Bull Moose Industries, a North American manufacturing group owned by Caparo, has
completed the purchase of Manchester, Iowa-based XL Specialized Trailers (XL), a
manufacturer of customized heavy-haul trailers for the commercial, construction and
agricultural markets.
XL will continue operations as normal under its current management at its Manchester,
Iowa, plant – now as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bull Moose Industries. Details of
the XL purchase were not disclosed.
Founded in 1962 as Bull Moose Tube Company, Bull Moose Industries has sought to build
on its success as a leading manufacturer of tube steel by focusing on continued company
growth. The purchase of XL Specialized Trailers furthers Bull Moose Industries’ goal to
expand into other industrial manufacturing markets via acquisition.
XL Specialized Trailers has grown from its founding in 1995 to become the second-
largest player in the customized heavy-haul trailer market. Its strong market
position, potential for further growth and solid leadership team were contributing
factors in Bull Moose Industries’ decision to purchase XL.
“We are confident that the purchase of XL Specialized Trailers provides both of our
companies with a solid opportunity for growth,” said Michael Blatz, CEO of Bull Moose
Industries. “Both of our companies share a commitment to quality and innovation, and
we are both leaders in our respective industries. Today’s acquisition will allow XL to
accelerate its growth in the customized trailer space, and it will advance Bull Moose
Industries’ goal to enhance our ability to help a widening spectrum of customers
overcome challenges.”
“The investment that Bull Moose Industries has made in our company will truly help
broaden XL Specialized Trailers’ opportunities to reach its full potential as a leader
in the customized heavy-haul trailer industry,” said Steve Fairbanks, CEO of XL
Specialized Trailers. “We are especially pleased that the deal allows our management
team and all of our employees to conduct business as usual here in Manchester [Iowa].”
In conjunction with the acquisition announcement, Bull Moose Industries also announced
the formal creation of a new business unit, or pillar, as it continues to aggregate
companies of similar products and services under the Bull Moose Industries umbrella.
Bull Moose Mobility (anchored by the new XL Specialized Trailers acquisition) will join
Bull Moose Tube and Bull Moose Engineering as the latest pillar in Bull Moose
Industries’ corporate structure that is key to the company’s goal to diversify and
double in size over the next several years.