Stoughton Trailers Earns Wisconsin Business Achievement Award

Stoughton Trailers Earns Flowers Family Foundation’s Wisconsin Business Achievement Award

Stoughton Trailers Award and Company Match Total $150,000 for Artificial Turf at Community Field

LA CROSSE, WIS — (Trailer Technician) – The Flowers Family Foundation presented its sixth annual Wisconsin Business Achievement Award to Stoughton Trailers, LLC, a global leader in transportation equipment, during a luncheon today at the Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern in La Crosse.

The award recognizes the Stoughton, Wis. manufacturer of over-the-road semitrailers for its positive influence on the state economy.

Stoughton Trailers has evolved from trailer manufacturer to a one‐stop semitrailer resource, from parts to trucking to financing. It is the fifth‐largest semitrailer manufacturer in the U.S., the second-largest manufacturer in Dane County, and one of the largest private manufacturing companies in Wisconsin, providing jobs for more than 1,600 people. Its operations are housed in seven Wisconsin facilities on four campuses, including corporate offices, sales offices and manufacturing plants in Stoughton, Evansville and Brodhead. The company remains a family business today since 1961.

“Stoughton Trailers is on a five‐year run of record trailer production and the highest market share to date,” Flowers Family Foundation President June Bunting wrote in a letter notifying the company of its selection for the award. “Just in the last decade, employee headcount and revenues have grown six-fold.”

Total Contribution of $150,000 for Artificial Turf Field

To mark the honor of earning the award, Stoughton Trailers will receive a $75,000 donation from the Flowers Family Foundation to present to the charity of the company’s choice. Stoughton Trailers plans to apply the contribution, in combination with a $75,000 matching gift from the company, totaling $150,000 toward artificial turf to be installed at Collins Field.

“We’re incredibly thankful to the Flowers Family Foundation for choosing Stoughton Trailers for this distinguished award, and we’re honored to join the ranks of other well- respected companies throughout the state that are making a significant impact on Wisconsin’s thriving economic landscape,” said Stoughton Trailers President Bob Wahlin. “We plan to use this gift to seed the fund for an artificial turf field for the Stoughton community. Installing turf will allow the field to support more frequent, year-round activity, and open up many new opportunities for community use.”

The combined contribution from the Flowers Family Foundation and Stoughton Trailers will lay the foundation for the field’s development.

“We are grateful to Stoughton Trailers for its ongoing support of our academic and athletic programs,” said Athletic Director Mel Dow. “This donation was a gracious surprise. The potential benefits of artificial turf include fewer weather-related cancellations, reduced maintenance costs, and expanded access to school and community programs. This donation provides generous seed money for our District and our stakeholders to explore private fundraising possibilities that could support this project.”

Artificial turf supports a broad range of sports and activities. It does not need to be watered, eliminating water and labor costs, and may also reduce the number of injuries that can occur on a wet, muddy grass field.

The Flowers Family Foundation was founded by Rockne and JoAnne Flowers. From 1972 to 1998, Rockne Flowers served as President & CEO of Stoughton-based Nelson Industries Inc.

Past Wisconsin Business Achievement Award winners have included Kwik Trip (2018), The Fireside Theatre (2017), L.B. White Co. (2016), OEM Fabricators Inc. (2015) and Kapco Metal Stamping (2014).