Farmer, inventor, salesman and manufacturer. Born and raised on a farm in Nebraska with eight brothers and four sisters, George pioneered rental trailers and was one of the principal founders of Nationwide Trailer Rental System. He was President for that organization for four years and a director for thirteen year.

The saying, “Behind a successful man is a good woman,” is certainly true about Esther Lena Croft. She was “special” – a loving, gracious, hard-working helpful wife both in the business and the home. She drove with George on sales trips all over the U.S., made the best mince meat pie with real meat and always remembered everyone’s birthday sending cards to friends in 48 states.

Iris got her first taste of our industry while traveling with her parents as her father sold trailer parts out of his car. After moving to Kansas City, he started Croft Trailer where she worked until she joined Croft’s rental store operation. She became recognized as a true pioneer in the party rental business – an especially significant achievement considering she was a woman in a man’s business world. Iris will be remembered for the many ARA, CRA and TRA conventions she attended; the seminars she led; the awards she received; but more importantly by the numerous rental friends she made over her years.

Although a California native where he was raised on a chicken farm, it was in Wichita, Kansas where Walt met Iris. He was a field manager with Nationwide Trailer Rental System at that time. In 1957, he and Iris married and he began his career with Croft Trailer Supply as a manager of trailer manufacturing and parts sales. He became President of the Company in 1975 when George Croft retired. Walt’s contributions to the success of the Company include numerous product inventions that continue in production, his management skills and his development of the product catalogs and sales flyers. For many years, Walt gathered the product information, composed the copy and cut and pasted the illustrations for the catalogs and sales flyers. Walt was a devoted husband to Iris, especially during her last years of illness. He continues to provide consulting services to the Company.

Iris’s daughter, Sandy, (our third generation) joined Croft Trailer Supply in 1966. Once again we had a woman entering a man’s business world with remarkable success. In 1982, Sandy’s husband, Bill, joined the family business after retiring from AT&T. Bill soon became a familiar face at the major trade shows. Bill was also involved with product development and improvement – the most recent being the adjustable coupler/ring assembly with channel. Bill passed away unexpectedly in June, 1998 leaving many friends and a family who miss him deeply.

During 1999 we moved into our new 40,000 sq.ft. distribution center and administrative offices which brings us to a total of five locations in the Kansas City area. Croft has 40 experienced employees who stand ready to provide the outstanding customer service our customers have come to expect. Croft Trailer Supply continues to be family owned and managed.