Semi-Trailer Dealership Plans NLR Facility, 40 Jobs

Utility Tri-State Inc., a semi-trailer dealership based in Tulsa, plans to build a facility in North Little Rock that, once it’s up and running, will create 40 jobs, the company announced in a news release.

The facility, which will accommodate space for full-service sales, trailer repair and parts, will be constructed on 10 acres along Interstate 40 west of the Galloway Exit.

Utility Tri-State was founded in 1973 and, in addition to Tulsa, has locations in Oklahoma City and Fort Smith.

"The retail company is an exclusive dealer for Utility semi-trailers built by Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. in City of Industry, California, a company founded in 1914," the release said.

"The North Little Rock dealership will be a state of the art, environmentally friendly facility," Jeff Smith, president of Utility Tri-State, said. The North Little Rock location will provide "a full line of new and used trailers and a variety of financing and leasing options, as well as offering full maintenance and repair capabilities," he said.

"Our company is not new to Little Rock; in fact we already have several customers here. But having this facility will enable us to better serve a much wider customer area in central and southern parts of the state," Smith said.

He noted that central Arkansas, where I-30 and I-40 cross, is a major trucking hub.

"We have great expectations for this new facility," Smith said. "With the addition of the Little Rock store we will have our customers covered from Tennessee to Texas on I-40."