East Manufacturing sold to Fultra, a Mexican holding company

Randolph Township’s East Manufacturing has a new owner. Fultra, the parent company of Fruehauf, announced the acquisition Aug. 16.

East Manufacturing’s more than 500 employees produce steel dump trailers, aluminum truck bodies, and aluminum flatbed, drop deck, dump, round bottom, and refuse trailers on the company’s 100-acre campus off state Route 44.

Howard D. Booher, East’s founder and president/CEO, died in March 2022 and was succeeded by his son, Howard Booher, Jr. The younger Booher has retired to pursue other interests and is succeeded by Fruehauf President Tom Wiseman, who is now serving as CEO of both East Manufacturing and Fruehauf.

“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to step in as president after my father passed. I am confident that Fultra will lead our legacy forward with pride and care,” Booher said in a statement on East Manufacturing’s website.

Wiseman said East will continue to operate as a standalone entity and will retain all management and employees.

Robert Bruce, co-founder of East, said, “We had a lot of companies that wanted to buy East. But at the end of the day, we selected Fultra because it has a demonstrated track record of taking care of its employees, customers and communities. We are proud to have Fultra carry forward and grow the East brand and legacy established over the past 55 years.”

Fultra is a Mexican holding company that operates trucking supply companies, selling semi-trucks and parts. 

Fultra CEO Jorge Martinez said East Manufacturing fits with the parent company’s vision “to be the trusted solutions partner for the commercial vehicle market in North America.”

“We are confident that our employees and communities as well as customers, dealers and suppliers will benefit from our combined strengths. We are honored and proud to be the stewards of two iconic brands like East and Fruehauf in North America,” he said.

Moving forward, Fultra — instead of the Booher family and Bob Bruce — will be East Manufacturing’s sole shareholder, Wiseman said.