Building a Legacy

Since its inception in 1958, Satellite Industries has remained dedicated to its vision of improving sanitation worldwide. Todd Hilde, son of founder Al Hilde and the current owner of Satellite Industries, has championed this vision, recognizing the increased use of portable restrooms globally as a major step towards enhancing global health. Reflecting on his father's humble beginnings with just 36 wooden restrooms in Minneapolis, Todd emphasizes the importance of providing convenience, privacy and dignity. Over decades, Satellite Industries' journey has underscored the critical role of sanitation in safeguarding public health and the environment. Todd's ambition to expand Satellite's reach led to the establishment of different offices & warehouses in Belgium, France, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Italy & Denmark, with products now serving portable restroom operators and different businesses in over 120 countries worldwide. Meeting the escalating demand for its products, Satellite Industries has pursued strategic acquisitions, invested in new facilities, and bolstered its workforce. Additionally, the relentless opening of new sites and warehouses has significantly enhanced inventory, assembly and shipping capacity, accommodating the growing needs of customers. As portable sanitation continues to evolve and proliferate globally, Satellite's unwavering commitment remains unchanged: to provide restrooms that prioritize convenience, privacy and dignity for all.

Product Aquisition

2023: Acquisition of Scanvogn

Recognized for their durability and versatility, Scanvogn trailers have been a trusted choice across multiple industries, thanks to their robust construction and customizable features. In 2023, Satellite Industries Europe became the leading European supplier of lightweight trailers by acquiring Scanvogn, allowing us to offer a near unlimited portfolio of products from the most reputable Scandinavian brand. After having been the market leader for trailers in the US for the last decade, we are now also able to offer all of those solutions, and more, to the European market, including, restroom, shower, accessible trailers, along with crew cabins, decontamination trailers and mobile houses, all the way to laundry, kitchen or sleeping trailers. You name it, we have it.

2022: Acquisition of Sanitrax International

The vacuum technology field witnessed significant growth following the introduction of the first vacuum flush technology model by European company Sanitrax International over a decade ago. Recognizing the potential in this burgeoning segment, Satellite Industries forged a close relationship with Sanitrax's founder and visionary, Marcel Bikker. When the time came for Satellite to enter this market, the logical step was to acquire Sanitrax, further diversifying its product portfolio and strengthening its foothold in the industry. We took Sanitrax from a startup to a substantial division now, with significantly enhanced production and delivery capabilities, and with Satellite’s quality behind it.

2020: Acquisition of Five Peaks

In 2020, Five Peaks, the manufacturer of the Aspen and other portable toilet lines, went out of business and we stepped in to pick up the assets and make sure that the customers who had grown with fleets of this unique looking product were offered a solution and could continue to buy more of the same unit.

2018: Acquisition of PolyPortables

In 2018, we had the opportunity of acquiring the 2nd largest portable toilet manufacturer in the US, Polyportables. With our core mission being customer satisfaction, we immediately embraced the opportunity to add more customers to the Satellite family, and with a takeover that protected not only the existing operators but also kept and improved all the product lines, we have been able to ensure that the Axxis unit would be available for years to come. It gave us a new model, a lot more colors plus a strategic geographical location in Georgia, from where we will continue to expand.

2013: Establishment of our Central Distribution Center (CDC) in Bristol, Indiana

A testament to its commitment to efficient operations and streamlined logistics, Satellite Industries constructed the CDC in Bristol, Indiana in 2013. This strategic facility serves as a cornerstone for the company's distribution network, ensuring timely and seamless delivery of products to customers. It’s also where we started up our luxury trailer manufacturing line, allowing for substantial economies of scale by sharing the same location.

2010: Acquisition of Hur Chemical in Cedar Park, Texas

Motivated by a desire to regain control over the manufacturing of Safe-T-Fresh deodorizers and cleaners, Satellite Industries acquired Hur Chemical in Cedar Park, Texas, in 2010. This strategic acquisition enhanced Satellite's manufacturing capabilities and reinforced its commitment to high-quality sanitation products. Today, the facility remains a central hub for producing and globally distributing the Safe-T-Fresh deodorizer line, highlighting Satellite's dedication to quality and innovation. By fully controlling the manufacturing process, we ensure consistent quality and adherence to the latest environmental standards.

