<PAGE>   1
 




                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         For Quarter Ended March 31, 1999       Commission File Number 0-4539

                             TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC.

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                                       13-2598139
          --------                                       ----------

 (State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

                  2637 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48309
                  ---------------------------------------------

                  (Address)                         (Zip Code)

        Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code (248) 852-1990

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. YES  X   NO
                                       ---     ---

The number of shares outstanding of registrant's Common stock, par value $.10
per share, at March 31, 1999 was 3,139,737.


<PAGE>   2


                 TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

                FORM 10-Q - FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1999

                                      INDEX


PART I.   Financial Information


Item 1.           FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                  A.       Consolidated Statements of Earnings ---
                              Three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998.

                  B.       Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income---
                              Three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998.

                  C.       Consolidated Balance Sheets --- 
                              March 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998.

                  D.       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ---  
                              Three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998.

                  E.       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


Item 2.           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                  AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


PART II.  Other Information

Item 1.           LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Item 6.           EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

                  SIGNATURES



                                       2
<PAGE>   3


                     TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
A.
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         For 3 Months Ended:
                                                                         -------------------
                                                                      3/31/99            3/31/98
                                                                      -------            -------

<C>                                                                 <C>                <C>       
1.   Gross sales less discounts, returns and allowances             $  8,910,832       $  9,202,796

2.   Cost of goods sold                                                6,247,649          5,989,735
                                                                    ------------        ------------
3.   Gross Profit                                                      2,663,183          3,213,061

4.   Selling, general and administrative exp.                          2,450,365          2,083,175
                                                                    ------------      -------------

5.   Operating income                                                    212,818          1,129,886

6.   Other (income)/ expense
         Interest expense                                                184,214            141,219
         Other income                                                    (51,095)           (22,390)
                                                                    ------------       ------------
         Total other (income)/expense                                    133,119            118,829
                                                                    ------------       ------------
7.   Earnings before income taxes                                         79,699          1,011,057

8.   Income tax expense                                                   58,000            278,000
                                                                    ------------       ------------
9.   Net profit                                                     $     21,699       $    733,057

10.  Earnings per share (Note 6):
         Basic                                                      $        .01       $        .23
         Diluted                                                    $        .01       $        .23
                                                                    ============       ============
11.  Dividends per share                                            $         --       $         --
                                                                    ============       ============
</TABLE>



See Notes to Financial Statements


                                       3
<PAGE>   4


                     TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
B.
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

                      QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 1999                   1998    
                                                           ------------             ------------
<S>                                                       <C>                       <C>         
Net earnings                                              $      21,699             $    733,057

Other comprehensive income (loss)
   Equity adjustment from foreign
      currency translation                                      (30,581)                    3130
                                                         --------------             ------------

Comprehensive income                                     ($       8,882)            $    736,187
                                                         ==============             ============

</TABLE>








See Notes to Financial Statements


                                       4
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                    TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



      ASSETS                                                      


Current Assets                              3/31/99           12/31/98          
                                          (Unaudited)         (Audited)
                                          -----------         ---------

<S>                                      <C>               <C>                  
    Cash                                  $    65,386       $   193,579         
     Accounts receivable                    8,801,491         8,658,444         
     Inventories (Note 2)                  11,831,454        10,896,529         
     Prepaid expenses                         732,763           584,419         
     Deferred income taxes                    469,000           461,000         
                                          -----------        ----------         
     Total current assets                  21,900,094        20,793,971
                                                                                
Property, Plant & Equipment, at Cost
                                                                                

     Land                                     306,881           306,881
     Land Improvements                        126,660           126,660         
     Buildings                              5,465,952         5,457,543
     Machinery & equipment                 10,070,081         9,236,662         
                                          -----------        ----------
                                           15,969,574        15,127,746         
     Less: accumulated
           depreciation                    (9,953,662)       (9,396,048)        
                                          -----------        ----------
     Net plant and equipment                6,015,912         5,731,698
                                          -----------        ----------         
Other Assets                                                                    
                                                                                
