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| Spectra Inc. is Canadian based holding company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: SSA) focused on manufacturing and supplying safety and productivity enhancement products to the transportation industry in North America. Current products include Brake Safe™, a visual brake stroke indicator (also marketed under the name SureStroke™ by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems in North America), Brake Inspector™ a new, advanced electronic air brake diagnostic system and the Termin-8RTM line of anti-corrosion and extreme pressure lubricants. |
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Brake Safe® , SureStroke™ & Brake Inspector®
Market Overview |
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Truck safety has become a major issue in the U.S. with politicians, bureaucrats and industry associations attempting to address safety concerns. The print media, trade publications and TV broadcasts such as Dateline NBC’s program focusing on unsafe trucks have collectively raised public awareness of unsafe vehicles on America’s roads. The government is working to increase the number of commercial vehicle inspectors and to boost State and Federal safety programs. The DOT is moving to increase fines for the safety violations and aiming to shut down unfit motor carriers.
In the United States, approximately 2,000,000 transport vehicle inspections are conducted annually. Statistical data indicates the leading infraction for vehicles being taken out-of-service at inspection is brake defects. In 2005 according to Operation Air Brake (May 2005) brake defects were the leading violation representing 72 percent of out-of-service violations in North America.
During this period, out-of-adjustment air brakes represented 57 percent of brake violations recorded during Operation Air Brake (May 2005). Out-of-adjustment brakes reduce the optimum braking capability of a transport vehicle and can result in unbalanced braking, premature tire wear and tractor-trailer jack knife situations. The Brake Safe™ system permits fast, reliable inspection of air brake adjustment by drivers, mechanics and inspectors to ensure safe braking capabilities. The Brake Inspector® system provides trucking and bus fleets with continuous, real time performance on the braking capabilities of trucks buses and tractor-trailers. |
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Spectra sells BrakeSafe® and SureStroke™ to distributors, dealers and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) who in turn deal directly with fleets and owner operators. In the U.S. market, management will support the activities of its U.S. distribution network through trade advertising and trade show participation. Spectra continues to lobby for the approval and use of the visual brake stroke indicator system at the Federal and State levels as well as appropriate governing agencies. To maximize penetration of this very lucrative market, Spectra has formed a strategic alliance with Bendix Commercial Vehicle System. Bendix is a well-respected, heavy-duty truck parts manufacturer and distributor, supplying both the OEM’s and Aftermarket with air brakes, anti-locking brake valves, brake pads, etc. Bendix is currently marketing the SureStroke™ visual brake stroke indicator product in the United States. The Bendix name associated with Spectra gives Spectra instant credibility within the industry as well as providing Spectra access to a network of over 3,000 dealers and distributors across North America.
Spectra has recently commenced the North American introduction of Brake Inspector® to the transportation industry The system significantly reduces the time required to diagnose foundation brake faults thereby reducing fleet maintenance costs. Spectra has presented and demonstrated Brake Inspector® to targeted vertical markets including construction, waste management, municipal fleets, motor coach and transit. As a result, Brake Inspector® is currently being installed on waste management vehicles for a major municipality in Canada as well as being spec’d on all new vehicles on order.
The U.S. market for visual brake stroke indicators is estimated in excess of USD $200,000,000 for registered trucks (based on 1992 T.I.U.S. report and 1994 Draft of the North American Transportation Summit Report). Spectra estimates the equivalent market for Brake Inspector® at USD $ 3.7 billion. |
