LAFAYETTE, IN--(Marketwire - Sep 20, 2012) - [ Wabash National Corporation ] (NYSE: [ WNC ]) recognized top suppliers today during its annual supplier conference. Nineteen suppliers received awards for exceptional performance to help the organization meet customer needs.

"All our suppliers are critical partners who aid us in delivering innovative, cost-effective solutions for our diverse group of customers across the country and around the world," said Dick Giromini, Wabash National Corporation president and CEO. "This select group of recognized suppliers has gone above and beyond to demonstrate leadership, which allows Wabash National to keep industries moving forward."

Nearly 350 attendees including representatives from more than 165 supplier organizations were present for the conference held at the company's Ehrlich Innovation Center. Keynote speakers included Craig Bouchard, founder and CEO of Shale-Inland; Rob Podorefsky, managing director, interest rate management, GE Capital; and Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst of ACT Research, who each shared insight and guidance for specific market trends affecting the industry.

"Wabash National runs on the power of partnership," said Wabash National Vice President of Global Strategic Sourcing Steve Miller. "These select suppliers bring unique ideas and a sense of urgency that continues to raise the bar and redefine the reciprocal value of partnership."

Wabash National presented its most esteemed award, the 2012 Supply Chain Leadership and Performance Pinnacle Supplier Award, to [ Cooper Tire & Rubber ], global producer of tires. Cooper Tire was selected based on its excellent service and performance in reducing costs and providing proactive solutions for Wabash National customers.

Four Distinguished Supplier Awards were presented to new suppliers exhibiting innovative solutions and exceptional performance or established partners that drastically improved performance within their industry segment. Recipients of distinguished awards include [ Schilli Transportation ], [ Steel Technologies ], [ White Staffing ] and [ Lincoln Electric ].

Sixteen Platinum Awards were given for excellence in supply chain performance delivery, quality, cost and innovation. Recipients of these awards were Alcorn Industrial, CMC Impact Metals, [ Dow Chemical ], [ Earthwise Plastics ], [ FedEx ], [ Hardebeck ] Trucking, [ Henry Poor ] Lumber, [ HP Products ], [ Hynes Industries ], [ Maxion Wheels ], [ Meritor Wabco ], [ Shale-Inland ], [ Shandong Machinery ], [ SMC Pneumatics ], [ TCSI ] and [ Wiley Metal ].

About Wabash National Corporation
 Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: [ WNC ]) is a diversified manufacturer and North America's leading producer of semi trailers and liquid transportation systems. Established in 1985, the company specializes in the design and production of dry freight vans, refrigerated vans, platform trailers, intermodal equipment, liquid tank trailers, frac tanks, engineered products and composite products. Wabash National operates three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Transcraft Corporation, Walker Group Holdings LLC, and Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc. Its innovative products are sold under the following brand names: Wabash National^®, Transcraft^®, Benson^®, DuraPlate^®, ArcticLite^®, Walker^® Transport, Walker^® Stainless Equipment, Walker^® Defense Group, Walker^® Barrier Systems, Walker^® Engineered Products, Brenner^® Tank, Garsite™, Progress Tank™, TST^®, Bulk Tank International™ and Extract Technology^®. To learn more, visit [ www.wabashnational.com ].