Hendrickson at IAA Transportation 2026
IAA Transportation 2026 brought the commercial vehicle industry together for a week of new technology, practical ideas and valuable conversations. For Hendrickson, it was an opportunity to connect with customers, partners and industry professionals while showing how a century of vocational suspension expertise continues to support the demands of today’s commercial vehicles.
Across the exhibit hall and outdoor displays, one theme remained clear: vocational applications require equipment engineered for the realities of the job. From construction and infrastructure projects to concrete and heavy-haul operations, vehicle performance depends on reliable technologies that can meet demanding conditions.
A Century of Experience, Applied Forward
IAA provided a meaningful setting for Hendrickson to recognize the 100th anniversary of its patented walking beam suspension. That history is built on supporting vocational trucks in challenging applications, and it continues to influence the company’s approach to engineering today.
The conversation continued during Hendrickson’s IAA press conference, “100 Years of the Walking Beam: Timeless Reliability Driven by Innovation.” The event gave attendees an opportunity to reflect on the company’s vocational heritage and explore how that experience informs modern commercial vehicle performance.
At the center of Hendrickson’s display was the ULTIMAAX family of rear drive axle elastomer suspension systems. ULTIMAAX 26T and ULTIMAAX 21T build on the company’s walking beam heritage while helping address key vocational priorities: durability, ride quality and lightweight performance.
A Partnership Built for Vocational Performance
A key outcome from IAA was the continued expansion of Hendrickson’s relationship with MAN Truck & Bus. The availability of ULTIMAAX 21T for vocational operators across Europe broadens access to a suspension solution developed for high-performance vocational vehicles.
The relationship brings together Hendrickson’s long-standing vocational suspension expertise and MAN’s focus on delivering vehicles for demanding applications. It also reinforces the value of collaboration between vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers: helping customers specify trucks that align with the work they need to do.
Vocational Technology in Action
Hendrickson’s presence at IAA gave visitors a closer look at technologies designed for commercial vehicle applications, including:
- ULTIMAAX 26T and ULTIMAAX 21T: Rear drive axle rubber suspension systems for severe-duty vocational applications
- MLA3 and COMPOSILITE EXS auxiliary axles: Solutions that support vehicle configuration and payload requirements
- Steel and composite springs, U-bolts and stabilizers: Components that complement Hendrickson’s broader commercial vehicle portfolio.
The outdoor displays made the technology tangible. MAN dump/tipper and concrete mixer trucks equipped with ULTIMAAX gave attendees an up-close view of how Hendrickson supports the needs of real-world vocational applications.
More than a product showcase, IAA also created direct dialogue with the people who specify, engineer and operate vocational vehicles. Those conversations offered valuable perspective on the performance priorities shaping future commercial vehicle applications.
Moving Forward
IAA Transportation 2026 was an opportunity to celebrate a meaningful legacy, demonstrate reliable technology in action and build momentum with an important partner. As vocational requirements continue to evolve, Hendrickson remains focused on applying proven engineering expertise to the vehicles that keep essential work moving.
Explore the vocational suspension solutions Hendrickson showcased at IAA Transportation 2026.
