AUTO GRAPHICS BUSINESS GETS NEW NAME, EXPANDS

Earlier this year, more than 200 vans were lined up in the 800 block of Enterprise.

"Each of the vans was scheduled for a graphic package," said Dillard Dale, owner of Auto Trim Design, a custom graphics firm that provides a complete line of after-market auto and truck accessories.

Auto Trim Design added special Olympic logos, Fiberglas running boards and fancy wheel-cover designs to each of the vans for Chrysler Co.

"We do a lot of work for Chrysler," said Dale. "A couple of years ago we `spiffed up' some Plymouth Sports Voyager vans for the Chrysler-Plymouth Dealer Association as part of a special promotion among its dealers."

Another project for the same association was the conversion of 200 Plymouth Sundances.

"On these (Sundances) we installed a deck rack, a sun roof, and added the graphics package," said Dale.

Auto Trim Design is the former Trim-Line of Cape Girardeau. Trim-Line was a local branch of Trim-Line Inc., owned by 3M Co.

Dale said: "3M closed that leg of its company last year. We looked around and joined with a new company, Auto Trim Design, headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., which has a total of 270 branches."

The local branch recently added its third building on Enterprise.

"We have three buildings totaling more than 9,000 square feet," said Dale. "We're now located at 807, 814 and 822 Enterprise."

The former Trim-Line was founded in Cape Girardeau in 1976 by Richard Smith. Dale joined the firm in 1976 as an installer and later became general manager.

Dale had a chance to buy into the firm in the early 1980s, and in 1987 he became sole owner.

Auto Trim Design's product line includes trunk decks, sun roofs, cruise control units, stereos, bed liners and, or, sliding back windows for pickup trucks, rear-step bumpers and a number of other after-market accessories.

"The bulk of our work comes from auto dealers and, or, other businesses," said Dale. A big job for the firm was striping and putting logos on 125 semi-trailers and striping, putting on logos and lettering 75 semi-tractors for a local trucking firm.

"About 25 percent of our work is for individuals," said Dale. "This portion of our work is increasing; that's one of the reasons for the new building."

Dale said one of the big items now is the Fiberglas, color-keyed running boards for pickup trucks and vans. "We install the running boards and key the colors to the vehicle," he said.

Auto Trim Design employs 32 people.