ITASCA, Ill. — The suspension pros at Hendrickson International have just joined hands with one of their competitors, Watson & Chalin Mfg.

Hendrickson, started in 1922 and now one of the world’s largest manufacturers of commercial vehicle suspension systems as well as other componentry, is owned by The Boler Company.

Today, Boler announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the McKinney Tex.-based Watson & Chalin Manufacturing, which, started in 1984, also makes truck drive-axle suspensions; auxiliary suspensions including steerable and non-steer; pusher and tag axles, as well as trailer suspensions for both air ride and mechanical applications.

Boler says Watson & Chalin will continue to conduct business and even compete with Hendrickson under the existing management of Don Watson and Tom Chalin. Both Hendrickson and Watson and Chalin will be stand-alone companies under The Boler company organization.

“With this acquisition, Boler will be in a stronger position to support advanced enhancements in both truck and trailer technologies around the world,” said Matthew Boler, president and CEO of The Boler Co. “We are elated to have Don, Tom and their team join our group as they have a proven history of bringing highly developed products to the commercial markets.”