Great Dane Trailers officially broke ground on the site of its new refrigerated trailer manufacturing plant in Statesboro, Georgia, in the presence of more than 200, including many local business representatives, state and local political leaders, and company executives.
During the morning program, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, Statesboro Mayor Joe Brannen and Bulloch County Commission Chairman Garrett Nevil hailed the cooperation among the state, local economic developers and Great Dane as key reasons for the success of selection process that resulted in choosing the 118-acre Statesboro site.
They also echoed the sentiments of company executives who were particularly drawn to the location just northwest of Savannah because it remained close to where Great Dane was founded in 1900.
“Just as important in our selection of this site was the opportunity to continue Great Dane’s legacy by keeping it close to the company’s deep roots in Savannah,” said Bill Crown, President and CEO of CC Industries and CEO of Great Dane Limited Partnership. “Today we honor the heritage of excellence for which Great Dane’s trailers have become known, while breaking ground on a bright and innovative future for ourselves and the city of Statesboro.”
The plant, which will encompass 450,000 square feet, including office and show room space, will have the capacity to produce more than 5,000 trailers annually and will employ more than 400 people.
Speaking of this impact on the company and the city, Phill Pines, President and COO of Great Dane Trailers, said, “Our reputation rests firmly on the products we make. The refrigerated trailers that will be built here will be complex and detailed, and we are confident that the importance of this will not be lost on the workforce here.”
Strategically located in the Southeast, the new reefer plant will feature the latest technology, making it the most modern, efficient plant in the world. Construction is expected to get underway later this year to bring the plant into production in 2012.
“Great Dane is a great example of advanced manufacturing companies continuing to find Georgia an advantageous place to locate and flourish,” said Gov. Perdue. “This groundbreaking marks the beginning of a great partnership between the company and the Georgia workers who can help it thrive here.”
Great Dane can be accessed online at www.greatdanetrailers.com.