ELYRIA, Ohio — Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC is noting the intellectual property accomplishments of 51 company engineers during National Engineers Week, February 19-25.

Bendix was granted 16 patents in 2005 and filed applications for 40 others, making it one of the most prolific years for innovation in the company’s more than 75-year history.

“Our work environment at Bendix is one that fosters innovation and continuous improvement, particularly as it relates to making highways safer for commercial vehicles and those with which they share the roads,” said Joe McAleese, Bendix president and CEO. “Throughout our history as a pioneer in braking and active safety systems for commercial vehicles, our inventive engineers have firmly established a track record of new products and technologies that consistently set industry standards.”

In 2005, a Bendix internal patent committee evaluated a record 128 invention disclosures, a 30 percent increase over 2004.

Among the most notable achievements in 2005 were advances made to Bendix ABS-6, Advanced with ESP, an electronic stability control technology for North American heavy trucks, including tractors, trailers, buses and vocational vehicles.

“The advances we’ve made in electronic stability are just one example of the tremendous engineering expertise abundant in our organization and represents a significant technological leap forward in commercial vehicle safety. We’re very proud of our engineers’ efforts in making this happen,” McAleese said. “From future-based R&D to assisting customers in every aspect of braking system design and operation, our talented and innovative engineering teams continue to keep Bendix at the forefront of our industry.”