NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, July 19, 2011

CONTACT: Brooke Bohnenkamp, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, 605.773.3301

Dakota Trailer Expands to Accommodate New Product Line

YANKTON, S.D. – Dakota Trailer Manufacturing, Inc. marked the completion of its recent expansion today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Yankton facility.

The 40,000-square-foot expansion will augment the company’s current production space and provide additional capacity for its new product line – Atokad Bodies. Dakota Trailer is a nationally recognized manufacturer of aluminum and steel grain trailers. With the addition of Atokad Bodies, Dakota Trailer now also produces service bodies, gravel trailers and mechanic bottom-dump gravel trailers.

“This expansion allows us to have all of our production units under one roof,” said Brian Strahl, President, Dakota Trailer Manufacturing, Inc. “It provides us with increased production capacity and stronger product concepts to help us better meet our customers’ needs.”

Gov. Dennis Daugaard says Dakota’s Trailer’s expansion has also created new job opportunities.

“This expansion has already resulted in 60 new jobs at Yankton, and the company expects to hire several more in coming weeks,” the Governor said. “Dakota Trailer’s investment is good news for job seekers, the Yankton community, and the state of South Dakota.”

Funding from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development helped make the expansion possible.

Mike Dellinger, Executive Director, of the Yankton Office of Economic Development, echoed Gov. Daugaard’s message.

“Over the last several years, Dakota Trailer has become a strong employer in Yankton,” Dellinger said. “We’re pleased the company continues to invest here and provide our labor pool with solid jobs and good benefits.”

This expansion is projected to have an economic impact of more than $1 million a year in Yankton.

Dakota Trailer was established at Yankton in 1968 as Hawkeye Eagle Grain Trailers. In 2005, the company was renamed Dakota Trailer Manufacturing. Since then, the firm has grown from an eight-person operation to a 140-employee company with a global client base.

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