Southland Trailers announces major expansion with provincial support

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 5, 2022.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke A welder works the line Tuesday at Southland Trailers Corporation Plant 2. Southland Trailers will be expanding its facilities in Lethbridge thanks to a $2.06 million investment from Alberta Government

Southland Trailers has announced an expansion to build an advanced manufacturing plant here in Lethbridge.

The expansion is thanks in part to a $2.06 million boost from the Alberta Government’s Investment and Growth Fund. The 85,000 square-foot plant is expected to create 250 new jobs over the next three years as well as integrating robotic processes to allow them to expand double cargo-trailer production capacity from 20 to 41 in a day.

“We are very excited to receive the support from the province of Alberta on this expansion,” said Ryan Sailer, general manager at Southland, at a Tuesday in a press conference. “This investment directly influenced our decision about keeping this expansion within Canada and ultimately southern Alberta. It means keeping strong manufacturing jobs here in Alberta and reinforcing manufacturing as the backbone to the southern Alberta economy.”

Southland’s history with regard to the economy in Alberta made it a strong contender for being chosen for this investment.

“There were a couple of things that really attracted us to partnering with Southland,” said Rick Christiaanse, chief executive officer for Invest Alberta. “One, they are well established here and do great work and have a track record of growth. Secondly, they export. This allows us to penetrate the U.S. more effectively. By enabling Southland with this investment, we enable more export growth, which diversifies the economy here in Alberta.”

The Growth Fund helps to keep business in Alberta while also allowing businesses to expand and build on their success here in the province.

“Alberta is on a roll and we want to keep that going,” said Tanya Fir, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation. “Our investment and growth fund is an important part of our work to attract and retain investment here in Alberta. We first launched the investment and growth fund in 2021 to encourage new high impact private sector investments in Alberta, to create well paying jobs and diversify our economy. In Budget 2022, we expanded it to include funds specifically allocated to attract investment to areas outside of our major urban centers.”

With the Investment and Growth Fund helping to create more jobs and diversify the economy here in Alberta the expansion to Southland’s facility will also create more jobs and opportunities.

“We will continue growing our economy and creating jobs by ensuring Alberta business, like Southland Trailers, have access to the resources they need to be successful,” said Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Economic Development.