Trailer manufacturer Southland Trailer Corp. plans to build a manufacturing facility in Lethbridge County, Alberta, Canada. The project is expected to create 250 jobs over the next three years.

The 85,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing plant will integrate robotic processes that will allow the company to double its cargo trailer production capacity from 20 per day to 41 per day. The new facility, planned for operations in Summer of 2023, will be next to Southland Trailer’s current location on 44 Street North, according to company officials.

“Southland Trailer Corp. is thrilled to work with the Government of Alberta on our new expansion. We look forward on continuing to provide new job opportunities and strive to make Southern Alberta a pinnacle in the manufacturing industry. The new jobs provided by this expansion will help boost Lethbridge's economy and provide more opportunity to the people of Lethbridge. We look forward to bringing new team members of all skill sets to Southland Trailer Corp,” Monty Sailer, President and CEO, Southland Trailers said.

The expansion is possible, in part, due to $2.06 million from the Alberta government’s rural stream of the Investment and Growth Fund, according to provincial officials.

“Many companies prepared to invest in new projects are seeking a proactive signal of commitment and support from government. A deal-closing incentive, regardless of amount, shows serious investors that investment attraction, and in particular high-impact investments that create meaningful jobs, is a high priority for the province,” Honourable Tanya Fir, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation noted.

Southland Trailers offers a complete line of steel dump, flats, cargos, and heavy equipment trailers in the quality brand names Southland, Royal, & Renn. The company has grown to become one of the largest steel product manufacturers in Southern Alberta, with a customer base that stretches across Western Canada, the Territories, Ontario and several bordering U.S. states.

“Southland Trailers is a home-grown Alberta success story, and their expansion is evidence of the opportunity for investment and growth in Alberta. Southland’s expansion in southern Alberta is another example of high-impact, high-value investment in Alberta that creates jobs, supports our local communities, and grows Alberta’s innovative edge in manufacturing,” added Rick Christiaanse, CEO, Invest Alberta.