Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Resources
    • Events
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Service Zone
November 25, 2014 01:00 AM

Gabriel, Bendix brands poised for growth in the U.S.

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Tire Business photo by William Schertz
    Duncan Greathead, vice president, sales and marketing, MAT Holdings

    LAS VEGAS (Nov. 25, 2014) — MAT Holdings Inc. is on the fast track for growth in the U.S. market, expanding its offerings under the Gabriel brand and adding Bendix braking products to its stable.

    The company, which in 2012 finalized its purchase of Ride Control L.L.C.—the manufacturer of Gabriel-brand ride control products—reached an agreement in August with Honeywell International Inc. giving it exclusive rights to the Bendix brand and its automotive braking products in the U.S. market. At the 2014 Automotive Aftermarket Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, the company added 70 part numbers to its offerings.

    “Obviously Bendix is one of the icon brands in the braking industry,” said Duncan Greathead, vice president, sales and marketing for MAT. “So, you know, we want to grow that brand again and restore it to its former glory.”

    Mr. Greathead said the company has expanded the range of Bendix products with “immediate effect” and “at the same time we've put a national sales force into place across the country that are geographically placed.”

    That sales force, which is 15 members strong, will be responsible for selling both Bendix-brand brake products and Gabriel-brand ride control products in the light duty channel.

    The company also expanded its Gabriel brand, introducing more than 200 SKUs into the market covering more than 10 million vehicles in operation, according to Christine Fisher, manager, marketing and communications, Gabriel.

    Covered segments include mainstream passenger vehicles (2010-2013 Honda Civics), light trucks (2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra models), sports cars (mid-2000s Pontiac Solstice, Mazda RX-8 and Nissan 350Z models), niche vehicles (late-model Scion xB, Scion xD and Subaru Tribeca models) and luxury vehicles (mid-2000s Acura RL and Jaguar X-Type).

    “That's an aggressive expansion both for Gabriel and for Bendix, and we're going to aggressively pursue new business opportunities in the market,” Mr. Greathead told Tire Business. “We believe we have two of the best brands in the marketplace and two of the oldest and best known brands in the marketplace.”

    In addition, MAT has updated the Gabriel website. Its part search function now highlights parts that are new, superseded or discontinued, the company said, and it includes extra details about weight, dust tube material and package contents.

    Lastly, MAT announced the Gabriel Answerman Advantage loyalty program, set to launch in early 2015. The program will be geared towards technicians and service shops in the U.S. and will include point-of-sale materials, promotions, rewards and business tools.

    Through the program, installers will be able to earn points on each sale of Gabriel shocks and redeem points for rewards, the company said. The program also will offer technical support for service professionals via a toll-free Answerman line.

    Participating shops will receive a locator listing on Gabriel's website. More information on the program will be made available in early 2015.

     

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Goodyear to trim jobs amid 'uncertain' economic outlook
    2
    Natural rubber production impacted by ‘severe' leaf disease outbreak
    3
    Point S launches aggressive growth plan
    4
    Yokohama secures OE fitments on 2023 Prius models
    5
    Executives on the move: Hankook promotes key U.S. positions
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Resources
      • Events
        • ASK THE EXPERT
        • LIVESTREAMS
        • WEBINARS
        • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
        • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION