May/June 2018 Volume 31 Issue 3
2018 20 018 NATM NATM Convention C v & T d Show Trade h a Success Page 48
Shedding Light on Foggy CDL Requirements Page 26
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NATM Headquarters • 2420 SW 17th St. • Topeka, KS 66604 • (785) 272-4433 • Fax: (785) 272-4455 On the Cover: Highlights from NATM's 2018 Annual Convention & Trade Show. STAFF Assistant Director Meghan Ryan Meghan.Ryan@natm.com Executive Director Kendra Ansley Kendra.Ansley@natm.com Quality Director Monica Johnson Monica.Johnson@natm.com Membership & Education Director Bill Tofflemire Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com Events Coordinator Lane McNeil Lane.McNeil@natm.com Technical Director Colin Holthaus Colin.Holthaus@natm.com Compliance Consultant Matt Searcy Matt.Searcy@natm.com Compliance Consultant Terry Jones Terry.Jones@natm.com Marketing Coordinator Savana Morrison Savana.Morrison@natm.com
2 4 7 10
Bookkeeper Cindy Streeter Cindy.Streeter@natm.com
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Executive Assistant Christina Trimmer Christina.Trimmer@natm.com
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OFFICERS President Patrick Jennissen Felling Trailers Vice President Owen Shelton BoatMate Trailers, Inc. Treasurer Marty Lorick Triple Crown Trailers Associate Member Representative Jim Berry Dexter Axle Past President Greg Snyder CAR MATE Trailers, Inc
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DIRECTORS FEB. 2016 - FEB. 2019 Rick Coffey The Carlstar Group Josh Johnson Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing, Inc.
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Chris Pokornowski Towmaster, Inc. Chris Steinman MGS, Incorporated DIRECTORS FEB. 2017 - FEB. 2020
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Marco Garcia U-Haul International, Inc. Jon Devitt Midwest Industries, Inc. Brian Wise BWise Manufacturing, LLC Ron Yarnell PPG Industries, Inc. DIRECTORS FEB. 2018 - FEB. 2021 Leo Akins Forest River Cargo Division John Kerr Marsh & McLennan Agency Justin Kurth Tracker Marine Group - TrailStarTrailers Lucas Landis Aluminum Trailer Company
42 44 45
Tracks
Tracks Advertisers President's Report Headquarters Report NATM Engages in Efforts to Mitigate Steel & Aluminum Tariff Impact on Members NATM Political Action Committee National Trailer Safety Week: June 3-9, 2018 Call for Member Educational Articles, Webinars Advertising with NATM Terry Jones Joins NATM as Compliance Consultant Statistically Speaking Statistical Surveys Awards for Top Trailer Performance in 2017 Shedding Light on Foggy CDL Requirements Proper Shielding Gas Coverage Is Key to Success in GTAW Instantly Upgrade Trailers with Polylast™ with Microban® Antimicrobial Rubberized Flooring Know Your Team: the NATM Staff NATM Education Update NATM First Year Anniversaries Regional Educational Workshop: June 7 in Lancaster, Pa.
45 46 48 50 53 54 56 58 61 62 64 66 69 70 72 74
NATM Membership Update NATM Earns 2017 Constant Contact All Star Award 2018 NATM Convention & Trade Show a Success Thank You to the 2018 Convention & Trade Show Sponsors Rick Russell Receives 2018 Outstanding Member Award Ron Yarnell Receives 2018 Outstanding Associate Member Award Felling Trailers, Inc. Receives 2018 Green Manufacturing Award Marco Garcia Receives 2018 Young Professional Award Dearing, Gurley Receive 2018 Associate Member Young Professional Award Joe Ostrowski Receives 2018 Ed Freel Membership Award NATM Golf Tournament 2018 Booth Selection Process for the 2019 NATM Trade Show 2019 Convention & NATM Trade Show Tentative Schedule Owner’s Manuals Offer Liability Reduction, Marketability NATM Member News NATM New Member Update
About this publication: Tracks Volume 31, Number 3 May/June 2018 is published six times a year (bi-monthly) for $50 per year by the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, 2420 SW 17th St, Topeka, KS 66604. Periodicals postage paid at Topeka, KS. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NATM 2420 SW 17th St, Topeka, KS 66604. DISCLAIMER: The inclusion in this magazine of advertising, logos, or website links, or reference to any products, services, trade names, or manufacturers is not an endorsement by NATM of any such advertisers, links, entities, products, services, or names. NATM through this magazine provides news and opinion articles as a service to its members and readers. Often these articles come from sources outside of its organization. Statements and opinions expressed in these articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, its staff or management, or the official policies of NATM. Nor does NATM accept responsibility for any errors or omissions made in publishing or reproducing articles or advertising appearing in Tracks or for the return of unsolicited manuscripts sent to NATM. USPS Number: 022438
ISSN Number: 1552-2415
Advertisers Index
Tracks
Advertisers Index A.L. Hansen Manufacturing, Co. AmeriTech, Inc. Avery Dennison BluDot, Inc. BrakeQuip CPR Systems Dec-O-Art, Inc. Dexter Axle Eck Corrosion Coating H.E. Parmer Horizon Global Hutchens Industries, Inc. Hyflow Controls, Inc. JKD Products, Inc. KampCo Steel Products, Inc. KTI Hydraulics, Inc. LaVanture Products Co. Lippert Components, Inc. Muro North America, Inc. Myers Spring Co.
