309.274.2800

// our history

3 generations of meister-shane truck trailer

Meister-Shane Truck Trailer has always been a small-town, family-owned business located in Chillicothe, Illinois. As a result, we view not only our employees as family, but we also see our customers as an extension of our family. Meister-Shane Truck Trailer has evolved over the years but has remained family-owned and customer-focused throughout. We are proud of our history and how we have evolved into the business we are today.

1979 Meister-Shane Truck Trailer crew: Nelson Shane (co-founder), Leon Shane, Garwin Shane, Glen Shane, Fred Meister (co-founder), and Mick Shane.
Glen, left, and Garwin Shane, 1988 owners of Meister-Shane Truck Repairs. Photograph by Tammy Ljungblad of the Peoria Journal Star.

Generation 1

Meister-Shane Truck Trailer opened its doors over 70 years ago in 1946 by Fred Meister and Nelson Shane. The company began offering blacksmithing and general welding, mainly for the local farmers. In the 1960s, it transitioned to a truck and trailer repair shop, providing repair services and hydraulics work. After owning the business for 35 years, Fred and Nelson sold Meister-Shane Truck Trailer in 1981 to two of Nelson’s sons, Garwin and Glen Shane.

Generation 2

On May 1, 1981 the Second Generation took control. Garwin and Glen, who had been employed by Meister-Shane Truck Trailer since the 1960s, grew the business by offering more trailer repair services focusing on specialized wreck repair, along with offering some trailer sales. As the repair service grew, the brothers added bays onto the existing shop and hand built an office space for themselves. Garwin and Glen, after 48 years and 41 years respectively, decided it was time to retire and started looking for someone else to continue to grow Meister-Shane Truck Trailer.

Gwen and Scott Hemstreet, and their two children at the 2019 Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show in Peoria, IL.

Generation 3

Scott Hemstreet became interested in Meister-Shane Truck Trailer after getting to know Garwin Shane, who happens to be his neighbor. Through their shared passion in all types of craftsmanship, they often found themselves in deep backyard conversations discussing everything from the best car, trailer, and backyard tractor, to the best way to lay flooring or hang bead board. When Scott heard Garwin and Glen were interested in retiring, his interest in the business grew. With his background in mechanical engineering, and his twelve years with Caterpillar, Inc, Scott knew he had the knowledge and skills to lead the business into the next generation. Scott left Caterpillar, Inc at the beginning of 2014 and spent the next few months apprenticing under Garwin and Glen. The Third Generation officially took control on April 1, 2014, when Garwin and Glen Shane retired.

 

Under Scott’s ownership, Meister-Shane has become a full trailer dealership, expanded their parts offerings by partnering with popular manufacturers, and began a trailer rental division. Scott’s experience at Caterpillar has also helped Meister-Shane continue its legacy as being the shop that can handle the service jobs other service shops can’t.

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CONTACT US

craftsmanship you can trust since 1946.

meister-shane truck trailer

location

1071 N 3rd St

Chillicothe, IL 61523

 

mailing address

PO Box 273

Chillicothe, IL 61523

Service/Parts

309.274.2800

 

sales

309.955.7051

sales@meistershane.com

 

 

hours

 

Monday–Friday

7:30 am–4:00 pm

meister-shane truck trailer

location

1071 N 3rd St

Chillicothe, IL 61523

 

mailing address

PO Box 273

Chillicothe, IL 61523

Service/Parts

309.274.2800

 

sales

309.955.7051

Generation 1

Meister-Shane Truck Trailer opened its doors over 70 years ago in 1946 by Fred Meister and Nelson Shane. The company began offering blacksmithing and general welding, mainly for the local farmers. In the 1960s, it transitioned to a truck and trailer repair shop, providing repair services and hydraulics work. After owning the business for 35 years, Fred and Nelson sold Meister-Shane Truck Trailer in 1981 to two of Nelson’s sons, Garwin and Glen Shane.

Generation 2

On May 1, 1981 the Second Generation took control. Garwin and Glen, who had been employed by Meister-Shane Truck Trailer since the 1960s, grew the business by offering more trailer repair services focusing on specialized wreck repair, along with offering some trailer sales. As the repair service grew, the brothers added bays onto the existing shop and hand built an office space for themselves. Garwin and Glen, after 48 years and 40 years respectively, decided it was time to retire and started looking for someone else to continue to grow Meister-Shane Truck Trailer.

Generation 3

Scott Hemstreet became interested in Meister-Shane Truck Trailer after getting to know Garwin Shane, who happens to be his neighbor. Through their shared passion in all types of craftsmanship, they often found themselves in deep backyard conversations discussing everything from the best car, trailer, and backyard tractor, to the best way to lay flooring or hang bead board. When Scott heard Garwin and Glen were interested in retiring, his interest in the business grew.  With his background in mechanical engineering, and his twelve years with Caterpillar, Inc, Scott knew he had the knowledge and skills to lead the business into the next generation. Scott left Caterpillar, Inc at the beginning of 2014 and spent the next few months apprenticing under Garwin and Glen. The Third Generation officially took control on April 1, 2014, when Garwin and Glen Shane retired.

 

Under Scott’s ownership, Meister-Shane has become a full trailer dealership, expanded their parts offerings by partnering with popular manufacturers, and began a trailer rental division. Scott’s experience at Caterpillar has also helped Meister-Shane continue its legacy as being the shop that can handle the service jobs other service shops can’t.

meister-shane truck trailer

 

location

1071 N 3rd St

Chillicothe, IL 61523

 

mailing address

PO Box 273

Chillicothe, IL 61523

 

service/parts

309.274.2800

 

sales

309.955.7051

 

sales@meistershane.com

 

 

hours

 

monday–friday

7:30 am–4:00 pm

3 generations of meister-shane truck trailer

Meister-Shane Truck Trailer has always been a small-town, family-owned business located in Chillicothe, Illinois. As a result, we view not only our employees as family, but we also see our customers as an extension of our family. Meister-Shane Truck Trailer has evolved over the years but has remained family-owned and customer-focused throughout. We are proud of our history and how we have evolved into the business we are today.