As part of a multimillion-dollar capital investment, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has centralized damper manufacturing and material storage into a single facility on at its Huntington, Ind., campus.
Bendix recently completed the move of the damper operation, including all production lines and materials, from multiple buildings to Plant 1. Operating out of a single space increases efficiency and productivity, enabling Bendix to meet customer needs at the high level they expect. And as its damper business continues to grow, the large plant gives Bendix the ability to expand operations in the form of more equipment and automation, as well as new technologies.
“We continue to strengthen our foothold for the future at Huntington, and the strategic move of the damper business is one more way that we are optimizing our manufacturing operations,” says Eric Meehan, managing director of operations at Huntington. “Centralizing the business in a larger space will bring increased efficiency and capacity and enable future growth, while resulting in even better support for our customers.
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“Our operations in Huntington have benefited from the commitment and dedication of our employees over the years. In addition, we appreciate the strong cooperation and support we’ve always received from our partners, such as the Huntington County Economic Development Corporation and the City of Huntington. Their efforts have helped us continue to expand in this area, and we look forward to what the future has to offer.”
Bendix states it is selling the former dampers facility in which the dampers previously had been produced — all part of its ongoing effort to make the most of its production footprint at Huntington.
Engine vibration dampers are used to reduce torsional vibration on engine crankshafts to prevent shaft failure and reduce noise. Bendix dampers can be found on engines in almost all major North American commercial vehicles, as well as off-highway equipment in the construction, agricultural, and marine industries.
In 2018, with demand for engine vibration dampers growing, Bendix brought its North American damper production lines together in Huntington — advantageous for its central location to many manufacturing customers. Bendix completed a new production line there in 2022 as growth continued.
Initially established as a 30-worker manufacturing and distribution center, the Huntington location now employs over 400 people across multiple plants. The campus is home to the Bendix Distribution Center, the company’s primary North American distribution point. In addition to engine vibration dampers, manufacturing operations at the Huntington site now include air compressor remanufacturing, electronics assembly, and manufacturing of integrated modules, Bendix says.
“We’ve been a growing part of the Huntington community for over four decades,” Meehan says. “We are immensely proud of our people, our products, and the place we call home. We have a long-term vision for success that aligns with our companywide drive for operational excellence. It’s why we continue to invest in developing our team members, expanding our production capabilities, and implementing dynamic state-of-the-art technologies in our manufacturing and distribution operations to enhance efficiency. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Bendix family.”
