Aluminum Trailer Co. to start construction on its $5 mln expansion project

Aluminum Trailer Co., based in Nappanee in the U.S. state of Indiana, will break ground on its $5 million production facility this fall. The move will enable the company to expand its production capacity significantly.

The trailer manufacturer, which has steadily flourished since recession ended in 2009, is expected to generate up to 40 jobs over the next three years as it plans major expansions over its 90,000-square-foot facility, said CEO Steve Brenneman. Operations at the plant are expected to start in the second quarter of 2017.

The upcoming facility, to be built near an existing 20,000-square-foot plant, will be the third production site for Aluminum Trailer Co.

"We're going to move our two main production lines into the building, as well as our main office," said Brenneman.

ATC manufactures a wide array of aluminium trailers for several industries, and sell them to dealers across the U.S. and Canada. Its largest market segment is the racing and motorsports industry which accounts for roughly 20 per cent of its sales.

ATC's sales have climbed by about 20 per cent each year since 2009. Lean manufacturing — the method of eliminating waste in a production process — has played a key role in the company's success, Brenneman said.

"Some of our lean manufacturing efforts are really starting to pay off," Brenneman said. "The idea is that you can continue to improve without adding people or space. But because we're growing at 20 percent a year, we now need more space and people."

He added that the company sources aluminium trailer parts mostly from local suppliers.

"When we look at buying materials for our trailers, we look at the larger picture and not just the bottom-line price," he said, acknowledging his employees' dedication for the company's success. "We've been heavily supported by the local community here in Nappanee."