     Investments in affiliates                 10,000            10,000
                                                                                
     Patents, licenses & trademarks,                                            
     net of accumulated amortization          176,718           195,694         
                                                                                
     Excess of cost of investment in
     stock of subsidiary over equity in
     underlying net assets of acquisition   1,663,294           351,721         
                                                                                
     Sundry                                     8,800             3,375         
                                          -----------        ----------
                                                                                
                                                                                
Total assets                              $29,774,818       $ 27,086,459        
                                          ===========       ============        

</TABLE>



                       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
                                                                                
                                                                                
   Current Liabilities                                                          
                                                                                
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                
                                                3/31/99           12/31/98      
                                              (Unaudited)         (Audited)     
                                              -----------         ---------     
<S>                                         <C>                 <C>             
    Notes Payable (Note 5)                  $  8,031,758        $ 4,645,144     
     Current installments                                                       
         - Long term debt (Note 5)                275,126            222,726    
     Accounts payable - trade                   2,649,470          2,792,705    
     Accrued liabilities                        1,512,350          1,621,198    
     Income taxes                                  58,277            614,000    
                                             ------------        -----------    
     Total current liabilities                 12,526,981          9,895,773    
                                                                                
     Deferred income taxes - Non-current          325,000            325,000                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
   Long term debt                                                               
                                                                                
     Current portion shown above (Note 5)       3,237,750          3,175,917    
     Other non-current liabilities                344,340            340,140    
                                                                                
    Stockholders' Equity                                                        
                                                                                
   Preferred stock of $1.00 par value                                           
     per share - authorized 500,000                                             
     shared; none issued                               --                 --    
                                                                                
     Common stock of $.10 par value per                                         
     share - authorized 10,000,000 shares;                                      
     3,139,737 shares issued and 3,139,737                                      
     outstanding at 3/31/99                       313,974            313,974    
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Additional paid-in  capital                4,072,081          4,072,081    
     Retained earnings                          9,053,805          9,032,106    
     Foreign currency translation                 (99,113)           (68,532)   
                                             ------------        -----------
                                               13,340,747         13,349,629    
                                             ------------        -----------    
   Total liabilities and stockholders'                                          
     equity                                  $ 29,774,818        $27,086,459    
                                             ============        ===========    
                                                            
</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       5
<PAGE>   6


                             TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC.
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
D.             For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            Three Months Ended March 31
                                                 1999        1998
                                             (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)
                                             -----------  -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
<S>                                          <C>          <C>       
Net income                                   $   21,699   $  733,057
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operations:
     Depreciation/Amortization                  267,074      215,410
     Decrease (increase) in accts. receiv    (   63,047)     214,527
     Decrease (increase) in inventory        (  726,725)  (  350,770)
     Decrease (increase) in prepaid exp      (  146,044)  (  429,172)
     Increase (decrease) in accts. payable   (  203,735)     633,267
     Increase (decrease) in accr. liab       (  173,689)  (  379,095)
     Increase (decrease) in income taxes     (  555,723)     168,000
     Other                                   (   54,880)         -0-
                                             ----------   ----------

Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operations       (1,635,070)     805,224

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
     Purchase of fixed assets                (  357,453)  (  244,410)
     Acquisition of Business                 (1,362,854)         -0-
                                             ----------   ----------

Net Cash Provided (Used) by Investing        (1,720,307)  (  244,410)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
     Net increase (repayment) of long-term
     borrowings                              (  128,849)  (   61,325)
     Net proceeds (payment) of credit line    3,386,614   (  474,498)
     Common stock issued through ESOP                -0-       8,250
                                             ----------   ----------

Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing         3,257,765   (  527,573)

Foreign currency translation                 (   30,581)       3,130
                                             ----------  -----------

