NABI opts for Total Design Freedom and Superior Performance using Talfourd-Jones’ Reflex Technology.

TORONTO — April 15, 2005 — T-JI Talfourd-Jones announced today that it has been awarded an exclusive contract to supply Reflex Bumpers™ to North American Bus Industries, Inc. (NABI) for their industry-leading, Model-60-BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) vehicle. The Model-60-BRT is slated to enter revenue service on Los Angeles’ Metro Rapid arterial BRT line in FY’05. T-Ji’s patented, award-winning Reflex Technology™ is ideally suited to meet Los Angeles’ demands for high curb appeal and superior asset protection without compromising the Model-60-BRT’s sophisticated European styling. Independently impact tested and certified for applications up to 51,500 lbs curb weight, the Model-60-BRT’s custom designed, heavy duty front and standard rear Reflex Bumpers™ represent the state-of-the-art for energy absorbing transit bumpers. Moreover, T-JI’s Reflex Bumpers are specifically configured for heavy-duty, articulated transit buses, taking hit after hit after hit without damage. Talfourd-Jones’ Custom Engineering and Manufacturing Services worked closely with NABI’s Engineers in Anniston, AL, and stylists in Hungary, integrating T-JI’s patented Reflex Technology™ into the Model-60-BRT’s stylish front bumper – bringing the vehicle into conformance with North American standards for asset protection – without sacrificing its good looks, coming or going. At impact speeds below 6.5 mph (10 km/h), the bumper’s honeycomb energy absorbers are compressed between the skins and the beam; beam deflection is minimal and recovery is 100%. For NABI this was critical, since the hard point of the 60-BRT front fascia aligns with the front of the bumper beam.

Component standardization simplifies procurement for LA
LA’s procurement professionals insisted on only one bumper vendor for their new, articulated BRT fleet, so NABI chose T-JI’s new RB-SLF60-CR standard rear anti-ride Reflex Bumper for the Model-60-BRT. More important to NABI Engineers, the rear bumper’s curved beam provided much-needed clearance to service the engine crank pulley and belts without impacting the turning radius of the bus.

This procurement marks the first commercial deployment of T-Ji’s new line of standard front and rear bumpers, which were specifically designed to address rising customer expectations for tailored performance, contemporary styling, competitive pricing, and low maintenance costs. All standard low-floor Reflex Bumpers are tailored to three vehicle sizes and their curb weights: 30’-and-under, certified to 19,000 lbs; 40-45’, certified to 30,000 lbs; and 60’, certified to 51,500 lbs. Variable metallurgy, configurable beams, and variable density polymer chemistry are combined to meet the customer’s most exacting requirements, while conserving materials, reducing weight, and optimizing value. The lightweight, replaceable bumper skins are RIM-molded polyurethane. An aliphatic, in-mold coating protects the skins from damaging UV and is color matched to LA’s distinctive metallic silver color scheme.

Talfourd-Jones is a leading supplier of RIM products for the North American transit industry, supplying molded fenders, padded stanchions, fender brushes, mud flaps, and now bumpers, for over 15 years. It offers a consultative design/development service, assisting its customers in creating new products, from custom bumpers to adapting standard products for new applications. Product support services include styling and design, 3-D CAD modeling, virtual testing and simulation, FEA, physical testing and certification, prototype and production tooling in composites and metal.

#########

Reflex Technology™ is a registered trademark of T-JI Talfourd-Jones Inc. in the United States and Canada. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only
(204) 475-5319, e-mail at stratagem@mts.net