Renowned throughout the transportation industry for its advanced tarp system manufacturing, Aero Industries boasts a rich legacy and illustrious history. John Rodgers, Vice President of Operations, provides insight into the legendary company.
TOP-TIER TARP
In 1944, innovative tarp systems and trucking accessory manufacturer Aero Industries opened its doors, originally as Aero Canvas Products.
Founded by Paul Tuerk after a brush with death, ingenuity and persistence in the face of adversity have come to define the company.
Indeed, the tarp industry would have been a very different space if Paul had boarded the RMS Titanic in 1912, which was initially planned as part of his voyage to emigrate from Germany to the US.
Fortunately, a late train interrupted the journey, allowing Paul to form Aero Industries, which has been granted over 100 patents to date.
“Many of our design ideas come from customer requests and their confidence in our ability to solve engineering problems,” introduces John Rodgers, Vice President of Operations.
To establish itself as an innovative industry leader in the competitive manufacturing market, Aero Industries has demonstrated a remarkable ability to think creatively with new materials, design breakthroughs, and cutting-edge patents.
Beginning in the lingerie business during the Great Depression, Paul was determined to provide for his family. This drive led him to Indiana, where he bootstrapped his business while working at Hoosier Tarpaulin, manufacturing army tents.
His experience in fitting lingerie proved valuable for his next venture, selling customized tarps. The early logic was simple – “if Paul could fit a woman, he could fit a truck.”
Today, Aero Industries employs 215 people across Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, operating in the dump, flatbed, agriculture, refuse, and work truck sectors.
After overcoming many obstacles, the company is now in its third generation of ownership by the Tuerk family.
“Many of our design ideas come from customer requests and their confidence in our ability to solve engineering problems”
John Rodgers, Vice President of Operations, Aero Industries
A LEGACY OF LONGEVITY
Last year, Aero Industries celebrated its 80th anniversary, a testament to the company’s resilience which is rooted in family values.
Built on a foundation of community, Aero Industries has made a lasting impact on generations of employees and customers.
Fortunately, an entrepreneurial spirit is embedded in the Tuerk family’s DNA, allowing the company to continue innovating to this day.
“We celebrated the anniversary at all our locations, hosting cookouts, games, and team activities. We also marked our packaging and labelling with ‘80’ and ‘1944-2024’ logos to communicate the event with our customers,” Rodgers enthuses.
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The company has introduced significant innovations throughout its history. As an industry leader, it developed the Neoprene-Hypalon Tarp in the 1950s, replacing traditional canvas and vinyl tarps.
In the 1960s, other major innovations were introduced, starting with the One-Minute Roll-Away Tarp, followed by the Shortie Roll Tarp.
“Of special note is Aero Industries’ pioneering rolling tarp system, the Conestoga,” he acknowledges.
The Conestoga has long been one of the company’s top products. However, in the late 1990s, it faced challenges related to the width of the tarping systems.
After a demanding four-year effort by the Aero Industries team, led by Paul’s grandson, Jim Tuerk, the issue was resolved in conjunction with new regulations that benefited the entire US trucking industry.
Looking ahead to the next 80 years, Aero Industries has a guiding mission and an ambitious vision that will further solidify its position at the forefront of the industry.
“Our mission is to provide innovative and quality solutions that enhance the lives of customers and employees; our vision is that Aero Industries’ transportation accessories and tarp systems are the solution above anything else; and finally, our values are that we innovate and persevere as we create and grow relationships while continuing to build our legacy.
“What differentiates us from our competitors is our people and the relationships we have both internally and externally,” expresses Rodgers.
PIONEERING PRODUCTS AND EVOLVING EQUIPMENT
Aero Industries boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a top-tier team that contributes to the innovative products it has developed over the years.
“Our reputation in the industry is for products that outlast the competition and quality that is superior,” Rodgers prides.
The recent projects undertaken by the company provide clear evidence of its innovation. In 2021, the design of the Crank-N-Go system was updated and rebranded as the Aero TopGlide.
This new version combines advanced drive cable and bow-end technology with a pleat system that has been reimagined and re-engineered to meet industry demands, ensuring reliable movement of the bow and tarp.
The AeroForce ROC 700 series, meanwhile, addresses the need for a lightweight roll-off container cover system suitable for Class 4 and 5 chassis. Additionally, the enhanced slide design improves serviceability and maintenance.
“We are very fortunate to have excellent relations with our customers, and we have found a few key opportunities to provide some significant product improvements for 2025 to our flatbed accessories products.
“In addition to product improvements, we have seen a consistent increase in demand for our AeroForce F2B and S2S products, so much so that we are now expanding production into a second facility to support growing customer demand,” shares Rodgers.
“Our reputation in the industry is for products that outlast the competition and quality that is superior”
John Rodgers, Vice President of Operations, Aero Industries
AERO’S DYNAMICS
Aero Industries has built a strong reputation over the past eight decades, recognizing that its employees, customers, and suppliers contribute significantly to its success.
“The culture here is special; we genuinely care about and look after each other. I like to say – “we get to do this!” – which means that we are blessed to be able to come to work at a place like Aero Industries alongside fantastic team members,” Rodgers prides.
Supplier relationships are also vital for smaller companies such as Aero Industries, whose supply chain has a mix of centralized and decentralized elements.
“With Indianapolis being our primary production location, components and assemblies are distributed to our Nebraska, Ohio, and Oklahoma sites for installation, where we have some of their own established product-specific supply chains.
“We are reliant on a handful of international suppliers for fabrics, motors, castings, and extrusions to support us. We also have several local supplier partners for polishing, printing, painting, and more, with whom we have had long-standing relationships.”
As Aero Industries continues to innovate and introduce new products to the market, the company seeks new opportunities while overcoming challenges – a mindset it was built on and will sustain for decades to come.
“The flatbed industry is currently in a recession, while dump products remain stable. Our focus during this time is to grow our market share by expanding into adjacent regional markets, playing offense against our competitors, and improving service and delivery,” finishes Rodgers.
Despite the challenges the market may present, Aero Industries will boldly forge ahead as a leader in innovation and excellence, poised to embrace the next chapter in its story.
AERO INDUSTRIES PARTNERS
