Coachbult.com - Fruehauf Trailer Company



Fruehauf Trailer Company - Fruehauf Corporation - 1890s-present - Detroit, Michigan - Indianapolis, Indiana

Fruehauf Trailer Company, Detroit - Fruehauf built the streamlined cab/trailer for Bradings, a Canadian brewer located in Ottawa in the late 1930s. Silver Book

see Wabash National -

ad 1963 GMC Truck Equipment Catalog pp71 - Fruehauf "Trailer-Built" truck bodies

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Born December 31, 1867,August Fruehauf worked in a blacksmith shop as a young boy both in Fraser and in Detroit. According to Harvey Fruehauf Jr., grandson of August, the Sibley Paint people of Detroit asked August if he could build a trailer to haul Mr. Sibley's boat to the Flats near Harsens Island. Mr. Sibley wanted to hitch his trailer to his Ford automobile. When Henry Ford learned of this, he announced that the guarantee on the car was not valid if the car was used to pull a trailer. This was the first trailer made by August Fruehauf.

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DOWMETAL - Shortly after World War I, Dow Chemical Company metallurgists developed an alloy called "Dowmetal". One-third lighter than aluminum, it was a refined magnesium to which was added about six percent aluminum and one-half percent manganese (a chemical used to harden magnesium). Dowmetal was widely promoted for automotive and aviation uses and was highly profitable for the company, eventually giving it a virtual monopoly on magnesium production in the US. Dow had a number of experimental Dowmetal open and enclosed car transport trailers built by Fruehauf for Detroit's White Star Lines in the early 1930s (1933), but evidence of automotive use after that time is lacking.

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Fruehauf built a large number of trailers outfitted to transport passengers during WWII. They were called semi-trailer buses and were used by large firms to transport war workers.

Early examples were first built in the mid-thirties and were most likely used for long distance bus service in Mexico and the southwest United States.

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also called (1918–63) Fruehauf Trailer Company , or (1963–89) Fruehauf Corporation American corporation engaged in the manufacture and sale of truck trailers. Headquarters are in Indianapolis, Ind., U.S.

The founder, August Charles Fruehauf (1868–1930), began as a blacksmith and carriage builder around Detroit. In 1914, at the request of a local lumber merchant, he built a trailer to carry the merchant's pleasure boat, to be hauled by a Ford automobile.

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Fruehauf Trailer corporation manufactures, markets and distributes truck trailers. It has the largest distribution system in the industry, including the largest company-owned national sales network consisting of 31 branches and 79 "full line" and 123 "parts only" independent dealers. The company is one of the largest suppliers of trailer parts in North America. They manufacture several truck trailer models, including dry freight vans, platform trailers, dump trailers and liquid and bulk hauler tank trailers.

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Fruehauf Corporation was an American corporation engaged in the manufacture and sale of truck trailers and their headquarters were located in Indianapolis, Ind.,

The founder, August Charles Fruehauf (1868-1930), began as a blacksmith and carriage builder around Detroit. In 1914, at the request of a local lumber merchant, he built a trailer to carry the merchant's pleasure boat, to be hauled by a Ford automobile. The trailer was so successful that the merchant had Fruehauf build similar haulers for his lumber, which Fruehauf came to call "semi-trailers." Business boomed, and four years later, in 1918, Fruehauf incorporated the Fruehauf Trailer Company. Over the next few decades the company prospered and introduced several new concepts in trailer design and size--first under the founder and then under his son Harvey Charles Fruehauf (1896-1968)

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In late April 1997, Wabash, acquired the assets-in-bankruptcy of Fruehauf Trailer Corporation

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March18,1997

Fruehauf Trailer Corp. today announced it has accepted the bid of Wabash National Corp.
(NYSE:WNC) to purchase substantially all the remaining operating assets of Fruehauf other than the company's interest in its Mexican subsidiary, Fruehauf de Mexico.

The bid, revised from the previously announced bid, includes the company's Fort Madison, Iowa, trailer manufacturing plant and is valued at approximately $52 million. The bid also includes the
Sales and Distribution business consisting of 31 retail outlets, the aftermarket parts distribution business based in Grove City, Ohio, the Scott County, Tenn., specialty trailer manufacturing
operation and the Fruehauf name. The proposal is subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del. A hearing to consider approval is scheduled for Thursday, March 20, 1997.

Commenting on the sale to Wabash National, Derek L. Nagle, president of Fruehauf, stated, "The combination of Wabash National's leading fleet market share and Fruehauf's extensive
distribution capabilities is expected to positively impact our combined businesses. The parts, service and used trailer revenues generated through the retail distribution network have
historically been a large component of Fruehauf's consolidated revenues. The used trailers generated by Wabash National's large fleet business, together with the combination of the aftermarket parts businesses, offer the opportunity to further leverage the retail distribution network. In addition, the introduction of Wabash National's refrigerated van trailers allows us to expand the new product offerings through the sales and service centers."

Fruehauf Trailer Corp. filed a voluntary petition under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on Oct. 7, 1996, and currently operates its business as a debtor in possession. Fruehauf is a manufacturer of truck trailers, producing, marketing and servicing the industry's widest range of dry freight van, platform, dump and liquid and dry bulk tank trailers. Among the largest suppliers of trailer parts in North America, Fruehauf products are sold throughout the truck trailer industry's largest company-owned dealer and authorized independent dealer network in North America.

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Wabash National Corporation provides innovative transportation equipment solutions for the movement of freight over highway and rail. Headquartered in Lafayette, IN, the company designs, manufactures and markets truck trailers under the Wabash and Fruehauf trademarks and is the largest manufacturer of trailers in the world. A complete line of trailer types is offered including dry vans, refrigerated vans, flat trailers, dump trailers, tank trailers and container chassis.

Wabash National specializes in the development of innovative proprietary products for its key markets. Such products include the DuraPlate® dry van trailer, the RoadRailer® rail/highway "bi-modal" system and new Smart Trailer(tm) electronic trailer features. Wabash products are marketed directly to key accounts, and are also offered through the Fruehauf Trailer Services, Inc. network of company-owned service centers, as well as independently owned Wabash and Fruehauf dealers.

For more information please read:

www.wabashnational.com

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Tad Burness - American Truck & Bus Spotter's Guide, 1920-1985

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