Trailer-repair company finds growth with Reno expansion

Wabash Trailers of Reno, a subsidiary of OnRamp Transportation Services of West Valley City, Utah, has been on a steady growth curve since opening a parts and repair facility in Sparks in mid-2010.

Wabash, which focuses on repair of big-rig trailers, including construction, flatbeds, refrigerated trailers and dry storage vans, expanded from Salt Lake City to better service the region's transportation needs, says Alisha Garrett, manager of marketing and administration for OnRamp.

Garrett says many of Wabash of Utah's customers were clamoring for a service center in Reno because they were having to haul their trailers to Salt Lake City for repair.

"They were bringing their trailers up here, and that is cost prohibitive," Garrett says. "There were also delays in their ability to move freight."

Executives with Wabash of Utah began scouting northern Nevada for an additional location and also spoke with several different regional carriers, which convinced the company of the area's growth potential. Wabash of Reno also hopes to capitalize on the proposed opening of USA Parkway from Tahoe Reno Industrial Center to Highway 50 near Dayton.

The 9,800-square-foot Wabash of Reno facility is situated on 6.6 acres at Greg Street and McCarran Boulevard. Since opening in 2010, Wabash of Reno has hired several service technicians and expanded its hours from 7 a.m. to midnight. The facility also mans a 24-hour service truck and plans on adding an additional service vehicle. Wabash of Reno currently employs about 20, Garrett says, and continually seeks technicians.

"We are looking for skilled trailer technicians and people with a basic knowledge of body repair work," Garrett says.

Wabash of Reno, which also sells new and used trailers, plans on securing additional manufacturing lines and contracts with parts distributors in order to service any type of big-rig that might break down on its trek through the region.

"We want to keep anyone that's traveling through the I-80 corridor on the road making money, which is what they do best," Garrett says.