The legend of Trinity Industries, Inc. / Jeffrey L. Rodengen ; edited by Alex Lieber ; design and layout by Jill Apolinario & Rachelle Donley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rodengen, Jeffrey L.

Contributor:

Lieber, Alex.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Trinity Industries--History.

Trinity Industries.

Manufacturing industries--United States--History--20th century.

Manufacturing industries.

Railroad equipment industry--United States--History--20th century.

Railroad equipment industry.

Tank industry--United States--History--20th century.

Tank industry.

Transportation equipment industry--United States--History--20th century.

Transportation equipment industry.

Concrete products industry--United States--History--20th century.

Concrete products industry.

History.

United States.

Physical Description:

ix, 160 pages : illustrations (some color), portraits (some color) ; 30 cm

Place of Publication:

Fort Lauderdale, FL : Write Stuff Enterprises, [2000]

Summary:

Trinity Industries is one of the great stories of corporate daring and industrial statesmanship. Led for 40 years by W. Ray Wallace, Trinity grew from two struggling propane tank companies into a $3 billion a year diversified manufacturer. Today, with more than 12 million square feet of manufacturing space, Trinity is one of North America's largest manufacturers of transportation, construction and industrial products. In 1958, Trinity Steel and Dallas Tank, both Dallas-based companies, merged to reverse their sagging fortunes. Since then, the company has confounded critics with its ability to succeed in markets as diverse as beer tanks and barges. As Ray Wallace boldly entered new markets, Trinity acquired some of the most illustrious names in American industry, including Mosher Steel Company and Equitable Shipyards. A consummate strategist, Wallace waited for the right time to snap up key companies for pennies on the dollar.

In 1977, Wallace entered the railcar market. In doing so Trinity incited the wrath of competitors, some of whom had been producing railcars for a century. One competitor bluntly told Wallace that he would put Trinity out of business. Trinity rose to the challenge and took on such behemoths as the legendary Pullman Standard, which at one time controlled a quarter of the market. But Trinity triumphed as economic conditions weakened these inefficient industrial giants. Since then, Trinity has purchased many of its former competitors, including Pullman Standard. Now led by his son Tim Wallace, Trinity continues to meet the challenge of thriving against the odds. Industrial historian and author Jeffrey L. Rodengen tells the fascinating story behind the bold Trinity strategy in The Legend of Trinity Industries.

Contents:

Chapter I Proud Dreams 10

Chapter II Tanks by Banks 22

Chapter III Welded Together 32

Chapter IV The Risk Taker 38

Chapter V Growing Pains 48

Chapter VI Passports into the Unfamiliar 58

Chapter VII Cranking Out Railcars 70

Chapter VIII Steel Fortitude 78

Chapter IX The Pullman Standard Story 92

Chapter X The Gathering 100

Chapter XI Breaking New Records 112

Chapter XII A Global Presence 124.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [138]-151) and index.

ISBN:

0945903537

9780945903536

OCLC:

45010142