Link acquires valve and suspension control lines

Link Manufacturing Ltd., a Sioux Center, Iowa, supplier of specialty-engineered suspensions, announced that it has finalized an agreement acquiring valve and suspension control product lines and related expertise from Hadley Products Corp. No financial details were provided.

One of the products that Link Mfg. will get as part of its acquisition is Hadley’s SmartValve electronic height control system.

A manufacturer and supplier to commercial truck, bus, RV, military and specialty vehicle markets since the 1940s, Hadley’s brands include its SmartValve electronic height control system and Smart Air Management System (SAMS).

As part of Link’s investment, several key staff will be transitioning from Hadley to the Link team. Link will also obtain the rights to Hadley’s dynamic air suspension control technology designed to improve aerodynamics, reduce rolling resistance and increases tractive performance by precisely balancing a vehicle’s weight at speed. Hadley’s entire portfolio of legacy mechanical height control valve business is also being procured by Link in the transaction.

“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,” said Jim Huls, president of Link Manufacturing. “We’ve 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.”

Link Manufacturing is a developer of commercial vehicle suspension systems engineered to address the needs of OEMs, body builders, fleet owners and operators. Link develops and manufactures cab, chassis and auxiliary suspensions as well as specialty products. 

Link said the acqusisition accelerates its expansion into the suspension control segment of the heavy truck market, increasing its synergistic influence on cab and chassis suspensions and extends its reach into trailer markets.