US-based OEM, Diamond C Trailers, was named Manufacturer of the Year, while Ricky Baker was presented with a lifetime achievement accolade at the Trailer Tech Expo in Reno, Nevada, last month.
The awards, according to the North American Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA), recognise the individuals and companies making significant contributions to the trailer industry.
Diamond C Trailers is a family owned and operated company in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, which Kim and Mike Crabb co-founded in 1985.
“We are incredibly honoured to be named 2024 Manufacturer of the Year by the North American Trailer Dealers Association,” Diamond C Trailers said in a statement.
“This achievement wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team and amazing customers who believe in what we do.
“Your support drives us to keep innovating and pushing the industry forward.
“Here’s to the future of building bigger and better together.”
NATDA and Trailer Tech Expo have announced the other recipients of the inaugural Industry Excellence Awards including:
- Dealer of the Year – White Spruce Trailer Sales
- Vendor of the Year – GEN-Y Hitch
- Woman of the Year – Kyran Hollje, Delco Trailers
- Educational Excellence – Bill Snider, Dexter
- Rising Star – Company – Viper Trailers
- Rising Star – Individual – Jon Bloch, Great Lakes Trailer Sales
- Customer Service Excellence – Liberty Trailers
- Marketing Excellence for Technology – Transax
- Leadership in Business Technology – Taskmaster Components
“The 2024 Industry Excellence Award winners represent the passion, dedication and innovation that define some of the best in the trailer industry,” said NATDA Executive Director, Andria Gibbon.
“Their contributions are shaping the future of the trailer community, and we are honoured to recognise their achievements.”
The awards were presented at the Industry Awards Banquet on Wednesday 26 February 2025 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
The NATDA Lifetime Achievement Award honours Ricky Baker’s extraordinary contributions to the trailer industry.
“His visionary leadership, innovative thinking, and relentless dedication have left a lasting legacy, setting a standard of excellence for future generations in the trailer and manufacturing industries,” said NATDA.
Baker entered the trailer industry in 1977 at the age of 17 where he built trailers for a local businessman in East Texas after school.
By 1979 he was building 5-10 trailers a week. At 19, he purchased Texas Bragg Trailers and brought on a partner. Under their leadership, the business saw production of up to 100 trailers per week within years of operation.
In 1982, Baker sold his interest in Texas Bragg Trailers and relocated to the Midland/Odessa area in West Texas. There, he began crafting a groundbreaking vision for trailer manufacturing and founded Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing.
Big Tex, according to NATDA, revolutionised the trailer market by implementing fixture built and assembly-line manufacturing processes. Other innovations followed including a monorail production system and state-of-the-art paint finishing processes.
In 2012, after 30 years of ownership, Baker partnered with H.I.G. Capital out of Miami, Florida, retaining a significant share in the company while serving as CEO.
In 2015, the company was acquired by Bain Capital of Boston, Massachusetts, further fuelling its growth.
At the time of the sale, Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing included eight manufacturing facilities, 40 Big Tex Trailer World retail outlets, and 11 TexTrail Trailer Parts locations.
NATDA said over the past nine years, the company – now operating as American Trailer World (ATW) expanded to 21 manufacturing plants, 70 retail locations, 30 TexTrail Parts locations, and brands such as Big Tex Trailers, CM Truck Beds, PJ Trailers, BWise Trailers, RC Trailers and Carry-On Trailers, employing more than 5,000 people.
Baker has been recognised with numerous awards including the prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for US Manufacturers in 2001. In 2015, the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers honoured Baker and his Big Tex team with the Outstanding Member Award, and in 2016, the Titus County Chamber of Commerce in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, presented Baker with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional contributions to the community and industry.
Today, Baker serves on several boards, including Guaranty Bank Shares Inc. and Titus Regional Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.
He operates KRB Investments and RB Capital Investments, managing ventures in ranching, real estate development, oil and gas and other industries.
NATDA said Baker is currently preparing to launch a new venture, NXG Truck Bodies, in May 2025.
In other news, Utility has enhanced its service capabilities in the American Southwest.
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