The History of Utility Trailers
E.W. Bennett and H.C. Bennett sold their Phoenix Lumber company in 1914 and headed west to start a new business venture. After years making deliveries by horse-drawn vehicles they envisioned one day creating and mass producing a line of utility trailers that were built to last. 100 years later trailers have changed a lot, but our commitment to quality is as strong as it was on day one. Here’s a look at the story of Utility Trailers. To learn more visit Utility Trailer of Washington in Auburn, Mt. Vernon and Richland, Washington. We proudly serve fellow members of the shipping industry in both Washington and Alaska.
Heading West
In the early 20th century most farmers were forced to improvise trailers from available materials. The Bennett Brothers wanted to design and assemble affordable streamlined trailers for the marketplace. They acquired a small California wagon company that had just broken into the trailer-building business and got busy. Their original goal was to develop an innovative trailer designed for constant use and heavy loads. Their first single-axle trailer could easily accommodate 60 bales of cotton, and the company was soon inundated with orders.
The 1920s was a time of huge growth for the new company, and Utility quickly developed a reputation for quality manufacturing and value pricing. America’s economy was struggling in the 20s, but Utility survived by meeting an important need. The 2,400 mile Route 66 highway connected the west to the midwest, ushering in a period of unprecedented growth in the shipping industry. As the trucking business began to offer the railroads serious competition, the demand for trailers was at an all time high.
Our Silver Anniversary
In 1939 we celebrated our silver anniversary and began immediately looking to the future. In 1956 the Interstate Highway Act made the United States a smaller place, and we had to make advancements to keep up with progress. We soon began the space race and the baby boom, and our engineers stayed busy. They continued to test new materials and create innovations to help our trailers increase payload space and reduce tare weight.
The Next Generation
The second generation of Bennetts stepped up in 1974 to continue our tradition of excellence. They expanded our dealer distribution system, and we now provide coast-to-coast service and support across the United States. Since we’re now in the digital age we keep making it our business to be prepared for the future. We owe our success and longevity to large amounts of repeat business, and we officially became the number one trailer manufacturer in North America in 2009. We’re proud of our company’s long history and equally excited about the future!
To see our current inventory of trailers for sale visit Utility Trailer of Washington in Auburn, Mt. Vernon and Richland, Washington. We also have mobile service locations in Alaska to serve over-the-road truckers.