SAVANNAH, GA (July 21, 2022) – Great Dane is excited to welcome Cox Automotive to its dealer network, after the company announced its acquisition of Trudell, parent company of Trudell Trailer Sales, the majority owner of Northeast Great Dane.
Cox Automotive’s acquisition of Trudell includes the purchase of Trudell Trailer Sales, the exclusive dealer of Great Dane trailers in numerous upper Midwest and Northeast locations. Trudell Trailer Sales specializes in new and used trailer sales, aftermarket truck and trailer parts, graphic design, and installation, as well as trailer service capabilities, including mobile service. Trudell Holdings acquired majority ownership of Northeast Great Dane in 2017.
“This is a very exciting announcement as Cox Automotive joins Great Dane’s world-class dealer network,” said Rob Ulsh, VP of Dealer and International Sales for Great Dane. “This move will elevate the level of product offerings and aftermarket services available to Trudell Trailer Sales and Northeast Great Dane’s valued customers in a wide geographic footprint.”
With the acquisition, Cox Automotive will open an entry into a new adjacency for Cox Automotive Mobility Fleet Services that will add to its existing mobile trailer service operations, delivering new products and services to its customers. The company plans to deliver both maintenance and parts support for trailers sold at the dealership, as well as the semi-trucks transporting them.
“Cox Automotive is driven to keep the world’s fleets moving efficiently, safely and sustainably, and this acquisition delivers on that promise with adjacency market expansion that will continue to fuel our growth and leadership,” said Steve Rowley, President of Cox Automotive. “Our customers are at the center of everything we do, and we will look to leverage our collective strengths with Trudell to provide fleet service and maintenance excellence.”
Through the acquisition, Cox says it will integrate all Trudell Holdings and its team members into the Cox Automotive Mobility Fleet Services line of business. Great Dane leadership says the acquisition is a great fit, one that will increase services for Northeast Great Dane’s committed customer base.
Chris Hammond, EVP of Sales for Great Dane added, “We welcome Cox Automotive as the majority owner of Great Dane’s largest independent dealer group covering two important regions: the upper Midwest and Northeast. We have a strong track record of high-quality sales and support with Trudell Trailers and Northeast Great Dane, and look forward to their continued success.”
About Great Dane
Great Dane is the leading manufacturer of high-performance commercial transportation equipment, including dry and refrigerated trailers and truck bodies, as well as steel, aluminum, and combo platform trailers. Great Dane has a storied history in the commercial trucking industry and is a driving force in trailer technology, innovation, quality, and customer service. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and with additional corporate offices in Savannah, Georgia, Great Dane has 11 manufacturing plants strategically located throughout the United States. The company’s network of corporate-owned service centers and full-line independent dealers offers a broad range of distribution points for new and pre-owned trailers as well as aftermarket services across North and South America. Visit Great Dane online at Greatdane.com
About Cox Automotive Mobility
Cox Automotive Mobility’s mission is advancing the world’s fleets to serve the next generation. Focused on four primary business areas (Fleet Services, Fleet Operations, EV Battery Solutions and Emerging Ventures), the group is a fundamental enabler of the emerging global transportation ecosystem – one that is autonomous/aerial, connected, electric and shared (A.C.E.S.). With more than 1,200 world-class technicians, nearly 800 mobile-service trucks, nearly 40 shop facilities and the nation’s largest self-performing 24/7 emergency repair and towing service, Cox Automotive Mobility’s best-in-class technicians defy downtime every day to keep the world’s fleets moving efficiently, safely and sustainably.
About Trudell Holdings
Trudell Trailer Sales is the authorized dealership for new Great Dane® semi-trailers for Wisconsin, Upper and Western Michigan, and Minnesota. They provide sales and rentals/leasing of new and used dry vans, flatbeds, refrigerated trailers, storage trailers, and storage containers. The company also provides repair, maintenance and painting services, and heavy-duty aftermarket parts for the trucking industry. Along with its operations in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the company has full-service facilities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a service facility in Eagan, Minnesota. www.trudellholdings.com
