Pitts Enterprises has acquired the assets of Dorsey Trailer, including Dorsey's 800,000-sq-ft plant in Elba AL. The purchase was completed June 14, according to Jeff Pitts, president of Pitts Enterprises.
With the acquisition, Pitts Enterprises now owns and operates three trailer divisions: Pitts Trailers in Pittsview AL, Dynaweld Trailers of Columbus GA, and Dorsey Trailer. Pitts was recently classified by industry sources as the 22nd largest truck trailer manufacturing company in the nation. Headquartered in Pittsview, the firm was founded in 1976 by Andrew Pitts, Jeff's father.
Pitts Trailers produces forestry-related trailers, while Dynaweld specializes in heavy haul and tag-along trailers. Dorsey Trailer will continue to manufacture a variety of over-the-road trailers bearing the Dorsey nameplate including refrigerated vans, dry freight vans, fruit haul trailers, chip haul trailers, and steel and combo flatbeds.
Dorsey Trailer began truck trailer production in the 1920s. In the 1980s, the firm employed 1,200 people on three shifts and produced 50 trailers per day.
“The main focus of the plant is to supply a national network of dealer's needs in the tradition of high quality trailers that established the Dorsey label throughout the past century,” Pitts said.
David Dorsey, an Elba native, has been named general manager of Dorsey Trailer. David is a third-generation descendant of the founders of the company. He is the youngest son of the late Kimmie and Betty Dorsey. Kimmie spent his working career selling Dorsey Trailers at the corporate level.
Wayne Johnson, who has more than 30 years of experience designing and producing Dorsey trailers, will serve as plant engineer. He estimates that the plant will begin producing Dorsey models in three or four months.
