Wabash National announced a new line of dry-freight vans, a heavy-duty version of its Duraplate trailer, and a new sales organization for marketing used trailers.
“We have repackaged the traditional sheet-and-post trailer,” Wabash National CEO Bill Greubel said in reference to the new FreightPro line.
Standard features include air ride suspension, premium brakes, and DuraPlate doors. High-strength nose design has four 16-gauge posts (rated at 80,000 psi) and a front apron wrapper for added protection. A built-in aluminum gutter prevents moisture from entering the cargo area. Also included is a powder-coated rear frame.
Wabash also introduced its new DuraPlate HD trailer. Designed for heavier applications, the trailer has a base plate design that provides an additional 22 inches of lower sidewall protection (where an estimated 90% of all trailer damage occurs).
“Today approximately 25% of all new dry van purchases are DuraPlate trailers,” Greubel said. “With the DuraPlate HD, we have developed a product capable of withstanding even the most abusive applications.”
More than 150,000 DuraPlate trailers are currently in service. Sidewalls use panels of composite material consisting of a polyethylene plastic core sandwiched between two sheets of pre-painted galvanized steel.
Wabash Used Trailers is the name of the company's new sales organization dedicated solely to remarketing used trailers. It will be comprised of five regional centers across North America under the direction of Doug Sandell, who says the company is establishing locations in Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas. Locations on the east and west coasts are being planned.
“In 2002, we sold more than 17,000 used trailers,” Sandell said. “Many of North America's largest carriers are working with us to remarket their trailers. With the establishment of Wabash Used Trailers, we are in position to do an even better job of leveraging our expertise and broad reach to get the highest value for their trailers.”
Sales have exceeded supply, trimming the inventory to less than a two months supply of used trailers. Wabash National Corp, 1000 Sasamore Parkway South, Lafayette IN.