Posted: 8/20/03

Coates Trailers breaks ground in Columbus

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

A St. Paul business with 65 years of history is moving to Columbus Township.

Coates Trailers broke ground on Wednesday, Aug. 13 on 7.5 acres of land the company has acquired on W. Freeway Drive south of the new Gander Mountain complex. Company president Jerry Coates said he expects to occupy the new location in late October.

Site work began last week and the company plans to construct a 25,000 square foot building that will house the Coates Trailers showroom, service facility and offices. The new facility will replace an existing office and service facility at 509 Como Ave. that sits on some 2.5 acres, Coates said.

Coates said the move to Columbus Township is being made to allow for expected growth in sales and service and to improve efficiency.

ìWe just donít have the room to operate efficiently,î Coates said, looking ahead to the new facility. ìWeíll be more efficient and we will sell more units out there.î

Coates said the new facility will face to the east and I-35 with the service department and showroom winged to provide visual effect to the freeway. He said the building will be designed with a log front look for special appeal.

The showroom will have ample space to house about 20 new trailer units, he said. New and used inventory will be placed on the grounds.

Coates said the project is a $2.5 million plus investment for the company.

Company details

Jerry Coates, 62, is a third-generation family member to run the business founded in 1938. Fred Coates and son Al Coates started the business which had been a gas station and garage at Como and Front that also rented utility trailers.

By 1964, the trailer business had grown so well that the father-son team tore down the gas station. Jerry Coates joined his father, Al, in the business, and today new Coates family members are playing major roles.

Jerry Coatesí daughter, Sarah Coates Lange, 25, is office manager and fourth-generation partner, and his brother-in-law, Mark Petterson, is general manager. ìThey both started out cleaning trailers,î Coates said.

Sarah Coates Lange has been with the business on a full and part-time basis for nine years. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a degree in business and accounting.

The three family members will head a team of 25 full-time employees and some part-time workers at the new operation. When the new facility is up and running, Coates says six to 10 employees in sales alone likely will be needed.

Coates has lived in Centerville for the past year and during that time began exploring the Forest Lake area as a possible new home for Coates Trailers. When the Halls-owned land came up for sale, the decision was made to buy, build and move, he said.

Coates Trailers must vacate its current location on Como Ave. by Oct. 31, he said.

Coates Trailers is a sales and service center for Forest River (Salem, Sierra and Cedar Creek), Travelite, Dutchmen travel trailers and fifth-wheels, and Starcraft pickup campers and tent trailers.

Business representatives and Coates family members were joined at the ground breaking Aug. 13 by officials from Columbus Township, its Economic Development Authority board, Anoka County and companies retained to work on the project.

Coates said he is optimistic about the move and what it holds for the company. ìIt will work out real well,î he said.

After so many years in St. Paul, Sarah Coates Lange said the family will miss its many St. Paul ties but looks forward to making new friends in the Forest Lake area.

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