​​Leaf springs are a fundamental suspension component for trucks and trailers, especially in heavy-duty applications. In North America, leaf springs are widely used across heavy, medium, and light-duty trucks (including many pickups) and trailers, due to their strength and load-bearing capacity. This Market Deep Dive covers the OEM market and the aftermarket, identifying key competitors and market size in North America.

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​​OEM Market

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​​​OEM Market in North America​ Market Size & Demand. North America produces hundreds of thousands of trucks and trailers each year, each typically equipped with multiple leaf springs. In 2023, North American Class 8 heavy-duty truck production was over 280,000 units (about half of global Class 8 output)[i]. Medium-duty truck (Class 4–7) production added a similar volume, and light-duty trucks (e.g. pickups) are produced in the millions annually. The trailer sector is also substantial – in 2022, North American manufacturers built nearly 325,000 trailers, a ~20% YoY increase[ii], reflecting strong demand from freight and logistics. Each heavy truck or trailer can use multiple leaf springs (for example, tandem trailer axles have a leaf spring on each side), underscoring the high OEM demand for springs.

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In monetary terms, the North American leaf spring market was valued at roughly $1.57 billion in 2023[iii]. This market is expected to grow at ~6% annually, reaching about $2.37 billion by 2030[iii], driven by rising production of light commercial vehicles and trucks. Notably, the OEM segment dominates sales: around 80% of leaf spring demand comes from OEMs rather than the aftermarket[iv]. Automakers procure springs in bulk at lower unit costs and often require custom-designed springs for each model[iv], making OEM supply the primary revenue source for spring makers.

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​Key OEM Suppliers/Competitors: The North American OEM leaf spring market features a mix of domestic manufacturers and global companies with local operations. Major competitors include:

 

• ​Hendrickson (USA) – A leading U.S. supplier of heavy-truck suspension systems and components. Hendrickson is a dominant player in commercial vehicle suspensions globally[v] and supplies leaf springs as well as air suspensions to truck and trailer OEMs.

• Rassini (Mexico) – One of the world's largest producers of suspension components for light trucks and a key supplier to Detroit automakers. Rassini focuses mainly on OEM contracts[vi] and provides leaf springs for heavy-duty trucks and full-size pickups of the Big Three (Ford, GM, Stellantis)[vii]. For example, Rassini has secured its products in hundreds of thousands of GM vehicles[viii] and is known for technological innovation, including, pioneering composite hybrid leaf springs for the Ford F-150[ix].

• NHK Spring (Japan) – A global spring manufacturer that supplies OEM suspension springs. NHK has North American operations and provides leaf springs to Japanese truck and pickup OEMs in the region[iii].

• Mitsubishi Steel Manufacturing (Japan) – A major steel spring supplier (leaf and coil) with a global footprint. Mitsubishi Steel serves commercial vehicle OEMs worldwide and is considered a leading player in leaf springs[v][iii].

• Jamna Auto Industries (India) – One of the world's largest leaf spring manufacturers (market leader in India) now expanding internationally. Jamna (JAI) supplies multi-leaf and parabolic springs to global OEMs and has introduced new trailer suspension products[iii]. They are increasingly relevant in North America via exports or partnerships.

• Sogefi Group (Italy) – A European suspension supplier that produces coil and leaf springs for OEMs. Sogefi has a smaller North American presence but is noted as a global competitor in this space[v].

• Betts Spring Manufacturing (USA) – A long-established U.S. spring maker, supplying leaf springs for commercial vehicles. Betts serves OEM needs for specialty and aftermarket applications (e.g. trucks, trailers, and industrial springs)[iii].

• Standen's Limited (Canada) – A Canadian manufacturer of leaf springs and suspension components. Standen's supplies OEM trailer and truck springs and has a strong regional reputation[iii].

• Eaton Detroit Spring (USA) – A niche U.S. spring manufacturer (over a century old) known for OEM-spec and custom leaf springs, primarily for automotive and vintage applications[iii].

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These OEM suppliers often specialize by vehicle segment. For instance, Rassini and NHK focus on light trucks and pickups, while Hendrickson and Standen's concentrate on heavy trucks and trailers. The competitive landscape is global – Chinese manufacturers (e.g. Fangda, Dongfeng) and others are major producers globally, but their direct OEM presence in North America is limited to partnerships or exports[v]. Overall, the OEM leaf spring market in North America is robust, supported by steady truck production growth and the need for durable suspensions. OEM demand is expected to remain strong as e-commerce, construction, and freight sectors drive new truck and trailer sales[v].

