The Kaufman Trailers company began in 1987 as a sole
owner operation building standard utility trailers. What began as a part time
business in the family’s Thomasville, NC backyard has become a prime example of
an American success story. With the 1992 purchase of two acres in Lexington,
NC, and the assistance of one additional family member, the trailer building
operation became a full time business.
Today, the business remains headquartered in Lexington, NC
even with the 2005 addition of a second manufacturing plant located in central
Nebraska. The full line of trailers is manufactured in North Carolina while
Nebraska manufacturing is limited to specific models.
Throughout the company’s many years of steady growth it has remained locally owned, the only difference is that today the business is professionally managed. The number of employees has also increased to a present staff of over 200. All of the Kaufman Trailers professionals that handle sales and customer service are located at the Lexington, NC location. Customers are welcome at either location to observe how specific trailers are designed and made. The only display location where customers are able to see a complete selection of finished trailer models is in North Carolina.
The production categories are divided into six distinctive process lines of trailer families designed to service unique hauling requirements. The utility, gooseneck, flatbed, equipment, car and dump trailers are as diverse and multifunctional as the group names imply. The aim for every team of Kaufman Trailers experts is to fully know and understand the functional aspects of their specific model. They must also know all of the possible available options for the different functionality of the model they are manufacturing.
The motto of Kaufman Trailers is: Nobody Sells a Quality Trailer for Less! The company makes large volume purchases of main trailer components such as axles, tires and steel. The flooring materials for the trailers are either steel or hardwood. The metal is special high tensile steel made to the firm’s direct specifications. Making large quantity purchases allows for the company’s ability to manufacture superior trailers while still being able to pass on their reduced material costs to customers.
Throughout the company’s many years of steady growth it has remained locally owned, the only difference is that today the business is professionally managed. The number of employees has also increased to a present staff of over 200. All of the Kaufman Trailers professionals that handle sales and customer service are located at the Lexington, NC location. Customers are welcome at either location to observe how specific trailers are designed and made. The only display location where customers are able to see a complete selection of finished trailer models is in North Carolina.
The production categories are divided into six distinctive process lines of trailer families designed to service unique hauling requirements. The utility, gooseneck, flatbed, equipment, car and dump trailers are as diverse and multifunctional as the group names imply. The aim for every team of Kaufman Trailers experts is to fully know and understand the functional aspects of their specific model. They must also know all of the possible available options for the different functionality of the model they are manufacturing.
The motto of Kaufman Trailers is: Nobody Sells a Quality Trailer for Less! The company makes large volume purchases of main trailer components such as axles, tires and steel. The flooring materials for the trailers are either steel or hardwood. The metal is special high tensile steel made to the firm’s direct specifications. Making large quantity purchases allows for the company’s ability to manufacture superior trailers while still being able to pass on their reduced material costs to customers.
Kaufman Trailers Methodology behind the End Product
Kaufman’s manufacturing experts are ready to assist any customer with the specifications of an individually designed new trailer to accommodate requirements for length, width, height, and GVWR. GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is the recommended total load capacity for the intended use of the trailer. GVWR takes into consideration the total weight of the vehicle, passengers, trailer, and payload capacity to maintain optimal performance. At the completion of each stage of the manufacturing process the work is inspected by quality control personnel.
Kaufman Trailers services include the responsibility, at the conclusion of each trailer’s construction, to ensure it is again fully inspected for compliance with NATM (National Association of Trailer Manufacturers). NATM establishes the requirements for both body construction and parts installation. A trailer with a NATM decal means the trailer meets Federal motor vehicle safety standards and regulations. Once it has been verified that the trailer is in compliance, the NATM certification can be affixed to the trailer.
Kaufman Trailers does not utilize nor authorize dealership sales, services or delivery operations. The company philosophy is that their trained, skilled, and experience professionals are the best individuals to represent their products. Taking possession of a custom built trailer is another buyer friendly aspect of their trailer construction services.
Customers who want to personally take delivery of their
trailer can do so at either the North Carolina or Nebraska plant. The trailer
manufacturing is sold on a factory direct delivery basis. There are no dealer
distribution locations or costs. This is another way that the company is able
to keep the cost as efficient and economical as possible.
For customers who cannot or do not want to travel to a physical plant location, Kaufman has a freight shipment program for delivery across the continental United States. The company uses an insured carrier firm, Trailer Delivery Service, for the majority of their trailer orders.
For customers who cannot or do not want to travel to a physical plant location, Kaufman has a freight shipment program for delivery across the continental United States. The company uses an insured carrier firm, Trailer Delivery Service, for the majority of their trailer orders.
In areas where trailers are not ordered in substantial
amounts or in cases of rush orders, Kaufman’s will employ the services of insured
independent drivers. The entire line of trailer models are manufactured and
shipped from the North Carolina location. Most, but not all, models can be
ordered and shipped from the Nebraska location.
The two delivery options offered by Kaufman are shared freight and expedited freight. Shared freight is the general delivery option made to central geographical points once a full load is available. The customer’s cost is a shared portion of the one delivery load and the most effective way for customers to receive their trailers.
The two delivery options offered by Kaufman are shared freight and expedited freight. Shared freight is the general delivery option made to central geographical points once a full load is available. The customer’s cost is a shared portion of the one delivery load and the most effective way for customers to receive their trailers.
Delivery dates using shared freight depend on how quickly a
full load becomes available. The alternate option of expedited freight is when
a customer requires delivery as soon as possible. There is no delay with this
option, but the freight expenses are higher.
Beyond making a durable product, Kaufman understands the importance of providing a quality warranty. Their extensive warranty covers all parts manufactured at their plants for one full year from the date that the customer takes possession of a trailer.
Beyond making a durable product, Kaufman understands the importance of providing a quality warranty. Their extensive warranty covers all parts manufactured at their plants for one full year from the date that the customer takes possession of a trailer.
There are exclusions to the warranty for normal wear or if
the trailer is overloaded or abused during operation. Defective material or
workmanship will be corrected by Kaufman at no charge to the customer at one of
their plant locations. When factory repair work is not possible, Kaufman will
make arrangements for repair work at an authorized licensed trailer shop near
the customer.
As Kaufman Trailers’ company enters their second quarter of a century of manufacturing, they aim to maintain their excellent performance reputation now and far into the future. The Kaufman Trailers professionals continuously strive to improve upon the options and innovations expected from their trailers. The founding members of this American manufacturing company remain active in the daily operations ensuring that every trailer they produce meets every Federal and personal standard. Beyond their expertise in trailer construction, it is very important that their Kaufman Trailers assistance and services both meet and exceed those expected by their customers.
As Kaufman Trailers’ company enters their second quarter of a century of manufacturing, they aim to maintain their excellent performance reputation now and far into the future. The Kaufman Trailers professionals continuously strive to improve upon the options and innovations expected from their trailers. The founding members of this American manufacturing company remain active in the daily operations ensuring that every trailer they produce meets every Federal and personal standard. Beyond their expertise in trailer construction, it is very important that their Kaufman Trailers assistance and services both meet and exceed those expected by their customers.
