About Us
All About Tramec's Heavy Duty Manufacturing Processes & History
U.S. Manufacturing
Tramec is built upon a deep history of U.S. manufacturing and product expertise. With five manufacturing facilities across four states, Tramec Heavy Duty Brands produce high-quality products utilizing decades of specialized knowledge. Our capabilities include:
- Injection and Insert Molding - Utilizing over 2 million pounds of plastic annually!
- Thermoforming and Vacuum Forming
- Brass Forging and Screw Machining - Processing over 9 million pounds of brass each year for our fittings!
- CNC Machining and Wood Cutting
- Metal Stamping, Roll Forming, Welding, and Bending
- Polyurethane Foam Molding
- Plasma and Laser Cutting
- Robotic Routing
MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN: Home of Fleet Engineers, the Muskegon campus features extensive manufacturing capabilities to create a wide array of products including fenders, roll-up doors, mud flaps and flap brackets, and much more!
MISHAWAKA, INDIANA: Penz Products is our Mishawaka facility that houses a wide range of manufacturing tech to produce a variety of products from reefer vent doors and container chassis securement, to landing gear components, and access steps.
GALION, OHIO: The focus of this plant in Ohio is engineering and manufacturing brass fittings. Hose assemblies are also made here using the fittings that were made just feet away! We are constantly investing in new technologies to improve selection, quality, and efficiency to better serve the needs of our customers.
HOLLAND, MICHIGAN: Serves as our Primary Distribution Center with additional light manufacturing space. Tramec Sloan's coiled air assemblies are made here in addition to 3-in-1 wraps, electrical cables, gladhands, brass fuel caps and more.
IOLA, KANSAS: Iola is the original Tramec location and is home to the Sonogrip ABS and all things electrical including cables, plugs, and receptacles. Air brake valve assembly and rigorous valve testing are also handled at this plant.
TALK TO US!
Do you need a custom manufacturing solution? We want to hear about your challenge! Reach out to our Customer Service team to see how we can help!
Growing Our History
Tramec is built upon a deep history of U.S. manufacturing, product expertise, and great service to provide exceptional value to our customers and industries.
The story began in 1981 with Sergio Campanini founding Tramec Corp in Iola, Kansas. Sergio created the famous 31402 hose end repair kit which was further developed into a full line of hose assemblies. Over the years, Tramec grew through product innovation and a series of acquisitions that have merged rich company histories.
Today, Tramec is a family of companies providing a broad variety of components and assemblies for the commercial vehicle, heavy equipment, air handling, fluid control, automotive, and construction markets.
Sloan Transportation
In 1977 Sloan Transportation Products was formed as a division of the Sloan Valve Company. Sloan Transportation became known as a strong aftermarket provider of OE quality air brake and electrical components for the heavy-duty tractor and trailer markets.
Looking to expand product lines, leadership and facilities, Tramec, LLC acquired Sloan Transportation Products in May 2013 to form Tramec Sloan. This Holland, Michigan location now serves as the company’s primary distribution center.
CRAWFORD MACHINE, INC. (CMI)
Founded in 2001 by the Hessey family, CMI got started by producing hose assemblies and bulkhead fittings. They quickly expanded their capabilities and product line, manufacturing over 40 styles of brass fittings.
In November 2013, CMI was acquired by Tramec Sloan to bring brass manufacturing expertise to our product lineup. Located in Galion, Ohio, this facility processes over 9 million lbs of brass each year and we continue to invest in new technologies.
FLEET ENGINEERS, INC.
What began in a garage by Louis E. Eklund, Jr. as a start-up in 1963 soon grew into a company built on a solid reputation for producing high-quality truck & trailer products.
In 2018, Fleet Engineers was acquired by Tramec and continues to design and manufacture value-added product solutions for Spray Control, Door Systems, Cargo Control, and more. The Muskegon, Michigan campus of four buildings totals over 300,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space.
SAVE-A-LOAD, INC.
