Wabash hires workers as trailer demand improves

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Wabash National has hired 100 temporary workers and plans to add 90 more after seeing a recent increase in trailer demand.

The company attributes the boost to improving freight demand and the firming up of the general economy.

"Our Lafayette operations are beginning to see production and customer demand levels not seen since 2008," said Brent Yeagy, vice president and general manager of Transportation Products. "We are excited to see order levels finally growing to a point that creates a need for additional associates."

The trailer maker seems to have overcome its struggles from early last year.

At the time, a private equity investment fund invested $35 million, giving it close to 50 percent ownership. The move appears to have given Wabash the stability it needed to navigate a recession that has been particularly hard on trailer manufacturers.

"While it is too early to declare that recent demand will prove to be sustainable, we are none the less encouraged by the increased quote and order activity of late, "said Dick Giromini, president and CEO of Wabash National. "We are hopeful that the addition of the new hires will be long-term."