Napoleon/Lynx North West Rubber, Ltd. Optronics International Peerless Industrial Group Peterson Manufacturing Co. Polylast Systems, LLC Powerbrace Corp. PPG Industries, Inc. Premium Supply Redarc Electronics Pty., Ltd. Redneck Trailer Supplies Ridewell Suspensions Rockwell American Tech Products, Inc. TexTrail Trailer Parts Tie Down Engineering, Inc. TRAILSTAR, LLC USA Harness, Inc. Vin-Eze, A Division of P.M.C.S., Inc. Wells Fargo CDF
75 57 21 12 Outside Back Cover 8 71 47 13 33 28 76 55 Inside Front Cover 14 60 52 43 14 33
2 29 59 9 63 11 51 6 36-37 43 3 15 67 18 20 9 Inside Back Cover 19 18 23
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President's Report
Tracks
President's Report
By Pat Jennissen, Felling Trailers
NATM is not yet even half way done with the year and is already seeing great successes in 2018. With nearly every indicator of financial health, NATM’s pulse is strong and steady. The recent Convention & Trade Show in Fort Worth had fantastic attendance with a final total of 1,194 attendees. We have not seen attendance numbers above 1,100 since the economic recession hit in 2008! Other increases at the 2018 show were 26 more exhibitors and 36 more booth spaces than last year's show.
confident that the Association will be able to weather any future storms. NATM recognizes that there is strength in numbers and will continue to welcome both suppliers and trailer manufacturers into the Association in order to further our mission to promote trailer safety and the success of the trailer manufacturing industry through education and advocacy. By increasing membership, we are not only bolstering our capacity to offer benefits and education, but we are also increasing our power to educate and influence policy makers on Capitol Hill, within our own states and cities and in national highway safety agencies. Each NATM member company
NATM’s membership numbers are also climbing to nearly prerecession levels. Currently, we stand at 941-member companies. In 2008, the Association reached 1,002-member companies, and quickly fell to 726 companies in 2013. We are fortunate to have seen a slow, but steady climb as our industry recovers and I am
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President's Report
Tracks plays a role in the prosperity of the Association through their membership dues, decal purchases, trade show exhibition and attendance, sponsorship, advertising and committee work. Member dues go into funding the overhead, administrative costs and expenses of running an association this size. Compliance consultations are free of charge for new members, with subsequent consultations paid for by the revenue generated from NATM Compliance Decal sales. In 2013, we exceeded five million in decal sales and in 2017 reached 8 million. These decals are visual reminders to end-users that the manufacturer of that trailer is committed to safety. The increase in decal sales helps strengthen awareness of the Association’s commitment to safety by advertising and increasing NATM’s brand recognition.
the impact of raising awareness and advertising your company’s commitment to safety is meaningful. The key to our strength and success over the last thirty years has been our members. Each member company makes a commitment to this industry through many outlets including dues, decal purchases, sponsorships, advertising, exhibiting, involvement on committees and attending NATM’s many government affairs events such as the annual Regulatory Roundup and Capitol Hill Visits.
Each company, both suppliers and trailer manufacturers, It would be ideal to be able to flood the entire light- and medium- has an important role in the success of what we do. Thank duty trailer industry with our compliance decals, as that would mean that all of those trailer manufacturers have the processes in you to each and every one place to build trailers according to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety of you that has recognized the importance of what we Standards. I would like to see the inclusion of this decal on trailers as the new norm, as typical and important as the inclusion are trying to accomplish, and of warning labels, safety chains, lighting and conspicuity tape on here’s to another 30 years of every trailer. The cost and installation of the decal is minimal, but NATM!
Pat Jennissen Felling Trailers NATM President
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May/June 2018
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Headquarters Report
Tracks
Headquarters Report
By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director
It’s difficult to believe we are almost halfway through 2018. The first half of this year has been filled with change for the Association and the industry. NATM’s longtime leader and my mentor, Pam Trusdale, retired after nearly twenty years with the Association. In February, we also we hired a new compliance consultant, Terry Jones to help carry out the Compliance Verification Program (see more on pg. 22). Lane McNeil planned her first ever NATM Convention and it was an absolute success and boasted our highest attendance since the 2008 economic downturn. Trailer manufacturers were thrilled with the event, finding the education to be top notch and the trade show expansive, while exhibitors commented on the high caliber of contacts walking the floor. Turn to page 48 for more information about the successful 2018 Convention & Trade Show. Meghan Ryan was recently promoted to Assistant Director, expanding her job duties to include government affairs along with her existing responsibilities as Tracks editor. Changeover in roles and new staff members have strengthened the Association’s ability to grow and expand and I am excited to see what else this new team will do! Find out more about the NATM staff on page 38. The industry, too, has seen great change. With the institution of new tariffs, increased enforcement and the continued skills gap, the industry has worked hard to adapt to a fast-changing environment. While change and transition can bring about uncertainty, NATM members have done an incredible job of adapting to meet the demands of business and the industry. And NATM, its board, committees and staff, are working diligently on your behalf to help make this navigation and adjustment as easy as possible. In recent months members have contacted headquarters with a regularity previously unseen. We’re proud to be the resource you think of first when you have questions or problems. Hearing from members helps us keep a better pulse on the industry and ensures that we as an association are able to truly meet your businesses where they are. NATM’s government affairs team worked hard to explore steel and aluminum exemption possibilities for the section 232 tariffs and is now actively encouraging its members to begin filing for exemptions on an individual-company basis. We have sent out emails with a memo explaining the imposed tariffs, as well www.NATM.com
as included information and materials for the tariff exclusion process. Further, we are continuing to engage in the Section 301 tariff investigation as it pertains to aluminum sheet from China. For more information on NATM's efforts addressing the tariffs, turn to page 10. Simultaneously, we are monitoring infrastructure bills, side underride guard conversations and CAFE Standards as well as working to connect members to their legislators and ensure that in this very important election year NATM maintains its voice on Capitol Hill and your industry continues to be on the minds of decision makers. If your company is interested in hosting a legislator at your facility for either a plant tour or a legislative round table, please let me know at Kendra.Ansley@natm.com. We are updating our records for 2018 and want to ensure NATM has approval to communicate with our members about the NATM Political Action Committee (PAC). The NATM PAC is an important piece of our advocacy efforts and helps NATM to advocate effectively through supporting the election of candidates to US Congress that have advocated for the trailer manufacturing industry’s interests. Find out more about the NATM PAC on page 13. On June 7, NATM will be hosting a regional workshop in Lancaster, Pa. to further educate members on their compliance obligations, especially given the recent consent order signed by a trailer manufacturer in the industry. You can read more about the workshop on page 45. NATM is also launching the first ever Trailer Safety Week June 3-9. Members have volunteered their facilities to host events and NATM has been reaching out to a vast network of dealers to engage them in reaching consumers. You can find out more information about Trailer Safety week on page 16 or at www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com. The first half of 2018 has flown by and the Association still has so much it wants to accomplish in a few short months. Thank you for your continued support. We can’t wait to show you all that we have been able to achieve because of your commitment to safety and the advancement of the industry.
