A company whose standard-issue trailer is comparable to other manufacturers ’ upgraded , top-of-the-line products , ED Trailers has been vital to the industry since its 2015 acquisition . NATDA ’ s Marketing Coordinator , Daria Tabota , sat down with Eddy Loewen at ED Trailers to find out how the company has transformed itself since then .
“ Five years ago , my father acquired ED Trailers ,” said Eddy Loewen , Sales Manager at ED Trailers . “ A lot has changed since then .”
A ton of growth has gone into keeping ED Trailers on top when it comes to manufacturing . In the past , the manufacturer has sold galvanized trailers , but recently decided the process was not for them . This year , Eddy boasts of a new method of finishing product .
“ This year , we switched over to full powder coating ,” shared Loewen . “ It ’ s a process . We iron blast the trailers , powder coat them , and in the oven they go . Once they ’ re out , they ’ re ready to send off to dealers .”
In addition to powder coated options , dealers get a trailer that comes pre-upgraded . ED Trailers ’ most popular model , the 14-foot dump trailer , is an example of how upgraded features give dealers more bang for their buck . The model comes fully equipped with a tarp kit , bearings , a bigger toolbox and several other options one can typically add to a standard dump trailer purchase .
“ What other manufacturers go out of their way to special order , we have already added to the initial sale ,” said Loewen . “ Value add like that is good for everyone .”
ED Trailers ’ lead time currently ranges from three to five weeks , and the manufacturer is actively on the hunt for dealers . Since it has dealers in the center of the United States already , Loewen is particularly interested in focusing growth on the outside borders or the country .
“ Our doors are open for over 50 dealers ,” Loewen explained . “ We want to breach territories as high as
Washington and move down to California and Florida . Overall , though , we ’ re open to anything .”
Not one to control prices in the dealer ’ s market , ED Trailers does not enforce a MAP policy or a set radius for their products . Territories differ between areas and some territories prove to be more expensive than others , so the company leaves pricing up to the individuals . According to Loewen , the dealer knows their location bes
“ We typically assign at least a 100-mile radius to dealers when they sign on ,” Lowen divulged . “ It ’ s a case-by-case basis , though . If they are moving a load a week , I ’ ll give them the whole territory .”
As for the 2022 NATDA Trailer Show , Loewen expressed his excitement about seeing the show for the first time and finding new dealers . According to the sales manager , being able to showcase trailers in person is significant for the company .
How else has ED Trailers changed in the five years since its acquisition ?
It looks like we ’ ll see at the show .
50 NATDA Magazine www . natda . org