Utility’s Paragould, Arkansas Manufacturing Plant Receives Gold Safety Award

Pictured from Left to Right: Chris Pindell (Plant Engineer), Scott Maxwell (HR Manager), Jim Rison (Plant Engineer), Dale Innis (Liberty Mutual), Corey Fletcher (Superintendent), David Neighbors (Plant Manager), Bob Smiley (Materials Manager), Sean Graddy (EHS Manager), Jeremy Dogan (QC Manager). (photo by Traci Blascoe)

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.--()--Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, the industry’s largest manufacturer of refrigerated trailers and a leading manufacturer of dry freight vans, flatbeds, and Tautliner® curtainsided trailers is pleased to announce that its Paragould, Arkansas manufacturing plant has received the Liberty Mutual Insurance Gold Safety Award.

Liberty Mutual’s Safety Awards are based on DART rates (Days Away, Restricted and Transferred), which are calculated by factoring the number of hours worked relative to the number of accidents at the plant. Low occurrences of accidents result in lower DART rates. In order to qualify for the Gold Safety Award, a DART rate of at least 80% better than the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is needed with a minimum of 200,000 work hours.

For the 2013 year, Utility’s Paragould plant achieved a DART rate of 1.10, which is 80% lower than the trailer manufacturing industry’s average of 5.5. “We are grateful for being recognized by Liberty Mutual and receiving their Gold Safety Award. This award is evidence of Utility’s commitment to safety, and was made possible by the support of Utility’s owners, management and our employees,” said Sean Graddy, Utility’s Paragould Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager.

“This is a major accomplishment. None of our facilities have ever received a Gold Award. This is the 8th Liberty Safety Award for the Paragould plant. Our employees and management team deserve all the credit for keeping themselves and their fellow employees safe,” said Bob Griffis, Corporate EHS Manager for Utility Trailer Manufacturing.

The Gold Safety Award was presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance, Dale Innis (CSP), Risk Control Services to David Neighbors and the entire management team on behalf of all Utility’s Paragould employees. Mr. Innis praised the Paragould plant’s safety record stating: "Liberty Mutual would like to congratulate the employees and management for their outstanding safety performance in achieving this award. Only a small percentage of companies qualify for Liberty Mutual’s Gold Award. Everyone at Utility’s Paragould, Arkansas plant should be proud of this achievement."

Utility currently operates five trailer manufacturing facilities across the United States. The Clearfield, Utah and Marion, Virginia plants manufacture Utility’s #1 selling refrigerated trailer. Utility dry vans are manufactured in Paragould, Arkansas and Glade Spring, Virginia. Utility also has a facility in Enterprise, Alabama that manufactures flatbeds and Tautliners. For more information about Utility Trailer Manufacturing, visit: www.utilitytrailer.com.

About Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company

Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company is America's first privately owned, family-operated trailer manufacturer. Founded in 1914 and celebrating its 100th anniversary, the company designs and manufactures dry freight vans, flatbeds, refrigerated vans, Tautliner® curtainsided trailers, and side skirts. Utility currently operates five trailer manufacturing facilities across the United States. Utility’s 3000R® and the 3000R® multi-temp refrigerated trailers are manufactured at the Marion, Virginia and Clearfield, Utah plants. The 4000D-X Composite® and 4000D-X® plywood lined dry vans are manufactured at the Glade Spring, Virginia and Paragould, Arkansas plants. The 4000A®, 4000S, drop deck and double flatbeds as well as the Tautliner® are all manufactured at the Enterprise, Alabama facility. Utility also has an extensive independent dealer network with over 100 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America. Visit: www.utilitytrailer.com for more information.

Contacts

Artime Group
Van Nguyen, Media Director
626-583-1855 x 107
van@artimegroup.com

Release Summary

Utility's Paragould, Arkansas Manufacturing Plant Receives Liberty Mutual Insurance Gold Safety Award

Contacts

Artime Group
Van Nguyen, Media Director
626-583-1855 x 107
van@artimegroup.com