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!
Chief Legal Officer
Anthony Sciara is our Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Secretary, and a Member of our Board of Directors. He has been a licensed attorney for nearly 15 years. Anthony earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University in 2002 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois (Chicago) Law School in 2006. Anthony represented the company for eight years as outside counsel before formally joining the team in October of 2019. Anthony handles and/or supervises all legal and compliance matters for the company, including executive strategy, corporate transactions, and dispute resolution. In addition to his responsibilities with the company, Anthony serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Northville Educational Foundation, participates in the Association of Corporate Counsel, and was previously an Adjunct Professor of Lawyering Skills at the University of Illinois (Chicago) Law School. Anthony is most proud that his position allows him the opportunity to solve problems for us in creative ways, which minimizes risk and maximizes success. The thing Anthony loves most about being part of Royal Truck & Utility Trailer is the sincere and uncommon passion that ownership, leadership, and other employees share for the success of the company.
Chief Financial Officer
Julie Igielski is the Chief Financial Officer at Royal Truck & Utility Trailer. Julie attended Michigan State University and earned her Bachelor’s in Merchandise Management in 2004 before attending Eastern Michigan University to get a Master’s degree in Accounting. After graduating with her MSA, she received her Certified Public Accountant license. Prior to joining the Royal team in 2013, Julie held various accounting positions at both publicly and privately owned companies. Since deciding to continue on in the family business nearly 8 years ago, she has helped us accomplish so much. Julie is in charge of all of our finances, creates all of our financial statements, works closely with our CEO and COO when making executive decisions, and works with the bank when acquiring new properties and companies. She is most proud of her CPA license and all of the growth and success she has helped Royal achieve. The thing she loves most about her job is being able to work with her family and her co-workers who have become her family over the years. We are so happy that Julie decided to join the team, we are so appreciative of all she does for us every day.
Chief Operating Officer
Adam Pigeon is the Chief Operating Officer here at Royal Truck & Utility Trailer. Adam joined the team in 2009 after graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science in 2008. He first joined us as a Parts Counter Representative and advanced to Parts Purchasing Manager. Adam was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in January of 2015 and under his leadership we have seen such tremendous growth. Adam is tasked with overseeing all of our day to day operations between all four facilities and works closely with Corporate Officers, Department VPs, and Directors to implement the company’s strategic plan. When asked about his favorite part about being a part of Royal Truck & Trailer, he shared that he loves the people he works with every day. Something Adam takes pride in is all of the company growth that he has helped achieve over his time at Royal. With over 10 years experience, he has become knowledgeable about the industry and strengthened his skills in operations management, leadership, team building, and contract negotiation. Adam has served on multiple industry advisory and councils and boards. Adam is such an asset to our company and we are so proud of everything he has accomplished during his time with us at Royal Truck & Trailer.
Chief Executive Officer
Ken Bumgardner is the CEO of Royal Truck & Utility Trailer. Ken is an extremely hardworking individual with interpersonal and problem-solving skills. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Business Management in 2001. Ken has been with the company since he was 12 years old, he was always helping out at the shop to spend time with his dad before joining the team full time in 2001. Before becoming our current CEO, he has held various positions working his way up in the company, such as: cleaner, parts runner, parts counter, parts manager, trailer salesman, office manager, vice president, and president. Ken wanted to join the family business because of his very close relationship with his family, and he loved working with and spending time with his dad. On a daily basis, he is in charge of merger and acquisitions and overseeing our C-level executives. In addition to these responsibilities, Ken also makes sure everyone at Royal is happy in their roles; he thoroughly enjoys working with all of the members of our team. Something he is very proud of is the acquisition of East Michigan Trailer Sales in 2017 because of how it has impacted the dynamic of Royal. He is on the Board of The National Trailer Association and formerly was on the Board of The Michigan Trucking Association. Under Ken’s leadership, we have accomplished great new highs and cannot wait to see what else we can accomplish in the future.
Chief Executive Officer
Ken Bumgardner is the CEO of Royal Truck & Utility Trailer. Ken is an extremely hardworking individual with interpersonal and problem-solving skills. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Business Management in 2001. Ken has been with the company since he was 12 years old, he was always helping out at the shop to spend time with his dad before joining the team full time in 2001. Before becoming our current CEO, he has held various positions working his way up in the company, such as: cleaner, parts runner, parts counter, parts manager, trailer salesman, office manager, vice president, and president. Ken wanted to join the family business because of his very close relationship with his family, and he loved working with and spending time with his dad. On a daily basis, he is in charge of merger and acquisitions and overseeing our C-level executives. In addition to these responsibilities, Ken also makes sure everyone at Royal is happy in their roles; he thoroughly enjoys working with all of the members of our team. Something he is very proud of is the acquisition of East Michigan Trailer Sales in 2017 because of how it has impacted the dynamic of Royal. He is on the Board of The National Trailer Association and formerly was on the Board of The Michigan Trucking Association. Under Ken’s leadership, we have accomplished great new highs and cannot wait to see what else we can accomplish in the future.