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.

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.

Trailtech - Model Transport Series - Loading and Transporting Trailer - Brochure