Kendra Ansley NATM Executive Director May/June 2018
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NATM Engages in Efforts to Mitigate Steel & Aluminum Tariff Impact on Members
Tracks
NATM Engages in Efforts to Mitigate Steel & Aluminum Tariff Impact on Members By Darrell Conner and Dennis Potter K&L Gates Last November, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated proceedings aimed at applying tariffs to steel and aluminum that is imported into the United States. That process led to a finding in February that the imports threaten national security and that significant tariffs should be instituted. As of the writing of this article, certain exemptions have been instituted and negotiations, particularly with China, are ongoing with threats of tariffs on additional products being made from both sides. Throughout the process, NATM has actively engaged in a number of efforts, working with industry allies and member companies to highlight the impact the tariffs will have on costs and supply chains for the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. While the DOC was conducting its investigation, NATM’s Government Affairs Committee Chairman, Rick Russell, along with representatives from the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association met with DOC staff. The group outlined the specific challenges facing manufacturers in their industries and the difficulties they have been facing since the prospect of tariffs was raised.
With the Trump administration’s continued pursuit of such cases, it is believed that it is likely that domestic producers of other products may also seek to have tariffs applied to competing imports. While negotiations concerning a wide range of trade deals including NAFTA and pursuit of bi-lateral trade agreements are ongoing, there does not appear to be a clear end in sight for those talks. Continued imposition of tariffs will be disruptive to manufacturing across a wide array of sectors. As these issues develop, NATM will remain engaged with legislators, regulators and industry partners to share the concerns of the light- and medium-duty trailer industry and work to mitigate the impact on the industry. About the Authors Darrell Conner is a Government Affairs Counselor and Dennis Potter is a Government Affairs Advisor at the law and lobbying firm of K&L Gates, where they represent NATM and other clients on legislative, regulatory, policy and political matters. Conner can be reached at Darrell.Conner@klgates.com and Potter can be reached at Dennis.Potter@klgates.com.
NATM has also reached out to key members of Congress to raise concerns about the tariffs. The Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee hold primary jurisdiction over trade issues. Ways & Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Dave Reichert (R-WA) wrote a letter to President Trump emphasizing their concerns over the prospect of the tariffs and additional Congressional engagement and oversight is expected to take place as the process continues. As of the writing of this article, a number of countries have been granted exemptions from the tariffs. The exempted countries include Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and countries comprising the European Union. In the coming months, the International Trade Commission is expected to hold hearings on the subject. NATM will be working with affected members to compile data on industry impacts that will be an important part of the ongoing process. As with the ST tire tariff case, critical information concerning domestic availability, supply chain availability and related issues are key elements of final decisions in trade cases.
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www.NATM.com
NATM Political Action Committee
Tracks
NATM Political Action Committee By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers' Political Action Committee – NATM PAC – was established in 2010 to support members of Congress who support the Association and its positions on matters of public policy. The PAC is an important investment in the future of the light- and medium-duty trailer industry and a critical component of achieving NATM’s public policy goals. The Association is continuing to pursue two main goals in Washington, D.C. NATM is seeking to enhance its visibility among members of Congress who legislate on policy issues of importance to its members and officials at the Department of Transportation, which regulates the industry. And, NATM is continuing to monitor and engage on public policy matters that impact the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. A critical next step is to broaden the PAC’s outreach to NATM members and to receive permission to send members information regarding its government affairs activities and PAC efforts. The PAC enables certain employees of NATM member companies to
www.NATM.com
pool political contributions and support candidates as chosen by the NATM PAC Board that support the industry. Since NATM may not contribute membership dues or other corporate funds to federal candidates, the NATM PAC is the only opportunity to make political contributions as an industry. Pursuant to federal law, the PAC solicits funds only from NATM members whose companies have provided authorization to be solicited. Those funds are used to make contributions to candidates for federal office. If you haven’t done so already, NATM asks that you grant this permission so you remain informed about NATM’s PAC and how NATM's government affairs team is advocating on behalf of the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. It is important to note: companies and corporations may choose only one PAC with whom to sign a solicitation agreement. To receive the form and grant permission, or for more information about the NATM PAC, please contact Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant director, at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com.
