Link Mfg., Ltd. announced its plan to begin construction of a new 50,000-sq-ft manufacturing and training facility. The mayor, local media, and plant workers were present as company officials and dignitaries used ceremonial shovels to break ground. The groundbreaking symbolically started a construction process that Link anticipates to be completed in December of 2021. Link held the event on the site of the new Plant 4 facility, which will be located on Link’s Sioux Center campus, adjacent to and connected with its existing plant 3 building.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter in Link’s 41-year history, made even more economically impactful to our city, state, and industry through our recent Hadley acquisition,” says Jim Huls, president of Link Manufacturing. “The contemporary new space will enable the company to better manage its suspension, suspension control, and specialty products business and anticipated growth across new and existing product sectors. And the integrated training facility will help us to provide continuing education to our existing workforce and educate new staff on the latest in today’s high-tech manufacturing techniques.”
Link is certified to IATF 16949 standards, and over the years the company has assembled a world-class testing lab. In addition to its Sioux Center headquarters, Link maintains engineering and manufacturing facilities in Nisku, Alberta, Canada. The company currently employs more than 200 staff members. Link also expects the new Plant 4 expansion to result in the hiring of up to 50 more workers.
LINK INNOVATIONS
A Tier-1 supplier to heavy-duty truck manufacturers, Link made a name for itself with the Cabmate cab suspension in 1980. The Cabmate vastly improved safety and comfort in Class 7 and 8 cabs. Thus, Link became a global leader in cab suspensions, with the manufacturing of its 2 millionth Cabmate in 2019.
Additionally, Link’s newest and most advanced version of its popular Cabmate features Link’s Road-Optimized Innovations (ROI) technology, delivering a new level of ride quality that dynamically responds in real time to road and weather conditions. Link’s ROI Cabmate Cab Suspension is the first in what Link expects to be a new class of suspension systems. The company’s revolutionary ROI technology will, in part, drive the new class of systems.
“Link’s recent acquisition of Hadley SmartValve Electronic Height Control Systems, Smart Air Management Systems (SAMS), dynamic air suspension control technology, and expert staff significantly expands Link’s capabilities, increases its overall product depth, and will stimulate the development of new innovations, while enhancing the company’s electrical engineering and software development capabilities,” Huls says.
Huls says Link now moves into the “whole-vehicle suspension control segment” of the market. This extends Link’s reach into medium- and heavy-duty truck, trailer, specialty vehicle markets, and more. Further, Huls notes the space will allow Link to add and reconfigure manufacturing cells to accommodate the new product line. He also explains that the Plant 4 space will help Link as it turns more attention to suspension control technologies.
THE ROOT OF THE BUSINESS
“Sioux Center is located near the geographic center of the country and keeps Link within easy reach of major transportation routes and thus the OEMs and secondary markets we serve,” Huls says. “Sioux Center has been good for Link, and we believe that Link has been good for Sioux Center. Our roots are here, and our town, our company, and our customers all benefit from our Northwest Iowa values and work ethic.”
Link products are now available. Order them through Link’s nationwide network of dealers.
Find out more, visit www.linkmfg.com/dealers.
