SAF-HOLLAND
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History

Strong roots –
promising future

SAF-HOLLAND is one of the leading suppliers of exemplary solutions for the global commercial vehicle industry. We contribute to the success of our customers’ businesses with our innovative components and systems. 

The story of SAF begins in 1881 in a German village blacksmiths’ with the invention of a new plough. The family business soon starts building the first steel axles for agricultural vehicles and under the name Otto Sauer Achsenfabik (SAF) develops itself into one of the leading manufacturers of trailer axles and suspension systems in Europe.

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1881

Development, construction and production of the so-called “Zill Alternating Plough"

 

1938

First steel axles for agricultural vehicles 

 

1950

Industrial manufacturing of axles for heavy goods vehicles

 

1964

First air suspension system for trailers

 

1991

First super-compact axle

At the beginning of the company history of Holland is a safety coupling between horse and plough: In 1910 the Safety Release Clevis Company is founded in South Dakota, USA. With the move to Holland, Michigan, the company emerges as one of the largest suppliers to the commercial vehicles industry under the name The Holland Hitch Company.

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1910

A safety release hitch between plough and horse turns out to be an ingenious invention – and leads to the founding of the “Safety Release Clevis Company”

 

1940

New orientation of activities towards the truck industry and start of production of fifth wheels, landing gear and pintle hooks

 

1991

Acquisition of “Binkley Company”, producer of support devices

 

1999

Acquisition of “Neway Anchorlok”, producer of air suspensions for trucks, semi-trailers and motor homes

 

2004

Acquisition of “Simplex”, producer of fifth wheels in the low-cost market

In 2006, the German Otto Sauer Achsenfabrik GmbH and the North American original equipment manufacturer for commercial vehicles, Holland Group Inc. merge to form SAF-HOLLAND, one of the leading suppliers for the global commercial vehicles industry. 
SAF-HOLLAND products impress both the vehicle manufacturer and their customers: fleets and trucking companies worldwide. They prove their outstanding product features in everyday transport business through quality, efficiency and service.
The company intends to secure and continually expand on this success in the long-term. For this reason, SAF-HOLLAND pools its resources, uses its specialist know-how and optimizes the active cooperation of its entire workforce.

 

2006

Merger of the SAF Group (Germany) and the Holland Group (USA) 

 

2007

Initial Public Offering of SAF-HOLLAND (Prime Standard)

 

2008

Acquisition of Georg Fischer Verkehrstechnik GmbH (second largest manufacturer of fifth wheels in Europe and the kingpin business of US supplier, Austin-Westran

 

2010

Private equity company Pamplona Capital Partners I, LP sells its remaining share (34.5%)

 

2010

Inclusion of SAF-HOLLAND in the SDAX

 

2013

Acquisition of specialists for bus suspension, Corpco Beijing Technology and Development Co., Ltd.

 

2015

Sale of the Aerway product line to Salford Inc.  

 

2016

Acquisition of Brazilian suspension specialist KLL Equipamentos para Transporte Ltda.

 

2018

Acquisition of the Italian manufacturer of coupling systems for trucks, trailers, semi-trailers and agricultural vehicles V.ORLANDI S.p.A

 

2018

Acquisition of the trailer axle and suspension system manufacturer York Transport Equipment (Asia) Pte. Ltd.

 

2019

Acquisition of Trailer Tire Pressure Management Specialist PressureGuard™

 

2019

Acquisition of the Finnish Stara Group

 

2020

SAF-HOLLAND S.A. is operating under the name of SAF-HOLLAND SE after its conversion into a European Company (Societas Europaea, SE) and completed the transfer of the registered office to Bessenbach, Germany.

 

2022

SAF-HOLLAND acquires the British IMS Limited

 

2023

SAF-HOLLAND acquires Haldex AB, a leading manufacturer of brake and air suspension systems