May/June 2018
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National Trailer Safety Week: June 3-9, 2018
Tracks
National Trailer Safety Week: June 3-9, 2018 By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director
NATM is excited to debut its inaugural National Trailer Safety week to be held June 3-9, 2018. As part of the Association’s mission to promote trailer safety and the success of the trailer manufacturing industry through education and advocacy, NATM has created the nation-wide safety week with the mission “To improve the safety of the nation’s roadways by raising trailer safety awareness through education of end-users, dealers and manufacturers on safe trailering practices.” About the Event Trailer Safety Week was the culmination of NATM’s mission to improve safety, a challenge by former NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind to find a way to reach end-users, and the realization that end-users are vastly undereducated on the proper use of trailers. For that reason, Trailer Safety Week seeks to utilize the connections that dealers and manufacturers have with consumers in order to broaden the reach of the Association’s efforts to disseminate crucial how-to information regarding proper towing, loading and maintenance in order to improve the safety of the nation’s roadways. NATM’s national Trailer Safety Week will have two distinct parts: onsite facility events hosted at trailer manufacturing facilities and targeted marketing of printed and online resources to trailer dealers across the nation. For the onsite events, trailer dealers in the region have been invited both by postcard, electronically and through social media to attend. Currently, NATM has enlisted the help of five dedicated trailer manufacturers to host a Trailer Safety Week event at their facilities across the nation. But, all members are encouraged to participate! NATM will assist member companies with planning a successful event, and will supply an Event Kit and Social Media Kit. Event Kits include an event checklist, information on how to promote your event, customizable invitations to send to dealers, suggestions on how to set up and display the event, an informational presentation on NATM and “How to Sell Compliance,” and resources including NATM’s Trailer Safety Handbook and keychains that feature the NATM
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www.NATM.com
National Trailer Safety Week: June 3-9, 2018
Tracks Trailer Safety Week website, www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com. The site features informational videos including NATM members' content and gives end-users audio and visual training. This resource focuses on hitching, loading, maintenance, cargo securement, tires, driving tips, ensuring the right vehicle combination, brakes and the NATM Compliance Verification Program. The site also features printable material so that dealers are able to offer their customers additional resources and the option to order additional materials through NATM. This gives dealers a leg-up on competition for improved customer service, as well as an easily and instantly accessible compilation of trailering information customers need. More information about NATM’s National Trailer Safety week will be made available to members in NATM’s monthly e-Newsletter, the NATM Insider, and direct email correspondence to main contacts of NATM member companies. NATM will need your help in increasing consumer awareness on trailer safety, so please stay tuned for calls to action! Both suppliers and trailer manufacturers are encouraged to sign up and be a Trailer Safety Ally and share safety information on their websites and social media outlets. For more information, visit www.NATM.com, www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com, or email NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com. NATM looks forward to working with dealers and trailer manufacturers to improve the safety of the light- and medium-duty trailer industry!
www.NATM.com
May/June May M Ma ay ay/Ju /Ju /J Jun nee 220 201 2018 00118
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Call for Member Educational Articles, Webinars
Tracks
Call for Member Educational Articles, Webinars By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director Interested in sharing your expertise while also spotlighting your company in front of NATM members? Submit an article to Tracks magazine, or submit an application to host a webinar or workshop! NATM is striving to develop additional educational opportunities for NATM members and is looking to leverage Associate members’ expertise in providing content to others in the lightand medium-duty trailer industry. NATM is planning to provide educational opportunities in a number of formats including regional educational workshops, convention workshops, webinars and Tracks magazine articles.
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The purpose of the educational opportunities is to provide valuable education to NATM members and the focus of the presentations or articles are not to be on the products or services of the presenting company unless submitting a specific "Company Spotlight" or "Product Profile" article for consideration. These opportunities are at no cost to NATM members. If your company is interested in participating in any of these venues, please let NATM know. For more information about contributing, contact NATM Membership & Education Director Bill Tofflemire at Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.
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Tracks
Advertising with NATM By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director
Placing advertising in front of trailer manufacturers and dealers is one of the easiest and most effective benefits of NATM membership. As a not-for-profit organization, the Association works to keep advertising prices low enough to cover costs without breaking the marketing budgets of NATM's supplier and trailer manufacturing members. Advertising in the bi-monthly Tracks magazine, the annual NATM Convention Program and the annual NATM Membership Directory & Buyer's Guide is easy: simply send in your advertising contract and PDF of the artwork and NATM will send you an invoice once your ad is sent to print in the publication of your choice. It is free for NATM members to upload their company logos and update company information on NATM's online Membership Directory and your listing can be edited. If you need your login credentials, contact NATM Membership & Education Director Bill Tofflemire at Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com.
Reflecting Brands with Bright Futures Conspicuity Tape that Goes Further.
If you, or someone you know, would like to receive Tracks magazine or advertising notices, please let NATM know and you will be added to the mailing list. The deadlines for submitting artwork, contracts or articles for Tracks magazine are as follows: July/Aug.
Deadline: May 30
Sept./Oct.
Deadline: July 15
Nov./Dec.
Deadline: Sept. 15
If you have any questions or concerns about advertising or Tracks magazine, contact Meghan Ryan, asssistant director, at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com. NATM encourages members to submit suggestions for Tracks article topics and welcomes submissions for member spotlight articles.
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May/June 2018
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Terry Jones Joins NATM as Compliance Consultant
Tracks
Terry Jones Joins NATM as Compliance Consultant By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director
NATM is pleased to announce that Terry Jones joined the staff as a compliance consultant in February. With the expansion in NATM’s membership and its compliance program, NATM found it necessary to hire an additional compliance consultant to assist with compliance verification consultations across the United States and Canada. Terry Jones is a graduate of Kansas State University with a major in Interdisciplinary Social Science and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Science degree in Community Development, also through Kansas State. Terry’s experience in community development is applicable to his role as compliance consultant as he has conducted many inspections including municipal and home inspections. Terry and his wife Chelsi have two boys, Dawson and Easton, who take up much of his free time. When he does find time to himself, he enjoys Kansas State football, Sporting Kansas City soccer, golfing and reading, specifically on the topic of United States history.
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As an NATM compliance consultant, Terry conducts compliance consultations for trailer manufacturers. He also assists members in correcting any compliance deficiencies. “My initiation into NATM has been a whirlwind. On my first official day with the Association, I traveled to Fort Worth, Texas for NATM’s 2018 Convention & Trade Show to meet members and experience firsthand the important relationships NATM has fostered with its members,” said Terry Jones. “I have spent my first few weeks traveling to a few trailer manufacturing facilities, gaining valuable experience and training at each stop and I look forward to helping NATM achieve its mission of improving the safety of the trailer industry.” Terry is excited to learn more about the needs of the light- and medium-duty trailer industry and continue to meet more NATM members as he travels to trailer manufacturing facilities to conduct consultations. Welcome Terry to the Association by phone at (785) 272-4433 or by email, Terry.Jones@natm.com.
www.NATM.com
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Statistically Speaking
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Statistically Speaking By Jeff Jones, Statistical Surveys
Registration for the light- and medium-duty trailer industry was up 3.6 percent in December 2017. Below are the details of the market's performance for the five trailer segments as reported by Statistical Surveys. Trailer Type
Dec. 2017
Jan. - Dec. 2017
Boat
-3.9 %
5.6 %
Enclosed
-1.8 %
5.7 %
Horse
2.06 %
-0.3 %
Livestock
10.2 %
3.1 %
Open
6.8 %
5.6 %
Industry
3.6 %
5.4 %
Please note that Maine and Tennessee are experiencing data delays. The data will be placed in the correct month once it’s received.
