| Submit your comments on this article |
| Economy |
| Horse-trailer factory shutting down in May |
| 2010-04-16 |
| SPRINGFIELD -- Silverlite Trailers, a company that makes high-end aluminum horse trailers, is closing its doors for good next month, the latest local manufacturer of recreational vehicles to fall victim to the economic downturn. The recession has "affected everyone in the RV industry," Rick Harne, the company's vice president of sales and marketing, said Wednesday. "There's not enough sales to maintain a factory at this time." Silverlite, which once employed 120 workers, is now down to about 10 employees, he said. The company really started to feel the pinch in 2008, and was unable to turn things around, he said. The business is selling its remaining trailers, and will auction off tools, machines and materials and remaining inventory from the factory on May 15 and 16 at the plant at 1291 S. A St. in Springfield, he said. The owners hope to raise around $750,000, Harne said. Silverlite Trailers was founded in 1996 by Dave Hyland and Greg Meller. The company builds high-end, custom aluminum horse trailers, with prices ranging from $8,500 to $100,000. Some models feature living quarters for humans in the front. Silverlite is the last aluminum horse trailer builder in the West, Harne said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Silverlite is the last aluminum horse trailer builder in the West, Harne said. No, they're not. Maybe you weren't aware of your competition until it was too late. |
| Posted by: badanov 2010-04-16 01:36 |