Southland Trailers has selected Lethbridge County, Alberta, as the site for a new manufacturing facility.
The 85,000 square-foot advanced manufacturing plant will create 250 new jobs over the next three years, building on their existing 380-strong workforce, according to Invest Alberta, the economic development agency for the region.
The expansion is in part thanks to a $2.06 million boost from the Alberta government’s rural stream of the Investment and Growth Fund (IGF). The new facility will integrate robotic processes that will allow Southland to double its cargo trailer production capacity from 20 per day to 41 per day.
“Southland Trailer Corp. is thrilled to work with the Government of Alberta on our new expansion. We look forward on continuing to provide new job opportunities and strive to make Southern Alberta a pinnacle in the manufacturing industry,” Southland Trailers President and CEO Monty Sailer said. “The new jobs provided by this expansion will help boost Lethbridge’s economy and provide more opportunity to the people of Lethbridge. We look forward to bringing new team members of all skill sets to Southland Trailer Corp.”
A family-run Alberta business, Southland Trailers has grown to be one of the largest trailer manufacturers in North America. The company builds a wide range of trailers under the brands Southland Trailers, Renn, and Royal Cargo.
The project is the result of collaboration between Southland, Lethbridge County, the Government of Alberta, and Invest Alberta.
“Southland Trailers is a home-grown Alberta success story, and their expansion is evidence of the opportunity for investment and growth in Alberta,” Invest Alberta CEO Rick Christiaanse said. “Southland’s expansion in southern Alberta is another example of high-impact, high-value investment in Alberta that creates jobs, supports our local communities, and grows Alberta’s innovative edge in manufacturing.”