For six decades, Trion Industries has been a steadfast presence in the retail landscape, particularly renowned for its shelf management solutions. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the family-owned company stands as a testament to adaptability, innovation and a solid commitment to quality, deeply rooted in its American-made ethos and strong community ties.
The company’s trajectory has been marked by pivotal moments of strategic growth and forward-thinking innovation. A significant turning point for the company, as President Adam Thalenfeld explained, was the 1982 move from New York to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
“Prior to that, we did not do our own manufacturing. We contracted out to a company in Queens,” he said. “When we purchased that company, we moved them to our new facility here and remained business partners with them for years. That was certainly a big undertaking for us.”
This move laid the groundwork for Trion’s evolution into the vertically integrated manufacturing powerhouse it is today.
Further demonstrating its pioneering spirit, Trion ventured into plastic extrusions in the 1990s. “We were one of the first U.S. companies to do plastic extrusion,” recalled Thalenfeld, who is a third-generation leader, following in the footsteps of his late father, John Thalenfeld.
Remarkably, Trion was ahead of its time.
“We saw which way the market was heading and launched this business in anticipation of ESL label holders taking off, which we’re only now seeing being more widely adapted in the industry,” Thalenfeld said.
This early investment and foresight underscore Trion’s commitment to anticipating market needs.
Another transformative period came in 2003 with the launch of Trion’s EWT and WonderBar systems. These innovations, as Thalenfeld noted, “have been milestones for us as these two are still among our key products today and continue to transform retail store shelves some 20-plus years later.”
These product lines have become staples in the industry, a testament to Trion’s ability to develop solutions that address core retail challenges.
Looking back at the company’s history, key innovations such as these have indeed revolutionized shelf management. David “Bud” Thalenfeld, Adam Thalenfeld’s late grandfather and company founder, is credited with inventing the first straight entry peg hook.
“It’s a simple product that no one thinks twice about now, but back then creating the world’s first straight entry pegboard hook was a gamechanger in the industry because it meant retailers didn’t have to take out their shelving to put the hook in,” Thalenfeld said.
This foundational invention, alongside subsequent developments like tray systems and the Zip Track system, highlights Trion’s consistent drive to enhance efficiency and organization in retail environments. “It’s not an industry that you could just stay stagnant in and think you can survive based on the success of the peg hook for another six decades,” he noted.
Family based company
In its 60 years of operation, Trion has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, seemingly always one step ahead of retail needs.
Reflecting on his childhood, Thalenfeld remembers running around the plant after school, being in awe of the large machines and wanting to learn more about how they worked. The automatic bagging systems were among the most exciting, he added.
He also recalled being there alongside his grandparents when the company’s first powder coater machine arrived, which was “far more environmentally friendly,” showcasing the company’s evolving commitment to sustainability.
The installation of a silo for the extruder system and the arrival of new machinery from France were also highlighted as significant milestones, demonstrating Trion’s continuous investment in infrastructure and capabilities.
What truly sets Trion apart and has contributed to its reputation for quality and reliability is its people, many who have been with the company for decades. “Who we are as a company starts with the people who work here,” Thalenfeld said.
He highlighted the long tenure of several employees, including Mike Gagatek, head of quality assurance, who has been with the company for 40 years. “He started here when he was 19 in the packing department and has worked his up through basically every department. He studied and trained and now oversees our quality assurance.”
While having such a long-serving employee may sound unusual, it’s somewhat typical at Trion.
“That’s kind of par for the course here that we have workers who have been with us for 20, 30 or even 40 years, who worked their way up and trained with the company,” Thalenfeld said. “I’m not the only third-generation person at this company. We have plenty of people whose parents worked here, their grandparents worked here and now their kids work here.
“Many of these people have been with us for longer than I’ve been alive. They really care about the company and product quality. The knowledge they have about our products is extensive, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”
Sam Rostock, Trion’s chief financial officer, has been with the company for 28 years with dual education and experience in engineering and accounting.
“I have seen many changes to both Trion and the fixtures industry. But the one thing that has not changed is the dedication and pride of Trion’s workforce to produce a high-quality product that meets the needs of its customers,” he said.
“We pride ourselves on our family first approach with employees which has allowed Trion to maintain the level of quality that we have in our manufacturing process.”
In 1988, Jim Buzin, VP of production, was hired as a welder mechanic for Trion Industries.
