Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, a leader in commercial vehicle brake and safety systems, unveiled an $ 8.791 million expansion of its manufacturing facility Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The investment includes implementation of state-of-the art manufacturing technology and supports its substantial new business growth, according to the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. This year, the facility added two additional machining centers and 75 new jobs. BSFB expects to add two more machining centers, an additional assembly line, and 15 new jobs in 2015, with another assembly line planned for 2016 as part of this expansion investment.

"Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake has consistently broken new ground and delivered the industry's most effective, efficient, and forward-looking wheel-end solutions that help enhance highway safety, " said Andy Dale, Bowling Green plant manager. "We're backing up our market gains with increased investment at our Bowling Green facility. We're investing in our products, our employees, and in our customers, who share our commitment for putting the highest-performing, most reliable, and most cost effective brake systems on their vehicles."

A joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, BSFB manufactures Bendix air disc and drum brakes in Bowling Green. Since 2009, annual production levels at the facility have increased more than fivefold due to the growing popularity of air disc brakes in North America, Chamber officials said. In 2014 the site will achieve yet another annual milestone, manufacturing more than one million foundation brakes in a twelve month period.

"We are fortunate to have a company like Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake that continues to grow in South Central Kentucky and shows a distinct commitment to the future workforce. I would like to congratulate Bendix on this expansion and, on behalf of South Central Kentucky, extend my sincere thanks to their commitment to this community," said John Mark Fones, Chairman of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

BSFB's Bowling Green wheel-end production facility opened in October 2007 to manufacture the full lineup of Bendix foundation brake products. At its opening, the plant employed 133 people and occupied 187,000 square feet. Since then, continued success and expansion have taken the plant to 302,000 square feet and a projected 440 employees in 2015.

"Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake has been extremely successful in Bowling Green," said Governor Steve Beshear. "Bendix is a world leader in brake and safety systems, and we're always glad to see a company grow in Kentucky, in this case adding 75 new jobs and investing more than $8 million into this expansion. I want to thank the company for its continued investment in our workforce and hundreds of Kentucky families."