Mar 1, 2005 12:00 PM

Great Dane Trailers is spending $5 million to retool the refrigerated and dry freight trailer production lines at its manufacturing facility in Brazil IN.

“Our customers will see various improvements including an even higher quality product than we already have, and the ergonomic improvement to our processes will enhance safety and efficiency for our employees,” said John Flathman, vice-president of manufacturing operations, Indiana. “We also anticipate a growth in business resulting from the modernization of our facility as well as projected demand from customers, which will eventually create more jobs.”

Great Dane Trailers is already the largest employer in Clay County with 1,200-plus employees.

The retooling consists of adding specialty foam presses to build trailer wall and roof assemblies. These units will be part of a new modular trailer design assembly, which allows for reduced manufacturing cost while lowering the weight of the trailer and improving design integrity.

All Great Dane Classic dry freight vans will now come from Brazil. The Brazil plant will also continue to produce Classic refrigerated trailers, as will the Savannah GA manufacturing facility.