The following are the top five states in sales growth for all trailer segments in 2017. Ranking
State
Percent Growth
1
Utah
19.5 %
2
Wisconsin
15.3 %
3
Oregon
14.0 %
4
Idaho
13.5 %
5
Mississippi
13.3 %
Industry registrations for 2017 were up 5.4 percent over 2016. 2017 was another good year for the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. If there are any questions or if Statistical Surveys, Inc. can help, please contact Jeff Jones at (254) 715-1314 or at jjones@statisticalsurveys.com.
Top Manufacturer in Registrations for All Trailer Types and Open Trailers: Carry-On Trailer Corp. (L-R: Scott Stropkai, Rick Russell, Jeff Jones and Kendra Ansley).
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May/June 2018
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Statistical Surveys Awards for Top Trailer Performance in 2017
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Statistical Surveys Awards for Top Trailer Performance in 2017 Volume of Registrations
Market Share Increase for 2017
All Trailer Segments: Carry-On Trailers, Inc.
All Trailers: Novae Corporation
Boat Trailers: Tracker Marine Group
Boat Trailers: Malibu LLC
Enclosed Trailers: Forest River, Inc.
Enclosed Trailers: Novae Corporation
Horse Trailers: Universal Trailer Corporation
Horse Trailers: Cimarron Trailer Mfg., Inc.
Livestock Trailers: Universal Trailer Corporation
Livestock Trailers: Travalong
Open Trailers: Carry-On Trailers, Inc.
Open Trailers: Karavan Trailers, Inc.
Top Manufacturer in Registrations for Boat Trailers: Tracker Marine Group. (L-R: Scott Stropkai, Nathan Long, Jeff Jones and Kendra Ansley).
Top Manufacturer in Registrations for Enclosed Trailers: Forest River, Inc. - Trailer Div. (L-R: Scott Stropkai, Jeff Rebrovich, Jeff Jones and Kendra Ansley).
Top Manufacturer in Registrations for All Segments and Enclosed Trailers: Novae Corporation (L-R: Scott Stropkai, Mark Yde, Jeff Jones and Kendra Ansley).
Top Manufacturer in Market Share Increase for Boat Trailers: Malibu LLC. (L-R: Scott Stropkai, Thomas Tedford, Donna Tallent, Jeff Jones and Kendra Ansley).
www.NATM.com
May/June 2018
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Shedding Light on Foggy CDL Requirements
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Shedding Light on Foggy CDL Requirements By Kim Mann, General Counsel to NATM, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary NATM headquarters receives frequent calls from trailer manufacturing members asking why the local police are insisting on commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) for drivers operating tow vehicles pulling their trailers. They then describe their particular set of circumstances. Prompting these questions are complaints the members have received from their customers and dealers about state troopers and local enforcement officers pulling over drivers towing their trailers they thought did not require CDLs and their customers had purchased with that same understanding. So, what’s going on here? Overly-aggressive law enforcement at work? Dealers and/or customers ill-informed about CDL laws? A combination of both?
What appears to be behind these inquiries is the vagueness of the CDL laws and the general confusion and disagreement this vagueness naturally generates. So, let’s try to clear up some of this confusion. Starting at the beginning, Congress has charged the U.S. DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with responsibility for implementing the federal CDL laws through federal regulations and has directed the states to issue CDLs in conformity with these regulations. The FMCSA’s CDL regulations appear in the Code of Federal Regulations, 49 C.F.R. Part 383. The FMCSA requires drivers to have a CDL – either a Class A, a Class B, or Class C (for transporting passengers or hazardous materials) – in order to operate defined types of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce. To clarify its regulations, the FMCSA publishes a graphic illustrating the various vehicle configurations constituting the groups of CMVs requiring a Class A or Class B CDL. That graphic can be found to the left. State and local law enforcement often refer to it for guidance. The FMCSA requires drivers to have a CDL to operate a motor vehicle if that vehicle meets the FMCSA definition of a “commercial motor vehicle” and is used in “commerce.” The FMCSA defines both terms in 49 C.F.R. § 383.5. The great misunderstanding out there, within the trailer industry and probably within the law enforcement community, about the CDL requirements springs from those two definitions, particularly of “commerce.”
FMCSA's graphic illustrating the various vehicle configurations constituting the groups of CMVs requiring a Class A or Class B CDL.
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May/June 2018
The FMCSA defines a “commercial motor vehicle” as a motor vehicle, or a combination of motor vehicles, in certain GVWR-based configurations, when used in “commerce” to transport “property or passengers.” The physical configuration component of the CMV definition is very mechanical, very objective.
