Member News

Boatmate Trailers Makes Presidential Announcement

Boatmate Trailers is pleased to announce they have named Owen Shelton as President and Daniel Luby as Vice President.

Owen has been with Boatmate since 2000 and has been involved in every aspect of Boatmate as it has grown to become the industry leader in marine trailers. Between Owen’s involvement in Boatmate’s success and his key roles in the NATM and NMMA, we believe there is no one better to fill this position than Owen. Owen moves from his current role as Vice President and succeeds Ron Miller, who will be moving to the role of CEO to focus on future strategic planning while maintaining company oversight. Daniel has been with Boatmate since

Owen Shelton, President, Boatmate Trailers Brian Sleicher, Class 8 Product Manager, Buyers Products

2012 and has filled several roles including Customer Service Manager, Quality Manager, Product and Process Engineer, and Production and Operations Manager. His passion and profound knowledge of all aspects of Boatmate make him the perfect candidate to fill the role of Vice President.

Ron Miller is excited about the future and confident Owen and Daniel will continue to drive Boatmate Trailers as the market leader in marine trailer technology.

Buyers Products Recruits Brian Sleicher to Lead New Class 8 Initiative

Buyers Products, a leading manufacturer of work truck equipment, appoints Brian Sleicher to the role of Class 8 Product Manager. Class 8 equipment is a new focus for Buyers, and Sleicher will lead the company into the market, leveraging his more than 20 years of industry expertise.

“Class 8 equipment is a natural fit for Buyers,” says Sleicher. “These trucks spend thousands of hours on the road, so everything on them needs to be built for the long haul. Buyers is known for sturdy, high quality equipment. It’s a perfect marriage, and I’m thrilled to tackle this new frontier.”

Buyers is building the new line of equipment in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Northeast Ohio. This allows the company to guarantee the rigorous quality standards, rapid availability and manufacturer-direct value that its customers expect. Sleicher is utilizing his decades of Class 8 experience to guide every step of development, manufacturing, and distribution. The first new Class 8 products are WideOpen™ Step Boxes and a line of frame steps. WideOpen Step Boxes feature extra-wide opening lids that make it easy to store and access large chains and other potentially cumbersome pieces of equipment. The boxes and the steps feature sturdy aluminum construction.

Visit BuyersProducts.com for more information.

About Buyers Products

Established in 1946, Buyers Products Company has become a leader in manufacturing all types of equipment for the work truck industry. Buyers Products specializes in durable truck boxes, heavy duty towing equipment, hydraulics, controls and all-season trailer accessories. The Buyers’ line of snow and ice equipment includes: SnowDogg® snow plows, SaltDogg® spreaders and ScoopDogg snow pushers. For more information, visit www.BuyersProducts.com

M.H. EBY Announces New Trailer & Truck Body Dealer in Connecticut

M.H. Eby is pleased to announce that Elm City Trailer LLC of Woodbridge, Conn. is now an authorized dealer of EBY equipment trailers and truck bodies. Elm City Trailer has been in business since 2013 serving Connecticut and the surrounding New England area. They offer a full-service shop and parts department and will be adding EBY equipment trailers and truck bodies to their existing line of quality brands.

Elm City Trailer was founded in 2013 by Robert Fantarella but his history and experience with trailers goes back well beyond that. From sales to service to customization, Elm City Trailer prides themselves on their knowledge, experience, and ability to provide trailer solutions for their customers. The company’s mission is “to provide the very best selection of trailers for both work and play,” said Fantarella. “We have always admired EBY products so when our territory became available, we didn’t hesitate. We love the quality of the trailers and truck bodies.”

“We are pleased to welcome Elm City Trailer as our new dealer partner bringing EBY products to Connecticut. Elm City Trailer has a great reputation in the New England area for meeting customer’s trailering needs,” said Shane Sweigart, Northeast Territory Sales Rep for M. H. EBY, Inc. “Their product knowledge, expertise, and commitment to their customers makes them an ideal partner for EBY.”

To learn more about Elm City Trailer LLC visit their website at www.ElmCityTrailer. com or call (203) 535-0075.

Find out more about M.H. EBY’s products at www.MHEBY.com or call (800) 292-4752.

About M.H. EBY

Based in Blue Ball, Penn., M.H. EBY designs and builds high quality aluminum trailers and truck bodies for agricultural, industrial, and commercial markets. In the trailer market, EBY builds livestock trailers, grain trailers, equipment trailers and horse trailers. For the truck body market, EBY builds flatbeds, service bodies, van bodies and dump bodies. Products are sold nationwide by dealer and distributor partners with strong roots in their local communities. Started in 1938, the company is led by Travis Eby, President, and Nick Eby, VP of Engineering. Menno H. Eby serves as chairman.

