Hendrickson, a manufacturer of suspension systems and components for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and trailers, has announced a major investment in solar energy.  The company will build a solar farm in Joliet, Ill., to power its bumper plant.

The factory produces over 100,000 bumpers per year for major Class 8 truck OEMs, school bus manufacturers and replacement bumper market in North America.

Hendrickson is planning a solar farm for its bumper factory in Illinois. (Photo collage: Hendrickson)

The solar farm is expected to include more than 2,100 solar panels and produce an estimated 1.58 MW annually. This output is enough to power the entire plant for several years and provide excess electricity back to the grid, said the company.

鈥淭his solar investment complements Hendrickson鈥檚 ongoing sustainability program as we continue our commitment to producing highly-engineered, high-quality components and systems for the commercial vehicle industry while reducing the impact on the environment,鈥� said Matt Joy, Hendrickson鈥檚 president and CEO, based in Woodridge, Ill.

The construction of the solar farm is expected to be completed by mid-2025 and fully operational before the end of the year.

Hendrickson said its customers have endorsed its efforts.

鈥淒aimler Truck applauds Hendrickson鈥檚 investment in a solar farm for their bumper plant,鈥� said David Carson, senior vice president of sales and marketing of Daimler Truck North America. 鈥淒aimler has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and partners like Hendrickson are crucial to our industry.鈥�

Daimler Truck North America has been a customer of Hendrickson bumpers since the early 1990s.