The Engine Brake by Jacobs® was the result of a three-year collaboration between Jacobs and Volvo engineers to provide an integrated engine brake solution that exceeds the retarding needs of the medium duty truck market.  Medium Duty trucks are now requiring increased retarding due to their many stops and higher weight-to-wheel brake friction area ratios, which increase the heat loading and wear in traditional foundation brakes.

The Jacobs® Engine Brake will be offered as optional equipment and will be available in Europe beginning in early 2013.  The engine, with the Jacobs Engine Brake, will then be offered on a global basis in future vehicle offerings.  

This engine brake program is the latest in Jacobs’ strategic expansion activities.  New technologies for medium and heavy duty commercial vehicles and new geographic expansion activities are the outcome of a multi-year effort to bring Jacobs technologies to a broader customer base. 

As Jacobs continues to focus on expanding its global footprint, the signing of this development agreement represents progress in Jacobs’ strategic initiative to expand its technology into emerging markets.

“As our first development customer in Eastern Europe, this expansion is part of Jacobs’ growth strategy into emerging markets and confirms a strong collaboration between both companies to ensure a successful product launch,” said Bob Perkins, Vice President Marketing & Business Development.  

Given the quality of the competition from a tremendous portfolio of premier operating companies, Jacobs is honored to be recognized as the best plant worldwide.  The award is based on performance across a set of metrics focused on customer satisfaction and operational excellence, which include Safety, Quality, On-Time Delivery, Inventory Turns, and Productivity.  

"Winning this award for the second consecutive year is a tremendous accomplishment.  The JVS Team worked hard and while proud of this recognition, we realize that customer satisfaction and operational excellence are moving targets,” said Rob Tykal, President of Jacobs Vehicle Systems.  “We will remain focused on our value of continuous improvement so that our customers and stakeholders will realize ongoing value and benefit from their association with JVS."         

About Jacobs Vehicle Systems: Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China.  Jake Brake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe. Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies.

August 24, 2012
Contact: Paul F. Paré, Director, Marketing 
(860) 243-7643 or ppare@jakebrake.com

BLOOMFIELD, CT – Jacobs Vehicle Systems, the world’s leading manufacturer of heavy-duty diesel engine retarding systems and valve actuation mechanisms, announces that it has surpassed its previous engine brake retarding performance record.  

On July 26, 2012 Jacobs was able to demonstrate a new world record of engine retarding power in its state of the art engineering laboratory.  Jacobs achieved 620 hp (462 kW) of retarding power at rated speed utilizing a 12-13 liter engine.  This record was reached within the acceptable limits for engine durability and safety using a GE 700 HP motoring dynamometer.  

The world record was achieved using Jacobs’ new High Power Density engine braking technology.  This new proprietary technology allows significantly increased engine retarding performance across all engine types.  Read more here.

Jacobs has completed many stages of validation testing on this application, including extensive vehicle testing, with the expectation of releasing this engine brake into production in early 2013 with a major engine OEM. 

 About Jacobs Vehicle Systems

Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China.  Jake Brake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe. Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies and can be found on the Internet at http://www.jakebrake.com/news/.

As Jacobs continues to focus on expanding its global footprint, the signing of this development agreement represents Jacobs' strategic initiative to expand its technology into emerging markets.

This activity supports the pending regulations for auxiliary retarding requirements on commercial vehicles.

"As our first-development customer in India, this expansion is part of Jacobs' growth strategy into emerging markets and will require strong collaboration between both companies to ensure a successful product launch," said Bob Perkins, Vice President Marketing & Business Development.

About Jacobs Vehicle Systems

Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China. Jake Brake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe. Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies and can be found on the Internet at http://www.jakebrake.com/news/.

ASQ provides certification as a way to provide formal recognition to professionals who have demonstrated an understanding of and a commitment to quality techniques and practices in their job and career.

Dave has been with Jacobs for 15 years, during which he has held various roles of increasing responsibility in both engineering and operations. Dave has reached a significant level of professional recognition, indicating a proficiency in and a comprehension of quality management principles and practices.

Dave received his Mechanical Engineering (BSME) degree from the University of New Hampshire, his MSME from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and his MBA from Rensselaer, Hartford CT.

