It’s official; Royal Truck & Utility Trailer acquired Hudsonville Trailer in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as of January 2023. Clinching this full-service dealer on behalf of Utility Trailer certainly represents a massive step forward, and not only for achieving our ambitious growth goals.
We believe that a people-first approach to business is the primary reason we’re still one of the Midwest’s leading suppliers of new and pre-owned truck trailers, parts and accessories, and services. Adding Hudsonville Trailer’s long history of exceptional service and quality to the Royal Truck & Utility Trailer mix only solidifies that position.
After dissolving our 10-year partnership with Great Dane in 2022, the Royal Truck & Utility Trailer team wanted to move forward with another trailer manufacturer. The best choice was Utility Trailer Manufacturing, a top producer of refrigerated trailers, as well as:
Included in the Utility Trailer Manufacturing agreement was Hudsonville Trailer, a company that was previously Michigan’s only full-service dealer for Utility Trailer’s brand. This deal shifts Royal Truck & Utility Trailer into that role going forward.
We pursued the partnership because our companies share the same operational approach. We’re both family-owned brands that put people first. That means we place customers and employees at the heart of everything we do.
Acquiring Hudsonville Trailer and stepping in to align with Utility Trailer via this new partnership had another important goal: to increase the selection of new and pre-owned trailers we can offer in Michigan. The addition also gives us ample repair space to serve this community, bringing the total service bays across our six locations to 50!
Having us as the exclusive dealer for Utility Trailers via the Hudsonville Trailer acquisition provides an opportunity—more people can experience our unique blend of relationship-based customer service and top-notch repair, maintenance, and fabrication abilities. Adding Hudsonville Trailer to our family of dealerships supports our expansion goals, but it also upholds our aim to continually serve our customers better.
The Hudsonville Trailer outfit began in 1948 as an ambitious small business providing trailers and equipment to truckers and farmers in the area. By 2010, they had become an exclusive full-service dealer for Utility Trailer.
Utility Trailer’s comprehensive product line includes thousands of options, so the acquisition significantly expands our ability to provide for customers in Michigan and throughout the Midwest. The impressive selection of trailers and equipment is here to stay.
Partnering with Utility Trailer also appealed to us because it is a dealer-focused company. They understand the nuances of a family-owned business and share our core values. Our companies are a perfect match and a potential source of innovation in the trailer industry.
This new agreement allows us to serve Midwest customers better in several ways, such as:
What won’t change as we grow is our award-winning customer service. Building long-lasting relationships with our customers remains our priority. As such, we’ll continue to provide customers with unparalleled insights and meet their needs with in-depth product knowledge. The team has also completed extensive training to get up-to-speed with Utility Trailer’s phenomenal product line.
The acquisition of Hudsonville Trailer is exciting for everyone at Royal Truck & Utility Trailer. We’re thrilled to continue the legacy of the previous two generations of leadership and the growth within our trusted family business. Plus, we can’t overlook that the newest member of our dealership family will expand our offerings to enhance the already incredible service our customers expect from us.
What does the sale of Hudsonville Trailer mean for you? Contact us at (313) 524-2530 to learn more or start browsing Utility Trailer’s high-quality product lines today!