ELYRIA, Ohio (June 22, 2004) — Dana Corp. and Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems will integrate their foundation brake business units in North America, a joint venture that will increase both companies’ ability to develop and distribute brakes components for trucks, trailers, and buses.

The new business, which will operate under the name Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC and be based in Elyria, Ohio, combines the braking systems expertise from Bendix with the axle and brake integration capability of Dana, the companies said.

Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake will oversee a large stable of wheel-end brake products, including S-Cam and air disc brakes, slack adjusters and actuators, and related aftermarket parts for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

Product development and engineering will take place at Dana and Bendix facilities in Kalamazoo, Mich., and Elyria, respectively.

Sales and distribution channels “don’t really change that much,” said Jim McClelland, vice-president of OE marketing for Bendix. “Where Dana and ourselves are calling on the same customers, we will be able to consolidate our efforts. But there are many areas where we do not overlap. We will continue to use the expertise we have in each organization.”

Roadranger Marketing, which has represented Dana and Eaton commercial vehicle drivetrain products and systems since 1998, “will be part of the mix” in representing foundation brake products for the new venture, McClelland said. “Specifically, Roadranger will be heavily involved at the fleet and dealer end of the equation,” he explained. “Bendix will be involved in the independent aftermarket and OE business. And Dana will be more heavily involved in the trailer end of the business.”