SAVANNAH, Ga. — Great Dane’s manufacturing facility in Terre Haute, Ind. has recently completed its 100,000^th trailer. The plant celebrated the milestone with a ceremony and press conference Feb. 1.

“When our 100,000^th trailer rolled off the production line, there was an immediate, overwhelming sense of achievement for Great Dane and the outstanding products we build here and also a feeling of accomplishment for our people,” said Cory Lookebill, plant manager at Great Dane’s Terre Haute facility. “Hundreds of employees come here everyday because they are dedicated, hard-working Americans who take pride in their work and being part of the Great Dane family.  That deep sense of pride is what makes American manufacturing companies and products the very best in the world.”

Great Dane’s 565,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Terre Haute started up in April 1995 with a single production line. A second line was added a few months later to keep up with demand, according to the company. Nearly 2,700 trailers were completed during the first year of operation.

Today, Great Dane’s Terre Haute plant employs more than 450 people and builds more than 8,000 trailers annually for some of the nation’s largest fleets, including Estes Express, UPS and Celadon Group. The 100,000^th trailer to come off the line was an all-new Champion CP freight van built especially for Celadon.

“We consider ourselves very fortunate to have such a solid, longstanding partnership with Great Dane. They are a vital component in Celadon’s mission to provide top quality equipment to our customers and maintain one of the youngest fleets in the industry,” said Paul Will, vice-chairman, president and chief operating officer at Celadon Group.

“Our relationship is made even more special with the 100,000th Great Dane trailer being built by Hoosiers right here in our home state. Celadon has made a commitment to support and grow the Hoosier economy wherever possible, and we could not be more pleased to have such a valued partner as Great Dane right here in Indiana. We congratulate Great Dane on this momentous milestone and we thank them for their unwavering dedication to our business.”