East Manufacturing celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and is celebrating by showcasing its first aluminum trailer, starting this week at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

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The first East aluminum trailer, sold 40 years ago to East's first customer, Tom Shields, will be featured at the East booth number 34035 at the 2008 Mid-America Trucking Show March 27-29 in Louisville, Ky. Shields will be on hand to greet visitors and answer questions about the first East trailer he purchased.

In 1968, Shields opted for what then was very unique - a trailer made of aluminum - in part because his 1964 steel body had virtually rusted away. "Aluminum was the way to go at that time. Still is," said Shields. He hauled coal with this trailer for about 10 years before trading the trailer in on a new East trailer. Shields has purchased a new East trailer about every 10 years.

Mark Holtz, vice president of sales and marketing for East, noted, "The amazing thing about this original East aluminum trailer is that, at the time we bought it back, it was still operating. It has been cleaned and refurbished for the show, but there was no need to rebuild it. The original welds are still in place. The frame and floor were in very good shape, but we decided to replace the tailgate. The tailgate still functioned, but let's face it -- after 40 years of steady use, it's taken a beating."

East Manufacturing Corp. offers a full line of aluminum dump, platform and refuse trailers, steel and aluminum dump bodies, and heavy duty trucking accessories.