CRYSTAL LAK, Ill. – Global Parts Network LLC (GPN), a wholly-owned subsidiary of VIPAR Heavy Duty, has opened a new manufacturing center dedicated to the remanufacturing and distribution of truck brake shoes and related components. Located in South Bend, Ind., the new CoMan facility opened on July 11.

The new 76,000-square-foot facility is the second CoMan Center (Cooperative Manufacturing Center) for GPN and more than doubles GPN’s overall production capacity. GPN’s first CoMan Center continues operations in Salt Lake City, Utah.
 
GPN’s CoMan Centers are dedicated production facilities that provide seamless service and support exclusively to the VIPAR Heavy Duty network of distributors and suppliers. The South Bend location will initially provide new and remanufactured brake shoes, brake shoe kits, friction material and related parts. The brake product offerings support the industry’s most recognized brands including Federal-Mogul’s ABEX, Meritor and TMD Friction’s Textar and Don, in addition to GPN’s proprietary brand of Ferodo OptiPro and TuffLine private label program. GPN specializes in high volume, fast moving parts.

"The central location of our new CoMan Center allows us to offer service to VIPAR Heavy Duty distributors in Canada and improved service to stockholders in the central and eastern U.S.," said Gene Damron, GPN’s general manager. “In addition, we are pleased to introduce improved equipment and processes at the new facility. This includes higher capacity washers, blaster and packaging cells. A new coating process has also been developed and deployed to ensure the best possible products for our customers.”
 
“We are excited to open this new South Bend facility to enable our distributors to remain competitive with a consistent supply chain and to facilitate even more efficient service to fleets and end-users,” said Steve Crowley, president and CEO, VIPAR Heavy Duty.