Engineered suspension supplier Link is expanding its advanced suspension control segment with an agreement to acquire product lines from Hadley Products.
As part of Link’s investment, the company will acquire valve and suspension offerings within Hadley’s SmartValve and SAMS brands. Several of the supplier’s key staff will transition to the Link team.
In addition, the Sioux Center, Iowa-based company will obtain rights to Hadley’s air suspension control technology, which Link stated improves aerodynamics by balancing a vehicle’s weight at speed. The company will also take on Hadley’s legacy mechanical height control valve portfolio.
“Link’s strategy to bring revolutionary suspension control technology to market has been in progress for several years now, and this acquisition significantly expands our offering, broadens our sector penetration and will accelerate not only our development of new innovations, but will enhance our electrical engineering and software development capabilities,” Link President Jim Huls said. “We have had a long-standing, collaborative relationship with Hadley. We know their products and capabilities well, and have formed time-tested professional relationships with those who are joining the Link family.”
The acquisiton accelerates Link’s stated expansion into the suspension control segment of the heavy-duty truck market. Commercial vehicle suspension controls have on overall impact on drivers’ safety and comfort, handling characteristics and cargo protection, Link stated.
“Now, armed with Hadley’s mechanically and electronically controlled air suspension technology, Link will be an undisputed force in driver-focused safety, fuel efficiency and load management solutions, as well,” Link stated.
Established in the 1940s, Hadley manufactures and supplies its brands to the RV, commercial truck, bus and military industries.
“The whole of this acquisition is worth far more than the sum of its parts, and leverages a long-term relationship forged between Hadley and Link that is more than 35 years in the making,” Hadley’s CEO and President Jim Fitzell said. “With electronic valve and controls expertise from Hadley, coupled with smart suspension damping expertise from Link, customers will enjoy the best of both worlds.”
“The newly acquired programming dexterity enhances Link’s existing capabilities, enabling it to deliver suspension control technologies that are hardened to meet todays and tomorrow’s cybersecurity demands,” the company stated. “And as new, advanced electric vehicles are being planned, Link is well positioned to provide smarter air management systems that minimize compressor run times, thus conserving commercial EVs critical energy.”
“Much like Link, Hadley has built a reputation for dependability, collaboration and responsiveness among its customers and within the commercial vehicle industry,” Huls said. “We sincerely value what Hadley has achieved and intend to enhance value to the marketplace through our broader array of suspension, suspension control and specialty products, and through the capabilities of our talented team.”
