Henkel Bonding Technology Advances School Bus Design

Henkel provides products to create world's first bus using structural adhesives as primary fastening method

DETROIT, April 11 -- Redefining dependable transportation, Henkel's structural adhesives played a key role in the development of a next generation school bus -- the Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2. Henkel has provided the industry's leading bus manufacturer with advanced bonding technologies, resulting in the construction of the world's first school bus using structural adhesives as a primary fastening method.

Thomas Built Buses constructed this new bus by replacing the majority of screws and rivets with Henkel's Loctite(R) H9000, a strong and flexible structural adhesive. This revolutionary product offers increased cure speed and improved body corrosion performance, and is strong enough to far exceed standardized federal joint strength requirements.

"Our products have gone above and beyond performance expectations, giving Thomas Built Buses the confidence to move forward with this project," said Matthias Hofmann, vice president of marketing and business development, Henkel. "Through our relationship with Thomas Built Buses, we've had the opportunity to help design a new standard of transportation while increasing our business opportunities in this market."

In addition to lower costs, this structurally bonded bus delivers superior corrosion performance, impact resistance and cost effectiveness. From roof to side sheet subassembly, interior headers to roof sheets, interior side sheets to roof caps -- every component adheres to the bus frame with superior metal- to-metal bonding, creating a dependable, structurally sound bus.

"Safety and reliability are top priorities in producing the most advanced school buses," said John O'Leary, president & CEO, Thomas Built Buses. "The combination of Henkel's adhesives and our innovative design enable us to continuously develop and improve the next generation of school buses."

Production of the Saf-T-Liner C2 bus began in fall 2004.

Henkel offers a complete range of advanced structural adhesives, parts and foams, all of which increase vehicle strength and durability, while reducing noise and vibration. Structural adhesives offer dramatic potential for cost savings. Using the example of a passenger vehicle, while some welds and fasteners would still be necessary, the majority of the 1,400 welds needed to build a car could be eliminated, saving up to $80 per vehicle.

Henkel is the market leader in adhesives, sealants and surface treatments to the transportation industry. Backed by extensive design capabilities, a broad product range, specific application knowledge and technical expertise, the company delivers solutions to all segments of automotive development -- automotive body, interior, chassis, electronics and powertrain production. Through powerful brands like Autophoretic(R), Bonderite(R), Frekote(R), Loctite(R) and Multan(TM), Henkel provides significant economic and environmental advantages for today's vehicles, making them safer, more comfortable and extending vehicle value.

The Henkel Group operates in three strategic business areas: Home Care; Personal Care; and Adhesives, Sealants and Surface Treatments. The automotive group is an integral part of the Adhesives, Sealants and Surface Treatments business sector, which also serves the transportation, electronics, aerospace, metal, durable goods, consumer goods, maintenance and repair and packaging industries, and offers a broad range of products for the craftsman and consumer. With brands and advanced technologies, Henkel makes people's lives easier, better, and more beautiful. 50,000 employees work for the Henkel Group worldwide. People in 125 countries around the world trust in brands and technologies from Henkel -- "A Brand like a Friend."

Thomas Built Buses (http://www.thomasbus.com/ ) is the leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. Thomas Built Buses is a subsidiary of Freightliner LLC, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 3-7 vehicles. Freightliner produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, American LaFrance and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Freightliner is a company of DaimlerChrysler, the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.