www.NATM.com
Shedding Light on Foggy CDL Requirements
Tracks When dealing with a tow vehicle-trailer combination, you look at the gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of the tow vehicle if the tow-vehicle manufacturer has assigned it a GCWR and displays it on its cert label. With regard to the familiar combination, a tow vehicle (whether truck, automobile, or tractor) towing a trailer, the driver needs a CDL if the tow-vehicle manufacturer’s assigned GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs. (as shown on its cert label) and the trailer’s GVWR exceeds 10,000 lbs. If there is no assigned GCWR, the FMCSA requires a CDL only if the sum of the GVWRs of the tow vehicle and the trailer together exceeds 26,000 lbs. and the trailer’s GVWR exceeds 10,000 lbs. In either case, the driver will need a Class A CDL. With regard to a single vehicle, the FMCSA requires the driver to have a Class B CDL to operate that truck, bus, van, or automobile if that vehicle has a GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs. It is required even if that truck, automobile, or van is towing a trailer and that trailer has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less (If the trailer’s GVWR exceeds 10,0000 lbs., a Class A CDL is needed). The second component of the CDL requirement, and of the CMV definition, is much more troubling, much more subjective, and the primary source of the confusion. To qualify as a CMV requiring a CDL, that vehicle, even in a qualifying GCWR/GVWR configuration, must be used in “commerce.” “Commerce” has its own separate definition in § 385.3 of the FMCSA’s regulations. The FMCSA defines it broadly as any trade, traffic, or transportation between points in one state and points in another state or any trade, traffic, or transportation that “affects” trade, traffic, or transportation in the U.S. between points in one state and points in another. Not exactly an enlightening definition, to say the least. How this “use” assessment turns out often varies depending upon who is doing the assessing. And that is often the law enforcement officer on the scene. As a starting point, the proper inquiry, then, is whether this questionable CMV is transporting property (across state lines) for some commercial purpose, as opposed to for the personal use of the owner, driver, or some other person. What the trailer owner considers his or her own “personal use” may, upon close examination, in fact turn out to be for a “commercial purpose” when viewed through the critical eyes of the state or local law enforcement officer. Let’s examine several tricky examples: •
purpose from the vantage point of the diligent state trooper who pulls the driver over looking for that CDL. •
Suppose instead those horses belong to a stable whose owner charges the public by the hour to ride them. Another commercial purpose according to a strict interpretation of the term. It does not matter that no business name or logo is displayed on the side of the truck or trailer towing these horses.
•
Now suppose it is a college student behind the wheel of Dad’s 16,000 lbs. GVWR truck towing his family’s lawn mower around the neighborhood in Dad’s utility trailer to earn a few bucks mowing lawns to off-set that college tuition. He may need a Class A CDL if that trailer’s GVWR exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Complicating the question of whether a CDL is necessary could be a hodge-podge of state CDL laws at variance with the federal law. States are not prohibited from enacting their own state CDL laws, applying them to non-interstate movements (i.e. the trailer does not cross the state line), if those state laws are stricter than the federal law. In theory, the state law of State A might require its residents to have a different class of CDL, perhaps designated as a “Class D,” to tow a 26,000-lbs. GVWR trailer when used for personal use. State A must, however, honor the out-of-state license issued by State B to its residents: for example, if State B does not require a CDL for its residents to operate a vehicle for personal use, then State A may not require State B residents to have a CDL while operating a vehicle for personal use in State A even if State A requires its own residents to have a “Class D” CDL for this purpose. The “CDL” complaints that NATM fields typically revolve around the smaller trailers (between 10,000 lbs. and 26,000 lbs. GVWR) and the debate over personal vs. commercial use. In sum, assuming commercial use, when the GVWR of the truck exceeds 26,000 lbs., a CDL is required, regardless of the GVWR of the trailer, and when the GVWR of the truck is less than 26,000 lbs., a CDL is required only if that truck’s GVWR and the trailer’s GVWR, added together, exceed 26,000 lbs. and the trailer’s GVWR exceeds 10,000 lbs.
The trailer owner is towing his own horses to a horse show or his livestock to the state fair where monetary prizes are awarded. That familiar scenario is likely to be seen as a commercial undertaking or commercial
www.NATM.com
May/June 2018
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Proper Shielding Gas Coverage Is Key to Success in GTAW
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Proper shielding gas coverage is critical to achieving high-quality results in GTAW applications. Many factors impact shielding gas coverage, including the choice of consumables paired with the proper shielding settings.
Proper Shielding Gas Coverage Is Key to Success in GTAW By Zachary Erndt, welding engineer/AWS-CWI, Miller Electric Mfg. Co. When pinpoint control, high quality and aesthetics are important, gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) can meet those requirements. But did you know proper shielding gas coverage is critical to achieving the best results in this process? Many factors impact shielding gas coverage, including the choice of consumables paired with the proper gas ďŹ&#x201A;ow settings. Choosing the right gas and consumables for the job depends upon the desired performance and in some cases operator preference, among other key factors. Keep these considerations in mind to get optimal results with GTAW. Shielding Gas Options In GTAW, also known as TIG welding, an inert gas protects the molten weld pool and tungsten from surrounding atmospheric gases. These atmospheric gases can react with the weld pool, causing contamination. 30
May/June 2018
Although the primary purpose of a shielding gas is to shield the weld pool and tungsten from atmospheric gasses, the shielding gas also inďŹ&#x201A;uences heat inputs and arc starting characteristics. *Due to the influence the shielding gas has on an arc, it is critical to adhere to any welding procedure specification (WPS) that is issued. The three most common shielding gas options for GTAW are 100 percent argon, 100 percent helium and an argon/helium mix. These shielding gases can be used for all materials. â&#x20AC;˘
100 percent argon: Argon is primarily used for GTAW due to its availability, cost and arc starting characteristics. Argon produces consistent, highfrequency arc starts due to its lower ionization potential and produces a more stable arc compared to that of helium.
www.NATM.com
Proper Shielding Gas Coverage Is Key to Success in GTAW
Tracks •
•
100 percent helium: Because it has higher thermal conductivity than argon, helium can be used for GTAW to produce higher heat inputs. These higher heat inputs result in faster travel speeds and higher depth-to-width ratios and are good for welding thicker materials. Helium does have a higher ionization potential, resulting in inconsistent arc starts. Argon/helium: An argon/helium mix is typically used to achieve the higher heat inputs of helium while maintaining the superior arc starts offered by argon. These mixes commonly contain 25 to 75 percent helium. As helium content increases, the arc becomes hotter but high-frequency arc starting performance and stability decrease.
