Trailstar International Built With Pride In The USA

ALLIANCE, OH… In a time when many American manufacturers choose to have their products made in other countries, Trailstar International is hand-building dump trailers that they are proud to produce and put their name on. Trailstar’s aluminum dump trailers are still built one at a time by American craftsmen in their Alliance, Ohio manufacturing plant.

The company was founded in Alliance, Ohio in 1980 in a rented building. In 1982 they built their present manufacturing plant at 20700 Harrisburg-Westville Road. Tom Hahn, who started sweeping floors at the company in 1983, purchased Trailstar in 2012. Through the years Tom had the opportunity to do every job involved in the trailer manufacturing process, providing him great insight into building trailers and managing the company. Tom stays in touch with his customers and employees and takes great pride in knowing each of Trailstar’s 48 employees personally. Their input and ideas are welcome at the company and have contributed to its growth and success. Tom states, “Everyone at Trailstar is a member of a team, rather than an employee. We all take a tremendous amount of pride in what we do, building a quality product. Everyone who works here has contributed to the success of the company. We all have the same beliefs and goals that drive our success.”

Through hard work and dedication the team at Trailstar International has earned the respect of their customers and vendors, as well as competitors. Today, Trailstar is one of the top premium trailer manufacturers in the USA.

Trailstar’s 10,000 square foot manufacturing plant produces about 6 trailers each week, just over one trailer per day. The company only builds aluminum dump trailers. They offer smooth side or sheet and post with frames or frameless in 22’-42’ configurations. Trailstar also builds dump truck bodies from 16’ to 26’ as well as Michigan Trains. Because each trailer is built by hand, Trailstar has the ability to customize any trailer they build for their customers, even if they only order one.
Trailstar Trailers are not the cheapest trailer on the market, but are competitively priced among premium trailers. Several of the Trailstar trailers built in the 1980s are still on the road today. The company starts with premium grade polished aluminum and uses Hendrickson Intrax® soft coated suspensions with galvanized hangers. Trucklite LEDS along with their 88 series harness system are standard on all trailers. Trailstar also utilizes enclosed bottom rails and a one-piece light panel. All these items help to protect against wiring and trailer corrosion.

In addition, Trailstar also offers to have tarping systems and bed liners installed if the customer chooses. Seams are all hand welded by expert welders. The end result is a higher quality, well-built aluminum dump trailer, that will give the owner/operator better performance that will outlast the competitor’s dump trailers as well. Trailstar owners will also realize a greater residual value when they sell or trade their trailer. In most cases, Trailstar dump trailers are lighter than comparable models offered by their competitors resulting in a greater payload.

Trailstar International has a network of 33 dealers and distributors located in the Midwest, East and Southeast. Customers outside the dealer network can deal with Trailstar direct. Customers are welcome to visit the plant to see their trailer being built. Trailstar is currently looking for additional dealers to join their network.

This year Trailstar plans to build a 60,000 square foot manufacturing plant, expanding their manufacturing capacity. The company is also considering launching other trailer lines, expanding their product portfolio. Trailstar is currently looking to hire 10 more mechanics and welders to increase manufacturing capacity.

Trailstar International is a great place to work. They have very little employee turnover and the management team, including Tom Hahn, President; Mike Schmidt, Plant Manager; John Barker, Sales Manager; Brian Barker, Parts Inventory Manger; and Heather Dibert, Controller, have been with the company for many years. The entire team at Trailstar International shares the same beliefs and goals that drive their success – a good work ethic and great personal pride in the product they build.

President Tom Hahn states, “I believe we build the highest quality and best dump trailer on the market today. If we don’t continually strive to improve, someday we may not be able to make this claim. Our goal is not to be the biggest dump trailer manufacturer, but to build the best dump trailer for our customers.”

To learn more about Trailstar International Trailers, visit them online at www.trailstarintl.com or call them at 330-821-9900. Professional drivers are welcome to visit the plant at 20700 Harrisburg-Westville Rd. in Alliance, Ohio or stop by Trailstar’s booth #30355 at the Mid-America Trucking Show, March 31-April 2 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Captions:
Trailstar Smoothside frameless dump.