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Felling Trailers, Inc. Announces Beneficiary of 2021 Trailer for a Cause

Felling Trailers will be hosting its ninth annual Trailer for a Cause online auction of an FT-3 Utility trailer to benefit a nonprofit organization. Felling Trailers’ goal is to bring awareness to various nonprofits that are making a difference by donating 100 percent of the winning bid from the auction to a different nonprofit each year. The previous Trailer for a Cause auctions has raised over $25,000 for nonprofit organizations such as Bright Pink—Breast Cancer, SOMN—Special Olympics Minnesota, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, and Lymphoma Research Foundation, to name a few.

Felling Trailers, Inc. has selected the Minnesota Firefighters Foundation (MNFFF) as the 2021 Trailer for a Cause auction beneficiary. “We respect and appreciate firefighters’ time, skills, and service as they risk their lives to protect our communities,” said Brenda Jennissen, President/CEO of Felling Trailers.

“Having almost a dozen volunteer firefighters on our team makes it even more personal, and we’re honored to give back to this statewide organization that works to educate and bring awareness to all of our Minnesota firefighters.”

A Fall 2021 auction is being planned for Trailer for a Cause. Leading up to the auction, Felling Trailers will be working with MNFFF to generate awareness about firefighters and their families that have been affected by cancer and other health issues due to their involvement in the fire service. With over 7,000 toxic carcinogens being released in today’s fires, not only are on-scene deaths a risk, but the carcinogens being ingested are causing cancer in a high number of firefighters as well. Each year

Felling Trailers supports the Minnesota Firefighters Foundation.

over 70 firefighters die in the line of duty, while cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters. Since 9/11 over 7,000 firefighters have been diagnosed with some form of cancer or a disabling health diagnosis.

About the Minnesota Firefighters Foundation

After receiving training on the Health Risk to Firefighters in 2016, a small group of individuals felt compelled to do more for their brothers and sisters in the fire service. The founding five members piled into a small room and knew at that time there needed to be more focus on the hidden health and cancer risk firefighters faced. In early 2017 The Minnesota Firefighters Foundation was formed, and its mission is simple. Supporting firefighters and their families that have been affected by cancer and other health issues due to their involvement in the fire service. MNFFF’s main campaign is HOODS 4 HEROES which educates firefighters on how to protect themselves, along with giving them

the tools and equipment to help mitigate the risk of cancer and other hidden health risks. The HOODS 4 HEROES campaign mission is to purchase particulate hoods for fire departments across Minnesota that cannot afford them.

For additional information on MNFFs research, education and services, visit www.MNFFF.org.

About Felling Trailers, Inc.

operated Full Line Trailer Manufacturer located in Central Minnesota. Started in 1974, Felling Trailers, Inc. has grown from a small shop to a factory and office complex that today covers over 325,000 square feet. Felling’s pride and differentiation is its customized trailer division. Its engineers utilize the latest Industry-leading design techniques, and its experienced metal craftspeople use cutting-edge technology to turn its customers’ conceptual trailer needs into a tangible product. Felling has been providing innovative trailer solutions to the transportation industry for over 45 years. Felling Trailers’ current capabilities allow them to provide a high-quality product that is distributed across North America and internationally. Felling Trailers, Inc. is an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certified company, WBENC-Certified WBE company, and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Felling Trailers Provides Solar Project Solution for Rental Company’s Contractor

Recently, a national heavy equipment rental company and longtime customer of Felling Trailers was faced with a dilemma. One of their national accounts, a

renewable energy contractor, was working on a solar project that spanned several locations in their coverage area. They needed several heavy-duty triple reel trailers capable of hauling three 97” dia. x 77” x 10,000 lbs. wide reels for medium voltage (MV) underground cable.

Lead-time was of the utmost importance. With the solar projects in progress, the trailers were needed inside of a 4-week time frame. Standard build time for a reel trailer needing to carry three reels weighing 10,000 lbs. each would be 10-weeks or longer when starting with a new build. That kind of timeline was not acceptable.