Net Increase in Cash                         (  128,193)      36,371
Cash at beginning of year                       193,579      132,297
                                             ----------  -----------
Cash at end of quarter                       $   65,386  $   168,668

Supplemental Disclosures:
     Interest paid                           $  160,537  $   140,087
     Income taxes paid                       $  610,000  $   110,000

</TABLE>


See Notes to Financial Statements




                                       6
<PAGE>   7


E.                   TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



1.   Basis of Presentation

     The financial information presented as of any date other than December 31
     has been prepared from the Company's books and records without audit.
     Financial information as of December 31 has been derived from the audited
     financial statements of the Company. In the opinion of management, all
     adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
     fair presentation of the financial information for the periods indicated,
     have been included. For further information regarding the Company's
     accounting policies, refer to the consolidated financial statements and
     related notes included in the Company's annual report on form 10-K for the
     year ended December 31, 1998.


2.   Inventories

     The major components of inventories are:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      3/31/99             12/31/98
                                                      -------             --------

<S>                                                 <C>                 <C>       
                  Raw Materials                    $ 4,843,951         $ 4,078,689
                  Work in Process                    4,392,022           4,346,320
                  Finished Goods                     2,595,481           2,471,520
                                                   -----------         -----------

                                                   $11,831,454         $10,896,529
                                                   ===========         ===========

</TABLE>

3.   Principles of Consolidation

     There have been no significant changes in the principles of consolidation
     since our most recent audited financial statements.


4.   Significant Accounting Policies

     There have been no significant changes in the accounting policies since our
     most recent audited financial statements.


                                       7


<PAGE>   8


     E.             TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



5.   Long-Term Debt

     Long-term debt at March 31, 1999 consisted of the following:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                             <C>       
     Trans-Industries, Inc., $3,840,000 term note, payable in                                   $3,234,377
     monthly installments of $39,036 which includes interest at 
     bank's prime lending rate, and a balloon payment of $1,723,141 
     in October 2004.  The note is secured by substantially all the 
     assets of Trans-Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries.

     Term note, payable in monthly installments of $896                                            109,509
     including interest at a rate of 6%.  The note is 
     due January 21, 2002.

     Other                                                                                         168,990

                                                                                                ----------
                                                                                                 3,512,876
     Less current installments                                                                  (  275,126)
                                                                                                ----------
     Long-term debt                                                                             $3,237,750
                                                                                                ==========
</TABLE>

     The Trans-Industries, Inc. term loan agreement contains restrictive
     provisions relating principally to the maintenance of working capital,
     tangible net worth, and ratio of debt to earnings. At March 31, 1999 the
     Company was not in compliance and received a waiver from the bank.

     The Company also has an unsecured $10,000,000 line of credit of which
     $8,031,758 was utilized at March 31, 1999. Interest is charged at the
     bank's prime lending rate, less 1/4 point. This line of credit expires on
     July 1, 2000.





                                       8
<PAGE>   9



                     TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6.   Earnings Per Share

     The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the
     basic and diluted earnings per share computations.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        EARNINGS         SHARES         PER SHARE
                                                       (NUMERATOR)    (DENOMINATOR)       AMOUNT
                                                       -----------    -------------       ------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>      
     Qtr. ended March 31, 1999
         Basic earnings per share:
              Earnings available to common
                  stockholders                           $21,699        3,138,339      $     .01
              Effect of dilutive securities
                  Stock options                               --            8,090            .00
                                                         -------        ---------      ---------
         Diluted earnings per share:
              Earnings available to stockholders
              plus assumed conversions                   $21,699        3,146,429      $     .01
                                                         =======        =========      =========


