NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — As communities across the country prepare to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, New Middletown-based Hitch-Hiker Manufacturing is helping customers mark the occasion with patriotic digital displays on its LED-equipped trailers.
Hitch-Hiker Manufacturing in New Middletown has been utilizing light-emitting diode, or LED, displays on its trailers for about five years and recently secured a patent for its technology, Jeff Swartz, president and CEO, says. The system allows customers to change the content on their screens to highlight multiple products.
“People with static signs, they don’t have any option. With our signs, they have the option to do this,” Holly Swartz, Hitch-Hiker’s vice president, says.
Since the America 250 celebration was coming up in 2026, several customers reached out in 2025 to ask for digital content such as fireworks and flag waving, Jeff Swartz says. The technology was a natural fit for customers to showcase patriotic content. In addition to being available on new trailers, the content can be distributed to Hitch-Hiker’s existing customers.
The cost of a trailer can exceed $100,000, and the LED option adds a significant amount to it.
The company’s trailers are sourced within the United States to the greatest extent possible and utilize an American company to produce the LED modules, Jeff Swartz says.
“We work very hard with local vendors, local steel companies,” Holly Swartz says.
Feedback regarding the LED-equipped trailers has been “phenomenal,” he reports. He estimated about 99% of Hitch-Hiker’s customers have had the company develop and create content related to celebrating the semiquincentennial.
“All of our past customers are interested in this content,” Holly Swartz says. “That’s actually boosted the sales of the content creation for this year because it’s a new thing and they wanted to celebrate” America 250.
Editor’s note: This story is part of a larger feature examining how Mahoning Valley businesses are celebrating America’s 250th anniversary through special products, partnerships and commemorative branding. Read the full story HERE.
Pictured at top: Jeff and Holly Swartz stand in the Hitch-Hiker Manufacturing warehouse in New Middletown.