Great Dane Trailers will reopen its Jonesboro, Arkansas, plant due to a boost in dry freight van demand.
About 70 recalled employees began work in late September, and the first trailers, SSL dry freight vans featuring Great Dane's single-sided laminate interior lining, started rolling off the line last week.
Initially, 20 trailers will be built per week, leading up a rate of 32 units weekly, but production is expected to ramp up over time. The Jonesboro plant had been idle since October, 2009. According to industry reports, dry freight van net orders have experienced healthy increases after a period of historic decline.
Opened by Great Dane in September 2002, the Jonesboro facility has a history of reaching production goals and achieving high levels of safety performance.