                                                        EARNINGS         SHARES         PER SHARE
                                                       (NUMERATOR)    (DENOMINATOR)      AMOUNT
                                                       -----------    -------------      ------
     Qtr. ended March 31, 1998
         Basic earnings per share:
              Earnings available to common
                  stockholders                          $733,057        3,135,848      $     .23
              Effect of dilutive securities
                  Stock Options                              --            58,427            .00
                                                        --------        ---------      ---------
         Diluted earnings per share:
              Earnings available to stockholders
              plus assumed conversions                  $733,057        3,194,275      $     .23
                                                        ========        =========      =========
</TABLE>


     During 1998, the Company's stock transfer agent (agent) notified the
     Company that the agent's records did not reflect the issuance of 62,948
     shares of the Company's common stock which shares were presented for the
     payment of dividends. The certificates underlying the shares were issued
     prior to 1995. The Company's Board of Directors authorized the issuance of
     the 62,948 shares to validate the underlying certificates. Prior year
     earnings per share computations were based on information furnished by the
     transfer agent and have been revised to give effect to these shares as if
     they had been outstanding for all periods presented. Earnings per share as
     presented in the accompanying financial statements have been restated and
     are less than those previously reported for 1998.



                                       9

<PAGE>   10



                     TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7.   Stock Changes

     In February of 1998, the Company received a request from an employee to
     exercise his stock option for 1200 shares of common stock at a price of
     $6.875 per share. Accordingly, the Company issued a certificate for 1200
     shares.

     In June of 1998, the Company received a request from an employee to
     exercise his stock option for 1189 shares of common stock at a price of
     $6.875 per share. Accordingly, the Company issued a certificate for 1189
     shares.

     In July of 1998, the Company received a request from an employee to
     exercise his stock option for 1200 shares of common stock at a price of
     $6.875 per share. Accordingly, the Company issued a certificate for 1200
     shares.

8.   Segment Information

     During 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure About Segments
     of an Enterprise and Related Information," which establishes standards for
     the way that public business enterprises report information about operating
     segments. This statement also establishes standards for related disclosures
     about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. The
     Company operates in one market segment, the transportation industry.

     Financial information summarized by geographic is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                              3/31/99                                       3/31/98
                                   ---------------------------------          ----------------------------------

                                                          LONG-                                         LONG-
                                                          LIVED                                         LIVED
                                    REVENUES              ASSETS                 REVENUES              ASSETS
                                    --------              ------                 --------              ------

<S>                                <C>                  <C>                    <C>                 <C>       
     United States                 $6,524,400           $6,931,685             $6,738,172          $4,940,718
     United Kingdom                   775,230              943,039                880,630             625,887
     Canada                         1,021,093                    -              1,054,549                   -
     Other                            590,109                    -                529,445                   -

     Total                         $8,910,832           $7,874,724             $9,202,796          $5,566,605

</TABLE>


                                       10


<PAGE>   11


9.   Business Acquisition

     In February, 1999, Trans-Industries, Inc. acquired 100% of the outstanding
     common stock of Plastech Transparencies, Inc., a California based company
     specializing in the design and manufacture of glass and window system
     technology. In a transaction accounted for as a purchase.  Plastech 
     Transparencies, Inc. has served the replacement and conversion market in
     the West Coast transit industry since 1991. Plastech will become part of
     Trans-Industries' Transmatic Group of Companies, operating as a wholly
     owned subsidiary of Transmatic, Inc. and will change its name to
     TransGlass, Inc.




                                       11
<PAGE>   12






                     TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

                      For Three Months Ended March 31, 1999

Sales and Earnings

Sales for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 were $8,910,832 compared to
$9,202,796 for the same period a year ago. This decrease of $291,964 was
primarily attributable to a decline in sales volumes at the Company's
electronics display and lighting operations in England.

During the first quarter of 1999, the Company realized a net profit of $21,699
on sales of $8,910,832. For the same period of the prior year, the Company
reported net profit of $733,057 on sales of $9,202,796. This decrease in net
profit was due solely to the Company's electronic operations, both domestically
and internationally. Hardware and software design delays coupled with late
factory "buy-offs" on the part of the customer resulted in excess labor and
factory overhead costs. Moreover, administration expense levels were increased
in research and development and marketing in anticipation of higher volume
levels being realized.

