Antares Trailers LLC, a major trailer manufacturer of composite flatbed and drop-deck semi-trailers, has been acquired by Direct Trailer LP, a Texas-based manufacturer of custom flatbed and drop-deck trailers.
Derrick Dilts, the current operations partner at Antares, will serve as the President of Direct Trailer. Dilts is replacing John Nelson, who is retiring at the end of the year. Dilts called the acquisition “a perfect match – a strategic union which will provide Direct Trailer with the designs and assembly technology to be competitive in the high-volume, common specification flat and drop markets.”
The two companies’ product lineups are complementary. Antares produces combo flats and drops with an emphasis on common equipment specifications. Direct Trailer, through its Loadstar brand, offers a full steel trailer line in addition to combos and mainly focuses on custom equipment.
Gary Dodd, who will continue as Director of Sales for the Eastern US, said, “Antares is regularly asked for custom trailers, but we’ve been geared toward the standard product lines. With this development, we can now offer our customers a complete equipment solution.”
Conversely, Direct Trailer has the relationships and quality reputation to accommodate large common specification trailer deals, but the company has been focused more on custom equipment. Jeff Hopper, who will continue as Director of Sales for the Western US and Canada, offered, “Direct Trailer’s Loadstar brand has cut its teeth making quality product for the oilfield and heavy-haul markets. With Antares’ assembly technology, we’ll now be able to take that same level of quality and be more price-competitive.”
“With the addition of Antares, Direct Trailer will move up from one location making 400 mostly custom flats and drops annually to producing more than 1,000 steel- and combo-flats with intermodal and custom capabilities across multiple manufacturing locations,” said Herb Creech, COO for Direct. “Together the company gains immediate band-width to meet the needs of current customers plus the new ability to pursue larger volume business.”
John Quaid, who will continue as CFO of Direct Trailer, said, “We’re excited about what this means for both the Antares and Direct Trailer product offering, employees, and customers. We know the partners at Antares very well. Their expertise will be an invaluable part of our management team as we grow together. The future is bright for us, our employees, our dealers, and the end-users.”