Interstate Group to expand in Giles County, creating 46 jobs

Idaho-based trailer manufacturer Interstate Group will invest $8.9 million to expand operations at the company’s manufacturing facility in Giles County, creating 46 jobs.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced the expansion on Tuesday. Interstate Group manufactures a variety of trailers, including professional-grade and consumer-grade cargo, dump and utility trailers, that it sells through its TrailersPlus retail locations.

According to the governor’s office, the company’s investment is meant to increase the availability of its products throughout the East Coast. As part of the Giles County expansion, the company will invest in automation, new machinery and facility upgrades.

A spokesperson said construction for the expansion will focus on site development, shipping and receiving improvements and interior upgrades. These upgrades include equipment, electrical and mechanical improvements, plus the addition of robotics.

It will be five years for the new positions to be fully hired, the spokesperson said. The company currently has 120 employees in Giles County and 950 companywide.

“Interstate Group’s decision to expand in Giles County underscores why Virginia continues to be a top destination for American manufacturers,” Spanberger said in a statement. “This multimillion-dollar investment will create good‑paying jobs in the New River Valley and strengthen the commonwealth’s advanced manufacturing sector. We are proud to support companies that choose to invest and reinvest in the future of the commonwealth.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the county to secure the project for Virginia, and Spanberger approved a $200,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist with the project.

“Interstate Group is excited to expand our operations and continue investing in Giles County and the commonwealth of Virginia,” Interstate Group COO John Whitman said in a statement. “This investment will allow us to meet the growing demand for simple, reliable cargo, dump and utility trailers while creating new jobs for the community.”

TrailerPlus, a division of Interstate Group, has 80 retail locations and four manufacturing facilities spread across 32 states.