Doonan Specialized Trailer LLC has acquired the assets of Chaparral Manufacturing Inc. Chaparral has been producing a line of all-aluminum platform trailers in Moundridge KS since 1986. In 2007, the company produced about 400 trailers.
Based in Great Bend KS, Doonan has been building trailers since 1973 and produced more than 700 units in 2007. It is in a niche market of specialized steel platform trailers including custom flatbeds, dropdecks, and double-drops.
According to Mike Gordy, co-manager of Doonan, 30% of the Chaparral staff will join Doonan in this transition. Moundridge is 70 miles southeast of Great Bend.