Bendix parent buys Dana’s share of brake joint venture

Companies have built more than 3.5 million brake system components

A worker signs the 3 millionth brake component built by the Bendix-Dana joint venture that Bendix is taking over. (Photo: Bendix)

German brake systems manufacturer Knorr-Bremse AG (OTC: KNRRY) is buying out longtime Bendix-Spicer joint venture partner Dana Inc. (NYSE: DAN).The two companies have made more than 3.5 million brake system components for heavy-duty trucks since 2004.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is a global market leader for braking systems. It is acquiring the 20% of the Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake business it did not already own. 

Financial terms were not disclosed. It will be known as Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems as of Jan. 1, 2021 and be one of five Bendix Centers of Competency.

The joint venture combined the air disc brake, slack adjuster, and actuator business units from Bendix with Dana’s foundation drum brake business. Other than ownership and the name, little will change. 

The Bendix wheel-end business remains in Elyria, Ohio. A research and development center continues operating in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Production at a recently expanded manufacturing plant continues in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

“Bendix and Dana have enjoyed a strong and vibrant partnership as we have successfully guided the strategic path of the joint venture for the past 16 years,” Mike Hawthorne, president and CEO of Bendix, said in a press release.

The joint venture surpassed 3.5 million units for the Bendix ADB22X air disc brake earlier this year.

Related articles:

Bendix investing $65 million in Kentucky plant expansion

Bendix details product updates, pathway forward

Volvo Trucks makes active safety standard via Bendix

Click for more FreightWaves articles by Alan Adler.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Alan Adler

Alan Adler is an award-winning journalist who worked for The Associated Press and the Detroit Free Press. He also spent two decades in domestic and international media relations and executive communications with General Motors.