About Jacobs Vehicle Systems:
Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China. Jake Brake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe. Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies and can be found on the Internet at http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com

About ASQ:
ASQ is a global community of people dedicated to quality who share the ideas and tools that make our world work better. With millions of individual and organizational members of the community in 150 countries, ASQ has the reputation and reach to bring together the diverse quality champions who are transforming the world’s corporations, organizations, and communities to meet tomorrow’s critical challenges. ASQ is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., with national service centers in China, India, and Mexico. Learn more about ASQ’s members, mission, technologies, and training at www.asq.org.

This paper provides an example of the Open Innovation approach Jacobs is applying to researching new technologies relative to our core competencies and adjacent core markets.

The GenShock™ system offers the potential for active variable damping control for semi-active ride control, improved driver comfort, and rollover mitigation, while recovering energy in electrical form that would normally be dissipated as heat in conventional “shock absorbers” or suspension dampers. Heavy Duty vehicles, due to their large mass, offer some of the best opportunities for energy recovery, effectively unloading a vehicle’s alternator, and thereby avoiding burning additional fuel to power the vehicle’s electrical systems.

Jacobs, in cooperation with Open Innovation partner Levant Power, is seeking to commercialize this new type of vehicle system for Heavy Duty vehicles of all types, specifically for On-Highway trucks. Several prototype systems are currently in operation. This technology is seen as being available in the near term.

On April 25th, 2012, Jacobs will present this new technology at the SAE 2012 World Congress, Detroit, MI, in the “Vehicle Electrification Strategies for Sustainability” session at 11:00 a.m. Following the presentation, at 1 p.m., representatives from Jacobs and Levant Power will be available at SAE demo booths to show hardware and explain GenShock™ functionality in more detail.

About Jacobs Vehicle Systems:
Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China. Jake Brake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe. Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies and can be found on the Internet at http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com

Prior to joining Jacobs, Tom spent 15 years at Ricardo in which he held various roles of increasing responsibility, with his latest position being Chief Engineer, Engines. In this position, Tom was responsible for business development, technical leadership and commercial delivery for projects ranging from clean sheet engine design to waste heat recovery demonstrator.

Tom brings a wide range of technical and commercial experience and will play a key role in leading Jacobs’ efforts in developing new technologies which will serve the global market.
Tom received his Mechanical Engineering degree from the Imperial College, University of London.

About Jacobs Vehicle Systems:
Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China. Jake Brake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe. Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies and can be found on the Internet at http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com

The Engine Brake by Jacobs® was a result of a two-year collaboration between Jacobs and Cummins engineers to provide an engine brake to exceed the design challenges associated with a natural gas engine.

The Engine Brake by Jacobs® will be offered as optional equipment and will be available in 2013.

About Jacobs Vehicle Systems
Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China. Jake Brake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe. Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies and can be found on the Internet at http://www.jakebrake.com/news/.

About Cummins Cummins Inc., (NYSE: CMI) a global power leader headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Cummins serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of more than 500 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 5,200 dealer locations. Additional information is available at http://www.cummins.com

Bloomfield, CT, USA – Jacobs Vehicle Systems®, the world’s leading supplier of heavy-duty engine retarding and valve actuation solutions, was recently awarded a key patent based on their continuing development efforts for Variable Valve Actuation.   U.S. patent number 8,079,338 for “Self Adjusting Valve Catch with Valve Seating Control” was issued on December 20, 2011.

This key patent, along with more than 150 other VVA-related patents from as far back as the early 1990s, demonstrates Jacobs’ long history and commitment to bringing this key technology to market.

“As our first-production VVA customers launch in 2014 to meet the tightening fuel economy regulations, our technology is ready to provide them with air handling flexibility, at the levels of reliability and durability that they have come to expect from all Jacobs products.” said Joao Cullen, Vice President of Engineering.

About Jacobs Vehicle Systems:

Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China.  Jake Brake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe. Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies and can be found on the Internet at http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com

 Formula SAE is a collegiate program in which students design, manufacture and compete in a formula-style race car.  Formula SAE provides these students with challenging projects that involve the planning, design, manufacturing and marketing skills required to introduce a new product into a specific consumer market.

