Bendix has shown its commitment to Australian manufacturing, by acquiring a new state-of-the-art machine for its Ballarat, Victoria, manufacturing facility and Research and Design Centre.
Custom-built by AFT Automation in Italy, this latest piece of plant equipment is valued at well over $1 million. AFT is a global leader in the design and manufacture of grinding, pressing and sintering machines.
The new equipment allows Bendix technicians and engineers to apply complex grinding geometries in the Bendix range of brake pads, including angular grooves and chamfers. The shape of brake pads and the angled finish of the friction material can impact overall brake pad performance, especially when it comes to noise, so these added capabilities ensure Bendix continues to set benchmarks in low noise performance.
The latest local manufacturing investment follows several line efficiency upgrades implemented at the end of 2022, including additional tooling and robotics. Bendix will also introduce an ‘on line’ boxing system in the coming months, further increasing production efficiency.
Other well advanced future programs include expanding the company’s ability to implement low volume, made to order products, and transitioning to digitised production.
Bendix in Ballarat employs 118 staff, and the company is one of only a few automotive aftermarket businesses that manufacture in Australia, retaining critical sovereign knowledge and local jobs.