Trailer Manufacturer Strengthens PA Footprint

By Laura Calugar

M.H. Eby’s production plant in Ephrata, Pa.

M.H. Eby, a manufacturer of all-aluminum trailers and truck bodies for commercial and agricultural markets, acquired a 95,000-square-foot production plant on roughly 18 acres in Ephrata, Pa. The company owns other facilities in Lancaster County, but plans to relocate all Pennsylvania manufacturing operations in the Ephrata facility. According to courthouse records, M.H. Eby acquired the production plant for $3.3 million. 

Located at 502 Alexander Drive, the property used to be occupied by Mark Line Industries, a manufacturer of modular buildings. Eby currently operates two other production facilities in the state—the company’s headquarters in Blue Ball and a satellite plant one mile away in the Earland Industrial Park in New Holland. The Earland facility was established three years ago and enabled Eby to expand its fabrication, truck body and equipment trailer assembly operations. In addition to being Eby’s headquarters since 1984, the Blue Ball establishment houses aluminum trailer manufacturing, retail sales and service.

Room to grow

The Earland facility will be phased out over the next year, as equipment is moved to the Ephrata plant. The current headquarters will be retained and serve as an expanded parts and service office, along with housing a sales force concentrating on serving customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.

According to the Lancaster Online, 44 production employees will be relocating in a 33,600-square-foot rented building in the Earland Industrial Park. Also moving there will be 42 production employees in 32,000 square feet at the company headquarters in Blue Ball, plus some corporate office staff. Eby operates seven manufacturing and service facilities in five states.

“Our business has grown significantly in the past five years and this acquisition allows us to expand our product lines while building more efficiently. It provides the opportunity to bring all of our Pennsylvania manufacturing operations under one roof, and gives us additional room to grow,” said M.H. Eby President Travis Eby, in prepared remarks.  

Image courtesy of M.H. Eby