DOT Transportation Announces Vendor of the Year Award

Craftsmen Utility Trailer and Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company Earn Accolade

It’s wonderful to win business and be profitable, but earning the appreciation of a customer, especially one as significant as DOT Transportation is a reward that makes the effort more meaningful. That is what Craftsmen Utility Trailer and Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. achieved when they were awarded the Vendor of the Year by DOT Transportation at their 20th Annual Business Meeting. It is the third time both companies have received this award in the past four years.

We are honored to receive this recognition from DOT Transportation. I would like to congratulate everyone involved from both Utility and Craftsmen,” said Lou Helmsing, President of Craftsmen

Utility Trailer. “This award is a tribute to their hard work, dedication and character. It’s truly a team effort that required everybody to do their best – including sales and scheduling, order processing, manufacturing, field service and aftermarket parts.”

Mike Stratton, Regional Sales Manager and Korey Rundquist, Regional Field Service Manager were in attendance to accept the award for Utility. “Thanks to DOT Transportation for this recognition. It is gratifying to know that our commitment to quality is valued,” said Mr. Stratton. “I want to congratulate everyone at Craftsmen and Utility who were involved in creating such a positive service experience for DOT,” added Mr. Rundquist.

DOT Transportation uses several key metrics to determine the winner. They pointed out that both Craftsmen and Utility took ownership of all vendor component issues, provided high quality equipment with below average maintenance costs, manufactured and delivered a large quantity of trailers on schedule, and made annual Field Service Department visits.

“DOT Transportation works with about 30 vendors each year, each one key to our success, so winning the Vendor of the Year Award is no small feat,” said Kevin Buss, DTI’s director of fleet maintenance. “Craftsmen went above and beyond, providing us with continued great support and quality products that work best in our day-to-day operations. We congratulate Craftsmen on the win, and we look forward to many more years of partnership. They make extra effort to understand our business and work with us to find best solutions and products to fit our needs.”