Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, the North American leader in commercial vehicle safety and braking system technologies, announces the schedule for the 2012 Bendix Brake Training School, an all-inclusive program designed for both new and experienced technicians.
The comprehensive Bendix Brake Training School curriculum – conducted by veteran, 100 percent ASE-certified Bendix Service, Warranty, and Training (SWAT) team experts – teaches maintenance professionals the description, operation, and service elements for the total range of components found within foundation and air brake systems. Additional topics include Bendix safety solutions such as Bendix brand air disc brakes, antilock braking systems (ABS), tire pressure monitoring systems, and stability technologies, such as Bendix ESP full-stability system. The Bendix Brake Training School – the only authorized Bendix training in Bendix products and services – includes detailed classroom lectures and operational demonstrations.
The 2012 Bendix Brake Training School schedule will kick off on Tuesday, March 20, in Owosso, Mich. Bendix began to offer training schools more than 50 years ago, making it among the longest running training programs in the industry. To date, more than 250,000 people have successfully completed Bendix training, logging nearly 350,000 student training hours over the past 10 years alone.
In a well-received expansion of the program begun last year, Bendix will also conduct the training school on-site at attendee facilities. The school is part of the comprehensive curriculum delivered both in person and via a growing number of interactive channels.
"Bendix Brake Training School enables technicians to maintain and improve their knowledge of braking systems, allowing fleets and owner-operators to reduce downtime and service costs," said John Reid, Bendix SWAT team manager and a company veteran of more than 40 years. "Bendix offers the course to keep attendees apprised of the latest technical information regarding the operation and service of air brake and foundation brake systems. Bendix Brake Training School provides the foundation of knowledge to help keep commercial vehicles on the road in good working condition, while ensuring highway safety for drivers and others on the roadway. This knowledge is as critical as ever in the era of CSA – Compliance, Safety, and Accountability – the new federal safety and compliance model for commercial vehicles."
Reid added, "Because we believe so strongly in the program, we took the school on the road last year to make the training as convenient as possible for the technicians who can benefit from it – and it proved to be very popular."
Participants will learn from a curriculum that includes the fundamentals of compressed air; tactics for air system failure mode diagnosis and troubleshooting; and air brake system and foundation brake components, including air compressors, valves, foundation drum brakes and air disc brakes, slack adjusters, brake chambers, shoes, and drums. The program also covers the new federal regulations for reduced stopping distance, which took effect in August 2011.
The school has continued to benefit from a constant stream of referrals from past attendees. Courses are offered in more than 20 cities across the United States and Canada.
The Bendix Brake Training School is just one of a growing number of educational options Bendix CVS makes available for vehicle owners and technicians. Additional, online options are slated to launch during the first half of 2012.
Class size is limited, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration may be completed online at www.bendix.com or www.foundationbrakes.com, by phone
(1-800-AIR-BRAKE, option 3), or via fax (216-651-3261). For a full listing of locations and dates, plus instructions for scheduling on-site training, visit www.bendix.com or www.foundationbrakes.com.