Felling Trailers stocks millions of dollars of trailer inventory in various configurations/builds. The national rental company had utilized Felling Trailers’ stock inventory in the past and knew they could assist this time around too. When the rental company spoke to their Felling Trailers’ account rep. he put them in touch with Mark Rapp, Felling Trailers’ Utility & Telecom Product Specialist. After learning the project’s details, Rapp suggested the FT-30-2 LP (low profile) a 15-ton tag trailer. The FT-30-2 LP is a Felling Trailers model that is a standard inventoried trailer and would be a perfect model to convert to a heavy three-reel hauler.

The FT-30-2 LPs were mounted with a one-piece, three-reel rack assembly bolted directly to the flat deck surface. The reel rack assembly was manufactured with 3” x 3” heavy wall steel tubing. The assembly was equipped with a 2.88” diameter reel bar that spins on a 660 SAE continuous cast bronze bushing saddles. The reel bars were fitted with a cross arm to tie the reel spool to the reel bar and a locking collar to keep the reels centered. Both the cross arm and locking collar are equipped with lifting hooks to safely aid in loading/ unloading reels onto the rack assembly.

The renewable energy contractor uses the triple reel FT-30-2 LP units to bring the power from the solar fields. The rental company has ordered eight of these trailers that have gone directly to the job sites and are presently ordering the reel rack/trailer package for their rental inventory. Along with the FT-30-2’s, the rental company recently added a set of FT-24-2 LP triple reels with smaller and lighter reels for the contractor’s task of providing conductor for the substations the main feeds are brought to or the solar project.

Cross-functionality, a removable reel rack on an equipment trailer ensures the trailer will remain utilized throughout its life. Too many times, a dedicated reel trailer is purchased for a specific application/ project. When that job is complete, the reel trailer sits. This package allows the reel rack to be easily removed, and the trailer can then be used to haul equipment, materials, etc. When the need again arises, the reel rack assembly is easily placed back on the trailer and mounted to the trailer deck.

About Felling Trailers, Inc.

Felling Trailers is a family-owned and operated Full Line Trailer Manufacturer located in Central

Minnesota. Started in 1974, Felling Trailers, Inc. has grown from a small shop to a factory and office complex that today covers over 325,000 square feet. Felling’s pride and differentiation is its customized trailer division. Its engineers utilize the latest Industry-leading design techniques, and its experienced metal craftspeople use cutting-edge technology to turn its customers’ conceptual trailer needs into a tangible product. Felling has been providing innovative trailer solutions to the transportation industry for over 45 years. Felling Trailers’ current capabilities allow them to provide a high-quality product that is distributed across North America and internationally. Felling Trailers, Inc. is an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certified company, WBENC-Certified WBE company, and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information, contact (800) 245-2809, sales@felling.com, or visit them on the web at www.Felling.com. Follow them on Twitter (@FellingTrailers), Facebook (Felling Trailers, Inc.), and Pinterest.

Formula Trailers Promotes Brent Sheehan to Regional Sales Manager

Formula Trailers announced today that Brent Sheehan has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager over all of Formula and Impact Trailers’ sales.

In this new role, he will be responsible for dealer relations, product development and supporting his regional sales team and dealer network. Sheehan has spent the last three years as a territory sales manager.

“When Sheehan joined the team in 2018, we quickly recognized not only his extensive industry expertise, but also his tenacity and determination to push sales to delivery and produce dealer satisfaction,” said Jeff Troyer, President, Formula Trailers. “The promotion sets us up for success as we head into what we anticipate to be a busy future for the cargo trailer industry.”

Brent makes his home in Michigan and is a graduate of Hope College. He is a sales veteran with over 20 years of sales experience, with nearly ten years of experience in the cargo trailer industry. He has a variety of hobbies to include biking, golfing, snow skiing, hiking, camping and reading, but he really enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to lead such a great and dynamic sales team,” Sheehan says. “I’ve been a part of the Formula family from the beginning, and it has been an incredible joy for me. I am looking forward to taking on this new responsibility to help shape the future of our business. We have such a quality team, outstanding dealer partnerships and the best products in the industry. The future could not be brighter.”

Formula Trailers was established in 2018 by two veterans of the cargo trailer industry, Jeff Troyer and Matt Arnold. Formula Trailers strives to fulfill new trailer offerings not being produced by its competitors. Formula is focused on providing customers with outstanding value, great standard features and service that’s backed by strong dealer partnerships.

Link Obtains Hadley’s SmartValve and SAMS Brands, Integrated Dynamic Suspension Control Business and More in Strategic Acquisition

With gains of product, engineering, software and sales assets from Hadley, Link exponentially expands its capabilities in the advanced suspension control segment, positioning itself for future innovation and growth.

