Link Mfg., Ltd., announced it has finalized an agreement acquiring valve and suspension control product lines and related expertise from Hadley Products Corp. Hadley’s brands include SmartValve Electronic Height Control System and Smart Air Management System (SAMS).
As part of Link’s investment, several key staff will transition from Hadley to the Link team. Link will also obtain the rights to Hadley’s air suspension control technology. This technology improves aerodynamics, reduces rolling resistance, and increases tractive performance by precisely balancing a vehicle’s weight at speed. Link will also procure Hadley’s entire portfolio of legacy mechanical height control valve business 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,” says 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.”
MORE THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS
The move accelerates Link’s expansion into the suspension control segment of the heavy truck market. This will increase its influence on suspensions and extend its reach into the trailer side of the marketplace. Overall, commercial vehicle suspension controls affect handling characteristics, the safety and comfort of drivers, and the protection of cargo.
“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,” says Jim Fitzell, president and CEO of Hadley Products Corp. “With electronic valve and controls expertise from Hadley, coupled with smart suspension damping expertise from Link, customers will enjoy the best of both worlds.”
Further, one of the most significant components of the acquisition is the enhanced control system capability secured by Link. In work with OEMs, Hadley’s engineers were key development partners in CAN bus system integration using ISO 26262 compliance standards. Hadley’s experience and the firmware developed to interface with OEMs will benefit Link as the company seeks integration with manufacturers.
The acquired programming dexterity enhances Link’s existing capabilities, enabling it to deliver suspension control technologies to meet cybersecurity demands. As OEMs plan advanced EVs, Link’s position will allow it to provide air management systems that minimize compressor run times. The result conserves 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 says. “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.”
Find out more, visit https://www.linkmfg.com/dealers.
