Parts, Eddystone, Pa.
– Truck and Auto Supply Inc., Anaheim, Calif.
– Westpac Heavy Duty, Phoenix, Ariz.