Trelleborg and our Loyal Customers

Close to 30 years ago, two best friends, Mike Heinze and John Steinberger, set out to find farm tires that were reliable and durable. After some discussions and research, they made an initial investment to purchase eight Trelleborg agricultural tires. Today, the Steinberger Farm located in Kenmare, North Dakota in the US, have more than 100 Trelleborg tires on their equipment.

On January 21, 2021, we received a call from Mr. Steinberger’s son, James, stated that he had a Trelleborg story to tell. We were happy to listen to this historical journey.

Back in May 1972, his father John met Mike Heinze on a flight to Vietnam and they became lifelong friends. In the 1990s, they decided to venture into the agriculture industry and Mike and John made their first purchase of Trelleborg agricultural tires. Now, Trelleborg tires are the choice of other generations within the Steinberger family, extending beyond to the farming community in the surrounding state of North Dakota.

Trelleborg’s agricultural tires are used on equipment such as the Versatile 875 tractor and their sprayers. The Steinberger family is happy with the investment as they’re proven to be strong and durable after 4,500 plus hours of operation with minimal issues. John said: “Trelleborg tires have low soil compaction, strength in the sidewall and excellent flotation.”

On a different piece of equipment run by Mike Heinze, his Karnak Elevator Nh3 tanks set the high flotation, minimal compaction standard for the East Central North Dakota region. Mike stated: “Trelleborg tires allowed the tanks to be pulled more easily with less soil compaction, leaving no ruts. The equipment used less fuel which resulted in lower operation costs, better crops and more carbon sequestration.”

At Trelleborg we are happy we can make a difference in the everyday life of farming from one generation to the next.

Photos: Submitted by Mike Heinze and John Steinberger