Link Mfg., Ltd., the leader in specialtyengineered suspensions, announced that it has finalized an agreement acquiring valve and suspension control product lines and related expertise from Hadley Products Corp. A manufacturer and supplier to commercial truck, bus, RV, military and specialty vehicle markets since the 1940s, Hadley’s well-known brands include its award-winning SmartValve Electronic Height Control System and Smart Air Management System (SAMS).

As part of Link’s investment, several key staff will be transitioning from Hadley to the Link team. Link will also obtain the rights to Hadley’s dynamic air suspension control technology that improves aerodynamics, reduces rolling resistance and increases tractive performance by precisely balancing a vehicle’s weight at speed. Hadley’s entire portfolio of legacy mechanical height control valve business is also being procured by Link in the transaction.

“Link’s strategy to bring revolutionary suspension control technology to market has been in progress for several years now, and this acquisition significantly expands our offering, broadens our sector penetration and will accelerate not only our development of new innovations, but will enhance our electrical engineering and software development capabilities,” said Jim Huls, president of Link Manufacturing. “We’ve had a longstanding, collaborative relationship with Hadley. We know their products and capabilities well, and have formed timetested professional relationships with those who are joining the Link Family.”

The move accelerates Link’s expansion into the suspension control segment of the heavy truck market, increasing its synergistic influence on cab and chassis suspensions and extending its reach firmly into the trailer side of the marketplace. Overall, commercial vehicle suspension controls affect handling characteristics, the safety and comfort of drivers, and the protection of cargo.

With the 2019 introduction of its ROI Cabmate Suspension, Link had already emerged as the leading innovator in dynamic suspension damping for class 8 tractor cabs. Now, armed with Hadley’s mechanically and electronically controlled air suspension technology, Link will be an undisputed force in driver-focused safety, fuel efficiency and load management solutions as well.

“The whole of this acquisition is worth far more than the sum of its parts, and leverages a long-term relationship forged between Hadley and Link that is more than 35 years in the making,” said Jim Fitzell, president and CEO of Hadley Products Corp. “With electronic valve and controls expertise from Hadley, coupled with smart suspension damping expertise from Link, customers will enjoy the best of both worlds.”

One of the most significant components of the acquisition is the enhanced control system capability being secured by Link. In their previous work with major truck and trailer OEMs, Hadley’s engineers have been key development partners in CAN bus system integration, using ISO 26262 compliance standards. Their experience and the proprietary firmware developed to interface with OEMs will benefit Link as the company seeks broader and deeper production integration with manufacturers in the future.

The newly acquired programming dexterity enhances Link’s existing capabilities, enabling it to deliver suspension control technologies that are hardened to meet today’s and tomorrow’s cybersecurity demands. And as new, advanced electric vehicles are being planned, Link is well positioned to provide smarter air management systems that minimize compressor run times, thus conserving commercial EVs critical energy.

“Much like Link, Hadley has built a reputation for dependability, collaboration and responsiveness among its customers and within the commercial vehicle industry,” Huls said. “We sincerely value what Hadley has achieved and intend to enhance value to the marketplace through our broader array of suspension, suspension control and specialty products, and through the capabilities of our talented team.”

Link products are available and can be ordered through Link’s nationwide network of dealers. For more information on Link products or to find a dealer, please call (800) 222-6283 or visit: www.LinkMfg.com/dealers.

To access high-resolution images of products referenced in this press release, please visit: www.LinkMfg.com/ news/2021/link-obtains-hadley-valves.

About Hadley Products Corp.

Hadley is a well-known and respected supplier of quality components and solutions for the class 5-8 truck and tractor, trailer, transit & shuttle bus, RV, motorcoach, specialty vehicle markets and associated aftermarket distribution. Their products include Hadley’s world-famous air horns, mechanical and electronic SAMS and SmartValve height control valves for chassis and cab air suspension systems, truck mirrors, transit mirrors, mini 12- and 24-volt DC air compressors for a variety of applications, and fully integrated interior lighting systems and luggage racks for transit, shuttle and motorcoach vehicles. Hadley continues to expand its customer product and service offerings and is a pioneering force in the creation of value-added “Smart” products and systems. Hadley’s aggressive innovation process reflects its focus on: “Your Vehicle. Your Company. Your Success.” For more information, visit www.HadleyAdvantage.com.

About Link Mfg., Ltd.

