Company QA1 specializes in providing performance shock absorbers, carbon fiber driveshafts, suspension, rod ends, spherical bearings, ball joints and other related items to a variety of markets including: circle track racing; drag racing; street performance; street rodding; construction, fitness; agriculture and packaging equipment; as well as several other industrial markets.
Company
With over 83,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Lakeville, MN, QA1 is proud to offer an extensive line of American made shock absorbers and accessories. Experience in value-added global sQA1cing for aluminum forgings and impact extrusions contributes to QA1 ability to provide the highest quality components at economical prices.
With several engineering and manufacturing experts on staff, coupled with international manufacturing alliances, QA1 is uniquely positioned to partner with its customers in order to provide timely delivery of quality products at very competitive market prices. QA1 continues to evolve its business in order to better service the increasingly diverse needs of its customers in the industrial and motorsports industries. With a wide-ranging product line, the ability to meet OEM custom requirements, and economical prices, QA1 has constantly focused on exceeding its customers' expectations.
History in Motorsports
Founded in 1993 by Jim Jordan, QA1 introduced rod ends and spherical bearings specifically for the performance racing industry, quickly becoming the #1 name in rod ends, spherical bearings, custom linkages and similar products to the motorsports industry.
With the purchase of Hal Shocks in 1998, QA1 started manufacturing shock absorbers for the drag racing market. In 1999, QA1 introduced racer revalveable and rebuildable shocks for circle track racing, saving racers time and money. Over the next six years, QA1 fine-tuned and expanded its product offering by adding several shocks and struts engineered for street performance and circle track applications. QA1 purchased Carrera Shocks in 2004, making QA1 the #1 manufacturer of performance racing shocks. In 2011, QA1 acquired Edelbrock’s suspension line and CAP Auto Products, further expanding its line of fabricated suspension components.
Always on the cutting edge of technology, QA1 recently introduced its Advanced Materials Division, offering in-house filament winding of carbon fiber and similar materials, to provide driveshafts and other products. QA1's ability to impact sales to the automotive racing and performance markets has been rapid. Inc. magazine twice ranked QA1 Precision Products, Inc. in its top 500 list as amongst the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. With continued focus to fine-tune and expand its product offering of American-made high performance suspension components and carbon fiber driveshafts, QA1 has grown to be a household name in the performance aftermarket.
Industrial Markets
QA1 also supplies a variety of products to various industrial markets, including agricultural, lawn and garden, construction and more. QA1 expert engineering, design and quality control personnel, coupled with QA1 international manufacturing alliances, allow us to lead the way in providing quality and consistent products at competitive prices. With over 6,500 SKUs, QA1 has the selection to fit any industrial need. We offer a variety of connection components, including: rod ends, spherical bearings rod eyes, linkage adjusters, ball joints, shock absorbers, tube adapters, spacers, filament wound tubes, custom products and more.
QA1 manufactures and supplies Panhard Rods and Track Bars, spherical bearings, ball joints, shock absorbers,, suspension components, linkages, as well as custom products for a variety of Industrial markets. We have the largest selection in the industry, economical prices, unmatched quality and a huge inventory with over 99% same day shipments. QA1 expert engineering, design and quality control personnel, coupled with QA1 international manufacturing alliances, allow us to lead the way in providing quality and consistent products at competitive prices. With over 6,500 SKUs, QA1 has the selection to fit any industrial need.
We supply QA1 rod ends and linkage products to a variety of markets, including:
QA1's quality system is ISO 9001:2008 certified, and this focus on quality has enabled us to achieve prominence in the supply of connection components to OEM contract manufacturers and the industrial and racing industries. We follow strict processes, use precision machinery and inspect all of QA1 products to ensure the quality meets QA1 high standards.
QA1’s 83,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility allows for all inclusive shock absorber and suspension component manufacturing and assembly operations, ensuring superior production of high quality American-made products. It houses a large collection of tools and equipment, including:
With all of these tools and equipment, QA1 can quickly go from concept to production-ready parts.
#1 priority at QA1 is quality, which is why quality system is ISO 9001:2008 certified. QA1’s products are designed, built and tested to ensure consistent quality, ultimate reliability and unbeatable performance. We follow strict processes, use precision machinery and inspect all of QA1 products to ensure the quality meets QA1 high standards.
What does being ISO 9001:2008 Certified mean? ISO 9001:2008 sets out the criteria for a quality management system and is the only quality standard of the ISO 9000 family that you can receive certification for. Based on a number of quality management principles, including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement, this certification helps ensure that customers get consistent, high quality products and services. QA1 performs quarterly internal audits and annual outside vendor audits to check how QA1 quality management system is working.
CaliperInspection Machines and Tools
QA1 quality department uses several machines and tools to check the quality of QA1 products throughout the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
100% Dyno Tested and Serialized Shocks and Struts
At QA1, we are focused on crafting the most reliable, consistent and highest performing shocks and struts. To achieve this, every QA1 rebuildable shock absorber and strut is dyno tested and serialized so you can rest assured they’re built to exact specifications. The fact that QA1 warranty rate is almost non-existent is a testament to the care we take with each and every product we manufacture.
Carbon Fiber Driveshaft Testing
QA1’s carbon fiber driveshaft testing meets or exceeds SFI specification 43.1. QA1 Advanced Materials Division uses many techniques to evaluate and ensure the quality of QA1 products. Not only are the finished carbon fiber driveshafts tested, but the materials used to make them are tested throughout the process as well. Some of the in-house material tests include tension, compression, shear, three point bend and surface roughness. We also perform imaging techniques with a high magnification microscope to analyze the composites for fiber volume, layer analysis and to avoid potential void content. Harmonic testing is done to determine the natural frequency of the driveshaft and a modal analysis is performed to ensure the composite driveshaft meets the applications’ requirements for NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness).
Test Fit and Track Tested
Many of QA1’s emTrack Testingployees are racers or serious enthusiasts themselves and understand the needs and goals of QA1 customers from firsthand experience. We know that dyno testing, computer evaluations and endurance tests are only valuable if they can also result in real world performance. QA1 often works with well-known industry icons to get feedback during the prototype and testing phase. We make sure every product is test fit, track tested and driver or racer approved before it begins production.