Trail King History
Trail King Industries, Inc., is the only equipment trailer manufacturer in the country with a complete line of trailers for the construction, transportation, and industrial markets. Trail King trailers range in capacities from 6,000 to 1 million pounds, are sold all over the world, and have a reputation for quality and performance that is unsurpassed.
The Trail King story began in 1974, when Gordon and Shirley Thomsen founded Western Ag Sales, Inc. For the first four years, the company was primarily a distributor and sales representative for various ag equipment. In 1978, Plains Industries of Mitchell, which manufactured the Trail King trailer, was purchased and relocated to the plant at 300 East Norway Avenue in Mitchell.
During the next few years, the Trail King line was expanded to include trailers with hydraulic tails, detachable goosenecks, and many other features with capacities of up to 70,000 pounds. In the early 1980's, the distribution of ag equipment ended and Western Ag Sales' primary business was the manufacture of Trail King Trailers. In 1983, the company name was changed to Trail King Industries, Inc., reflecting the company's commitment to trailer manufacturing. In 1985, the commercial and specialized line of transportation trailers were developed and, in early 1987, increased sales and production demands brought about the need for a new 67,500 square foot plant located on South Ohlman Street in Mitchell. That plant was expanded in 1992 and 1994 to the current size of 177,000 square feet, bringing total square footage to almost 265,000 square feet. Also in 1994, Trail King began manufacturing through a joint venture with Cipsa, in Pueblo, Mexico.
In June of 1995, Trail King was acquired by Carlisle Companies, Inc., based in Syracuse, NY. Carlisle Companies Inc. is comprised of three operating segments: Construction Materials, Transportation Products, and General Industry. Trail King is part of the transportation segment. Carlisle Companies, Inc. stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol CSL. Carlisle employs over 7,000 people in more than 70 plants around the world.
In September of 1995, assets of Ti-Brook, Inc., with locations in Brookville, PA and Green Pond, AL were acquired by Trail King. This addition to the Trail King family added the dump body and end-dump trailers to the product line.
The acquisition in 2000 of Red River Manufacturing, Inc. of West Fargo, ND further expanded the Trail King line of trailers to include bottom dump and live bottom trailers, with applications in the ag, waste and construction industries.
The phenomenal growth of Trail King throughout its history is a tribute not only to the founders of Trail King, but also to the men and women who have contributed toward making Trail King the respected trailer manufacturer it is today.
