Posted 2011-12-04 7:12 AM (#139299) Subject: Kiefer?
Member
Posts: 12
My wife and I have been looking into living quarter trailers and have narrowed our search to Merhow and Kiefer. One dealer questioned our interest in Kiefer due to their recent change in ownership. Nothing bnad was said, just that they didn't know much about the new owners. From what we've read they sem to be an experienced manufacturer. Any comments?
Posted 2011-12-04 2:00 PM (#139308 - in reply to #139299) Subject: RE: Kiefer?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Stellar Industries Completes Acquisition of Kiefer Built, LLC Assets
Garner, Iowa – Stellar Industries, Inc. would like to announce it has completed the purchase of assets of Kiefer Built, LLC headquartered in Kanawha, IA with an additional facility in Sneedville, TN. Kiefer will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Stellar Industries, Inc.
The purchase of the assets of Kiefer Built, LLC enhances Stellar Industries’ strategy of expansion into business platforms that offer broader product offerings. Stellar brings a strong financial presence and nucleus of expertise in design, engineering, and operational support along with a complimentary distribution channel. The Stellar name has been synonymous with quality, innovation and unsurpassed customer service and adding the reputable Kiefer product lines keep Stellar on track with this strategy.
“Kiefer Built has a reputation of building excellent trailers and having a highly recognizable position in the trailer industry,” says David Zrostlik, President of Stellar Industries. He continues, “Stellar plans to enhance existing Kiefer product offerings and provide the operational leadership and staffing support that the company needs to bridge past the difficult years that the trailer industry has endured.”
During its previous 35 years of manufacturing, Kiefer Built produced nearly 60,000 trailers that were primarily sold through dealers located throughout North America. Stellar plans to expand Kiefer’s presence in the horse, livestock, and utility trailer markets. Much of the previous staff of Kiefer Built will be maintained to support that ongoing core business. Job retention, creation and expanded manufacturing space are some of the fundamental focuses for Stellar. “With the recent uptick in business that we have been experiencing at Stellar,” says Zrostlik, “Bringing on the workforce and the manufacturing space that Kiefer offers was a ready and immediate solution to our growing business. It also offers opportunities to expand our current product offerings, while helping to keep both a solid company and a North Iowa community intact.” He continues, “It’s a positive move in many aspects.”
Stellar Industries intends to strengthen the current Kiefer distribution channels and focus on dealer and consumer relations, continuing to build an audience of satisfied Kiefer customers. Stellar looks forward to bringing its financial strength, innovation and, where appropriate, its own robust distribution network, to further enhance the strong Kiefer presence in the trailer industry. In addition, Stellar expects to establish synergy within the markets in which both Stellar and Kiefer currently operate by introducing new product lines appropriate to those markets.
As of today, employees are aggressively being hired and several are being converted from temporary employment to full-time employment, with numerous people already on-site for an immediate startup in the Kanawha, IA facility. Stellar plans to quickly increase the workforces in both the Kanawha, IA and Sneedville, TN locations. Immediate facility and equipment upgrades are planned for both locations and further plans for possible expansion in the Tennessee location will offer broader offerings to customers.
Dealer opportunities exist in a number of regions throughout North America and potential new dealers are encouraged to contact the company to learn about these opportunities. For more information, contact Darryl Anderson, at (888) 254-3337, extension 42.
For more information regarding employment opportunities, please visit www.stellarindustries.com, or www.kieferbuiltinc.com.
Stellar Industries, Inc. was founded in 1990 in Garner, Iowa. It is an employee owned and operated manufacturer of hydraulic truck mounted equipment. Products include hooklift hoists, cable hoists, container carriers, telescopic cranes, articulating cranes, work truck accessories and the X-Tra-Lift pick-up loading device. Stellar also offers complete mechanic service truck and tire service truck packages. Stellar is a progressive company that focuses on its people, as they are the key to making the products and the company successful.
Kiefer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stellar Industries, Inc., is an aluminum and steel fabricator of horse, livestock, cargo, and industrial trailers. Now under new ownership by Stellar Industries, Inc., Kiefer is headquartered in Kanawha, Iowa, with additional manufacturing facilities in Sneedville, Tennessee.
For more information regarding Stellar Industries, Inc., visit www.stellarindustries.com, or to set up an editorial interview with a Stellar Industries spokesperson, contact Donna Popp-Bruesewitz, communications manager, at 641-860-2015.
Posted 2011-12-04 11:46 PM (#139327 - in reply to #139299) Subject: RE: Kiefer?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
The only negitive I have heard is that they are NOT honoring the warranty given out by the previous owner. If I were buying a later model used or a new trailer I would want to investigate.
Kiefer?
