After an exemplary 30-year career at Link Manufacturing, president and CEO Denny Michels will retire on Dec. 31, 2017. Jim Huls, current executive vice president and COO, will succeed Michels as president beginning Jan. 1, 2018.
Under Michels’ leadership, Link says it has grown from 20 employees to more than 200. Among his many accomplishments, Michels helped transform the company into a world-class, automated manufacturer, diversified the company’s product portfolio and celebrated the company’s one millionth shipment of its Cabmate suspension in 2008. He will leave a lasting mark on the company through the culture and values he helped create that have cemented Link’s reputation within the transportation industry as a leader in specialty engineered suspension systems, the company says.
“Link has a very bright future and the stability within our leadership team will ensure a smooth transition for our employees, customers and business partners,” says Michels. “I feel extremely fortunate to have worked with such an amazing team and so many great customers during my career. At Link, the people you work with become like family, and I’m extremely proud we’ve developed the talent and capabilities that are recognized as world-class in our industry.”
Huls joined the company in 1994 and has been responsible for leading manufacturing operations, product engineering, sales and marketing, administrative functions, and overseeing Link Suspensions of Canada, which focuses on the heavy vocational and military markets.
As president, Link says he will focus on expanding Link’s product portfolio, expanding Link’s market share in key markets and ensuring Link continues to develop new technologies that meet the changing needs of the transportation industry.
“Thanks to Denny’s leadership, the company is in a perfect position to build upon the standard of success he’s established,” says Huls. “He has provided strong leadership while allowing the Link management team to make key decisions. His fingerprints will be on all of our future successes.”
