HISTORY

From its humble beginnings in 1984 with only 10 employees and its loyal customers, Martin trailers have grown to be a market leader in heavy duty commercial trailers and tow-behind compaction equipment in the African market.

The History of the Martin trailers in South Africa dates back to the original imports from the USA in the 1960's. Hyster Company in the USA bought out Martin trailers and manufactured them under the Hyster name brand until 1989. Barlows in South Africa began manufacturing these trailers under licence from Hyster. In 1984, Grant Gore bought the Hyster trailer manufacturing licence from Barlows after years of successful manufacture and supply into sub-Saharan Africa. Grant Gore and Sons was established to manufacture new trailers and to service and repair existing trailers. Since then the company has expanded its market share in the heavy trailer market to become the market leader in lowbed and heavy duty commercial trailer manufacture in Africa. The company has also become the leading manufacturer of Grid Rollers and Pad-foot Rollers. In later years the company has taken on new products to complement its existing range.

In 1989, Hyster in the USA sold of its trailer manufacturing business. Since then, Martin trailers took over as the brand name for the equipment manufactured by Grant Gore and Sons.

At the end of 2008, a new company was formed under Grant Gore and Sons to achieve better brand awareness of the Martin brand of equipment, namely Martin Trailer Company. This company handles the marketing and manufacturing of the Martin brand of equipment while Grant Gore and Sons remain as a technology company focused on research and development of heavy duty and commercial trailers and related equipment and products.

With the introduction of the agency to supply Davis Magnet heavy duty 5th wheels and components into South Africa, and the distribution license for Hella lights for Africa, the company has been able to grow its range offered to clients with world class quality products. The most recent product added to complement our existing business is the well known and sought after COOPER-CHENGSHAN commercial and truck tyres. For more information on the products, please click on adjacent tabs under after sales and services.

AFTER SALES AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT

The core business of Martin trailers is manufacturing and marketing trailers but have recently expanded its focus into support in the after market with servicing, repairs and parts sales. In the past, the company relied heavily on parts dealers to distribute its parts but the company now focuses on dealing directly with the client so as to reduce costs for client, improve customer feedback on product performance as well as decrease down time on equipment.

PERSONAL TOUCH

With Martin Trailers being a family owned and controlled business, the company is able to offer superior service on all its products with a personal touch. The company is proudly a second generation family business with a good majority of the original employees who started with the company in 1984 still on the books. Through owner-management structures, Martin trailers have a hands on approach to dealing with clients enabling unrivalled technical sales consultation, as well as quick decision making.

DESIGN, QUALITY, DURABILITY AND EXPERIENCE

The main factors that have made MARTIN the most well known and sought after brand with in the lowbed and heavy duty trailer industry can be summarised as follows:

Innovation and Durability: Martin Trailers have a full in house design team consisting of engineers, draftsmen, and trailer builders with more than 30 years experience. Using the latest design and manufacturing techniques, the company is able to constantly improve and innovate. This innovation and design has resulted in many firsts within the industry such as the first hydraulic folding gooseneck lowbed, the first hydraulic removable gooseneck lowbed, as well as the first multi-axle hydraulic steering and suspension trailer. Equipment is built to last with the majority of the original trailers manufactured in the 1980's still in operation. This innovation and durability all culminates in a world class and leading product.

Quality and Experience: Quality for us is not just for aesthetic reasons. We understand the realities of breakdowns, whether a light fails and the rig can't move at night, or whether there has been major structural damage and the rig can't move at all. For this reason, we fit only the highest quality running gear and components, ranging from T-1 steel frames, heavy duty undercarriages to the most advanced air and braking systems. Quality also extends to the finishing off of the trailer. This quality control can only come with experience, and we pride ourselves on building high quality and durable trailers that have been tried and tested over more that 25 years.

COMPANY FOCUS

The company has set out a list of core values to ensure its growth both locally and internationally.

The 2 main values of honesty and integrity have been outlined as a driving factor in daily operations as well as company growth. These values have helped entrench the Martin name within the market and have resulted in a good majority of the company's business being repeat customers.

Research and development is another core value of the company to ensure its growth and sustainability within the local as well as international market. Having one of the largest in-house design teams in the commercial trailer market, the company has innovated the majority of concepts within the heavy duty and mining trailer industry.

Quality and material traceability systems are implemented through the entire manufacturing process right up to pre-delivery inspection and testing. This QCP allows for a product that has excellent quality standards ensuring a reliable piece of equipment.

Fair price and after sales support are also driving factors within the company so as to support customers and remain highly competitive.

MEET THE TEAM

Martin Trailer Company is staffed with highly experienced people with years of experience and qualifications. These people are the driving force behind Martin equipment:

The company's managing director is Patrick Gore. Patrick took over this role after his father, Gant Gore retired. Patrick has been with the company for over 15 years where he started part-time while he studied a Bcom degree. He came back to the company after working in the Uk for 2 years. Patrick is soon to finish his MBA from Wits business school and has successfully lead the new company through the 2009 recession with impressive results. Patrick also manages the overseas growth of the company.

Frank Doherty is the general manager of the company. He started working with Grant in the late 1970's when they were both at Barlows. Frank joined Grant when the company began. Franks' history is well entrenched within the company and is the backbone behind production and after sales.  Franks' history in manufacturing dates back to the early 1970's where he began his apprenticeship in Glasgow and due to his drive and passion for production worked his way up in the Hyster organization. He came to South Africa in 1970's where he worked for Barlows as a production manager for Hyster forklifts and trailers.

Kevin Gore heads up the design and engineering department. Kevin qualified as a mechanical engineer and worked on the mines for 2 years. He joined the company to head up the new design and engineering department. Kevin has completed his masters in engineering and is currently studying his MBA.

The Marketing side is managed by Kieron Gore. Kieron worked at the company part time while studying a BSc degree and started full time in the family business after completing a LLB postgraduate degree. He has been with the company for 8 years and currently heads up the African and Mining growth markets as well as Gauteng sales.

John Kearney is nation sales manager. John started with the company after he was appointed to increase local coverage on trailer sales. Johns' history with trailers started in the early 1980's where he worked on the workshop floor at Henred Freuhaff. He later became a parts manager for Henred after his drive and passion for sales was realised. John's experience in trailers is a welcome addition to the Martin Trailer team.

Also on the sales team is John Harding. John recently joined the company after working in the energy industry for many years. He is currently studying for a diploma in electrical engineering. His strong customer relationships and hard work ethic is a valued asset to the company.

Gabor Zakany heads up the Parts Department. Gabor's experience in sales has helped grow the company's after sales through his excellent customer support and hard work. Gabor also manages specialised products such as Hella lighting, truck and trailer tyres as well as fifth wheels.

Theo Steyn is parts manager for Kwa-Zulu Natal branch. Theo worked for many years in the automotive and commercial brake industry supplying manufactures and end users. Theo's excellent technical knowledge and customer support was the main reason for getting him on board with Martin trailers and is now based in Natal servicing customers on the east coast region.

Ryno Knight has recently taken over the repairs and servicing division. Ryno handles the administrative side of repairs.