History
In 1991…
A company called Ultra-Lite initially developed the concept of an aluminum round trailer. Their theory was revolutionary, but their limited experience in designing and manufacturing trailers became apparent. This changed when Jimmy Wink joined their efforts.
During his first visit to their plant, Jimmy immediately recognized areas for improvement in the design. He implemented these changes and ordered his first trailer to serve as a demonstrator for the Midwest market. Over the next five years, his design modifications helped refine the concept as it underwent several name changes and shifts in ownership.
In 1996, Jimmy formed American Trailer Mfg., producing trailers that offered an additional weight savings of 450 pounds, making them the lightest trailers available at the time. By 2000, Wink had designed the MAC Half Round, which became a flagship product marketed by MAC Trailers in Ohio. In 2009, the president of East Trailers approached Wink for assistance in designing a half-round trailer for their company. However, after negotiations fell through, East decided to pursue the project independently.
For Over 29 Years
Jimmy Wink has owned and operated a fleet of over 150 dump trailers. Through firsthand experience, he recognized the unmatched capabilities of the 1/2 Round design. This led him to conclude that the 1/2 Round was undoubtedly the best-performing dump trailer on the market. With nearly three decades of expertise in the industry, Jimmy identified the design improvements necessary to make the 1/2 Round trailer the most sought-after dump trailer available.
In 1999, “American Trailer Mfg.” was sold to “Fruehauf of Mexico” and relocated to Elba, Alabama. However, Fruehauf closed the plant in 2000.
A New Beginning in 2010
After his non-compete agreement expired, Jimmy Wink, still brimming with innovative ideas, patented his latest design and founded Wink Trailer Corp. However, 2010 and 2011 were challenging years for startups. Complicating matters, the two banks Wink had relied on were closed by the government. This prompted him to move production to Mexico, where trailers were manufactured until 2016.
In 2016, Wink purchased back the equipment and returned operations to the United States. By November 2017, Wink relocated production from Kentucky to Katy, Texas, where he partnered with Vantage Trailers to manufacture his patented aluminum and plastic designs. Recognizing the demand for an all-aluminum half-round trailer, Wink collaborated with Vantage to modify his design, allowing Vantage to produce and market the all-aluminum version under their brand. Together, Wink and Vantage now offer an extensive range of innovative dump trailers with industry-leading light empty weights, creating a versatile and competitive product lineup.
Today
Through extensive research and development, Jimmy Wink has introduced the next generation of half-round aluminum and plastic dump bodies and side dumps. These advanced designs can handle 80% of the workload typically done by steel-body trailers while providing a 2- to 3-ton weight savings.
Production of these cutting-edge designs, branded as Minivator Dump Bodies and Innovator Side Dumps, is set to begin just 40 miles west of Minneapolis. These innovations demonstrate Wink’s commitment to transforming transportation by combining two proven materials, aluminum and plastic, to achieve the same performance as traditional steel designs.
With numerous utility patents pending, Wink continues to push boundaries in trailer innovation, redefining industry standards and delivering unparalleled efficiency.
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