Hendrickson expands Somerset operations with $13 million investment. Multi-phase project in Valley Oak Commerce Complex will add 15,000 square feet and create up to 30 jobs over three years. Hendrickson Trailer, one of the largest employers in the Valley Oak Commerce Complex, has announced a $13 million expansion of its manufacturing facility - a multi-phase project that will add 15,000 square feet and create up to 30 jobs during the next three years. The expansion will increase production capacity, support continued growth and strengthen the company's long-term presence in Somerset-Pulaski County. The project's first phase is expected to be complete in October. "Hendrickson would like to thank the City of Somerset, Pulaski County, and SPEDA for helping us grow and expand our plant yet again in 2026," said Devin Reynolds, Hendrickson Somerset plant manager. "We were in a position where, without their help, this may not have happened. I'm thankful that the community, the mayor, the judge-executive, and the SPEDA board see value in organizations like ours and help facilitate our growth and prosperity. Hendrickson's $13 million expansion will enable up to 30 new positions to be filled over time for the community and allows us to continue to be competitive in the global marketplace." The latest project marks the fourth major investment in Hendrickson's Somerset-Pulaski County operation since the company located here nearly two decades ago. Hendrickson first established operations in the community in 2007 and expanded its local footprint in 2011 by acquiring a second site. In 2014, the company further increased capacity through a $2.8 million investment in new equipment. Today, the Somerset-Pulaski County facility employs more than 400 people and manufactures trailer axles and trailer air suspensions for the heavy-duty transportation industry, including Hendrickson's INTRAAX(R) integrated trailer air suspension systems. Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) President & CEO Chris Girdler said Hendrickson's continued investment in Somerset-Pulaski County is a testament to the work taking place to build a thriving local economy. "Economic development is not just about recruiting new companies - it is also about helping existing employers succeed," Girdler said. "Hendrickson's repeated decision to expand in Somerset-Pulaski County speaks volumes about the strength of our workforce, the quality of our business climate and the partnerships that exist between industry and local leadership. We are proud to support this investment and excited about the opportunities it will create for local families over the coming years." Somerset Mayor Alan Keck said that while recruiting new investment is important, ensuring that businesses already located in the community have the support they need is vital. "While announcements involving new business investment often generate the most attention, communities are built on the success of the businesses that have already chosen to invest here," Keck said. "Hendrickson has been an important part of Somerset's economy for nearly two decades, and we are grateful for its continued confidence in our community. We will never take our existing industries for granted, and we remain committed to supporting the companies that create jobs, invest in our people and help drive the success of our local economy." Hendrickson's expansion is a testament to the strength of Pulaski County's workforce, strategic location, and commitment to supporting world-class manufacturing, Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd said. "As a global leader in commercial transportation components and systems, Hendrickson's continued investment here not only creates new opportunities for our citizens but also reinforces Pulaski County's reputation as a premier destination for industry, innovation, and economic growth," Todd said. Hendrickson, a Boler company, is a global manufacturer and supplier of medium- and heavy-duty mechanical, elastomeric and air suspensions; integrated and non-integrated axle and brake systems; tire pressure control systems; auxiliary lift axle systems; parabolic and multi-leaf springs; stabilizers; bumpers; and other components for the global commercial transportation industry. Based in Woodridge, Illinois, Hendrickson has served the transportation industry for more than 100 years. For more information, visit hendrickson-intl.com.

Hendrickson solar farm begins powering its Illinois bumper plant. Hendrickson announced that its new solar farm in Crest Hill, Ill., is now fully operational and is powering its bumper production facility with renewable energy for the first time. Located adjacent to Hendrickson's bumper manufacturing facility, the solar installation includes more than 2,040 panels and is expected to generate about 1.55 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. This output is sufficient to power the entire plant while delivering excess electricity back to the grid, supporting both Hendrickson's operations and the broader community, according to a news release. The Crest Hill facility manufactures bumpers for Class 8 truck OEMs, school bus manufacturers and the North American replacement bumper market "By generating renewable energy on site, we are reinforcing Hendrickson's long-standing focus on reliability, engineering excellence and lifecycle value for our customers, while taking meaningful steps to lessen our impact on the environment," said Matt Joy, Hendrickson's president and CEO. "This project took patience, collaboration and a lot of behind-the-scenes work to get us to the point where we can say our bumpers are being produced with renewable energy." trucknews.com is the trucking industry's leading information source, delivering vital insights to fleet executives, operations teams, maintenance personnel, owner-operators, and more. Readers turn to our experienced journalists for award-winning trucking industry news, trends, technical advances, equipment maintenance techniques, and business practices alike. Have your say This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.