To determine the best shielding gas for your application, consider the cost, required heat and high- frequency arc starting consistency. Gas Flow Rates The optimal gas flow rate varies by the combination of consumables and atmospheric conditions. GTAW flow rates are typically between 10 and 35 cubic feet per hour (cfh). When the shielding gas exits the nozzle, it has a different velocity than that of the atmospheric gases surrounding it. The different velocity and density between these two types of gases can cause currents to form, which can potentially turn the shielding gas column from a laminar flow (which is desirable) to a turbulent flow (less desirable). As the flow becomes turbulent, atmospheric gases can be pulled into the shielding gas column, leading to contamination of the weld and/or tungsten.
As shielding gas flow rate is increased, the laminar flow column becomes more turbulent, increasing the chances for the weld and/or tungsten to become contaminated. As the flow rate is decreased, the shielding gas column becomes more laminar and less turbulent. Although a higher flow rate produces a turbulent shielding gas column and isn’t necessarily better, a flow rate that is too low can be easily disturbed, breaking down the shielding gas column and potentially contaminating the weld and/or tungsten as well. To achieve the greatest laminar flow, use the lowest gas flow rate possible for the application and conditions. The cfh is measured by either a regulator or a flow meter regulator. A flow meter regulator is recommended due to its accuracy. Place the regulator as close to the welding power source as possible for the best results and easy adjustments. Gas Lens or Collet Body? Consumables used in GTAW include a nozzle and a collet paired with either a gas lens or a collet body. Consider the requirements of the finished weld when choosing between the two. If the weld is critical or requires high quality, a gas lens is the best option. For non-critical or practice welds, a collet body is sufficient. Complete proper testing to verify that consumable combinations work for your application and always follow the WPS. A collet body has four holes that introduce the shielding gas to the inside of the nozzle. The four holes tend to be perpendicular to the nozzle, causing the gas to spiral or be more turbulent exiting the nozzle. When using a collet body, the tungsten should not extend outside the nozzle more than the distance of the inside diameter of the nozzle.
The image shows the difference as the gas flow rate increases (from left to right). As shielding gas flow rate is increased, the laminar flow column becomes more turbulent, increasing the chances for the weld and/or tungsten to become contaminated. As the flow rate is decreased, the shielding gas column becomes more laminar and less turbulent.
www.NATM.com
May/June 2018
31
Proper Shielding Gas Coverage Is Key to Success in GTAW
Tracks A gas lens increases shielding gas coverage and reduces turbulence compared to that of a collet body because it has several screens inside that produce a more uniform laminar flow. The gas lens allows the tungsten to extend farther than the inside diameter of the standard collet body. Nozzle Options The nozzle, also called the cup, screws onto the collet body or gas lens and introduces the gas to the weld. Nozzles are available in various diameters, lengths and shapes to produce different shielding profiles or laminar flow lengths. Remember, a longer laminar flow is desirable. As nozzle diameter increases, a longer laminar flow is produced. A smaller diameter nozzle with the same gas flow rate produces a more turbulent flow due to the gas velocity as it exits the nozzle. Nozzle options include standard, long and extra-long. Longer nozzles provide longer laminar flow columns compared to shorter nozzles with the same flow rate and cup diameter. This is due to the flow being more developed before exiting the nozzle, reducing the shear between the flow and the surrounding atmosphere. Longer nozzles also allow for better access to tighter joints. Nozzle shapes include straight, converging and champagne. Converging nozzles start with a larger diameter and neck and decrease to a smaller diameter. This shape is recommended to achieve the longest laminar flow. A champagne nozzle is the opposite shape of converging, starting with a smaller diameter
Consumables used in GTAW include a nozzle and a collet paired with a gas lens or a collet body. If the weld is critical or requires high quality, a gas lens is the better choice because it provides better shielding gas coverage. This image shows the gas flow when using a collet body (on the left) compared to a gas lens (on the right), which shows a longer laminar flow column.
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May/June 2018
and increasing to larger diameter. This nozzle is not beneficial, as the shielding gas exits at the gas lens or smaller diameter of the nozzle and does not disperse within the larger diameter before exiting. To achieve the best laminar flow, use a converging shape nozzle in the largest diameter and longest length practical for the job. Best Practices for Success In addition to making proper consumable and gas choices, following best practices can minimize common mistakes and improve success in GTAW applications. •
When assembling the torch, tighten the collet body or gas lens before the back cap. If the order is reversed, the torch can take on atmospheric gases that result in contamination.
•
Missing or improper insulators can cause shielding gas contamination, so inspect insulators frequently.
•
Don’t use a green oxygen hose — typically used in oxy-fuel applications — to deliver shielding gas; it can increase gas contamination risk. A vinyl or braided rubber hose is acceptable in most applications.
•
A pre-flow of shielding gas helps shield the tungsten and weld area and initiate the arc start. A minimum pre-flow of 0.2 seconds is recommended.
•
Gas post-flow is also beneficial, assuring the weld is protected from atmospheric gases as the weld pool solidifies. Hold the torch over the end of the weld until post-flow stops, to ensure coverage of the area and the tungsten. Proper post-flow time in seconds is determined by dividing welding amps by 10. A minimum of eight seconds is recommended.
•
When running longer gas lines, the initial shielding gas released upon starting the arc will be a much higher flow rate. Decrease this by using shorter gas lines, or by increasing pre-flow time to purge the lines before arc start.
