26th June 2009 - Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake Names Walt Frankiewicz New President

Automotive Industry Veteran Brings Substantial Experience to Key Leadership Role

Walter Frankiewicz has been appointed president of Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC, the joint venture of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC.

Frankiewicz replaces Kishor Pendse, who will retire from Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake by the end of 2009. Until that time, Pendse will assume the role of general manager, while he assists in the changeover of responsibilities to Frankiewicz. The transition will extend through the end of June, at which time Pendse will assist Knorr-Bremse and Bendix in key strategic projects through the end of the year. Pendse has served as president of Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake since its inception in January 2004.

A 27-year automotive industry veteran with substantial accomplishments in the passenger car and commercial vehicle segments, Frankiewicz comes to Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake from Alcoa, Inc. He served as president for Alcoa Electrical and Electronic Solutions, leading a critical strategic business transition from the heavily concentrated light-vehicle automotive commodity segment to the commercial market. He also significantly improved operating performance, enhanced customer relationships, and implemented a robust product development process.

Prior to joining Alcoa, Frankiewicz served several terms at ArvinMeritor Automotive in Troy, Mich., where he most recently filled the role of vice president and general manager, Special Projects and Global Chassis. As vice president and general manager, Frankiewicz oversaw the company’s electromechanical growth strategy and transitioned the company from a mechanical focus to a vehicle dynamics business focused upon advanced control systems. He also was responsible for effectively integrating the post-acquisition businesses of ArvinMeritor and LucasVariety, establishing the world’s largest supplier of braking systems for commercial vehicles. In his first term with the company, Frankiewicz served as general manager and vice president, Worldwide Braking Systems, for ArvinMeritor.

Between his service at ArvinMeritor, Frankiewicz was the president and CEO – North American Operations, at Benteler Automotive Corporation, Auburn Hills, Mich. Frankiewicz was a member of the Bendix team from 1981 to 1997, beginning his career as a senior engineer and advancing through the ranks to become vice president of engineering.

"Walt brings a wealth of automotive industry leadership experience to our business, and we are confident he will lead with a goal of achieving long-term, bottom-line results, strategic growth, and continuous improvement initiatives," said Joe McAleese, president and CEO of Bendix. "We are pleased to have such a versatile leader join Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake. Under his direction, we will continue to build processes that allow the company to offer the latest advances in truck, tractor and trailer foundation brake technology and continue to move firmly down a path toward excellence and quality performance."

A member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and a certified Six Sigma greenbelt, Frankiewicz holds a U.S. patent and is a two-time recipient of the SAE Chairman’s Presentation Excellence Award. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from The Ohio State University.

About Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC

Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC combines and expands the complementary wheel-end foundation brake technologies of two global leaders – Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC. The joint venture, formed in July 2004, is a single, complete source for OEM brake system design, manufacturing, hardware, and support for all foundation brake components and actuation systems, as well as all-makes coverage of nearly 50,000 medium- and heavy-duty aftermarket parts. Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC is headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, with engineering operations in both Elyria and Kalamazoo, Mich., and a manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Ky. For more information, call 1-866-610-9709 or visit www.foundationbrakes.com.

Source: Bendix Spicer Press Release