INDIANAPOLIS – Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, of Goodwill Legacy Group, is proud to announce a new manufacturing partnership between Goodwill Commercial Services and Georgia-based Anvil Trailers. This collaboration brings the assembly of high-quality hauling trailers to Indianapolis, creating specialized job opportunities and expanding Goodwill’s footprint in the contract manufacturing sector.
Founded in 2016 by industry veteran Mike Sumner, Anvil Trailers has grown from a solo night time project into a premier trailer manufacturer. Seeking to expand into the Northern U.S., Anvil identified Indianapolis as the ideal hub to access underserved markets in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions.
Sumner shared, “What makes this partnership special is working alongside Goodwill Commercial Services, where skilled employees are helping build these trailers right here at the Tremont facility. Many of the people on this team developed their skills through educational opportunities provided by Goodwill and are now applying those skills in a real manufacturing environment, which makes this partnership about more than production, it’s about creating jobs in the community and building something meaningful together.”
Through this partnership, the Goodwill Commercial Services facility on Tremont Street dedicated space specifically for Anvil trailer production that includes a weld shop, paint booth and carpentry shop.
The facility is equipped to produce six trailers per day, offered in varying sizes and accessory configurations. The goal will be to increase production to 36 trailers a day and move into a larger production space.
This partnership prioritizes the mission of Goodwill by providing high-wage career paths for the community. Positions on the new line offer more than $20 per hour, providing a livable wage for Hoosiers, including graduates of The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s high school for adults.
The first employee hired for the project was Mark Powell, a February 2024 graduate of The Excel Center in southeast Indianapolis. At The Excel Center, Mark earned his welding certification while simultaneously earning his high school diploma.
“This partnership with Anvil Trailers is a great example of Goodwill’s mission. Employees who graduated from The Excel Center are now using those welding and manufacturing skills to help build trailers that will be used across the country,” said Shawn Lange, Vice President, Manufacturing & Contract Services.
Through a grant provided by the Goodwill Foundation, 20 Goodwill employees traveled to Douglas, Georgia, in December for intensive training in engineering, supply chain management, and manufacturing. Working side-by-side with Anvil ownership, the team mastered the intricacies of these processes.
This partnership is a great example of how Goodwill continues to seek innovative ways to wrap around people in the communities we serve so they can leverage education and work experience to improve economic mobility for themselves and their families.
A video highlighting this partnership can be found here.
Goodwill Commercial Services is a part of Goodwill Legacy Group. The organization is designed to strengthen communities by creating clear pathways to employment, education, housing, health and stable support systems.
About Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana
Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana changes lives every day by empowering people to increase their independence and reach their potential through education, health, housing and employment. The organization serves 40 Indiana counties and operates more than 75 retail locations, as well as contract manufacturing services, charter schools for adults and youth, a maternal-child health program, a child care center and more. Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is part of Goodwill Legacy Group, a growing multi-regional nonprofit organization advancing economic mobility and long-term stability across Indiana, Illinois and Puerto Rico. Visit goodwilllegacygroup.org to learn more.
About Anvil Trailers
Anvil Trailers is a family-owned cargo trailer manufacturer based in southeast Georgia, founded by Mike Sumner in 2007 with a focus on craftsmanship and quality, and a dedication to integrity and community.
