Utility’s Marion, Virginia Reefer Plant Hits New 175,000 Mark
This “Utility Family” Builds its 175,000th Refrigerated Van
Utility’s eastern facility at Marion, Virginia produced its 175,000th refrigerated van earlier this year, and it happened to be built for one of Utility’s long-term customers — US Foods — a leading North American food company and foodservice distributor. What does it take to build 175,000 trailers, and what does it mean for the local community where the Marion plant exists? Jerry Sheets, Plant Manager of Utility’s Marion, Virginia plant explains, “I began in March 1989, even before we were in production. I’ve seen every stage of our plant’s growth and expansion. I’ve seen what Utility has meant to our surrounding communities. They have offered a secure, stable and great way to earn a living.”
He added, “Utility has also created a culture where every person can succeed, and where everyone works together to produce the very best trailer possible. It is a company culture that seeks to treat each person like family. Hitting this milestone of building 175,000 trailers speaks to our consistent ability as a company to attract great people to join our Utility family.”
Marion is averaging between 900 to 1,100 trailers per month and is closing in on 200,000. “To have been able to grow a plant from where we started in 1989 into a facility that now employs over 1,250 people is a testament to the Bennett family for creating and sustaining a strong and growing company,” continued Mr. Sheets. “175,000 trailers built since 1989 is also proof that the decision to locate a facility in rural southwest Virginia in order to utilize the great people who live here, was a wise decision indeed.”
Left to Right: David McAllister (Plant Superintendent), Don Ross (Plant Engineer), Tracy Copenhaver (Quality Control Manager), Paul Bennett (Chairman of the Board & CEO), John Harris (Director of Manufacturing), Jerry Sheets (Plant Manager), Bill Weaver (Human Resources Manager), Dan Potts (EHS Manager), Steve Bennett (Vice President), Kevin Atwell (Materials Manager), Phil Hendren (Industrial Engineer/Order Process Manager)
