Wabash National Corporation announces Q3 and YTD results

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) reported a net loss of $4.3 million, or $0.14 per share, for the third quarter of 2008 on net sales of $243.0 million. For the same quarter last year, the Company reported net income of $3.8 million, or $0.12 per share, on sales of $291.0 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the net loss totaled $13.9 million or $0.47 per share on sales of $605.5 million. For the comparable period of 2007, net income totaled $10.6 million, or $0.35 per share, on sales of $844.7 million.

Dick Giromini, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Results for the quarter matched our previously stated expectations. We achieved noteworthy progress on our cost containment initiatives and improved production volume during the quarter. However, these gains were more than offset by unprecedented raw material price increases which adversely impacted gross margins during the quarter. We continue to expect that new trailer unit shipments for the year will be in the 32,000 to 33,000 unit range. However, the fourth quarter will be the most difficult of the year, as we expect the imbalance between raw material costs and selling prices to reach a peak. Additionally, given the holiday season and our annual year-end shutdown, we will operate with fewer production days during the fourth quarter. As of September 30, 2008, the Company’s backlog was approximately $283 million compared to $393 million at June 30, 2008.

“We have been operating in an extremely challenging economic environment and we expect continued economic turbulence, specifically as it relates to raw material prices and demand levels. However, challenging times present opportunity. We continue to be well positioned in our industry with our strong customer relationships and market share, solid financial position, streamlined manufacturing footprint, and an unmatched suite of products. These important differentiators will help distance us from the competition. We will continue to successfully implement cost control and efficiency improvements, while we size the business to match demand. While our key strategic initiatives and cost management efforts have mitigated the effects of the downturn, they provide us with a leaner, more efficient foundation from which to grow long-term profitability.”

Wabash National Corporation conducted a conference call to review and discuss its third quarter results on Thursday, October 30, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The call has been archived at www.wabashnational.com and will remain available through December 28, 2008.

Headquartered in Lafayette, Ind., Wabash National® Corporation (NYSE: WNC) is one of the leading manufacturers of semi trailers in North America. Established in 1985, the company specializes in the design and production of dry freight vans, refrigerated vans, flatbed trailers, drop deck trailers, dump trailers, truck bodies and intermodal equipment. Its innovative core products are sold under the DuraPlate®, ArcticLite®, FreightPro™ Eagle® and Benson™ brand names. The company operates two wholly-owned subsidiaries; Transcraft ® Corporation, a manufacturer of flatbed, drop deck, dump trailers and truck bodies; and Wabash National Trailer Centers, trailer service centers and retail distributors of new and used trailers and aftermarket parts throughout the U.S.

Wabash National Announces Cadiz Operations Up and Running

LAFAYETTE, Ind. –– Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) today announced that production at its recently acquired operations in Cadiz, KY is well underway, with production of flatbed trailers having begun on Sept. 2, along with the start-up of dump trailer production this past week. In late July, Wabash National completed the acquisition of certain assets of Benson International, adding aluminum flatbeds and dumps to the previous Transcraft portfolio of steel and combo flatbed and drop deck offerings.

“It’s great to see our newest location in Cadiz, KY up and running,” said Wabash National President and Chief Executive Officer, Dick Giromini. “I’m extremely proud of all associates who worked hard these past few weeks to bring the facility back on line so quickly and effectively. We now offer an expanded portfolio of products to our customers.”

Under the new management, the idled facilities were brought up to production-ready state in just 27 business days. At full production, this facility has the capacity to produce in excess of 3,000 units annually.

Headquartered in Lafayette, Ind., Wabash National® Corporation (NYSE: WNC) is one of the leading manufacturers of semi trailers in North America. Established in 1985, the company specializes in the design and production of dry freight vans, refrigerated vans, flatbed trailers, drop deck trailers, intermodal equipment, dump trailers and other truck bodies. Its innovative core products are sold under the DuraPlate®, ArcticLite®, Eagle® and Benson® brand names. The company operates two wholly owned subsidiaries: Transcraft Corporation, a manufacturer of flatbed, drop deck and dump trailers; and Wabash National Trailer Centers, a retail distributor of new and used trailers and aftermarket parts, and an operator of repair facilities throughout the U.S.

