Suspension company opens aftermarket parts unit

ITASCA, Ill. — Hendrickson has launched Hendrickson Parts North America, a stand-alone division for the commercial vehicle parts aftermarket.

Paul LaMantia has been named general manager of the aftermarket division, which will be headquartered at the existing Hendrickson facility at Woodridge, Ill. LaMantia leads a separate management team with responsibility for the truck, trailer, auxiliary axle and steel spring aftermarket.

“This new division will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to expand Hendrickson’s participation in the OE and independent channels of parts distribution in North America,” says John H. Walker, president and chief executive officer of The Boler Company, parent company of Hendrickson.

With an emphasis on developing distribution partners including supporting initiatives such as the Pro-Genuine truck service facility affiliation program, the new structure will provide improved parts availability, reduced lead times, increased product breadth, training and information initiatives, and e-commerce capabilities, the company says.

Currently, efforts include building an improved parts distribution infrastructure and establishment of management and field sales teams. Plans call for the division to be fully operational by January 2007.