Headquartered in Madison, Indiana, Grote’s story tracks closely with the evolution of modern transportation, from early manufacturing roots to today’s advanced safety and trailer technologies.

From Early Manufacturing to Industry Standard

Grote Industries began in 1901, founded by William D. Grote as a chemical and industrial oxygen company. As trucking and commercial transportation expanded, the business adapted alongside it.

By the 1920s, Grote was already breaking new ground with plastic manufacturing, including the development of injection-molded products and automated molding technology. That early focus on innovation carried into 1929, when the company introduced the first retro-reflective vehicle reflector. That advancement helped establish the standard for the reflectors still used across highways today.

For drivers, that kind of equipment is not just another component. It is part of what keeps trucks visible and operations moving safely in all conditions.

Built Around Real-World Fleet Needs

Over the decades, Grote introduced products aimed at solving everyday challenges faced by drivers and maintenance teams.

Among those developments:

• The first all non-metallic lamp, designed for durability in demanding conditions
• The Turtle-Back Marker Lamp was introduced in 1965
• A no-splice wiring system to simplify installation and reduce failure points
•  The Ultra-Blue-Seal modular trailer wiring system in 1983
• The industry’s first LED marker light in 1989

Each step forward focused on reducing downtime, improving reliability, and making equipment easier to maintain in real-world fleet operations.

A Company Culture That Stayed Consistent

Even as technology evolved, the company remained family-owned, something leadership says has shaped its long-term approach.

Bill Grote, current Chairman of the Board, has pointed to the role family values played in building that foundation, emphasizing discipline, responsibility, and consistency over time. Those same principles continue to influence how the company operates today, from leadership decisions to product development.

Moving Into the Next Phase of Trailer Technology

Today, Grote is expanding beyond traditional lighting and wiring into more connected systems. Through its Networks division and 4SEE platform, the company is working in areas like programmable lighting, radar integration, and telematics.

These technologies are aimed at improving both safety and efficiency, giving fleets better visibility into their equipment and performance on the road.

“For 125 years, our success has come from standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers,” said Dominic Grote, CEO. “We listen first, innovate second, and measure every advancement by how well it addresses real challenges our customers face. That commitment – to partner deeply, respond quickly, and design with purpose – continues to guide every new product we create at Grote Industries.”

Long-Term Relationships Still Driving Growth

That focus on customer relationships has been a consistent theme throughout the company’s history.

“What I’ve always been proudest of is that Grote grew the right way – by doing things honestly, treating people fairly, and never being afraid to take a chance when the opportunity was right,” said Buzz Grote, past Chairman of the Board. “When we were first experimenting with LED lamps, we took the idea straight to one of our fleet customers, and their response was simple: ‘If you can build something like that, I’d buy it.’ That trust and confidence meant everything, and it’s that same partnership with customers that has driven Grote’s success ever since.”

For fleets and owner-operators alike, that kind of collaboration often translates into equipment that actually holds up under pressure.

Recognizing 125 Years Across a Global Workforce

To mark the anniversary, Grote plans to hold companywide celebrations throughout June, bringing together employees across its global operations.

The company now operates beyond Indiana, with locations in New York, Canada, Mexico, Germany, and China. More than 1,600 employees are involved in everything from engineering and manufacturing to testing and distribution.

Why This Milestone Matters for the Industry

For trucking professionals and industry stakeholders, milestones like this are more than a company anniversary. They highlight how equipment manufacturers have helped shape safety standards, reduce maintenance challenges, and support evolving fleet needs.

Grote’s continued focus on visibility systems, electrical components, and connected trailer technology reflects where the industry is heading next.

After 125 years, the company’s direction remains tied to the same core priorities that matter on the road every day: safety, reliability, and practical innovation that works where it counts.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 60,000 Mack trucks—from model years 2020 to 2025, including the Anthem, Granite, Pinnacle, and TerraPro—are being recalled due to issues with Bendix EC80 Advanced ECUs. Problems such as electrical interference and inadequate power line signals may lead the ECU to misinterpret commands or cease functioning altogether.

International Motors is also recalling over 105,000 trucks for similar reasons. The impacted models include:

• 2021-2025 HV

• 2021-2025 HX

• 2021-2024 LoneStar

• 2021-2025 LT

• 2021-2025 MV

• 2022 ProStar

• 2021-2025 RH

These malfunctions in the Bendix ECU could impair critical safety functions like automatic traction control, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control, active cruise control, and collision mitigation systems, thereby heightening crash risks.

The faulty EC80 ECUs are primarily installed in “towing vehicles.” Bendix utilizes a power line carrier network enabling communication between tractor and trailer through an electrical signal. This signal is prone to failure, particularly in trucks towing multiple trailers compared to those with a single trailer.

Mack Trucks has documented 55 warranty claims as of October 30th, where the ABS light activated, causing the system to go “offline” without affecting other safety features. Fortunately, no field reports, accidents, or injuries have been linked to the Bendix ECU malfunction so far.

Authorized dealers will offer free reprogramming of the affected Bendix ECU software. Mack truck owners will receive notification letters on December 13, while International truck owners can expect theirs on December 23.

This recall is part of a broader issue initiated on October 11, affecting over 400,000 ECUs distributed to Volvo Trucks and Navistar. Volvo has already recalled nearly 127,000 trucks featuring these ECUs.

For detailed information about the Mack recall, contact customer service at 800-866-1177 with recall number SC0472. NHTSA’s reference for this recall is 24V-792. Inquiries regarding the International recall can be directed to their customer service at 800-448-7825 with recall number 24515. NHTSA’s reference for this recall is 24V-818.

Source: Land Line

The post Recall Alert for Bendix ECUs Affecting Mack and International Trucks appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.