Hillsboro Industries Celebrates First Dealer Day and Growth Milestone
April 24th, 2025
At ColorVision, we take pride in supporting manufacturers who set the bar for strength, innovation, and integrity—and Hillsboro Industries is a clear example of that commitment in action. As a leading manufacturer of trailers and truck beds, Hillsboro depends on high-performance coatings that can keep up with the strength of their engineering—and they trust ColorVision to deliver. April 24th marked their first Dealer Day, bringing in their network through North America to tour their current facility, new facility, and learn about their newest products and features.
Twenty years ago, Hillsboro changed ownership and Mike Gerkin came in as the new CEO. He stated that upon coming in, “one of the key goals was to improve paint. We selected PPG for that and have Color Vision as the company supporting us.” ColorVision’s PPG Delfleet® commercial coatings play a vital role in protecting these high-performing products from the elements, extending longevity and preserving Hillsboro’s reputation for durability. Our timely delivery, technical service, and inventory support ensure that their production stays efficient and uninterrupted.
Hillsboro’s products are built using extruded aluminum rather than sheet aluminum, resulting in a stronger, more durable alloy. Their engineering minimizes welds to further enhance product strength while reducing overall weight—an innovation that improves both payload capacity and fuel efficiency. Their towing capacities are rated up to 30,000 pounds for gooseneck trailers and 25,000 for bumper-pull. Unlike most, they test to SAE towing standards and perform extensive testing on all new designs to verify premium performance—an integrity-driven approach that aligns with our own business principles.
One of their feature packed products is their Car Hauler. “Hillsborough industry is known for innovation.” Gerkin said. “We've got the most innovation and features on an open car hauler in the industry. We have integrated rear jacks. We have 7-foot ramps that only weigh 30 pounds. We try to have anti-rattle features, so when you put the ramps in, they're up against the spring and they're latched tight. We have removable fenders, six tie-downs. That's on our trailer with two 3,500-pound axles. The torsion provides a great ride. We're the only ones that offer narrow guard. So it protects the vehicle, but you can still see the vehicle through your rear-view mirror, so you can see what's going on there. We just have features nobody else has.”
The Hillsboro team shared how they back their Endura aluminum trailers with a 10-year manufacturer warranty and they make it easy for customers to access warranty service through their local dealer network. Yet, even with strong warranties in place- they see very few.
On top of supporting local dealers through North America, they are proud to manufacturer and source nearly all components from within the United States. We were proud to support Hillsboro Industries with the coatings and services they need to keep delivering strength, reliability, and color to every jobsite and roadway.
Great partnerships lead to great success and Hillsboro is no exception, the event featured a tour of their current facility in Hillsboro, Kansas and the construction on their second facility in Newton, Kansas. This secondary location will allow their growth momentum to continue while staying on top of current demands for their products. They are looking to employ around 50 individuals at the new facility, providing new job opportunities in the Newton market.
ColorVision was proud to participate in their first Dealer Day event, with our Newton, Kansas representatives Kim and Aaron alongside Rob Burke of PPG. Mike Gerkin reflected on the PPG and ColorVision partnership stating, “They do a great job providing fantastic service. Couldn't ask for any more than we get.”
We look forward to seeing their second facility upon completion and the continued innovation they place in their products.