All this innovation means that Universal
Trailer Corporation will now deliver
trailers with three times the life
expectancy of their own legacy trailer
design and several of UTC’s closest
competitors. To validate its new materials,
forward-thinking production techniques
and sophisticated fastening methods,
Universal Trailer stress-tested its new
cargo trailer design (along with their
competition) on a commercial truck test
track for over two years. The multi-stage,
durability events of the test track included
various road conditions, chatter bumps,
impact trials, cobbles tone, undulating road
simulations, body/chassis twist events and
off-road gravel surfaces. UTC also utilized
3D modeling, Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
and computer vibration simulation to
further substantiate their new design.
Wells Cargo and Haulmark trailers will
be produced as complete trailer frame
kits, which will then be shipped off to
Universal Trailer’s four cargo trailer
www.natda.org
facilities around the country for further
assembly and customization. “The modular
production process enables us to continue
to scale to meet global market demands,
producing twice as many Haulmark and
Wells Cargo trailers per week vs the
traditional production methods used, all
the while keeping our quality high,” said
Scott Fultz, Director of Manufacturing.
“The new plant also takes our employees’
experience into account with an open,
modern architecture and internal windows
to the shop floor throughout the facility.
Needless to say, it’s also great for the local
Elkhart County economy with 50 new
hires and plans to hire an additional 150
full-time and part-time employees over the
next 18 months.”
“Our customers demand the very best
and we strive to deliver. The status quo
is not good enough, so we embarked
on a mission to create a more durable
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NATDA Magazine
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