Industry Highlight - Utility Trailer

Utility Trailer Mfg Co.
13160 Monroe Road
Glade Spring, Virginia 24340

Utility Trailer Mfg Co.
124 Mountain Empire Road
Atkins, Virginia 24311

Big rigs and their trailers are largely visible on virtually all of our nation’s roadways, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. They’re typically viewed as something that is riding too close to our rear bumper or as something that is impeding our progress as we head down the interstate. However, few pause to consider the fact they carry most of what we need as consumers. Additionally, trailers and their manufacturers have certainly experienced an evolution the last 100 years.

Brothers E.W. and H.C. Bennett founded Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company in 1914 with one simple goal: to build the highest quality trailers available. That year they produced their first trailer, a single axle unit that would accommodate 60 bales of cotton. In the 1920’s, they were one of the first to use aluminum in trailer manufacturing. By 1935, their success permitted the purchase of a steel foundry in Southgate, California, which allowed them to maintain absolute quality control over some of the most essential parts of their trailers. Over the years, the company has taken over all the important details of the manufacturing process. Utility takes pride in the fact that it builds each trailer from the ground up.

Utility currently operates five trailer factories across the United States: two for refrigerated trailers located in Marion, Virginia, and Clearfield, Utah, two for dry vans located in Glade Spring, Virginia, and Paragould, Arkansas, and a flatbed and Tautliner® factory in Enterprise, Alabama.

Historically, Utility has maintained the position as America’s largest producer of refrigerated vans as a direct result of management’s focus on providing innovative solutions to customer problems. Utility responds to the changing needs of the market and remains committed to providing satisfaction to each of their customers.

Students desiring careers in manufacturing production, supervision, and administration could benefit from employment opportunities available at the two Utility Trailer manufacturing facilities in our region – Glade Spring and Marion.