Versatran
Versatran manufactures the Retriever line of air-operated industrial carrier truck bed systems, serving equipment rental, construction, utilities, and government fleets across North America through a dealer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersBeaver Dam, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Versatran does
Versatran is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of the Retriever line of air-operated industrial carrier truck bed systems, sold to equipment rental companies, construction firms, utilities, municipal and federal government fleets, and outdoor power equipment operators across North America. Founded in 2002 by Joe Simons and acquired by Metalcraft of Mayville in November 2019, the company operates as a division within Metalcraft's diversified brand portfolio alongside Scag Power Equipment and Bluebird Turf, with manufacturing in Beaver Dam, WI and corporate headquarters in Watertown, WI.
The core product line consists of three industrial carrier models: the Retriever 6T (Class 6, Non-CDL, up to 12,000 lb payload, single rear axle), the Retriever 15T (Class 8, CDL required, up to 30,000 lb payload, tandem rear axle), and the Retriever 20T (Class 8 HD, up to 40,000 lb payload, tri-axle and quad-axle chassis). Versatran's technical differentiation is built on a proprietary pneumatic control system using air bags and cylinders rather than hydraulic components, combined with a patented curved rear deck design that nests over rear tires to achieve industry-low load angles of 10.8-14.0 degrees and deck heights of 41-45 inches. The No Idle System allows loading and unloading with the engine off, yielding claimed fuel savings of $1,500+ annually per truck, while the pneumatic architecture reduces vehicle weight by 1,800-3,800 lbs versus hydraulic systems and eliminates hydraulic leak risk.
Versatran monetizes through direct hardware sales of complete truck units and bed system retrofits, distributed via a nationwide dealer network that includes Boyer Trucks, Curry Supply, and Transwest, with reseller partnerships covering multiple chassis OEMs (Freightliner, International, Mack, Peterbilt). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through dealer quotation. The company's value proposition is quantified TCO improvement — advertised annual savings of $15,000+ per truck at 50,000 miles/year with 10 cycles/day — targeting fleet operators whose primary pain points are loading cycle time, fuel costs from idling, hydraulic maintenance, and CDL driver availability constraints.
Versatran firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Versatran
- Legal name
- Versatran
- Website
- https://versatran.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Versatran manufactures the Retriever line of air-operated industrial carrier truck bed systems, serving equipment rental, construction, utilities, and government fleets across North America through a dealer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Versatran industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Carrier Truck Bed Systems
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621)
- SIC
- Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Truck Body & Upfitting Manufacturing (Box Bodies/Service Bodies/Cranes/Liftgates) (IMACABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Truck Body & Upfit Manufacturing (Box/Dump/Service/Refuse) (IMACAGAC)
Keywords
Where Versatran is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Beaver Dam
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Versatran business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Truck Bed Systems (Retriever Products): Versatran manufactures and sells Retriever industrial carrier truck bed systems. Products include 6T (non-CDL), 15T (tandem axle), and 20T (tri-axle/quad-axle) models. Revenue is generated through direct sales of complete truck units and bed system retrofits. Dealers purchase and resell completed trucks.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Versatran product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Versatran manufactures and sells the Retriever line of air-operated industrial carrier truck bed systems designed for transporting construction, rental, industrial, and power equipment. Products include 6T (Class 6 non-CDL), 15T (Class 8 tandem axle), and 20T (Class 8 HD tri/quad-axle) models featuring a proprietary pneumatic deck and ramp system with No Idle capability. Complete truck units are sold through a North American dealer network and direct sales channels.
Product overview
Versatran manufactures the Retriever line of air-operated industrial carrier truck bed systems for transporting construction, industrial, and power equipment. The product portfolio consists of three models: the Retriever 6T (Class 6, Non-CDL, for single rear axle trucks), the Retriever 15T (Class 8, CDL required, for tandem rear axle trucks), and the Retriever 20T (Class 8 HD, CDL required, for tri-axle and quad-axle chassis). All models feature a proprietary pneumatic (air-operated) deck and ramp system with a No-Idle System that eliminates the need for engine idling during loading/unloading. The products are proudly manufactured in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and sold through a North American dealer network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Retriever: Industrial carrier truck bed system featuring air-operated curved platform and ramp system for equipment transportation. Available in 6T (non-CDL), 15T, and 20T models.
Products and services
- Retriever 6T Class 6 Non-CDL industrial carrier truck bed system designed for single rear axle trucks. Features air-operated deck and ramp, No-Idle System, 20-foot bed length, up to 12,000 lb. bed rating, and can be operated without a CDL license.
- Retriever 15T Class 8 industrial carrier truck bed system designed for tandem rear axle trucks. Features 24-28 foot bed lengths, up to 30,000 lb. bed rating, CDL required, 140 tie-down points, and supports various traction surface options.
- Retriever 20T Class 8 HD industrial carrier truck bed system designed for tri-axle and quad-axle chassis. Features 28-30 foot bed lengths, up to 40,000 lb. bed rating, CDL required, air-operated deck and ramp system for heavy equipment transport.
Quantifiable outcome
- Saves $15,000+ per year per truck at 50,000 miles/year with 10 cycles/day
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Versatran
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Versatran technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Versatran partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Paul Richards RacingcoreVersatran partners with Paul Richards Racing as corporate sponsor for their nitro Funny Car team competing in NHRA events. Partnership leverages NHRA's market reach and aligns with Versatran's blue-collar customer base values. Both teams dedicated to long-term successful relationship.
- Boyer TrucksmajorBoyer Trucks (headquartered in Minneapolis, MN with locations in MN, WI, SD) is an authorized dealer for Versatran Retriever products. Represents Ford, Western Star, Freightliner, International, and Isuzu brands. Services all makes and models.
