CELEBRATING OVER 110 YEARS OF QUALITY-BUILT TRAILERS

A HISTORY OF DORSEY

In 1911, the folks in Elba, Alabama started this company; they set out to build the most durable custom trailers on the market. Today, Dorsey’s vision remains the same.

1911

It all started in a converted livery stable located in Elba, Alabama. Pete and Henry Dorsey opened a small machine shop to repair the power saws, boilers and trucks of the booming timber business. They soon started designing and building their own products.

1920

By 1920 the little company that started off in a stable had moved into a large building and were producing 25 to 30 logging units a day.

1930

By 1930, Dorsey engineers had developed the company’s first commercial freight trailers. Dorsey’s sales increased every year, even during the depression, and by the end of the decade truckers coast-to-coast identified the trade name “Dorsey” with durability and safety.

1940

After a short interlude of peace in the late 1940’s, military production was resumed during the Korean Conflict. The plant was relocated and expanded to meet military and commercial demands.

1960

As the Cold War took the U.S. into the missile age in the 1960’s, Dorsey was called upon again to design and build the rocket transporters, erecting equipment, and electronic vans for ground support for various missile programs.

1980

Dorsey build a variety of reefer and van trailers during this period. Some notable and recognizable trailers would be for the Country group Alabama, hauler vans for Nascar, and the most famous would be the Dorsey Van in the hit TV show Nightrider.

2007

Pitts bought the assets of Dorsey in July 2007. By October of that year, the plant was up building trailers.

OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS

Over the next several years Dorsey stopped producing Reefer trailers and Vans and focused on the growing and demanding flatbed market. Year after year Dorsey gained market share in the platform trailer market and became a go to for dealers nationwide. Dorsey’s commitment to not only produce a quality trailer but its flexibility in building custom trailers has set us apart from the competition

2019

Propst Companies purchased 60 percent of Dorsey from Pitts Enterprises.

2021

In December, Propst Companies purchased another 20 percent of Dorsey from Pitts Enterprises.

2022

For over 112 years, Dorsey has been committed to building the most durable trailers on the road. That commitment combined with a dedicated dealer network has made Dorsey the fastest growing platform trailer manufacturer in the country. Generations of skilled craftsmen in Elba, Alabama take pride in building a full line of trailers that meets the road’s demands. People make the difference at Dorsey, putting quality first in every step of the manufacturing process. Propst Companies bought the remaining 20% of Dorsey.

2023

This year saw several office and plant upgrades; we renovated our bathrooms and offices, added 401K’s to our employee benefit package, and introduced a brand new webbing plasma machine.

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In 1911, the folks in Elba, Alabama started this company; they set out to build the most durable custom trailers on the market. Today, Dorsey’s vision remains the same.

1315 Hickman Ave | Elba, Alabama 36323 | 334-897-2525