Link develops and manufactures a variety of suspension systems specially engineered to address the unique needs of commercial vehicles and equipment. Link is driven to outperform as the worldwide leader in heavy-duty truck cab air suspensions marketed under the brand name Cabmate. U.S.-based Link Manufacturing is an IATF 16949 and ISO 14001: 2015 (EMS) certified company whose primary products include cab, chassis and auxiliary suspensions. Canadian-based Link Suspensions of Canada is an ISO 9001 certified company whose primary products include heavy vocational and off-highway chassis suspensions. Link also makes specialty products such as tire pressure equalization systems, ramps and other products designed to enhance the productivity of commercial vehicles. For more information, visit www.LinkMfg.com/

Link and Cabmate are registered trademarks of Link Mfg., Ltd.

Road Optimized Innovation, ROI, SmartValve and Smart Air Management System (SAMS) are trademarks of Link Mfg., Ltd.

Names of original equipment manufacturers may be trademarks of their respective organizations. References to makes, models and product designations are for reference purposes only. Neither Link Mfg., nor its products are sponsored or endorsed by the referenced original equipment manufacturers, and there is nothing else in the use of these designations that should lead a reader to believe that there is an association between Link Mfg. and these organizations.

Powerbrace Corporation Announces Brian Senn’s Retirement

Powerbrace Corporation would like to recognize the retirement of Brian Senn after over 28 years of service to the company and has his name on 28 patents.

Brian Senn, Powerbrace Corporation

Judi Rummelhart, Director of Business Development, Powerbrace Corporation

Brian has held leadership positions in engineering, and most recently in sales, marketing and business development.

Brian’s work ethic is impeccable, he’s always the first to lend a helping handby providing guidance and mentorship to a new engineer or collaborating with seasoned veterans on a new business strategy.

Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement, we’re already looking forward to your first visit to the office in your new role as retiree, you will truly be missed.

Powerbrace Corporation Announces Director of Business Development

appointed Jodi Rummelhart as Director of Business Development. She brings experience in product management, new product development, and marketing from a variety of industries including industrial, defense, aerospace, and steel. Jodi will be directing the commercial activities of Powerbrace’s product lines.

Wil-Ro, Inc. Joins General Motors Fleet Bailment Pool

Partnership Leverages Bailment Pool Locations in Southeast Region

Wil-Ro, Inc. a leading truck body manufacturer, finalized a partnership in December 2020 to join General Motors Fleet Bailment Pool, and anticipates chassis to be available through its Gallatin, Tenn.-based factory beginning mid- 2021.

This partnership will help support WilRo’s growth into new markets, and geographic footprint expansion among GM Commercial Dealerships on their medium-duty and Low Cab Forward (LCF) needs.

Likewise, this strategic initiative facilitates business demands and growth for WilRo’s customers, providing them greater chassis and truck body availability through GM bailment pool opportunities. “WilRo is excited and honored to join the GM bailment pool program,” said Joshua J. Coster,

President and Owner of Wil-Ro, Inc. “With nearly half a century of manufacturing expertise and a Sales Team focused on building long-term relationships while driving growth, our company aligns well with GM, its bailment pool, and work truck customers of two established brands.” Partnership GM Bailment Pool models include, Chevrolet Silverado Chassis Cab Lineup: 4500 HD, 5500 HD and 6500 HD; and Chevrolet LCF Lineup: 3500 and 4500 LCF Gas, 4500, 5500 HD/XD LCF Diesel, and 6500 XD LCF Diesel.

Following Coster’s 2017 acquisition of the 45+-year manufacturing organization, he shifted Wil-Ro’s sales strategy moving away from primarily targeting end-users and single truck bed sales, to aggressively focus on establishing and growing a National Distributor Network and cultivating nationwide reach while still nurturing its end-user customer base.

Wil-Ro, Inc. is excited to offer this opportunity to its growing dealership customer base.

About Wil-Ro, Inc.

Crafted in America since 1973, Wil-Ro, Inc. manufactures high-quality truck bodies and trailers for landscaping, hauling, construction, equipment distribution, and farming, as well as outdoor adventure excursions. Wil-Ro’s premier truck bodies and trailers come in a variety of standard models as well as custom configurations to fit the needs of customers and distributor partners nationwide.

Headquartered in Gallatin, Tennessee, WilRo focuses on craftsmanship and people, fostering time honored manufacturing processes to build the strongest, longestlasting truck beds and trailers in the industry.

Forged in the fires of the American spirit, Wil-Ro is 100 percent American made, and Veteran owned. For more information, please visit Wil-Ro.com.