A leading manufacturer of the only hydraulic cargo bars for the trucking and transportation industries started in 1994 as a solution to cargo bars that fall while in transit.
In 2016, Fleet Engineers purchased the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company and moved headquarters to Muskegon, Michigan. Save-A-Load® cargo bars became an integral offering Fleet Engineers' Cargo Control product line.
PENZ PRODUCTS, INC.
Founded in 1956 as a small tool and die shop, Penz has grown to be a leader in the truck & trailer and container & chassis industries. Founder Wally Penzenik understood the importance of using quality materials and experienced workers to manufacture products at competitive prices.
At the end of 2021, Penz Products joined the Tramec family and continues operations in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Our Patents
Tramec and our brands hold numerous patents for our products and technologies. Below is a comprehensive list of our Heavy Duty patents. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
| Patent Number | Country | Patent Description | Company/Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,066,305 | United States | Adjustable Fender | Fleet Engineers |
| 2,628,063 | Canada | Adjustable Fender Mount | Fleet Engineers |
| 7,874,592 | United States | Adjustable Fender Mount | Fleet Engineers |
| 9,004,538 | United States | Aerodynamic Mud Flap | Fleet Engineers |
| 334,440 | Mexico | Aerodynamic Mud Flap | Fleet Engineers |
| D576,751 | United States | Air Hose Handling Device | Tramec Sloan |
| 12,013,062 | United States | Clamp Assembly | Tramec Sloan |
| 12,045,077 | United States | Crank handle assembly | Fleet Engineers |
| 900-001017594-0001 | United Kingdom | Design for a Door Panel | Fleet Engineers |
| 001017594-0001 | European Union (EUTM & RCD) | Design for a Door Panel | Fleet Engineers |
| 002088807-0001 | European Union (EUTM & RCD) | Design for a Mudflap | Fleet Engineers |
| 900-002088807-0001 | United Kingdom | Design for a Mudflap | Fleet Engineers |
| 900-001017602-0001 | United Kingdom | Design for a Roll Up Door | Fleet Engineers |
| 001017602-0001 | European Union (EUTM & RCD) | Design for a Roll Up Door | Fleet Engineers |
| D595,427 | United States | Door Panel | Fleet Engineers |
| 7,810,829 | United States | Fender Assembly and Adjustable Mounting Bracket Therefor | Fleet Engineers |
| 2,496,482 | Canada | Fender Assembly and Mounting Clamp Therefor | Fleet Engineers |
| 7,384,071 | United States | Fender Assembly and Mounting Clamp Therefor | Fleet Engineers |
| 10,920,917 | United States | Filtered Gladhand Connector | Tramec Sloan |
| 9,009,942 | United States | Method for Making a Reinforced Panel for Roll-Up Door Assembly | Fleet Engineers |
| 9,387,846 | United States | Modulator Valve | Tramec Sloan |
| 8,876,164 | United States | Mud Flap Bracket Assembly | Fleet Engineers |
| 334,439 | Mexico | Mud Flap Bracket Assembly | Fleet Engineers |
| D685,306 | United States | Mudflap | Fleet Engineers |
| 8,376,758 | United States | Receptacle with Printed Circuit Board | Tramec Sloan |
| D595,428 | United States | Roll Up Door | Fleet Engineers |
| 9,010,401 | United States | Roll-Up Door Assembly and Blow Molded Panel Therefor | Fleet Engineers |
| 8,448,689 | United States | Roll-Up Door Assembly, and Blow Molded Panel Therefor | Fleet Engineers |
| BR 102014008015-5 | Brazil | Trailer Side Skirt Assembly | Fleet Engineers |
| 2,848,174 | Canada | Trailer Side Skirt Assembly | Fleet Engineers |
| 56,057 | Chile | Trailer Side Skirt Assembly | Fleet Engineers |
| 342,343 | Mexico | Trailer Side Skirt Assembly | Fleet Engineers |
| 9,272,741 | United States | Trailer Side Skirt Assembly | Fleet Engineers |