COMPANY PROFILE

BRENCO was founded in 1949 to manufacture bronze journal bearings for railroad freight cars. The company name, BRENCO, was selected as an acronym for Bronze Engineering Company. Over 40 years ago, in 1962, the company replaced its production of the bronze journal bearing with the product it is known for today throughout the rail industry -- the tapered roller bearing.

BRENCO, which is located in Petersburg, Virginia, in the United States, added a rolled ring forging plant and a seal manufacturing plant soon after it started making the tapered roller bearings. Today, BRENCO manufactures more of its own components than any other railroad bearing manufacturer in the world, which allows it to maintain the highest quality-control standards in the rail industry. BRENCO is also the leading producer of bearings for new railcar builds in the United States, currently maintaining 60% of the U.S. market share.

In July 1996, BRENCO was acquired by Varlen Corporation, based in Naperville, Illinois. Varlen's manufacturing operations were concentrated in the railroad component, heavy truck, automotive and petroleum analyzer industries. In August 1999, Varlen Corporation was acquired by AMSTED Industries Incorporated, based in Chicago, Illinois. For more information on the AMSTED family of companies please visit their website at http://www.amsted.com.