Realignment of Hendrickson’s truck segment has merged four industry business entities to form Hendrickson Truck Systems Group, the company announced today, Sept. 14. Doug Sanford has assumed duties as vice president and general manager of the newly formed organization that oversees the former Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems and Hendrickson Spring, says Gary Gerstenslager, president and chief operating officer of Itasca, Ill.-based Hendrickson.
Hendrickson Auxiliary Axle Systems and Hendrickson Bumper and Trim continue to operate under their business unit structures as semi-autonomous organizations in the new truck systems group. Consolidating former truck and spring divisions expands opportunities for integrated suspension and spring designs for global truck platforms and improves coordination of engineering and marketing functions, Hendrickson says; the action also improves coordination for human resources, finance and purchasing.
“In addition to presenting a single Hendrickson face to the industry and our customers, restructuring allows us to better partner with truck manufacturers and fleets in the development of new products and support of growing industry needs,” says Sanford, who also noted that the structure allows closer interface with European and other international operations to enhance coordination for design and application of global truck platforms.
An eight-year veteran of Hendrickson, Sanford served as vice president and general manager of the former Hendrickson Spring. He previously held posts of general manager of Hendrickson Bumper and Trim and director of marketing and program management in Hendrickson Truck Suspension System. Prior to joining Hendrickson, Sanford worked in the automotive industry for UGN Inc., where he held various sales and management positions.
