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www.NATM.com52 May/June 2017

Universal Trailer Celebrates New Trailer Facility

Universal Trailer Celebrates New Trailer FacilityBy Meghan Ryan, NATM Communications Director

Universal Trailer Corp. held a ribbon cutting for its new, $25 million-plus, state-of-the-art cargo trailer facility on March 24. Speakers for the event included Universal Trailer CEO Terry Carlson, UTC Plant Operations Manager Keith Shockey, UTC Vice President of Marketing Jeff Howes and local and state dignitaries, such as Elaine Bedel, President of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and U.S. Indiana Rep. Jackie Walorski, who sent her video congratulations from Washington D.C. Carlson explained how the facility, which is located on 43 acres in Bristol, Ind., was two years in the making, as it incorporates automation adapted from the automotive industry to produce lighter and more durable Wells Cargo and Haulmark cargo trailers.

The 200,000 square foot plant also features a work-friendly environment for its employees, including modern lighting, shop

floor break rooms and numerous other amenities, which UTC says are unmatched in the industry.

At the new Bristol facility, Universal Trailer is using a modular production approach to create trailer kits, which will be shipped to its other facilities around the country to be finished and customized.

“The modular production process enables us to continue to scale to meet global market demands, producing twice as many Haulmark and Wells Cargo trailers per week versus the traditional production methods used, all the while keeping our quality high,” Carlson said.

Other trailer innovations include: proprietary construction material; intelligent robotic welding for square and true frames; HSLA (high-strength, low-alloy) roll formed steel; double-flanged cross members to minimize road vibrations; frames

Ribbon cutting team effort: left to right, UTC Vice President of Marketing Jeff Howes; Bristol Town Council President Ron Norman; Elkhart County Commissioner Suzie Weirick; Universal Trailer CEO Terry Carlson; Indiana Economic Development Corporation President Elaine Bedel; Indiana

State Senator Blake Doriot; Indiana State Representative Doug Miller; and UTC Plant Operations Manager Keith Shockey.

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53May/June 2017www.NATM.com

Universal Trailer Celebrates New Trailer Facility

Universal Trailer Corp. CEO Terry Carlson

receiving an Indiana flag from Indiana

Economic Development Corporation President

Elaine Bedel.

dipped in paint providing advanced anti-corrosion protection; and automotive fastener technology for perfectly aligned trailer chassis, walls and roof.

To verify these new materials, production techniques and fastening methods, Universal Trailer stress tested its trailers on commercial truck test tracks for over two years, and used 3D modeling and computer vibration to further validate the new design. Its research indicates that these trailers have three times the life expectancy of many competitors’ models. “The status quo is not good enough, so we embarked on a mission to create a more durable trailer that can go anywhere and withstand the test of time,” added Jeff Howes, Vice President of Marketing at Universal Trailer.

Universal Trailer Corporation is a manufacturer of leading lifestyle and utility trailer brands, such as Exiss Aluminum Trailers, Inc. of El Reno, Okla., Featherlite of Cresco, Iowa, and Wells Cargo and Haulmark of Elkhart, Ind. Some of its brands have been building trailers for more than 60 years. Headquartered in Fort Myers, Fla., Universal Trailer has seven manufacturing plants across the United States, producing Haulmark, Haulmark Motorcoach, Featherlite, Featherlite Specialty, Exiss, Sooner and Wells Cargo branded trailers.

For more information, visit www.UniversalTrailer.com or call (574) 264-9661.