Sherwin-Williams and Dorsey Trailer, a premier manufacturer of customized aluminum, steel and combo trailers, announced a successful collaboration to enhance product quality and process efficiency at the Dorsey Trailer facility in Elba, Alabama. 

Challenge: Scaling Production to Meet Growing Demand 

For over 100 years, Dorsey has been committed to building the most durable trailers on the road. Now the fastest-growing platform trailer manufacturer in the United States, the company is constantly challenged to scale production. As demand rose, the need to streamline operations became clear.  

One challenge was Dorsey’s finishing line, which struggled to keep pace with demand while maintaining the Company’s high standards of quality. With limited supplier support and a growing need for speed, quality and custom colors, Dorsey sought a better way forward. 

“Painting was always our Achilles’ heel,” says Trey Gary, President of Dorsey Trailers. “When demand started ramping up, we knew that something had to change on the finishing line.” 

Solution: One System to Streamline, Strengthen and Simplify 

Dorsey Trailer connected with local Sales and Technical Service Representatives from the Sherwin-Williams General Industrial division, who conducted line surveys to bring hidden inefficiencies to light.  

Among a range of process improvements, Sherwin-Williams recommended Duraspar® Industrial Performance (IP) topcoat and primer — two products known to help transportation manufacturers increase efficiency while enhancing performance and aesthetic quality.  

When tested side by side, the primer demonstrated superior corrosion resistance compared to the competitor coatings — delivering the long-term protection Dorsey’s customers expect and reinforcing its promise that “A Dorsey’s more durable.” 

Credit: Sherwin-Williams

“Before we even shared that we had switched to Sherwin-Williams, people were calling, asking what we did differently with the paint,” continued Gary. “They were very impressed.” 

To ensure painter success with the new products, local Sherwin-Williams Representatives were on-site weekly supporting implementation and training — pulling in resources from company research and development labs and local facilities to provide the solutions and expertise Dorsey needed to realize sustainable improvements. 

“Sherwin-Williams has the products, but they also have a staff invested in helping us be more efficient and cost effective,” says Gary. “Since they came on board, we've not had one production delay because of paint.” 

Results: More Output, Less Waste, Better Performance 

Dorsey Trailer made Sherwin-Williams the company’s main paint supplier in January 2025. Since making the switch from another major coatings supplier, Dorsey has achieved significant improvements in efficiency. 

The simple application process and incredible first-pass coverage from Sherwin-Williams allows Dorsey to use between 1-1.5 gallons less paint per trailer and save 15-30 minutes in application time per unit — reducing material usage and increasing potential throughput.  

With the ability to deliver low-volume custom colors and rapid color matching, the Sherwin-Williams unique local facility model offers Dorsey greater flexibility and shorter lead times for custom orders. Ongoing support from Sherwin-Williams technical experts helped Dorsey expand from two to six paint booths, improving production capacity and efficiency. Weekly inventory checks have reduced overstock and waste, further streamlining operations, improving safety and freeing up capital. 

“The most impressive thing about Sherwin-Williams, other than the quality of paint, was that they did exactly what they said they were going to do,” concludes Gary. “We’re unlimited on growth now that we have Sherwin-Williams as a partner.” 

Learn more here. 

For more on production efficiency and end-use performance in manufacturing, visit our Industrial Coatings coverage.