A modern new plant grows ATW’s Truck Equipment Group capacity and capabilities
A new manufacturing facility in Liberty, Missouri, is set to open in July 2026 for Dakota Bodies, part of American Trailer World (ATW). The new facility marks a major step up in the business’ response to sustained demand across utility and infrastructure markets. The investment expands both production capacity and manufacturing capability, positioning the company to support customers operating in environments where reliability and lead time directly impact operations.
For Senior Vice President and General Manager Braden Edwards and VP of Operations Monty Geter, the expansion reflects a broader shift in how the entire ATW Truck Equipment business scales to meet that demand, growing not just Dakota Bodies, but also CM Truck Beds, PJ Truck Beds, and Warrior Truck Beds. “We’ve seen tremendous demand for our product, and the market keeps growing. Our three current facilities are maxed out. To keep up, we knew we had to expand our footprint and support that growth,” Braden says.
The Liberty investment aligns with wider infrastructure trends, such as expansion in data centers, grid reinforcement, and continued investment in utilities, fueling demand for the equipment Dakota Bodies designs and builds. At the same time, the new facility strengthens ATW’s Truck Equipment platform, adding capacity while introducing new technologies that support both product customization and expanded throughput.
Building the platform
Dakota Bodies has operated in the custom truck body space since 1997, focusing on application-driven design. “We now have three manufacturing facilities: two in Watertown, South Dakota, and one in Liberty, Missouri. Our focus is specialized truck body manufacturing for power lines, utility, construction, and other markets. Few companies do custom body manufacturing at our scale; we’re one of the largest in the country,” Braden notes.
ATW operates across trailers, truck beds, and equipment through multiple brands. Braden leads the truck equipment segment, overseeing operations, growth strategy, and long-term planning. “ATW is private equity owned by Bain Capital, so we’re well capitalized. That means we can make meaningful investments that help us now and set us up for the next five to ten years. Our focus is lasting customer value over the long term, not just what’s coming in the next year or two,” Braden explains.
Built to order
Years of designing truck bodies supporting different industries informs how Dakota Bodies approaches each new customer request. “We truly engineer each order for our customers. They bring us their vision, and we help them create the right solution and specification for their product,” Braden shares.
In practice, that often means designing for environments where safety is a defining factor. Many end users are linemen or workers operating on high-power poles, making layout, access, and equipment placement central to how each body is configured. Storage positioning, tool reach, and operator movement all factor into the design. Each one is shaped by how the equipment will be used in the field. “We give customers the flexibility to place features where they need them while ensuring safety stays top of mind,” Monty explains.
That deep experience creating specialized solutions for different real-world requirements means Dakota Bodies has developed a more consultative way of working with customers. “We become a true thought partner. They might have an idea of what they want, but our experience helps shape their solution. After 30 years and countless builds, we’ve seen almost every version, and have drawings and ideas ready to go. Customers can lean on us from the start. We’re with them every step of the way,” Braden explains.
Operational focus
The Liberty plant introduces updated manufacturing processes that combine automation with systems designed for consistency and control. “We’re adding more than just space. We’re strengthening our capabilities, so customers get the best possible development experience and result,” Monty adds. Rather than replicating the existing plant, the team designed the Liberty facility to reflect future manufacturing needs.
“We’re including automation and modern equipment to create a real competitive edge, including a premium paint system. Our bodies already deliver strong quality, but the new facility allows us to take that further. The plant reflects where we’re headed,” Monty explains.
While the investment introduces new equipment and processes, how the business operates day to day continues to define performance, as Monty remarks: “Continuous improvement is part of how we work. We focus on solving problems and developing people every day. Our leadership centers on helping employees succeed. When you walk through our plants, you’ll see visual management showing how our teams are performing. When results fall short, we focus on improvements. We’re always working to get better.”
Braden adds, “The most important part of our company isn’t the bodies we build; it’s the people on our team. We focus on promoting from within. Doubling our footprint and more than doubling output creates more opportunities for our team to grow their careers.”
Platform expansion
Liberty is the first move in a broader expansion across ATW’s truck equipment business. Dakota Bodies focuses on heavier vehicle classes, while other ATW brands serve smaller trucks, giving customers a single source across their fleet. The new facility will primarily focus on the Dakota Bodies product line, but Braden expects it will be leveraged to support other ATW Truck Equipment brands, such as CM Truck Beds, PJ Truck Beds, and Warrior Truck Beds, to maximize the effectiveness of the investment.
“In five years, I expect our business to be twice its current size, with one or two more facilities to support that growth. In the near term, we’re seeing double-digit growth and expect that to continue through 2026. As we move into 2027, we’ll increase speed and efficiency across the business,” Braden predicts.
The investment in Liberty sits within a broader shift across the business as Dakota Bodies scales to meet sustained demand while strengthening its support for customers. With added capacity, expanded capabilities, and continued focus on workforce development, the facility reflects how ATW is building for the years to come.
“This investment shows confidence in our team, our customers, and our future. We’ve built a strong reputation, and this move ensures we continue to grow, innovate, and serve our customers. It’s about creating a platform that supports them better,” Braden concludes.
