Wabash to Close Illinois Plant

Trailer maker Wabash National Corp. said Tuesday that it will sell its Anna, Ill., plant and consolidate operations into its Cadiz, Ky., plant.

Both plants are currently owned by Wabash subsidiary Transcraft Corp., which manufactures flatbed, drop deck and dump trailers and truck bodies, Wabash said in a statement. The Cadiz plant will be the sole Transcraft facility after the consolidation.

“These types of decisions are always difficult to make, especially when it affects associates,” said Terry Campbell, general manager of Transcraft.

In explaining the decision to close the Anna plant, Campbell cited the current economic climate and the need to “right size” the company’s operations and reduce costs.

Production will cease in the first half of 2010, Wabash said. The company will sell the Anna facility to a local business owner.