Sundowner Trailers, Inc. is the largest manufacturer of horse and livestock trailers in the United States. Sundowner's steady growth and outstanding reputation within the trailer industry is in no small part due to its abilities to successfully anticipate and meet its customers' needs. Product offerings are evaluated continuously and the Company is constantly searching for new products that show the promise for growth.
The Shipman family founded the Company in 1976 to produce and sell quality horse and livestock trailers. As Sundowner originated, Gary Shipman had two of three years' experience building trailers for several companies. Larry Shipman was in the military, and John Shipman was still in high school. When Larry left the military, he entered Southeastern Oklahoma State University and worked nights; Larry seemed to handle finances well and had accumulated about $10,000, so he, Gary, and John decided that they'd start a business. Their dad, Wayne Shipman, had a hay barn on his place near rural Coleman Oklahoma, so Gary, Larry and John began building stock trailers in that hay barn. This building, located toward the back of what is now a complex of many, is still in use today.
Many were the days the Shipman brothers found themselves working past sundown in order to meet pressing production deadlines. Accordingly, it was only natural that the name "Sundowner" evolved to become their corporate name. Every work process at that time was done by the boys: from the original welding construction to painting, trim, and finishing. Later in 1976, after investing money, land, and advice in the business, their father, Wayne Shipman, came on board, developing sales programs and providing further necessary advice. In 1980, Jerry Shipman joined the Company to help with production, and later assumed the responsibilities of purchasing.
Today at Sundowner, over 30 years later, you'll find fine that they are still a family business, but that family has grown by leaps and bounds. That growth can be attributed to strong leadership in the manufacturing of quality Horse, Stock, Sport Utility and Living Quarter trailers as well as to their ongoing commitment to quality. From hiring the best people to selecting the finest materials to using the best engineering and construction methods, every person in the Sundowner family contributes to our success because we all share the same philosophy: the benchmark for craftsmanship in the trailer industry.
During 1997, Sundowner completed construction of a new plant facility that accommodated an assembly line process. The new process allows each phase of the manufacturing of Horse, Stock, Sport Utility and Living Quarter trailers to take place as the trailer is conveyed through each work area, eliminating the former time-consuming process of moving the trailer between production bays. Consequently, a much higher degree of quality has been realized, as the new processes are fine-tuned. Added benefits include the dramatic reduction in work-in-progress inventory during 1998 and quicker response times to customer orders. The new facility encompasses about 200,000 square feet and has more than doubled previous production capacity.
The Companies research and development, production, and marketing functions work hand in hand to develop the right product for the right market segment, produce it with quality and cost-effective methods, and, market the product to a customer base looking for innovations for the leader in the industry.
One major product milestone came when Sundowner introduced a Living Quarter option in their trailers. Besides having an area to transport horses, these trailers also included a bedroom area, kitchen with a stove and refrigerator and a bathroom with a shower. In 1996, the "Slide-Out" version of the Living Quarter trailers began production. The name Slide-Out suggests its function whereby the sidewall of the trailer expands to give more living space when using the trailer. The Living Quarters are manufactured and installed in Elkhart, Indiana, by Sundowner Interiors, Inc.
Additionally, Sundowner was one of the first in the industry to utilize both powder coating and Suncoating. Powder coating is a method in which an electrically charged powder coating is sprayed and then baked onto the trailer frames to help prevent wear, corrosion, and chemical action. Powder coating also adds a high-gloss finish that is not only appealing to the most discriminating eye, but also durable and resilient. Suncoat is a spray on two part protective liner, similar to truck bed liners. Suncoat is extremely durable and provides and enormous amount of protection to the horse compartment of the trailer as well as looking good and being easy to maintain.
In their continuous effort to remain on the cutting edge of technology, Sundowner has purchased several robotic welding systems and very accurate computer controlled cutting systems. This equipment maintains accuracy of component parts and ensures consistent welds as well as allows better utilization of personnel.
Sundowner believes that our customers deserve more than just a warranty that is standard in the industry. Because of their commitment to building the highest quality trailers in the industry, they are also committed to offering the strongest warranty in the industry. All Sundowner trailers carry and 8 year limited structural warranty and a 3 year hitch-to-bumper warranty. This reflects the confidence we have in our product.
Because Sundowner hires the best people, selects the finest materials, uses the best engineering and construction methods, and has the best network of dealers in the nation that are committed to providing exceptional customer service, we believe that we have the right to say that Sundowner produces simply the best trailers in the world.
1976 - Sundowner is founded to manufacture quality steel horse and livestock trailers.
1989 - Sunlite Line of aluminum trailers in introduced. Sunlite models 700, 705, 710, 720, 725 and 740/760.
1995 - December - Prostock stock trailers are introduced. Models begin being delivered early 1996.
1996 - Production begins on Valuelite line of aluminum horse trailers featuring a powder coated steel superstructure that is introduced for the 1997 model year.
1997 - Construction completed on new 200,000 square foot plant facility to accommodate an assembly line process. The new facility more than doubled previous production capacity.
1997 - Steel trailer production discontinued.
2001 - Introduction of Stampede line of stock trailers utilizing construction similar to 727-777 models.
2003 - Product line increased to add SUT, Stampede SL, 747 and 767.
2007 - Prostock SUPER SERIES were added to the product line.
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