The Beginning
Keith Brown founded Custom Built Ag. Industries Ltd. in 1985 to import straight-cut headers from the US and manufacture header transports that reduced crop loss and solved the logistical challenge of moving large equipment. Operating out of a repurposed barn near Bateman, Saskatchewan, the company quickly gained traction at farm shows and expanded its product line to include swather transports, flat deck trailers, and bale transports. With a growing team and a shift to dealer-based sales, the business thrived by staying responsive to farmers’ evolving needs across Western Canada.
Growth
By the late 1980s, Trailtech transitioned from a farm-based operation into a standalone manufacturing company, relocating to an 8,000 sq. ft. plant in Gravelbourg to support growth and rebranding. Over the next decade, expansions in 1994 and 1997 added significant production space and staff, while strategic acquisitions of Jantz and Wilten Manufacturing further broadened its product offerings. A major fire in 2000 temporarily disrupted operations but was met with resilience, and a modern 22,000 sq. ft. final assembly facility was built by 2003. The company then entered a phase of steady operations through 2025, weathering increased competition and currency challenges, with leadership gradually transitioning from founder Keith Brown to a seasoned internal team.
Trailtech Today
Today, Trailtech is a respected Canadian manufacturer known for its durable medium to heavy-duty commercial flat deck trailers, while continuing to serve the agricultural sector with specialized transports for headers, bales, swathers, and combines. The company has also grown its footprint in commercial and industrial truck decks for medium and heavy-duty cab-chassis vehicles. Renowned for reliability, safety compliance, longevity, and high resale value, Trailtech’s products are favoured by discerning customers who view the initial investment as worthwhile. The company’s identity remains deeply rooted in its Canadian heritage and small-town Gravelbourg origins, a point of pride for founder Keith Brown even after four decades in business.
The Future of Trailtech
For forty years, from farm roots and in an Eaton barn/shop, through to 2025 and the opportunities evident within a chaotic, antagonistic, tariff inflamed geopolitical economy, Trailtech continues to evolve and prosper.
Declaring the desire to continue the transfer of the Company to the next generation of leadership, a transformational reorganizational and strategic refocus was initiated by Keith in late 2024.
For 40 years we have flourished, expanded and evolved... Now we will move into the next 40 years with the torch held high by the next generation of leaders.
Keith Brown, Trailtech Founder
A Timeline of Trailtech
Humble Beginnings
Initially building trailers by hand on the farm, Keith Brown and team generate trade show success and move the business into an 8,000 sq. ft. facility in the town of Gravelbourg.
Seeds of Growth
Keith and team have grown Trailtech to service dealers in 4 provinces and have expanded the facility to 14,500 sq. ft.
First Expansion
The sales success continues and in order to meet demand, the plant is again expanded to 30,000 sq. ft.
Resiliency Abound
A fire destroys 14,000 sq. ft. of the facility. The employees and the town band together to rebound with no lost jobs and only one day of lost production.
Combined Growth
Continued success in growth, organically and through partnership & acquisition, necessitate a 22,000 sq. ft. expansion, bringing total space to 55,000 sq. ft.
Bustling Activity
Trailtech's growth continues and employment peaks at 120 employees producing roughly 3,000 trailers per year.
The Marketplace
Trailtech enters an era characterized by an energy sector contraction and intense price point competition from US based manufacturers.
Renewed Expansion
After a brief but sharp contraction related to the global pandemic, Trailtech enjoys significant growth in sales and orders; boasting a record setting order book and setting the stage for a historic 2022 and beyond.
