Great Dane to shutter Savannah, Ga. manufacturing plantSAVANNAH, Ga. -- The economic downturn and a need for improved efficiencies has led Great Dane Trailers to announce it will close its original manufacturing facility.The closure will take place Jan. 9, 2009, the company announced, affecting about 270 employees. Production will be moved to existing reefer plants in Wayne, Neb. and Brazil, Ind. until a new site is chosen.'It's a sad day for us. A lot of family and friends are affected,' said Phillip Pines, chief operating officer of Great Dane Limited Partnership. 'This plant has remained pivotal in the history of our company. Its closing is no reflection on the caliber of the people or their work. We have simply exhausted the ability of this plant to produce refrigerated trailers at a competitive price.'Plans to find a more modern replacement facility are already underway, the company says.'This move is necessary to meet customer expectations, while being price competitive,' added Pines.