Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. announced that its Glade Spring, VA, facility has reopened after cleanup and repairs to the plant were completed.
The facility was struck by a tornado on early Thursday morning on April 28. Because Utility had sent all 340 employees home early because of the severe weather, no one was inside the plant when the tornado struck. The building sustained roof damage, but no machinery or tools were affected, the company said.
The Glade Spring plant is one of five manufacturing facilities in the U.S. The 4000D and the 4000D-X Composite dry van trailers are produced there.
“Our employees and contractors have done a masterful job of clean-up, debris removal, clearing damaged inventory, and helping the community rebuild what was lost from the tornado devastation. We plan to build up our production and reinstate most employees at an aggressive rate,” said Harold Bennett, president. “To help increase production, some of our Glade Spring trailer backlog has been transferred to our second dry van plant in Paragould, Arkansas. Between the two plants we hope to be caught up on our delivery commitments within 90 days.”
