Circle D

What Circle D does

Circle D Corporation is a privately held U.S. trailer manufacturer founded in 1987 and headquartered in a single plant at 613 North Ash, Hillsboro, Kansas. The company designs and builds steel trailers for livestock, equine, contractor, and work-truck buyers, with a core product portfolio that includes stock trailers, horse-and-stock combo trailers, multi-purpose trailers, flatbed trailers, low-profile equipment trailers, and pickup/one-ton truck flatbeds (including a premium SD Series). Its most distinctive technical feature is the trademarked Circle D aerodynamic nose design, introduced at founding in 1987 and still marketed as an industry standard more than 30 years later; the company claims competitors may imitate the appearance but cannot match build quality.

Manufacturing relies on steel construction with components such as rubber torsion axles, Eze-Lube bearings, treated southern yellow pine flooring, and automotive-grade paint systems. Circle D emphasizes a deeply experienced workforce (hundreds of years of combined trailer-building experience among production staff and 135+ years among customer-service staff) as a quality differentiator, along with written warranties and product-liability insurance.

The business model is direct-to-consumer with no dealer or distributor network. Sales are driven by a toll-free phone line, a website with downloadable PDF brochures and a literature request form, and an open-door policy of in-person plant tours at the Hillsboro facility. Pricing is custom-quoted per build and is not publicly disclosed; revenue is generated through one-time trailer sales to individual ranchers, farmers, contractors, and truck owners in the U.S. market.

Name

Circle D

Legal name

Circle D Corporation

Website

https://circle-dtrailers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Circle D Corporation is a privately held Hillsboro, Kansas-based manufacturer that designs and builds custom steel trailers — stock, horse/stock combo, flatbed, equipment, and pickup flatbeds — sold direct-to-consumer to ranchers, farmers, contractors, and work-truck owners in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trailer Manufacturing

NAICS

Truck Trailer Manufacturing (336212), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (3362)

SIC

Truck Trailers (3715), Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)

akta.pro primary industry

Trailer Manufacturing (Utility/Enclosed/Flatbed/Car Hauler) (IMACAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Truck Trailer Manufacturing (Dry Van/Reefer/Flatbed/Tanker) (IMACABAH)

Keywords

• Trailer manufacturing
• Livestock trailers
• Flatbed trailers
• Equipment trailers
• Steel trailers

Headquarters

HQ city

Hillsboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Trailer Sales: Circle D generates revenue through the sale of manufactured trailers including stock trailers, horse trailers, flatbeds, equipment trailers, and multipurpose trailers. Sales appear to be direct to end customers with pricing quoted based on specific configurations and options selected.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Circle D Corporation designs, manufactures, and sells steel trailers for livestock hauling, flatbed cargo, equipment transport, and pickup/one-ton truck applications. The product portfolio includes stock trailers (bumper hitch and gooseneck), horse and stock combo trailers, multipurpose trailers, flatbed trailers, low profile equipment trailers, and SD Series flatbeds. Trailers are custom-built to customer specifications and sold direct to end buyers from the Hillsboro, Kansas plant, featuring the company's proprietary aerodynamic nose design.

Product overview

Circle D Corporation is a trailer manufacturing company offering a diversified portfolio of steel trailers. The product line centers on several core trailer types: Stock Trailers for livestock hauling available in bumper hitch and gooseneck configurations; Horse and Stock Combo Trailers combining livestock and equine transport capabilities; Multipurpose Trailers for varied applications; Flatbed Trailers for heavy-duty cargo; Low Profile Equipment Trailers for machinery transport; and Flatbed products specifically designed for pickup trucks and one-ton trucks, including the premium SD Series (Special Deluxe Flatbeds). The company emphasizes quality steel construction, aerodynamic design (established in 1987), and competitive pricing across its product range.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stock Trailers Livestock trailers available in Bumper Hitch or Gooseneck configurations with Circle D's aerodynamic design, 6' or 6'8" body widths, rubber torsion axles, escape doors, and combination rear gates. Built for ranchers, livestock producers, and farmers hauling cattle and other farm animals.
• Horse and Stock Combo Trailers Combination trailers integrating standard livestock trailer features with horse-specific options including full-height gooseneck compartments, tack rooms, saddle racks, and various interior configurations. Designed for owners needing to haul both livestock and horses.
• Multipurpose Trailers Versatile trailers with Circle D's aerodynamic design, one-piece side stake/roof bow construction, rubber torsion axles, and multiple color options for varied hauling applications. Targeted at buyers needing flexibility across different load types.
• Flatbed Trailers Heavy-duty flatbed trailers with 101" platform width, standard lengths from 16' to 30', treated southern yellow pine floors, rubber torsion axles, and available with or without beavertail configurations. Built for contractors and equipment haulers transporting machinery, supplies, and materials.
• Low Profile Equipment Trailers Equipment trailers featuring #1 grade treated southern yellow pine floors, rubber torsion axles (6,000 lb. bumper hitch or 7,000 lb. gooseneck), electric brakes, and 16" radial tires with optional beavertail configurations. Designed for transporting machinery and equipment.
• Flatbeds for Pickups and One-Ton Trucks Truck flatbeds featuring heavy-duty tread plate platforms, rectangular tubing headache racks, recessed gooseneck hitch plates, and options including heavy-duty rear drop hitch assemblies and mud flaps. Built for pickup and one-ton truck owners needing flatbed solutions.
• SD Series (Special Deluxe Flatbeds) Premium heavy-duty and extra heavy-duty flatbeds for pickups and one-ton trucks featuring H.D. tread plate platforms, rectangular tubing headache racks with louvers, 30,000# ball, LED lights, and various size configurations up to 8' x 11.25'. Targeted at buyers needing higher-capacity work truck flatbeds.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Kaufman Trailers: Kaufman Trailers manufactures equipment, car hauler, and utility trailers, competing with Circle D in the equipment and flatbed trailer segments with similar direct-to-consumer and dealer sales models.
• Featherlite Trailers: Featherlite is a major manufacturer of aluminum and steel trailers for livestock, horse, and equipment transport, offering similar product categories to Circle D with broader market reach and dealer network.
• PJ Trailers: PJ Trailers manufactures equipment, dump, and flatbed trailers, competing with Circle D in the equipment hauling and flatbed segments for commercial and agricultural customers.
• Sundowner Trailers: Sundowner specializes in horse and livestock trailers, directly competing with Circle D in the equine and ranching customer segments with similar gooseneck and bumper hitch configurations.
• Big Tex Trailers: Big Tex manufactures utility, equipment, and flatbed trailers, directly competing with Circle D's flatbed and equipment trailer product lines for contractors and equipment haulers.
• Load Trail: Load Trail manufactures equipment, dump, flatbed, and utility trailers, competing with Circle D across multiple product categories in the equipment hauling and work trailer markets.
• EBY Trailers: EBY manufactures aluminum and steel livestock, flatbed, and truck body trailers, competing with Circle D in the livestock hauling and truck flatbed product categories.
• Wilson Trailer: Wilson Trailer manufactures livestock, flatbed, and grain trailers, directly competing with Circle D in the livestock and agricultural trailer markets with established dealer networks.
• CM Truck Beds: CM Truck Beds manufactures flatbeds and truck bodies for pickups and one-ton trucks, directly competing with Circle D's SDT truck flatbeds and pickup flatbed product lines.
• Exiss/Alum-Line: Exiss/Alum-Line manufactures livestock, horse, and specialty trailers in Oklahoma, directly competing with Circle D in stock trailers and horse trailers for the agricultural and ranching market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Circle D