Enrollment hits all-time high for Purdue College of Technology at Lafayette

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A record number of students have enrolled in classes the past two semesters at the Purdue University College of Technology’s location at Lafayette, officials have reported.

Jon Aull, location director for the College of Technology at Indianapolis and Lafayette, said enrollments reached all-time highs in both the fall 2007 and spring 2008 semesters. In the fall, 268 students were enrolled, up 23 percent from fall 2006. This spring, 210 students were enrolled, up 14 percent from spring 2007.

Michele Summers, assistant director of the Lafayette location, said the increase in enrollment is due to increased marketing efforts in addition to strong partnerships with local employers.

“We are open to all students but are focused primarily on nontraditional students who are working but want to further their education,” she said. “We offer classes at night and at their workplaces, so we are making every effort to meet the needs of the people of Lafayette.”

The College of Technology at Lafayette is located at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive facility on Indiana 38 and also offers classes at Wabash National Corp., Fairfield Manufacturing Co. Inc., Caterpillar Inc. and in Frankfort.

The Lafayette location offers certificate programs, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees in industrial technology and organizational leadership and supervision.

For more information about registration and degree programs offered at the College of Technology at Lafayette, call (765) 496-6886, e-mail techlafayette@purdue.edu or visit http://www.tech.purdue.edu/lafayette/

Wabash National Corporation announces earnings release date

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) today announced it will conduct a conference call to review and discuss its first quarter results on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Wabash National is scheduled to release its results on Monday, April 28, 2008, after the close of the financial markets.

The phone number to access the conference call is 877-407-8035. A live audio webcast of the call will be available through the company’s website at www.wabashnational.com. For those unable to participate in the webcast, a recording of the call will be archived at www.wabashnational.com within three hours of its conclusion and will remain available through July 22, 2008.

Headquartered in Lafayette, Ind., Wabash National® Corporation (NYSE: WNC) is one of the leading manufacturers of semi trailers in North America. Established in 1985, the company specializes in the design and production of dry freight vans, refrigerated vans, flatbed trailers, drop deck trailers, and intermodal equipment. Its innovative core products are sold under the DuraPlate®, ArcticLite®, and Eagle® brand names. The company operates two wholly owned subsidiaries: Transcraft Corporation, a manufacturer of flatbed and drop deck trailers; and Wabash National Trailer Centers, a retail distributor of new and used trailers and aftermarket parts throughout the U.S.

Wabash National receives Occupational Excellence Achievement Award

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) announced today that its Lafayette manufacturing operations were awarded a 2008 Occupational Excellence Achievement Award for Safety Excellence from the U.S. National Safety Council.

“Safety is our number one value and number one priority at Wabash National,” said President and CEO Dick Giromini. “Everyone at Wabash National should take pride in this accomplishment.”

The award recognizes companies that have outstanding safety records compared to similar organizations.

“Safety is a shared value at Wabash National,” said Brent Yeagy, Wabash National’s Vice President of Manufacturing, Lafayette Operations. “We are very proud of our associates for their hard work and attention to safe work practices.”

Both Wabash National Lafayette, Ind. locations were acknowledged for their excellence in safety performance.

“This award validates the dedication and pride our associates take in assuring that we continue to work in a safe environment,” said Eric Coates, Wabash National’s Director of Environmental, Health and Safety.

Headquartered in Lafayette, Ind., Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) is one of the leading manufacturers of semi trailers in North America. Established in 1985, the company specializes in the design and production of dry freight vans, refrigerated vans, flatbed trailers, drop deck trailers, and intermodal equipment. Its innovative core products are sold under the DuraPlate, ArcticLite, FreightPro and Eagle brand names. The company operates two wholly owned subsidiaries; Transcraft Corporation, a manufacturer of flatbed and drop deck trailers; and Wabash National Trailer Centers, trailer service centers and retail distributors of new and used trailers and aftermarket parts throughout the U.S.