The funding for the team is solely dependent on its sponsors, of which Jacobs has been a major contributor, making the support of local companies crucial to its success.  The team will be competing at 3 main events this summer against hundreds of teams from around the globe.  The car will also debut at many local car shows and race events giving sponsors significant exposure in the automotive market.

 Jacobs values the opportunity to support community programs like UCONN Formula SAE.  Building this relationship with the University provides opportunities for summer internships and possible future hires of The University of Connecticut School of Engineering's top students.
 

About Jacobs Vehicle Systems:

Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China.  Jake Brake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe. Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies and can be found on the Internet at http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com

About The University of Connecticut:

The University of Connecticut was established in 1881, originally as an agricultural school. Since then the university has grown to be among the top 20 public institutions in the nation. With over 30,000 students currently enrolled, it is not the largest university in Connecticut. UConn's main campus in Storrs is admitting the highest-achieving freshmen in University history. Student diversity continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice.

Bloomfield, CT, USA – Jacobs Vehicle Systems, the world’s leading supplier of heavy-duty diesel engine retarding systems, is happy to announce the launch of its online merchandise store! 

The new online store will enable customers and suppliers to purchase genuine Jacobs merchandise such as hats, belt buckles, apparel, thumper bats and more!

Just find the ‘Jacobs Merchandise’ in the navigation menu.  Check out what the Jacobs merchandise store has to offer, and be sure to stop back often as Jacobs will provide tool kits and additional items in the near future.  The Jacobs merchandise store offers the ease of several payment options and the ability to ship items globally.

About Jacobs Vehicle Systems

Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China.  JakeBrake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe.  Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies.

This achievement was a direct result of the entire organization successfully working together in developing and affirming the Quality Management System in order to maintain the certification requirements.  Understanding the ever-growing customer demand for the highest level of quality is vital to the future success of Jacobs.  This certification demonstrates our commitment towards continuous improvement.

 About Jacobs Vehicle Systems:

Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China.  Jake Brake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe. Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies and can be found on the Internet at http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com

Facebook Contest “Trip to Vegas” Announces Winners for Best Jake Brake Story

Bloomfield, CT USA – Jacobs Vehicle Systems, the world’s leading supplier of heavy-duty diesel engine retarding systems, is proud to award three prizes to Jake Brake fans for their stories submitted in our facebook “Trip to Vegas” contest.  In celebration of our 50th year anniversary, we at JVS wanted to show our appreciation to our loyal brake users who have made us who we are today.  We asked Jake enthusiasts to send us a story, photo or video answering the question, “Why is a Jake Brake Important to you?”  Friends, family and fans were encouraged to vote on their favorite entry to advance the story to the final round to be reviewed by a panel of judges at JVS.  After a difficult review and decision process, the finalists were selected and notified of their good fortune.

The grand prize for the best Jake Brake story went to Deborah and Lon Okolotowicz from South Carolina.  Their story of how the Jake Brake saved their lives one night in 1983 can be viewed here.  This lucky couple will enjoy a two nights / three day stay at the Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, homestretch tickets for three days of NASCAR events, and $700 towards travel expenses!  The husband and wife trucking team winners were given a tour of our manufacturing facilities with Jacobs Vehicle Systems President, Rob Tykal, and members of our executive staff.  The enthusiastic Jake Brake fans were very happy with their prizes and, as an added bonus, the trip will be the weekend of Deborah’s birthday!  We are sure they will enjoy their weekend get-away.

Scott Grenerth from Connecticut took a second place $500 fuel card prize with a funny Jake Brake story which can be viewed here.  Scott was very grateful for the extra help around the holidays.  Third place winner of a $250 fuel card went to Jake Brake fan Robbin Gardner, her story of learning of how to use her Jake Brake can be read here.

We at Jacobs Vehicle Systems are very appreciative of our loyal Jake Brake fans across the country and want to thank everyone who participated in our first ever social media contest. 

About Jacobs Vehicle Systems

Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 260,000 square foot design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan and China.  JakeBrake® products are used by North American heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers as well as Hino, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi in Asia and DAF in Europe.  Registered to the ISO 14001 and TS16949 standards, Jacobs Vehicle Systems is the world’s leading producer of vehicle retarding and valve actuation technologies.