“I was one of about 40 employees when I first started,” he said. “Our founder, David Thalenfeld, soon asked me to make samples for our customers. We worked well together and his inspiration and vision established a culture of growth and company-wide innovation.
“I look around daily with pride as I see many employees that have been here over 10, 20 and even 30 years. Under Adam Thalenfeld’s new leadership as Trion’s president, we have a renewed dedication to innovation and American-made products that makes Trion’s future even brighter.”
Strong core values
This deep-rooted experience and dedication translate directly into the quality and reliability that Trion’s customers have come to expect.
As Thalenfeld emphasized, “Our employees have pride in what we make and personally see to it and ensure the quality is top notch.”
This commitment to quality is further reinforced by Trion’s “American made, but Pennsylvania made, too” philosophy. By sourcing high-quality materials from local suppliers, the company ensures greater control over the supply chain and fosters strong, collaborative relationships.
“We’re not going to switch over vendors just because it might be cheaper. Our focus is on working with companies who hold the same standards as we do,” Thalenfeld said.
This dedication to using domestic materials and maintaining rigorous quality control processes ensures the longevity and reliability of Trion’s products, often lasting for a decade or more in retail settings. One of the keys to their product longevity is its investment in purchasing and maintaining quality machinery and materials.
“We’re here for the long haul. We don’t want to be known as a one-and-done company that sells cheap systems that break in a year or two,” Thalenfeld said. “We want to have a relationship with our customers that lasts and lasts, which is what we’ve been lucky enough to have. Many of our customers have worked with us for decades, so we must be doing something right.”
Recognizing the dynamic nature of the retail industry, Trion prioritizes flexibility and future-proofing in its product design. As Thalenfeld observed, the company is forward-thinking enough to consider that over time, packaging changes necessitate shelving changes and designed its products accordingly.
This adaptability ensures that retailers’ investments remain relevant despite evolving packaging and sizing trends, contributing to Trion’s long-term partnerships.
Community relations
Beyond its business operations, Trion demonstrates a strong commitment to community involvement, a philosophy deeply ingrained in the company culture.
“My grandfather always had a saying, which was, ‘If you’re going to live in a community, it’s your responsibility to make it as good of a community as you can,’” Thalenfeld recalled.
Trion has had a longstanding partnership with the local United Way, hosting a haunted house fundraiser each year and supporting various local organizations, including Family Service Association, the local JCC and the area’s philharmonic. This connection to the community further strengthens Trion’s foundation and reflects its values-driven approach.
Moreover, as a U.S.-based company with about 300 full-time employees, primarily in Pennsylvania, Trion provides significant economic benefits to its local community. The company boasts multi-generational employees, fostering a strong sense of family and shared commitment.
“We all care about each other and try to take care of each other as best as we can,” Thalenfeld said.
This supportive environment contributes to employee loyalty and a shared dedication to producing high-quality products.
Next steps
Looking toward the future, Trion is focused on strategic growth through continuous innovation and investment in its infrastructure. “We have some new products that we’re working on and will be rolling out soon,” Thalenfeld said.
The goal, he noted, is to develop complementary products that can be efficiently manufactured in-house.
This approach leverages existing machinery and expertise, ensuring sustainable growth and supply chain resilience. The company also fosters a collaborative environment where ideas for new products and solutions can originate from both internal teams and customer feedback.
Key priorities for Trion’s next chapter include significant investments in machinery upgrades and automation.
“We’ve built out a good five- to 10-year plan of automation and machine improvement. At the end of this period, just about every machine we own will be fully rebuilt,” Thalenfeld said.
Rather than simply replacing older machines, Trion is strategically upgrading electronic components and control systems, effectively modernizing its capabilities in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
As Thalenfeld explained, “Even though the big iron box is old, it still functions well. If we’re able to do as many upgrades as we can, we’ve basically rebuilt these machines to become brand new.” This thoughtful and innovative approach to infrastructure development will ensure Trion remains a competitive and reliable partner for its customers for years to come.
Celebrating 60 years is not just a look back for Trion Industries but a powerful springboard into the future. Grounded in a legacy of innovation, a steadfast commitment to quality through its American-made products and dedicated workforce and a deep connection to its community, Trion is strategically positioned to continue serving the evolving needs of the retail industry for the next six decades and beyond.
The company’s ongoing investments in technology, new product development and its people underscore its enduring commitment to being a reliable and forward-thinking partner for grocers and retailers nationwide.