EDMONTON, Alta. — Raydan Manufacturing has been awarded the Northern Alberta Transportation Club’s 2004 Award of Achievement for its Air Link air ride walking beam suspension.

The award was presented to Raydan president and CEO, Ray English’ at a gala dinner held to recognize companies and individuals for achievements and contributions to the transportation industry.

"We are extremely pleased to receive this award in Alberta," said English. "As you know, it’s always hardest to prove yourself in your own backyard. One hundred per cent of our product is manufactured in Alberta, yet 97 per cent of it leaves the country. However, we expect 2004 to be a turnaround year, as we are seeing a continuous increase in projects for Canadian companies."

The Air Link suspension has been popular in each specialty application it has introduced to in the U.S.

"Our current focus is the heavy truck market, where sales of Class 8 trucks have risen to their highest level in nearly four years," English said. "The availability of the Air Link for tandem rear at Mack’s factory level is a contributing factor to BFI Canada recently changing their truck ordering specs to include the Air Link on all new trucks ordered for Western Canada. We’re also fulfilling a contract for the U.S. Air Force’s R11 refueler trucks through International Truck and Engine Corporation, and that has already led to the opportunity of working with them on other projects as well."