Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems marked milestones for sustainability in 2024. It celebrated efforts in renewable energy adoption, emissions reductions and waste diversion.
"Wherever you look across our locations, you'll find tangible proof of our unwavering commitment to minimizing our environmental impact — proof that extends beyond corporate strategy and into the everyday actions of Bendix team members," says Maria Gutierrez, Bendix's senior director of environmental, social and governance (ESG). "Whether it's something as simple as refilling a water bottle or as impressive as a vast array of solar panels powering one of our major manufacturing facilities, each day, someone at Bendix is taking a meaningful step toward a more sustainable future. We're proud to see this commitment woven into the fabric of our culture."
Bendix, which is part of the Germany-based Knorr-Bremse, is committed to aligning ESG initiatives with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13, Climate Action.
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In reducing emissions, Bendix focuses on boosting energy efficiency, transitioning to cleaner fuels, expanding renewable energy generation, procuring green power and optimizing operational footprints. The company says it's seen "significant" energy savings, more than 17.6 million kilowatt-hours from 2020-2024. Solar arrays at Bendix's Indiana and Mexico locations have saved more than $155,000 in Huntington, Indiana, and $266,000 in Acuña, Mexico. Coahuila, where the Acuña plant is located, awarded the Bendix campus the Industria Verde (Green Industry) certification in 2023 and 2024.
"This designation highlights the site's leadership in energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction and sustainable resource management," Bendix says in a release. "Certification, valid for two years, is based on an audit of environmental practices, equipment and risk assessments."
Bendix has also eliminated more than 19,000 tons of waste from landfills. Eight manufacturing sites and Bendix headquarters in Avon, Ohio, have earned official Zero Waste to Landfill certifications.
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"We don't just focus on where waste goes — we focus on preventing it in the first place," says Luis Quiñones, environmental and sustainability engineer. "Our strategy combines reclamation, recycling, composting, waste-to-energy conversion, but our top priority is waste elimination at its source. That's why we conduct spent material audits, looking for every possible opportunity to reduce, repurpose or eliminate waste streams altogether."
Multiple Bendix locations have Green Teams made of employees who lead environmental initiatives. These teams host Earth Day events, host beach cleanups along Lake Erie, support wild animal conservation programs, composting initiatives, and electronic waste collection. In Avon, the Green Team manages an employee-run community garden that provides fresh herbs and produce for employees.
Bendix also expanded electric vehicle charging in Avon with eight Level 2 chargers across 28 dedicated parking spaces. Around 40 employees now regularly charge their EVs at work. That adds up to around 211,000 miles traveled without gasoline, preventing more than 41,000 pounds of CO2 emissions.
These efforts have resulted in Bendix being honored with U.S. Department of Energy sustainability awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023. In 2024, it earned recognition as a DOE Better Climate Challenge Goal Achiever by passing its original goal and achieving a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2018.
"We take our environmental responsibility to heart," Gutierrez says. "Our sustainability journey began over a decade ago, and while we are proud of the progress we've achieved, we know there is always more to be done. We remain committed to continuously improving our performance and refining our strategy in alignment with Knorr-Bremse's broader ESG goals. As a responsible corporate citizen, we are dedicated to creating a future that is sustainable and livable. Ultimately, we want future generations to look back with pride on the steps we took today to make their world a better place."
