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<CONFORMED-NAME>DORSEY TRAILERS INC
<CIK>0000924117
<ASSIGNED-SIC>3715
<IRS-NUMBER>582110729
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
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<STREET1>ONE PACES WEST STE 1700
<STREET2>2727 PACES FERRY RD
<CITY>ATLANTA
<STATE>GA
<ZIP>30339
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<FILENAME>g65419e8-k.txt
<DESCRIPTION>DORSEY TRAILERS, INC.
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 30, 2000

Commission File Number:                         0-24354
                        --------------------------------------------------------

                             DORSEY TRAILERS, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Delaware                                         58-2110729
--------------------------------                   -------------------------
(State of Incorporation)                                 (IRS Employer
                                                     Identification Number)

 One Paces West, Suite 1700
    2727 Paces Ferry Road
        Atlanta, Georgia                                     30339
--------------------------------                   -------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:     (770) 438-9595
                                                   -------------------------


<PAGE>   2

                              DORSEY TRAILERS, INC.

                                    FORM 8-K

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

On October 30, 2000, Dorsey Trailers, Inc. issued the press release attached as
Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

On November 8, 2000, Dorsey Trailers, Inc. issued the press release attached as
Exhibit 99.2 to this report.

ITEM 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

         a) Financial Statements.

                  None.

         b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

                  None.

         c) Exhibits.

<TABLE>
                  <S>      <C>
                  99.1     Press Release

                  99.2     Press Release
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   3

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                                 DORSEY TRAILERS, INC.


Date:    November 13, 2000           By:  /s/ G. Allen Cain
       ---------------------            ----------------------------------------
                                              G. Allen Cain
                                              Chief Financial Officer
                                              (Principal Financial Officer and
                                              Principal Accounting Officer)


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>g65419ex99-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      CONTACT: JOHN L. PUGH
                                                                  (770) 438-9595

                         DORSEY ENGAGES TURNAROUND FIRM

Dorsey Trailers, Inc. announces it has engaged The Recovery Group, a crisis
management and turnaround-consulting firm, to assist in a restructuring of the
Company.

Mr. John L. Pugh, Chief Executive Officer for Dorsey states, "The U.S. trucking
has been in a precipitous decline this year. This decline has been driven by
higher fuel costs, increasing interest rates, and driver shortages. These
factors have affected the truck trailer industry resulting in a significant
reduction in demand for new equipment. This downturn in the industry has had a
dramatic affect on Dorsey's operating performance and has restrained the
Company's liquidity position. This has led us to engage The Recovery Group. They
are a highly regarded international firm with many years of experience and have
worked with a large number of manufacturing companies who have faced the same
kind of difficulties that we are now experiencing."

Mr. Pugh went on to say, "The Recovery Group is working with the management team
in reviewing our current position. We are looking at all actions necessary to
improve our current cash position and provide a roadmap for improving our
operating performance. The Company does not foresee a significant increase in
trailers purchased during the remainder of the year into the first quarter of
2001; therefore, all actions are being predicated on a continued soft demand for
new product.

Dorsey Trailers, Inc. designs, manufacturers, and markets one of the broadest
lines of high-quality, customized truck trailers through three plants located in
Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Certain statements in this press release and statements by the Company in
reports to its stockholders and public filings, as well as, oral public
statements by Company representatives may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform act of 1995.
Any forward-looking statements included herein have been included based upon
facts available to management as of the date of the statement. Any forward
looking statement is, however, inherently subject to the uncertainty of future
events, whether economic, competitive or otherwise, many of which are beyond the
control of the Company, or which may involve determinations which may be made by
management in the future. There can, therefore, be no assurances that the events
or results described in such forward-looking statements will occur and actual
events or results may vary materially from those included herein.


<PAGE>   2

                                                                          PAGE 2

Without limitation, the following are some of the factors which may affect
whether the events or results described in such forward-looking statements will
occur: increased competition, dependence on key management, continued
availability of credit from vendors, continued advancement of funds from lender,
reliance on certain customers, shortages of raw materials, component prices,
labor shortages or work stoppage, dependence on current industry trends and
demand for product, manufacturing interruption due to unfavorable natural
events, unfavorable results of outstanding litigation, government regulations
and new technologies or products. Readers should review and consider the various
disclosures made by the Company in this press release and in its reports to
stockholders and periodic reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q.

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.2
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>g65419ex99-2.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      CONTACT: JOHN L. PUGH
NOVEMBER 8, 2000                                                  (770) 438-9595

                         DORSEY BEGINS RESTRUCTURING AND
                          ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT CHANGES

Dorsey announces the initial phase of its restructuring plan after engaging a
crisis management and turnaround firm, The Recovery Group from Boston, MA.

John L. Pugh, Dorsey's Chief Executive Officer, providing some of the details of
the initial restructuring reported, "The Recovery Group and management have
spent an intense two weeks reviewing Dorsey's status. We have concluded that
staffing cuts in management, salaried employees and administrative employees
will be implemented immediately. These staffing cuts will affect approximately
50% of this employee grouping."

Pugh cautioned, "This is not the complete and final restructuring plan, which is
still under development; however, we feel we must take this action now to reduce
general administrative expenses to the bare minimum in order for the final
restructuring plan to succeed. We do anticipate reductions in the hourly work
force, as well as renegotiating the union contract; however, the backlog and
production levels in the manufacturing plants will dictate the number of hourly
workers affected."

Pugh continued by stating, "The implementation of any restructuring plan is
painful, and this one will be no exception. I feel very strongly that the pain
should be felt at the top first. The Atlanta corporate office will become
primarily a national sales office with limited administrative and finance
functions. All other corporate functions will be handled from our manufacturing
plants."

Senior management changes were announced by Pugh, "Ms. Lorri Palko, our
President and COO since 1997, tendered her resignation earlier in the year but
has graciously stayed on to oversee the production of a major contract. This
major contract is coming to a successful end this month, so Ms. Palko will be
leaving this month. In addition, our CFO, Mr. Allen Cain, will be leaving the
Company this month. The duties of Ms. Palko and Mr. Cain will be assumed by Mr.
Keith Lonergan, VP-Manufacturing; Ms. Allyson Turnbull, Corporate Controller;
Ms. Laura Roan, VP-Sales; as well as myself."

Dorsey Trailers, Inc. designs, manufacturers, and markets one of the broadest
lines of high quality, customized truck trailers through three plants located in
Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.

Certain statements in this press release and statements by the Company in
reports to its stockholders and public filings, as well as, oral public
statements by Company representatives may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Any forward-looking statements included herein have been included based upon
facts available to management as of the date of the statement. Any forward
looking statements are, however, inherently subject to the uncertainty of future
events, whether economic, competitive or otherwise, many of which are beyond the
control of the Company, or which may involve determinations which may be


<PAGE>   2

                                                                NOVEMBER 8, 2000
                                                                          PAGE 2

described in such forward-looking statements will occur and actual events or
results may vary materially from those included herein.

Without limitation, the following are some of the factors which may affect
whether the events or results described in such forward-looking statements will
occur: increased competition, dependence on key management, continued
availability of credit from vendors, continued advancement of funds from lender,
reliance on certain customers, shortages of raw materials, component prices,
labor shortages or work stoppage, dependence on current industry trends and
demand for product, manufacturing interruption due to unfavorable natural
events, unfavorable results of outstanding litigation, government regulations
and new technologies or products. Readers should review and consider the various
disclosures made by the Company in this press release and in its reports to
stockholders and periodic reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q.

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
