A company that manufactures trailers for semi-trucks has moved into a building at the Decatur County Industrial Park and has grown exponentially since its startup in January.

Harrell Ag Products, owned and operated by Hugh Harrell, originally ran a trailer manufacturing plant in Leesburg. Harrell found himself making so many trailers, he wasn’t able to manufacture the other implements he needed. HAP moved into the old SIPS building at the industrial park in October and is currently leasing it from Decatur County.

While there, HAP has upgraded the lighting in the building and increased the power running to it in order to manufacture the trailers. Other rigs for painting, welding and moving the large trailers through the warehouse during construction were built after HAP began leasing the building from Decatur County. Development Authority Executive Director Rick McCaskill estimated around HAP has invested roughly $125,000 in the building so far.

Companies and farmers such as American Peanut Growers in Donalsonville and Greg Calhoun are purchasing the trailers for many uses, ranging from peanuts to cotton.

The trailers are made to order and customizable based on the needs of the customers.

“We are proud to have it here, and proud to have the jobs here,” said Pete Stephens, Chairman of the Decatur County Board of Commissioners. “We appreciate (Hugh Harrell) coming back home. He was raised here in the county and we appreciate him coming back home.”

The trailers receive a baked on paintjob, one of the major selling points of HAP’s product.

“This is a really superior paint,” said McCaskill. “The powder adheres into the metal, and it’s a baked on finish. It’s a very good finish.”

HAP does not currently manufacture many of the parts used in the construction of its trailers at the Decatur County location. However, according to McCaskill, HAP has future plans to make those parts in-house, growing the company even more and allowing them to make use of additional space in its warehouse.

Harrell Ag Products employs about 25 people at the Decatur County location.

The company has been manufacturing agricultural equipment since 1954 and continues to serve the farming community with innovative products, service, parts and technical support.