ATA Welcomes Great Dane Trailers Back to Federation as an Allied Member

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations proudly welcomed Great Dane Trailers as an allied member.

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"We're pleased to start off the New Year and a new era at Great Dane by rejoining the ATA," Great Dane President and CEO Bill Crown said.  "For nearly a century, our company has been known as the trailer industry's leader.  That leadership includes not only participating but actively educating others and advocating our business in front of legislators and those outside our industry.  In those goals, we are aligned with the ATA."

The history between Great Dane and the American Trucking Association dates back to the 1930s shortly after ATA incorporated.  Great Dane was, at that time, known as The Steel Products Company, spearheading the design and manufacture of truck trailers for over-the-road freight hauling.  As a stringent supporter of the transportation industry, it backed ATA with its allied membership.  Both organizations grew in strength and evolved over the next 20 years.  When the ATA Foundation was established in 1953 The Steel Products Company again stepped up as an active charter member, and just five years later changed its name to Great Dane Trailers Inc.

The evolution continues as both Great Dane and the ATA constantly work toward like goals.  Today, Great Dane renews its commitment to the industry it helped pioneer by rejoining the ATA as an allied member.

"2012 promises to be another year full of challenges and opportunities for the trucking industry, as well as the supplier community that supports it," ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said. "We are extremely happy to welcome Great Dane back as an ATA allied member to help us face those challenges and take advantage of those opportunities as we work for a more prosperous future for the trucking industry."

"Just as Great Dane is the benchmark for trailer innovation, we are in constant pursuit of excellence in all our products, sales and service.  We also strive to raise industry standards for quality across the board.  Great Dane is ready to lead, as always, in this ambition; to work diligently with the ATA and its members for the advancement of the trucking industry, which is such a vital part of our economy," Crown said.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Good stuff. Trucks Bring It!

Great Dane, a manufacturer of dry van, refrigerated and platform trailers, has long been regarded as the industry leader in technology, innovation and quality.  The company is headquartered in Chicago, Ill., and has corporate offices in Savannah, Ga., with manufacturing plants and a parts distribution center strategically-located throughout the United States. Great Dane's network of company-owned branches and full-line independent dealers and parts-only independent dealers offer distribution points for both trailers and aftermarket parts across North and South America. Great Dane can be accessed online at www.greatdanetrailers.com.

The company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies, acquired in 2010, is the innovator and manufacturer of custom fiberglass, specialized refrigerated truck bodies and trailers that range from eight to 36-ft. in length.  With headquarters in Rice Lake, Wis., markets include dairy, meat, frozen food, keg beer, live poultry, vending products, flowers and plants, and ice.   Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies can be accessed on-line at www.johnsontruckbodies.com.

SOURCE American Trucking Associations