Canadian trailer manufacturers BWS Manufacturing and Stargate Manufacturing have sought creditor protection under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

Grant Thornton has been named trustee as the companies make a proposal to creditors.

BWS Manufacturing, a New Brunswick-based trailer manufacturer in business since 1967, listed debts of more than $9.1 million.

Milton, Ont.-based Stargate Manufacturing, which makes dump trailers, straight truck bodies, transfer trailers and live bottom trailers, listed debts of $6.4 million.

Groupe Hugo Corp. is the parent company of BWS and Stargate. It purchased a majority stake in BWS in 2017 and added Stargate Manufacturing in 2020.

Groupe Hugo also owns Remorques Lewis Trailers in Quebec, which is not included in the filings.