Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company Honored with Longevity Award by the University of Southern California in Conjunction with the Los Angeles Business Journal

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.--Nov. 2, 20049, 2004--Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, a leading manufacturer of dry freight vans, flatbeds, refrigerated vans and Tautliner(R) curtainsided trailers, and which is commemorating its 90th year as America's oldest trailer manufacturer, was honored with the Longevity Award from the University of Southern California's Family Owned Business Program at the Marshall School of Business, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Business Journal, at the Fourth Annual Family-Owned Business Award Luncheon which took place on October 21 at The Kodak Theater.

Craig, Hal, Paul, Jeff and Stephen Bennett, representing the 3rd and 4th generations of active family members in the business, accepted the Longevity Award on behalf of the Bennett family. Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company was founded in 1914 by two brothers, E.W. and H.C. Bennett, and has had a major part in the industrial growth of the United States. From its humble beginnings in Los Angeles, through both World Wars, post-war growth, and into the 21st century, the Company, which first started building trailers around the time Henry Ford introduced the assembly line, continues to build trailers to this day. "From the beginning our business has been building trailers, and we still embrace the values and vision expressed by E.W. and H.C. in the early 20th century as we conduct business in the early 21st century," stated Hal Bennett, President Utility Trailer. "While we have grown to over 3,000 employees and have five plants around the country, our focus and those initial ideals have remained the cornerstone of how we conduct business each day."

The Family-Owned Business Awards represent recognition by the USC Marshall School of Business Family-Owned Business Program and The Los Angeles Business Journal of exceptional professional and community accomplishments by family-owned businesses in Los Angeles County.

In celebration of its 90th anniversary, Utility Trailer started the year with a brand new advertising and marketing campaign. "We wanted Utility Trailer to look like the market leader that it is and to set a new standard for communicating the innovation and quality that has been the hallmark of our products since 1914," said Craig Bennett, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Utility Trailer.

Among the highlights of this milestone year for Utility Trailer was the introduction of its new 4000D-X(TM) dry van series which features a patented steel lined "sandwich" wall design that offers a full 101-1\4" of ID width from lining to lining. In addition to the 4000D-X(TM), Utility Trailer introduced the "Wide Track System" which is ideally suited to take full advantage of the weight savings and increased fuel economy of Michelin's new generation wide single tire, the X-One.

Supported by over 100 dealers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, this year also saw increased demand for Utility's refrigerated trailers and dry vans. This increase resulted in plant expansions in Virginia and Arkansas. Employing more than 700 people and in operation since 1989, Utility's Smyth County Virginia facility increased its production capability of its market-leading 3000R refrigerated trailer through an $11.5 million investment. Responding to increasing demand for its dry vans, Utility Trailer Manufacturing is expanding its Paragould Arkansas plant to increase capacity and leverage production efficiencies. Centrally located to conveniently serve the USA as well as Mexico, the plant will now boast a second assembly line which will serve to boost production output as well as provide an extra degree of manufacturing flexibility and versatility. Encompassing about 80,000 square feet, the added assembly line will allow Utility Trailer to keep up with demand for its 3000D(TM) dry van as well as meet growing demand for the 4000D-X(TM). It is anticipated that the 4 million-dollar expansion will add approximately 100 jobs to the local economy.

About Utility Trailer

Based in City of Industry, California, and celebrating its 90-year anniversary building trailers, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company is America's oldest privately owned, family-operated trailer manufacturer. Building trailers since 1914, the company designs and manufactures dry freight vans, flatbeds, refrigerated vans and Tautliner(R) curtainsided trailers. Utility is the largest producer of refrigerated vans and the third largest trailer manufacturer overall in the U.S.A. Utility currently operates five regionally placed trailer factories: two for refrigerated trailers, located in Marion, Virginia, and Clearfield, Utah; two for Dry Vans, located in Glade Spring, Virginia, and Paragould, Arkansas, and a Flatbed and Tautliner(R) factory in Enterprise, Alabama. Utility's historical position as America's largest producer of refrigerated vans is a direct result of its management's focus on providing innovative solutions to customer problems. Utility's extensive dealer network has over 100 locations throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico and South America. For more information, contact Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company at 626-965-1541, or visit the company's web site at www.utilitytrailer.com.