SOMERSET, Ky. — Heavy-duty axle and air suspension manufacturer Hendrickson Trailer announced a $13 million expansion of its Somerset facility, adding 15,000 square feet and creating up to 30 jobs over the next three years, according to a report from the Lane Report.

The expansion marks the fourth major investment by Hendrickson in the Somerset-Pulaski County operation since the company established operations there nearly two decades ago. The project's first phase is expected to be complete in October.

"Hendrickson would like to thank the City of Somerset, Pulaski County, and SPEDA for helping us grow and expand our plant yet again in 2026," said Devin Reynolds, Hendrickson's Somerset plant manager. "We were in a position where, without their help, this may not have happened."

Hendrickson, based in Woodridge, Illinois, is a global manufacturer of suspension systems and axles for commercial transportation. The Somerset-Pulaski County facility currently employs more than 400 people and manufactures trailer axles and air suspension systems, including the company's INTRAAX integrated trailer air suspension systems.

The company first established operations in Somerset in 2007 and expanded in 2011 by acquiring a second site. In 2014, Hendrickson invested $2.8 million in new equipment to increase manufacturing capacity.

Chris Girdler, president and CEO of the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA), emphasized the importance of supporting existing employers in the region. "Economic development is not just about recruiting new companies — it is also about helping existing employers succeed," Girdler said. "Hendrickson's repeated decision to expand in Somerset-Pulaski County speaks volumes about the strength of our workforce, the quality of our business climate and the partnerships that exist between industry and local leadership."

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck similarly noted that retaining and supporting established businesses is as vital as attracting new investment. "Communities are built on the success of the businesses that have already chosen to invest here," Keck said. "We will never take our existing industries for granted."

The expansion aligns with Somerset-Pulaski County's broader economic development strategy, which includes the 142-acre SPEDA Commerce Park and multiple Build-Ready industrial sites designed to attract manufacturing and industrial investment to the Lake Cumberland region.