Hendrickson

Hendrickson

Designs and manufactures heavy-duty truck suspensions

Overview

Hendrickson designs and manufactures heavy-duty truck, tractor, and trailer suspensions, liftable suspensions, steel leaf springs, bumpers, and stamped components. Its products are installed on commercial vehicles to support weight, absorb road shocks, and improve handling, using methods such as walking-beam and air-ride suspensions and durable leaf springs. The company differentiates itself by focusing exclusively on the commercial vehicle market since 1913, serving North American OEMs and many international manufacturers with a broad, global product range. Its goal is to provide durable, lightweight, and cost-saving solutions that improve vehicle performance and driver comfort for the long haul.

About Hendrickson

Simplify's Rating
Why Hendrickson is rated
C+
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated C on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Automotive & Transportation

Industrial & Manufacturing

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Itasca, Illinois

Founded

1913

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • June 2026 Somerset expansion adds 15,000 square feet and up to 30 jobs by 2029.
  • May 2026 ELECTRAAX gives Hendrickson a first electric axle entry into medium-duty electrification.
  • June 2026 solar power now runs Crest Hill bumper production and exports excess electricity.

What critics are saying

  • SAF-Holland, BPW, and ZF pressure Hendrickson's trailer-suspension pricing in OEM rebids through 2027.
  • ELECTRAAX must win school-bus and medium-duty volume quickly, or Driventic owns the EV category.
  • If EV axle adoption stalls, Hendrickson stays trapped in mature suspension markets.

What makes Hendrickson unique

  • Hendrickson owns 100-year walking-beam suspension know-how, now extended through ULTIMAAX and SOFTEK launches.
  • MAN and Peterbilt placements show OEM trust across vocational, trailer, and heavy-duty truck platforms.
  • Its vertically integrated manufacturing footprint spans Somerset, Crest Hill, and global component plants.

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Company News

Prime Creative Media
Sep 15th, 2026
Hendrickson celebrates 100 years of walking beam technology.

Hendrickson celebrates 100 years of walking beam technology. A global leader in suspension technology and ride solutions for commercial vehicles, Hendrickson will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its patented walking beam suspension at the IAA Transportation 2026 event in Hanover, Germany. The company will showcase how a century of vocational suspension expertise continues to shape modern commercial vehicle performance through solutions such as ULTIMAAX, an advanced rear drive axle rubber suspension system designed to deliver durability, ride quality and weight optimisation for today's vocational fleets. For 100 years, Hendrickson walking beam technology has helped operators tackle some of the world's toughest applications, from construction and infrastructure projects to concrete and heavy haul operations. At IAA, visitors will see how that legacy of reliability continues to evolve to meet current demands for efficiency, productivity and driver comfort. At the show, Hendrickson will spotlight a portfolio of suspension, auxiliary axle and component technologies for demanding vocational and commercial vehicle applications, including: * ULTIMAAX Family: ULTIMAAX 26T and ULTIMAAX 21T, continuing Hendrickson's walking beam legacy with solutions designed to balance durability, ride quality and lightweight performance for severe-duty applications * Auxiliary Axles: MLA3 and COMPOSILITE EXS, supporting vehicle configuration and payload requirements across commercial vehicle applications * Local Component Footprint: Steel and composite springs, U-bolts and stabilizers that support Hendrickson's commercial vehicle customers Grounded in the company's "Reliable by Design" philosophy, Hendrickson's IAA presence connects a century of walking beam innovation with the priorities shaping today's commercial vehicle market. "As we celebrate 100 years of walking beam innovation, we're proud to expand our relationship with MAN and make the ULTIMAAX 21T suspension available to vocational operators across Europe," said Helfried Jelinek, Vice President/General Manager Europe at Hendrickson. "This milestone brings together Hendrickson's century of suspension expertise and MAN's commitment to delivering high-performance vocational vehicles, providing customers with a proven solution engineered for durability, ride quality and productivity." MAN's perspective adds further support for Hendrickson's ULTIMAAX focus on vocational truck applications. "At MAN, we are committed to delivering the right solutions for our vocational customers," said Friedrich Baumann, Member of the Executive Board for Sales & Customer Solutions, MAN Truck & Bus. "With Hendrickson's ULTIMAAX technology, we provide a suspension that combines reliability, low-weight and a clear improvement in ride comfort." Beyond the main exhibit, Hendrickson's outdoor booths will feature MAN tipper and concrete mixer trucks equipped with ULTIMAAX, bringing the company's vocational focus to life in real-world applications. The displays give OEMs, fleets, engineers and equipment specifiers a clear view of how Hendrickson's reliable suspension and component solutions can support their next vocational specification.

Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA)
Jun 11th, 2026
Hendrickson expands Somerset operations with $13 million investment.

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.

Truck News
Jun 3rd, 2026
Hendrickson solar farm begins powering its Illinois bumper plant.

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.

Transport Topics
May 26th, 2026
Hendrickson introduces high-efficiency electric drive axle.

Hendrickson introduces high-efficiency electric drive axle. Electraax features a fully integrated modular design to maximize efficiency. Staff Reporter The fabricated, modular architecture is designed for a diverse range of chassis platforms and vehicle specifications. (Hendrickson) May 26, 2026 1:15 PM, EDT Key takeaways: Hendrickson launched a new high-efficiency, lightweight electric drive axle for Classes 6 and 7 medium-duty trucks and school buses May 4. Electraax features a fully integrated electric powertrain that combines a lightweight axle, single-speed gearbox, motor and inverter into one modular design to maximize efficiency. Hendrickson developed the design alongside Driventic, which also provided the electric drive system to add an efficient motor with a power-dense inverter to extend peak torque. "Transportation is changing," Hendrickson said in a video. "Fleets are demanding more efficiency, new technologies and innovative solutions. With centuries of combined global engineering leadership, Hendrickson and Driventic have joined forces to accelerate this shift." Hendrickson said the design helps deliver up to 94% system-level efficiency based on internal testing, extending vehicle range and reducing energy requirements. It also features full motor-torque regenerative braking to maximize energy recovery and a single-speed gearbox design to reduce friction and weight. The fabricated, modular architecture is designed for a diverse range of chassis platforms and vehicle specifications. The company designed the integrated system, combined with a lightweight fabricated axle housing, to address EV weight and efficiency targets by reducing system mass to help with vehicle range, battery reduction and total cost of ownership.

Bobit Business Media Inc.
Mar 4th, 2026
Hendrickson Selects Ryder for Transportation Management

Hendrickson selects Ryder for Transportation Management. Ryder System has been awarded a multi-year transportation management contract by Hendrickson International, a global supplier of suspension components and systems for the commercial transportation industry September 9, 2002 1 min to read Ryder System has been awarded a multi-year transportation management contract by Hendrickson International, a global supplier of suspension components and systems for the commercial transportation industry. Through a well-defined transportation carrier and procurement system, Ryder supports Hendrickson International's inbound transportation of raw materials and purchased parts from suppliers, outbound to inter-company plants and in some instances to their customers. Ryder provides: shipment planning, optimization and execution; procurement of transportation, which leverages the company's buying power to negotiate the best transportation rates and services; carrier selection and negotiation; compliance management; management reporting; and freight bill audit and payment through its Transportation Management Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Ryder also manages $12 million in freight under management with a variety of carriers on behalf of Hendrickson. For more information on Hendrickson International, visit www.hendricksonintl.com.

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