Trachte History - 1910s

Trachte Brothers Co. designs and patents a roll-forming machine to manufacture corrugated livestock water tanks. Their new design of packing and riveting tanks instead of using solder revolutionizes the tank industry.

Trachte Brothers once again outgrow their space and purchase a former bicycle factory at 102 N. Dickinson St. in Madison, WI. This will be the company's home until 1985.

Trachte Brothers Co. is incorporated and publishes its first catalog illustrating the company's line of tanks and heaters. The catalog lists 131 different sizes and styles of stock tanks plus feed troughs, mortar boxes, oil storage tanks, and feed cookers.

The first Trachte steel structure is built to house an automobile, Arthur's new Dodge. The garage was a crude design using corrugated steel panels. This striking novelty attracted considerable attention from friends and neighbors. Soon, Trachte was manufacturing a more sophisticated version made of angled steel, iron framework, and corrugated sheeting. An 8' x 16' garage sold for $100 FOB Madison, WI.