2009: Acquisition of Global Product Line from Hampel

Satellite Industries acquired the Global product line from US-based Hampel Corporation in 2009. The Global cabin is a renowned unit, known worldwide for its unique look and by Satellite taking over the manufacturing of this unit we were able to extend our product portfolio and offer more choices to our customer base.

2007: Acquisition of Thal GmbH and Thal UK

In 2007, Satellite Industries expanded its global footprint with the acquisition of Thal GmbH and Thal UK, the 2nd largest portable toilet manufacturer in Europe, with operations in Germany and the United Kingdom. This strategic investment further strengthened Satellite's presence in key European markets, allowed us to start manufacturing in Europe and positioning the company for continued growth and success.

2005: Acquisition of Synergy World

Satellite Industries enhanced its product offerings in 2005 with the acquisition of US-based Synergy World and its world-class line of portable toilets, among which the High Tech model. This acquisition bolstered Satellite's market position and reinforced its reputation for delivering innovative and high-quality sanitation solutions.

2004: Acquisition of Top Japanese and French Manufacturers of Portable Restrooms

In a strategic move to expand its global reach and product portfolio, Satellite Industries acquired the top Japanese manufacturer in 2004 as well as the leading French manufacturer, France Propreté, the inventor of the Cleancab model, in 2003. This acquisition enabled Satellite to tap into new markets and strengthen its position as a leading provider of portable sanitation solutions worldwide.

The Satellite Story...

1958-1988: The Foundation is Laid

Founded in 1958 by Al Hilde, Jr., Satellite emerged from a simple yet profound idea: providing human dignity through adequate sanitation. Inspired by his experiences in the US Army and observations at sporting events and construction sites, Hilde recognized the absence of proper toilet facilities. He envisioned portable toilet services as essential and decent amenities for many. In the same year, Hilde constructed the first wooden prototype toilet, complemented by a service truck equipped with a vacuum pump and waste tank, and developed a deodorizer formula to ensure hygienic conditions inside the toilets. With a fleet of 36 toilets, a service truck, and the deodorizer formula, Al Hilde initiated the rental and service of portable toilets to construction companies. Innovation and development marked Satellite's trajectory, leading to the production of polyethylene toilets in 1972, a significant advancement in terms of hygiene and weight. As Satellite expanded its reach globally, its products became fixtures at major events and commercial sites, revolutionizing the rental and service operation of portable toilets over the next three decades.

1988-1995: Design and Manufacturing

In 1988, Satellite divested its rental and service division to focus on enhancing the design and supply of portable toilet equipment, service trucks, deodorizers, and cleaning supplies worldwide. Emphasizing better equipment design and function, Satellite aimed to improve operators' profitability and success by reducing service and repair times. Toilet redesigns focused on durability and ease of cleaning to minimize overall ownership costs and service times. Similar strategies were applied to the design of vacuum tanks on service trucks, enhancing accessibility and safety while streamlining operations.

1995 – 2004: International Expansion and Growth

Under Todd Hilde's leadership, Satellite embarked on a phase of international expansion, establishing its European headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in 1995. Over the ensuing years, Satellite opened offices across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, fostering regional manufacturing and warehousing to enhance lead times and service. This period saw Satellite's footprint grow exponentially, cementing its status as a global leader in portable sanitation solutions.

2011: Technological Pioneer

In 2011, Satellite earned recognition as one of the top 100 companies to receive the PM100 award, honoring manufacturing firms that have leveraged information technology to transform their operations. Notably, Satellite was commended in the category of Business Model Mastery for its innovative use of technology to connect customers, suppliers, and employees on a global scale. The integration of an ERP system has been pivotal to Satellite's continued success and expansion efforts worldwide.