Stoughton Trailers announced a major milestone in the company’s 51-year-history with the production of its 250,000 commercial van trailer in August. Founded in 1961 by current CEO Don Wahlin, the company originally built truck bodies commonly used in the beverage and dairy industries, as well as those for transportation of raw materials and consumer products.
In 1963, the first Stoughton trailer rolled off the assembly line as the company diversified its product offerings to serve other areas of an expanding transportation industry. Dubbed the “City Delivery Trailer,” the original basic 32-foot trailer has since evolved into the standard 53-foot design.
With manufacturing operations in Brodhead, Evansville and Stoughton, Wis., Stoughton has seen its product line over the years include a variety of specialized equipment to assist the transportation needs of industry, agriculture and the U.S. Military. Since late 2010, Stoughton says it has seen a steady increase in customer orders and the return of intermodel container and chassis production.
Both conditions have allowed for the reopening of two manufacturing facilities and adding more than 500 positions to the company’s work force, currently numbering more than 950 team members. Stoughton says that for the remainder of 2012, staffing plans show for a continuing hiring trend for assembly, welding, industrial painting, technical and professional positions.