Inventories

Inventory valuation is based upon the lower of cost or market. At March 31,
1999, consolidated inventories were $11,831,454 compared to $7,175,208 a year
ago. This increase of $4,656,246 is to accommodate anticipated growth in sales
volume.

Interest

Interest expense amounted to approximately $184,000 and $141,000 for the first
quarter of 1999 and 1998, respectively. This increase of $43,000 was the result
of higher debt levels in 1999.

Financial Condition

Current financial resources coupled with anticipated funds from operations are
expected to meet funding requirements for the remainder of the year, based upon
present needs.



                                       12


<PAGE>   13




Year 2000 Compliance

The Company has recognized that, without some modifications and enhancements,
some of its computer software and hardware may not operate properly after
December 31, 1999. The problem stems from the fact that some computers and
software programs, particularly those which are several years old, only
recognize the last two digits of the year when reading the date. Hence, in the
year 2000 it may read the date as 1900, and cause significant malfunctions.

To correct this potential problem, the Company has completed an internal review
of its computer systems and identified all the areas where modifications and/or
upgrades may be required. This process was completed in the first half of 1998.

Fortunately, the Company, as a whole, is not faced with any serious consequences
relating to the year 2000 issue. Both U.K. operations are utilizing relatively
new data processing systems and are already "Year 2000 Compliant". Likewise, the
Company's lighting and dust control operations have installed a new system over
the last year and a half. Testing of the system was completed in October of 1998
and went live in November 1998, thus eliminating potential year 2000 compliance
issues. The balance of the Company's operations utilize the same software, which
consist of eight modules. Three of the eight modules have been modified to
accommodate a four-digit year. Testing has been completed, and they are already
in daily use. One module (payroll) is going to be replaced with new, more
current software during the third quarter of 1999. The balance of the modules
are in the modification stage and are expected to be completed during the third
quarter of 1999.

Additionally, the Company has talked to some of its larger vendors and received
assurances that there will not be any undue disruptions of services or products
due to year 2000 issues.

The Company has estimated the magnitude of costs to accommodate the year 2000
data change to be less than $30,000.00. Because the Company sees little risk
associated with the year 2000 date change, and modifications and enhancements
have progressed so favorably, the Company has not developed a contingency plan
and nor does it intend to.



                                       13

<PAGE>   14



                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION



Item 1.                         LEGAL PROCEEDING

     The Company was the plaintiff in a patent infringement lawsuit filed in the
Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the Southern
Division. On April 9, 1998, the District Court awarded the Company $3,023,773 in
damages and $1,119,588 in interest. On May 1, 1998, the defendant paid the
damages awarded to the Company and appealed the interest award. On April 29,
1999, the Court of Appeals, consisting of a three judge panel, ruled in favor of
the defendant, thus allowing the interest calculation to be computed using an
interest rate of approximately 1/2 the original calculation. Because the
decision was not unanimous, the Company is going to appeal this decision. A
final outcome on the interest award is expected in 6 - 9 months.


Item 6.                EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K


     (b) Form 8K dated May 4, 1998; receipt of damage award and Declaration of
Special Dividend.




                                       14
<PAGE>   15



                                   SIGNATURES



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of l934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                                   TRANS-INDUSTRIES, INC.




Date: May 12, 1999                                 /s/     Kai Kosanke          
      -----------------------                      -----------------------------
                                                   Kai Kosanke, Treasurer
                                                   and Chief Financial Officer



Date: May 12, 1999                                 /s/     Paul Clemo           
      -----------------------                      -----------------------------
                                                   Paul Clemo
                                                   Assistant Treasurer


                                       15


<PAGE>   16


                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT NO.                    DESCRIPTION
-----------                    -----------

   EX-27                       Financial Data Schedule