- Curry Supply ComajorCurry Supply Co (family-owned truck manufacturer since 1932, locations in TX, AZ, PA) is an authorized dealer for Retriever 15T and 20T models. One of the largest commercial truck manufacturers in the US serving oil and gas, construction, waste, agriculture, rail, mining, and rental industries.
- TranswestmajorTranswest is an authorized dealer for Retriever products (15T, 20T, and upcoming 6T non-CDL). Fastest growing transportation specialists in the nation offering retail, fleet sales and service across every industry with medium to heavy-duty trailers.
- Metalcraft of MayvillecoreVersatran was acquired by Metalcraft of Mayville on November 18, 2019. The acquisition broadened the Metalcraft family of brands, which also includes Scag Power Equipment and Bluebird Turf. Metalcraft provides world-class strength and resources enabling Versatran to build future growth and success.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Versatran competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Reading Truck: Reading Truck (Reading Equipment & Truck Body) is one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of commercial truck bodies, service bodies, utility bodies, and equipment upfits. Directly comparable to Versatran because both specialize in purpose-built truck body systems for work trucks and equipment transport, serving overlapping fleet and contractor customers through regional dealer networks.
- Knapheide: Knapheide is a leading North American manufacturer of truck bodies, platform bodies, service bodies, and equipment upfits. Comparable to Versatran because both manufacture specialized body systems mounted onto commercial truck chassis for work-truck and equipment-transport applications, sold through dealer/distributor channels to fleet and government customers.
- Stellar Industries: Stellar Industries manufactures hooklifts, truck-mounted cranes, mechanic trucks, and material-handling bodies for commercial chassis. Comparable to Versatran because both produce specialty truck-mounted equipment that enables loading and transport of heavy equipment, targeting equipment rental, construction, and municipal fleet buyers.
- Maintainer Corporation: Maintainer Corporation of Iowa manufactures service bodies, cranes, liftgates, and equipment upfits for commercial trucks. Directly comparable to Versatran because both build specialized truck body systems with integrated loading mechanisms for heavy-equipment transport, serving utility, construction, and government fleet markets.
- BrandFX: BrandFX manufactures lightweight fiberglass composite truck bodies (service bodies, utility bodies, line bodies) that deliver substantial weight savings versus steel. Highly comparable to Versatran because both compete on the value proposition of lighter weight and payload efficiency, targeting fleets seeking to maximize payload and reduce fuel costs.
- Auto Crane: Auto Crane manufactures truck-mounted articulating and telescoping cranes, liftgates, and accessories for work trucks. Comparable to Versatran because both produce truck-mounted equipment systems that enable loading and handling of heavy cargo, with overlapping dealer networks and target customer segments in utility, construction, and field service.
- Crysteel Manufacturing: Crysteel manufactures dump bodies, hoist systems, and platform bodies for commercial trucks. Directly comparable to Versatran because both produce truck-mounted body systems engineered for loading and transporting heavy equipment and materials, targeting construction, municipal, and contractor fleet customers.
- Jones Enterprise Trucking (J.E.T.): J.E.T. is a niche manufacturer of specialized truck body systems and upfits for commercial carriers. Comparable to Versatran because both serve small-fleet and specialty-equipment transport customers with custom-engineered body systems, though J.E.T. is a smaller and less publicly documented player in the same niche.
Broad incumbents
- Heil Environmental: Heil (a Heil Environmental brand) is a major manufacturer of refuse, recycling, and environmental truck bodies. Comparable to Versatran as a broad incumbent in the truck body/upfit space with substantially larger scale, broader product portfolio, and well-established municipal/waste fleet relationships, though Heil's specialty (refuse) differs from Versatran's industrial carrier focus.
- Miller Industries: Miller Industries is the world's largest manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment, producing car carriers and heavy-duty wreckers on commercial chassis. Comparable to Versatran as a broader incumbent building specialized equipment-transport vehicles on commercial truck chassis, but operating at materially larger scale and focused on towing/recovery rather than industrial equipment transport.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Versatran social profiles
Digital presenceVersatran financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Versatran leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Versatran funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Versatran M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Versatran
What does Versatran do?
Versatran manufactures and sells the Retriever line of air-operated industrial carrier truck bed systems designed for transporting construction, rental, industrial, and power equipment. Products include 6T (Class 6 non-CDL), 15T (Class 8 tandem axle), and 20T (Class 8 HD tri/quad-axle) models featuring a proprietary pneumatic deck and ramp system with No Idle capability. Complete truck units are sold through a North American dealer network and direct sales channels.
Is Versatran a public or private company?
Versatran is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Versatran founded?
Versatran was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Versatran based?
Versatran is headquartered in Beaver Dam, United States, in the North America region.
How does Versatran make money?
One revenue line is on record: truck Bed Systems (Retriever Products).
Who are Versatran's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Reading Truck, Knapheide, Stellar Industries, Maintainer Corporation, BrandFX, Auto Crane, Crysteel Manufacturing and Jones Enterprise Trucking (J.E.T.). Broad incumbents are Heil Environmental and Miller Industries.
Does Versatran have an API?
No public API is recorded for Versatran.
What industry is Versatran in?
Versatran's product category is Industrial Carrier Truck Bed Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACABAI, Truck Body & Upfitting Manufacturing (Box Bodies/Service Bodies/Cranes/Liftgates), with a secondary code of IMACAGAC, Truck Body & Upfit Manufacturing (Box/Dump/Service/Refuse). Its NAICS code is 33621 and its SIC code is 3713.