Great Dane
Great Dane is a manufacturer of dry van trailers, refrigerated trailers (reefers), and flatbed trailers. In addition to trailers, the company also manufacturers a line of truck bodies.
Trailer Manufacturer Profile
- Company: Great Dane
- Parent Company:
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
- Founded Date: 1900
- Founders: J.P. Wheless, T.H. McMillan
- Traded as:
- Subsidiaries / Brands:
- Website: greatdane.com
- Learn More: Related Content
Other Products
- Refrigerated Truck Bodies
- Dry Van Truck Bodies
Historical Highlights
1900
Founded as the Savannah Blow Pipe Company in Savannah, Georgia. The company fabricated sheet metal systems used to move sawdust and woodchips in saw-mills, furniture, and woodwork plants.
1916
The company is manufacturing a variety of steel plate and structural steel products.
1920
The company name is changed to Steel Products Co.
1931
Company begins to design and manufacture flatbed trailers for over-the-road freight hauling.
1940s
Company builds the first produce van with wet ice bunker and motor and blower cooling system. This was followed by the first factory-finished refrigerated van.
Company produces approx 12,000 trailers on government contracts during WWII.
1958
Name changed to Great Dane Trailers, Inc.
1959
Company introduces a redesigned line of van trailers and tank trailers.
Structural steel product production is phased out and focus becomes trailer production.
1960s
Company enters the piggyback and container market and establishes sales outlets in 24 states.
1972
Company acquired a second plant when it purchased Arrow Trailers in Memphis, Tennessee.
1974
Van trailer manufacturing plant built in Brazil, Indiana.
1988
Company acquires the SuperSeal reefer product line and the Wayne, Nebraska, plant from Timpte.
1996
Company opens a dry van plant in Terre Haute, Indiana.
1997
Great Dane merges with Pines Trailers.
2000
Company celebrates 100th anniversary.
2009
Company closes original plant in Savannah, Georgia and builds a new state-of-the-art facility in nearby Statesboro, Georgia.
2010
Company acquires Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies
2011
Company names changes from Great Dane Trailers to Great Dane.
2016
Company opens new plant in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, for dry van manufacturing.
2020
Great Dane & Aurora Parts Announce Strategic Partnership
2022