History of Sportsman Trailers

In 1956, Steelco, Inc. was just an old wooden blacksmith shop that provided part-time work for Jack and Kathleen Mitchell. Along with their two sons who worked after school and on weekends, the Mitchell's kept an average of three other employees, including a daughter who helped out in the office and with supplies.

Steelco, Inc. has pioneered the boat trailer industry by manufacturing the first ever galvanized boat trailer in 1957. Built under the brand name of Sportsman Trailers, it led the way to a much larger business. A more permanent structure was built in 1960 and expanded in 1964. Expansion continued through 1980. Today, the two buildings that make up the company provide more than 80,000 square feet of manufacturing space.

The Mitchell parents retired in 1982. Kathleen Mitchell passed away in 1987 and Jack Mitchell, Sr. passed away in 1992, leaving their three children to run the family business.

Of the three children from the second generation, only one remains active in the company. Mrs. Boatman currently serves as President and CEO of the company.

The third generation consists of five out of 11 of Jack and Kathleen's grandchildren. These five are Officers of the Corporation and currently serve on the Board of Directors. The five are active in the business and continue to produce High Quality Boat Trailers, under the brand names of Sportsman Trailers and Launcher Trailers, which the company is famous for. Steelco, Inc. now boasts our fourth generation working in the family business, a great-grandchild of the company founders.

Steelco, Inc. services more than 200 accounts from Brownsville, Texas, to Pensacola, Florida. Currently, there are 35 employees who manufacture more than 140 different models of boat, personal watercraft and custom-built trailers. Company headquarters are located in Santa Fe, Texas.