 

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Aftermarket Market

 

Market Size: The aftermarket for leaf springs serves the vast population of in-service trucks and trailers that require replacement parts. North America has millions of vehicles on the road that use leaf springs – for example, over 6.3 million trailers are in active operation across the continent[x], in addition to an enormous fleet of heavy trucks, delivery trucks, and pickups. Leaf springs must be replaced when they crack, wear out, or sag under heavy usage. Although smaller than the OEM segment, the replacement market is significant. Industry estimates put the global automotive leaf spring aftermarket around $2.0 billion by 2024[xi]. This corresponds to roughly 20% of the total leaf spring market by value[iv]. The aftermarket grows more slowly, at about 2% annually worldwide[xi]), reflecting gradual fleet expansion and maintenance needs rather than new production.

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Aftermarket Competitors: Many OEM suppliers also compete in aftermarket distribution, alongside independent aftermarket manufacturers and importers. Key players in the North American aftermarket include:

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• Triangle Suspension Systems (USA) – A dedicated leaf spring manufacturer and distributor focused on the aftermarket. Founded in 1919, Triangle has grown through strategic acquisitions to become a market leader in undercarriage parts for heavy, medium, and light trucks and trailers in North America[xii]. Triangle produces a broad range of OEM-spec leaf springs and partners with OEMs (like Hendrickson) to supply replacement parts, backed by a network of over 1,400 distributor locations[xii][xii]. Their long history and nationwide distribution make them a top aftermarket source.

• Dayton Parts (USA) – A century-old supplier of heavy-duty suspension and brake parts, known for leaf springs, now part of Dorman Products. Dayton's factories produce a vast number of leaf spring designs including advanced parabolic springs and trailing arm assemblies. The brand is renowned in the aftermarket for high-quality spring, steering, and suspension lines[xiii]. Dorman's 2021 acquisition of Dayton Parts[xiii] strengthened its heavy-duty portfolio, indicating Dayton's importance in the replacement market.

• Betts Company (USA) – In addition to OEM supply, Betts serves the aftermarket through its Betts Truck Parts & Service division. It operates spring manufacturing and spring service shops, particularly on the U.S. West Coast, offering replacement leaf springs and suspension repair for commercial fleets.

• Standen's (Canada) – Standen's not only supplies OEMs but also sells into the North American aftermarket. They produce replacement springs for trucks and trailers and export globally. Their Canadian base helps serve heavy-truck operators in Canada and the northern U.S.

• International Suppliers: Global manufacturers like Hendrickson, Rassini, Jamna, and NHK also compete for aftermarket sales. Hendrickson, for instance, offers "Genuine Parts" leaf springs for its suspension systems through dealer networks. Rassini and Jamna may supply aftermarket distributors or private-label springs. Additionally, some low-cost imported springs from Asia enter the aftermarket via distributors, especially for standard trailer spring sizes or older truck models. However, fleets often prefer established brands for reliability, given the safety-critical nature of suspension parts.

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The aftermarket is quite fragmented, with numerous regional spring shops and distributors alongside these larger players. Price competition is strong, but buyers also look for durability and compatibility with OEM specs. Many independent repair shops and fleet maintenance departments rely on the established companies for readily available stock. Notably, Triangle Suspension highlights same-day shipping and custom engineering support as a competitive advantage in serving fleet customers[xii].

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Industry Trends and Outlook

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Leaf spring technology is mature, but the industry is seeing gradual innovation and facing competition from alternative suspensions:

 

​Shift to Air Suspensions: Some heavy-duty trucks and buses are adopting air suspension systems for improved ride comfort and adjustability. Air suspensions automatically level the load and offer a smoother ride, features that appeal to premium segments[iv][iv]. This trend poses a long-term threat to leaf spring usage in certain applications[iv]. However, air systems are costlier and more complex, which limits their use mostly to high-end tractors, buses, or specialty trucks[iv]. For many work trucks, pickups, and trailers, traditional leaf springs remain preferred due to their low cost, simplicity, and durability. Leaf springs are easy to maintain and repair – a cracked leaf can be quickly replaced with basic tools, a practicality valued by fleet mechanics[iv][iv]. These factors ensure leaf springs will remain dominant in mainstream commercial vehicles, even as air suspensions grow in niche areas[iv][iv].

 

Lightweight Composite Springs: Manufacturers are introducing composite (fiber-reinforced plastic) leaf springs to reduce weight and improve ride performance. For example, Hendrickson recently acquired Liteflex, a producer of advanced composite springs, signaling investment in this technology[iii]. Rassini has developed a hybrid suspension for Ford that uses a composite auxiliary spring alongside a steel main leaf[ix]. Composite springs can significantly cut weight (important for increasing payload and fuel efficiency) and resist corrosion. While still more expensive and used mostly in limited models, composites are expected to grow, especially in light trucks and EVs where weight savings are critical[ix][iv].

