LAFAYETTE, IN--(Marketwire - Apr 23, 2012) - [ Wabash National ] (NYSE: [ WNC ]), America's leading semi trailer manufacturer, today provided a plant tour for manufacturing professionals attending IndustryWeek's Best Plants Conference.

Wabash National is one of 10 manufacturers selected to host tours across the state of Indiana including Allison Transmission, Cummins and Toyota to share best practices, continuous improvement and operational excellence programs.

"In every business unit, location and department at Wabash National, we are seeking ways to improve from the inside out," said Dick Giromini, Wabash National Corporation president and CEO, who welcomed guests at the recently opened Ehrlich Innovation Center. "It is an honor to share what we've learned along the way with other manufacturing organizations."

"Our recent Lafayette Transformation initiative was complex and multi-faceted, but it allowed us to optimize and streamline operations," Brent Yeagy, vice president and general manager of commercial trailer products for Wabash National, shared with guests. "By increasing total plant velocity, we have not compromised total dry van semi trailer manufacturing capability. Now we are more nimble than ever before -- operating with greater efficiency and control through scalable processes."

On the tour, participants viewed the DuraPlate^® composite panel production line, dry van semi trailer assembly and trailer component part sub-assembly operations. Guests gained insight on how Wabash National increased throughput by over 400 percent in two years while simultaneously reengineering its manufacturing system.

About Wabash National Corporation
Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, 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, 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 and Wabash National Trailer Centers, trailer service centers and retail distributors of new and used trailers and aftermarket parts throughout the U.S. To learn more, visit [ www.wabashnational.com ].