Evans Trailers Expanding
March 31, 2011
(SUMTER, S.C. ) Evans Trailers, a Sumter-based manufacturer for more than 90 years, has expanded its operations with the recent addition of 32 jobs and investment of more than $500,000.
Cameron Evans, president of Evans Trailers, said the expansion is due primarily to new business opportunities overseas, as well as new business linkages domestically. Established in 1919, Evans Trailers has long been known as South Carolina’s premier manufacturer of logging and specialized flatbed trailers. Annual production is generally around 200 units per year.
“We’ve all been working very hard to find industries that are new to us that need trailers and new markets for our current trailers,” Evans said. “We are all very excited to see these efforts translating into new orders.”
Although the logging business in the U.S. remains soft, a weak dollar has helped Evans Trailers find business opportunities overseas.
“Our Canadian and South American business continues to grow, and for the first time we are now selling trailers to companies in Africa,” said Evans.
In order to increase production and efficiency, Evans Trailers is investing in new tooling and a new shot blast booth. In total, about $500,000 will be invested in improving the Sumter facility.
Evans Trailers has already hired numerous welders and fitters through Roper Staffing. The company eventually expects to bring these new hires on as full time Evans team members.
The expansion is especially welcome news for Evans and the company, which in the recent past was down to as few as 16 employees. By the end of 2011, the company expects to employ 48 workers, a three-fold increase.
“This is really a heartwarming comeback story,” said Sumter Development Board Chairman Greg A. Thompson. “But strong companies create ways to survive by finding new customers, opening up new markets and forging new relationships. Clearly, Evans and its sister companies have found ways to not only survive, but to thrive.”
Sumter County Council Chairman Eugene Baten said the expansion is welcome news for everyone.
“Any job creation is news that Sumter County Council likes to hear,” Baten said. “On behalf of Council, we thank Evans Trailers and its parent company for the confidence it has shown in our community, and we pledge to do whatever we can to help the company be successful.”
Sumter Mayor Joe McElveen said the announcement shows the company – and the community – can compete in the global market.
“I think the most interesting thing is that Evans Trailers is going head-to-head with similar companies across the world and winning,” he said. “I think that shows a certain resilience in the company, and a certain quality in our community and its people.”
In 2002, Evans Trailers became part of the Strick Group, which also manufactures trailers under the Strick & Cheetah names. As part of the Strick Group, Evans Trailers now has access to a new set of salespeople and dealers who market Evans products.
Cameron Evans said those new resources are critical to the company’s success. But while markets may change, what will never change is the quality of products stamped with the Evans name.
“The biggest change in what we do is we’re increasing our production of ISO container chassis,” Evans said. ISO container chassis are used in conjunction with ISO containers. ISO Containers are generally unloaded from ships and railroads and placed on a chassis for delivery to their final location.
“We have built container chassis in the past, but our sister company Cheetah Chassis has really helped us gain a stronger foothold in this industry,” he said.
Evans also said the local company is ready for that global competition.
“Being so close to the port of Charleston is a huge advantage for us,” said Evans. “In addition to our traditional businesses, we hope to become the southeast’s premier manufacturer of ISO container chassis,” he said.
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