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Raw Material Costs: Steel prices and supply influence leaf spring manufacturers' costs. Springs are typically made of high-grade spring steel. Fluctuations in steel cost can squeeze margins or lead to price adjustments for customers[v]. Many suppliers mitigate this via long-term contracts and global steel sourcing. The push for higher-strength steels (and new alloys) continues, aimed at making springs lighter yet tougher[vii].

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Market Growth Factors: Overall, North American demand for leaf springs is closely tied to commercial vehicle production and the freight economy. The outlook is moderately positive – as freight volumes and e-commerce deliveries rise, fleets continue to invest in new trucks and trailers[v]. Replacement demand also grows with the expanding vehicle parc (e.g. millions of older pickups and trailers remain in service). Industry analysts project steady growth in the leaf spring sector, albeit at a modest pace[v]. The market is considered fragmented but competitive, pushing manufacturers to balance cost and innovation. One notable trend is the development of parabolic leaf springs which offer weight reduction and a smoother ride. Parabolic springs already account for about 40% of leaf spring applications and are the fastest-growing type, due to their lighter weight and compliance with fuel economy goals[iv][iv].

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Key Takeaways

 

The North American leaf springs market offers stable fundamentals with $1.57 billion in current demand growing toward $2.37 billion by 2030. Three strategic insights stand out:

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• Market structure favors predictable returns. With 80% of demand from steady OEM production and essential aftermarket replacement needs, this industry benefits from consistent freight and commercial vehicle growth without major disruption risk.

• Success requires choosing your lane. Leading players like Hendrickson and Rassini win through OEM engineering partnerships, while Triangle and Dayton dominate aftermarket distribution. Scale and specialization matter more than broad market coverage.

• Technology evolution creates selective opportunities. While air suspensions threaten premium segments, innovations like parabolic springs and composites offer differentiation for forward-thinking manufacturers.

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While new suspension technologies and materials are emerging, leaf springs continue to hold a firm place in heavy-duty and utility vehicles, thanks to their cost-effectiveness and proven reliability. This enduring demand underpins a stable but evolving market, one

in which our newly acquired company can capitalize on both the ongoing OEM needs and the steady aftermarket for replacements.

 

For additional research or analysis requests, or for proprietary, interview-driven insights and reports, reach out to us and start a conversation.

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[i] MarketGrowthReports, "Class 8 Truck Market Overview," MarketGrowthReports, 2025. https://www.marketgrowthreports.com/market-reports/class-8-truck-market-113248

[ii] Trailer/Body Builders, "Trailer Output Report 2022," Trailer/Body Builders, March 2023. https://di-mond.com/di-mond-enters-the-top-25/

[iii] Verified Market Research, "North America Automotive Leaf Springs Market," Verified Market Research, 2024. https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/north-america-automotive-leaf-springs-market/

[iv] P&S Intelligence, "Automotive Leaf Spring Market Report," P&S Intelligence, 2024. https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/automotive-leaf-spring-market-report

[v] MarketReportAnalytics, "Commercial Vehicle Leaf Spring Insights," MarketReportAnalytics, 2025. https://www.marketreportanalytics.com/reports/commercial-vehicle-leaf-spring-151236

[vi] Mexico Business News, "The Brakes Are Off for Automotive Innovation," Mexico Business News, 2014. https://mexicobusiness.news/automotive/news/brakes-are-automotive-innovation

[vii] Mexico Business News, "Interview with Eugenio Madero, CEO of Rassini NA," Mexico Business News, 2014. https://mexicobusiness.news/automotive/news/brakes-are-automotive-innovation

[viii] MarkLines, "Rassini, S.A.B. de C.V. (Formerly Sanluis Corporation)," MarkLines, 2024. https://www.marklines.com/en/top500/rassini

[ix] Polaris Market Research, "Global Spring Market Report," Polaris Market Research, 2024. https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/spring-market

[x] MarketGrowthReports, "Cargo Trailer Market Overview," MarketGrowthReports, 2025. https://www.marketgrowthreports.com/market-reports/cargo-trailer-market-113254

[xi] Stratview Research, "Automotive Leaf Spring Aftermarket," Stratview Research, 2021. https://www.stratviewresearch.com/454/automotive-leaf-spring-aftermarket.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqBxVSPj9Z0EPgP_8awbXzUgk4cShy9Be8hNC2h-mmhGbONt0uB

[xii] Triangle Suspension Systems, "Company History/Overview," Triangle Suspension Systems, 2024. https://www.triangleusa.com/

[xiii] Dorman Products, "Acquisition of Dayton Parts," Dorman Products, August 2021. https://investors.dormanproducts.com/news/news-details/2021/Dorman-Products-Inc.-Completes-Acquisition-of-Dayton-Parts-and-Provides-Updated-2021-Guidance/default.aspx