Delivering brake pads and components over the past 60 years, Australia’s leading automotive brake manufacturer Bendix, is celebrating a milestone in innovation and technology driven manufacturing in Australia that has set new standards in driver safety, performance and comfort. Founded in 1955, Mintex, as the company was originally known, was established to meet the needs of Australian motorists.
Located in Ballarat it was a modest manufacturing plant initially employing just 30 people however a short time later the fledgling company was bought by the U.S. Company Bendix Corporation and Bendix Mintex was formed. During the 1970’s Bendix Mintex developed new and innovative manufacturing processes for the production of disc brake pads that would see it begin exporting Australian technology overseas. These developments continued as the company began working on new friction materials to further improve the performance and competitive pricing of Australian brake pads. Advanced technological development in metal presses resulted in higher quality backing plates to match the new friction materials and in 1993 the company’s dedication to innovation and quality saw Bendix Mintex named Manufacturer of the Year by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association. The company’s focus on research and development in the late 1990’s coupled with a heavy investment in a state-of-the-art sound analysis laboratory resulted in a strong emphasis on reducing brake pad noise for smoother and quieter braking. In line with the continuing growth of the company within Australia and in overseas markets the company changed its name in 2002 to become FMP Group (Australia) Pty Ltd (Friction Materials Pacific). By 2005 further Bendix advanced developments were launched with General CT plus Heavy Duty brake pads with a revolutionary Titanium Stripe. The new and innovative technology provided instant friction to deliver sure stopping power from the moment the customer first drove out of the workshop. With the superior quality standards uppermost within the company, the ultimate level of quality accreditation was achieved in 2006 for OEM supply to the car companies making Bendix one of the key suppliers to the Australian automotive industry. High performance Street-Road-Track brake pads were introduced in 2007 to wide acclaim, meeting the needs of serious drivers with powerful vehicles being driven on the limit. Further recognition was awarded to this amazing Victorian manufacturing company in 2008 when Bendix was inducted into the prestigious Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame. Innovation continued with the launch of premium quality Bendix brake shoes in 2009, the 2010 release of the revolutionary ‘STEALTH Advanced Technology’ brake pads setting new standards in smooth, quiet braking and 2011 brought the beginnings of a very successful and ever expanding ancillary range of brake products such as brake l**e, brake fluids, brake wear sensors etc. These were followed by the Blue Titanium Stripe, Hybrid Fusion Technology and the Euro+ range. Now workshops had access to an extensive offering of high performance brake solutions that reduced fitting time and improved braking performance for customers. Workshops have directly benefitted from Bendix innovation with the development of a unique marketing tool in the award winning Bendix Brake Identifier App - a mobile tool for the mechanic’s phone that reduces the time in finding the correct replacement part whilst a job is underway. Investment in the plant at Ballarat has been significant with the latest being the commissioning of a $3.5 million IAG moulding press as part of an $8.8 million upgrade of the manufacturing facilities to deliver world class high tech products for the Asia Pacific region. In celebrating the past 60 years of Bendix innovation one can only ponder what wondrous advances can be achieved in brake safety and technology over the next sixty years by this innovative and driven company.
