Get to know us
UTILITY TRAILER OF TEXAS, INC
began in Houston in 1970 as Utility Trailer Sales Southeast Texas, Inc.
Jon Loring Sr started with Utility six months later in 1971. Utility Trailers had 15 employees at the time. Prior to this Jon worked for a Quality Farm Dairy. The dairy was getting ready to be sold and Jon heard from a friend there was a job available selling trailers at Utility Trailer Sales.
He dropped by and visited with the then president, Ted Hardesty. Jon, at the time, knew absolutely nothing about trailers, but they both agreed to give it a shot. Jon told Ted that he needed $1000 a month to take care of his family. Mr. Hardesty agreed to pay him $650. Jon accepted and never looked back!
In 1978, an opportunity arose to buy into the company. Jon took advantage of that opportunity and here we are today. To give it some perspective, when Jon Sr started, Jonny was not yet one year old, Leslea was six, and Missy was three. We were all born into this business, we just didn’t know it at the time.
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company and the Bennett Family gave Jon Sr and our families an opportunity that we are all grateful for today. Jon Sr. always shook his head as he saw the growth within Utility Trailers and our Utility Family. He never dreamed of the growth for future generations. He simply was trying to make a living for his family but fell in love with the industry.
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company is a great company to be a part of. It provides superior products and support which allows its dealers to deliver and service our customers efficiently.
Today, the second and third generations are working at Utility. Jon Loring Jr. started as President in 2007. Jonny started at Utility in 1995 and worked in all areas of the company. Leslea Loring is the Marketing Director. She first started in 1989 and has worked in all departments of the company as well, except parts. Missy Meza is the Director of the Trailer Finance Accounting Department.
The third generation started when Megan Marullo, Leslea’s daughter, came to work in 2013. Megan is our Safety Director. Tyler Barras, Leslea’s son, started in 2016 and works alongside Missy in the Trailer Finance Accounting Department. Luke Meza, Missy’s youngest son, joined the Utility Family in 2018. Luke is in Trailer Sales.
Jon Loring Sr worked for Utility for almost 55 years. We lost Jon Sr in September 2024. I think we all know Jon is busy selling trailers all over Heaven!
Jon Loring Sr.
The secret to 55 years of success
Jon was asked many times what his secret to success was... we can all hear his words clearly as he emphasized them with his fingers:
1
Take Care of your Customer
2
Do Right by your Customer
3
Be Honest & Tell the Truth
4
If you Mess Up, Fix It
5
Always Under Promise & Over Deliver
55+ Years of Growth
Company Timeline
Houston, Texas
Fresh Beginnings
Utility Trailer Sales Southeast Texas started in Houston off I-45 and Canino Road — a Trailer Sales Department, a small Parts Department, and a six-bay shop.
Houston – Blaffer
New Houston Home
Utility built a new location and moved the Houston dealership to 4901 Blaffer St off the 610 Loop and Lockwood Dr.
New Opportunity
John Bennett gave Jon Loring Sr. the opportunity to buy into Utility.
Pharr, Texas
First Rio Grande Valley Store
We opened our first store in the Rio Grande Valley in Pharr — starting as little more than a shed. A larger building followed, then Trailer Sales, Parts, and a Service Department.
San Antonio
First San Antonio Store
Utility opened its first San Antonio store off I-10 and Ackerman Rd., with Trailer Sales and a Parts Department.
San Antonio
San Antonio Grand Opening
We built a new store at FM 1516 N and I-10 with Trailer Sales, a Parts Department, a 14-bay Service Department, and a state-of-the-art full-reclaim Sandblast Booth.
Houston – Wallisville
Second Houston Location
Opened our second Houston location at 11411 Wallisville Rd. with Trailer Sales and a Heavy Duty Parts Department.
Pharr
New Pharr Location
We built a new store across Highway 281 and moved to 3420 N. Cage Blvd. — Parts expanded to 12,000 sq ft and Service to 14 bays.
New President
Jonny Loring took over as President of Utility Trailer Sales Southeast Texas, Inc.
Laredo
First Laredo Store
Opened our first Laredo location off Mines Rd., with Trailer Sales and a Parts Department.
La Porte
New La Porte Store
Utility opened a new location in La Porte, Texas. It is a Parts Store only.
Laredo
Laredo Store Upgrade
We purchased a larger facility in Laredo and moved to 4320 Trade Center Blvd. — Trailer Sales, Parts, and a 10-bay Service Department.
Houston – Wallisville
Wallisville Store Expansion
In 2013 we expanded our Wallisville store to add our Corporate Offices.
San Benito
New San Benito Store
Utility opened our second Rio Grande Valley location at 201 FM 732 and Sherer Rd. in San Benito, Texas. Parts Store only.
New Stores
Utility Trailer Sales Southeast Texas acquires Utility Trailer Sales Southwest. There are stores in Amarillo and El Paso.
El Paso
New El Paso Store
The El Paso Store is located at 11630 Gateway Blvd E in Socorro, Texas. We have Trailer Sales, Parts, and a Service Department with 15 bays.
Amarillo
New Amarillo Store
The Amarillo store is located at 10800 I-40 E. There are Trailer Sales, Parts, and a Service Department with 4 bays.
Eagle Pass
New Eagle Pass Store
We opened our largest location in Eagle Pass, Texas at 5395 US Highway 57 — Trailer Sales, a Heavy Duty Parts Department, and a 20-bay Service Department.
50 Years
2020 was our 50th year. To show our appreciation to our customers we planned BBQs at each store — then COVID hit and our celebrations had to be put on hold.
55 Years
We celebrated 55 years in 2025! We picked up where we left off in 2020 and began celebrating with our Customer Appreciation BBQs again at each of our stores.
Amarillo
Amarillo Store Expansion
We expanded our Amarillo store at the same property at 10800 I-40 E — Trailer Sales, a much larger Parts Department, and a 12-bay air-conditioned and heated Service Department.
Dallas
New Dallas Store
Utility Trailer of Dallas became our 11th location at 34241 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy — Trailer Sales, Parts, and a 10-bay Service Department.
New Name
In December 2025 we are proud to announce we renamed Utility Trailer Sales Southeast Texas to Utility Trailer of Texas, Inc.
Houston – Blaffer
Blaffer Expansion
Expanding our original Houston Blaffer location — growing the Parts Department, Parts Warehouse, and Service Department. Phase 2 will complete the full building remodel.
Looking Forward
Our vision for the future
Our vision is to continue growing, delivering quality trailers, and serving the transportation industry while providing a stable future for every Utility employee family. Without the support of our customers, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co., and our many vendors our growth would not have been possible. The relationships we built over the years are the foundation of our company. Jon Loring Sr. started selling trailers to make a living for his family. Little did he know, he built a legacy for generations to come.
