AVON, Ohio –Three heavy duty trucking veterans with 55 years of combined experience have been appointed by Bearing Technologies (BT) to head up the PressureGuard product line. The new team includes PressureGuard’s inventor, Clyde Stech, along with Bill Lease and Corey George, who join PressureGuard from BT’s subsidiary, North Coast Bearings (NCB).

“We are thrilled to expand our team with professionals of this high caliber,” said BT Executive Vice President Brian Graziadei.
       
Acquired by BT in 2007, PressureGuard is an automatic tire inflation system using a heavy duty trailer’s existing air supply to automatically inflate and maintain tires at a constant optimum pressure.  Underinflated tires significantly reduce tire life and fuel economy, costing fleets a significant amount in maintenance and fuel costs annually. Central tire inflation systems were pioneered more than 25 years ago by Clyde Stech, who will continue those efforts with PressureGuard. Stech also is responsible for developing new tire inflation products and providing technical support.
       
As PressureGuard Sales Manager, Corey George is responsible for setting up the line’s distribution network and working with fleet customers. Bill Lease is the PressureGuard marketing manager, responsible for coordinating branding efforts, and providing additional product support.  
        
“The heavy duty experience Bill and Corey gained at NCB, combined with Clyde’s visionary development of tire inflation systems, result in a unique synergy that will benefit heavy duty fleets,” said Graziadei. “We expect greener, more energy-efficient, cost-saving innovations to come from PressureGuard very soon,” he added, noting that plans call for launching an enhanced tire inflation system for trailers in the near future and innovative truck and tractor products later in 2009.
      
PressureGuard and North Coast Bearings are subsidiaries of Bearing Technologies LLC, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and private labelers of wheel hub assemblies and clutch release, racing, repair and specialty bearings.