In GTAW applications, choosing consumables and using flow rates that produce the longest laminar flow can help you achieve success. These factors reduce the risk of weld contamination and allow greater extension of the tungsten from the nozzle for better weld access. Follow best practices for proper shielding gas coverage to help prevent porosity and other weld defects. www.NATM.com
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Instantly Upgrade Trailers with Polylast™ with Microban® Antimicrobial Rubberized Flooring
Tracks acks
Instantly Upgrade Trailers with Polylast™ with Microban® Antimicrobial Rubberized Flooring By Scott Gibson, Director of Business Development, Polylast Systems, LLC Polylast Systems manufactures a seamless, 100 percent recycled rubber flooring that provides comfort and safety for horses and cattle by eliminating shavings and reducing leg impact shock and concussion. In addition, the flooring system provides comfort for humans, they no longer need to pull and clean mats on trailer floors. Polylast SurfaceGuard™ with Microban® is a flooring system that has antimicrobial infused into, and throughout, the patented Polylast system during the manufacturing and installation process, to help prevent the growth of damaging organisms that can cause odors and stains. The antimicrobial attributes also make cleaning and maintenance of the infused surface easier. Polylast trailer flooring reduces livestock leg impact shock and concussion by 40-50 percent, which means that even horses with hoof and leg soreness are more stable and more comfortable. Polylast offers the best slip-resistant surface available and allows for horses and livestock to relax because they are not straining to maintain their footing. In order to further create a comfortable environment, the insulating factor of Polylast allows for the horses to stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter. By eliminating the bedding and dust, the horses are also able to breathe cleaner air and arrive cleaner. Polylast Systems was founded on the guiding principles of comfort, safety and enhanced performance for horses and other livestock. The product is currently in use as an OEM value-added product by the following manufacturers: Logan Coach, Inc., Titan Trailer Mfg., Exiss, Sooner, Featherlite, Inc., Kiefer Mfg., Merhow Industries and SC Trailers. The flooring takes approximately one hour to install on a 100 sq. ft. trailer and is the last item installed on a trailer after the manufacturing process. The flooring surface is coated with a two-part epoxy primer that seals the trailer floor, preventing liquids from ever touching the wood or aluminum again. The epoxy works as a sealant as well as an adherent that Polylast is adhered to, resulting in a permanent, 100 percent recycled rubber, that is non-slip, easy-to-clean, durable and comes standard with a 10-year warranty, plus a 25-plus year life expectancy. 34
May/June 2018
Protected by Polylast SurfaceGuard™ with Microban® Antimicrobial Technology.
Unprotected surfaces.
The benefits of a Polylast trailer floor: •
No mats to lift, pull and clean…ever!
•
Permanently installed.
•
Manufacturer’s 10-year transferable warranty which follows the trailer, not the owner.
•
Reduces livestock leg impact concussion and shock by 50 percent (ASTM D2240).
•
Chemically resistant to gasoline, chlorine, bleach, ammonia, muriatic acid and more (ASTM F925).
•
Cleaning takes just minutes with a simple garden hose.
•
No shavings are used…ever! Significant yearly cost savings if end-users are frequent haulers.
•
Microban® Antimicrobial Technology is guaranteed to: •
Fight the growth of damaging organisms that livestock can pick up at events/shows
•
Reduce odors and stains
•
Help keep floors cleaner longer between washings
•
Inhibit bacteria, mold and mildew growth
•
Last the life of the Polylast floor, guaranteed!
For more information on how you, your dealers, and your endusers can benefit from the patented Polylast™ trailer flooring, contact Scott Gibson, director of business development at (480) 998-3033, email scott@polylastsystems.com, or visit www.PolylastSystems.com.
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Instantly Upgrade Trailers with Polylast™ with Microban® Antimicrobial Rubberized Flooring
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Before
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Know Your Team: the NATM Staff
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The NATM staff outside of NATM's headquarters in Topeka, Kan. L-R: Terry Jones, Meghan Ryan, Bill Tofflemire, Christina Trimmer, Cindy Streeter, Kendra Ansley, Savana Morrison, Colin Holthaus, Lane McNeil, Matt Searcy and Monica Johnson.
Know Your Team: bythe NATM Staff Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has been dedicated to improving trailer safety and performance for more than 30 years. The Association represents manufacturers that produce light- and medium-duty trailers and suppliers of products and services to these manufacturers. In addition to the hard work of NATM’s Board of Directors, committees and dedicated members, NATM staff have been pivitol in achieving NATM’s Mission to “promote trailer safety and the success of the trailer manufacturing industry through education and advocacy.” One crucial way this is accomplished is through the mandatory Compliance Verification Program, which requires all trailer manufacturing members to verify they have the manufacturing processes in place to build trailers that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and industry best practices. With the increase in the number of member companies, the number of biennial compliance consultations have also risen. In order to visit NATM members in a timely 38
May/June 2018
fashion, Terry Jones joined NATM as a third technical staff member in February. “Over the last year, we have made huge strides in all aspects of NATM’s Strategic Plan. In order to better meet the needs of our members and expand our education efforts, NATM has increased its staff size with an additional compliance consultant and expanded the membership director’s responsibilities to include education,” said NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley. “We have a few new faces on staff, and I am excited to see all that this team achieves.” In addition to their regular responsibilities, NATM Staff have stepped up to meet the challenges associated with an expanding membership, a growing Convention & Trade Show and increased number of programs including the planning of NATM’s first ever Trailer Safety Week. This particular undertaking has required the creation of a brand-new website, www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com and all of the marketing materials and planning associated with a nation-wide event.
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Know Your Team: the NATM Staff
Tracks “It is important to expand our educational efforts to include trailer dealers and consumers in addition to manufacturers. It does not matter how safely a trailer is built if it is used in unsafe ways and not properly maintained. NATM is working to close the gap of communication between our trailer manufacturing members and end-users in order to improve the safety of the nation’s roadways,” said Ansley. “I am proud to work with such a great, dedicated staff to help achieve NATM’s goals.” For more information about Trailer Safety Week, turn to page 16.
programs and services either personally or through NATM staff and committees. She also serves as the staff liaison to the executive, finance and government affairs committees as well as the PAC Board.
Below are the staff members that help to make NATM and its achievements possible:
in January 2018. She oversees all of NATM’s communications and marketing campaigns and is the Tracks magazine editor. In addition, she assists with the NATM Government Affairs Program, NATM Political Action Committee and annual budget. Contact her for information regarding Tracks magazine articles, press releases, advertising, legislative plant tours and information regarding the annual Regulatory Roundup and Capitol Hill Visits.
EXECUTIVE Kendra Ansley, Executive Director Kendra.Ansley@natm.com
Meghan Ryan, Assistant Director Meghan.Ryan@natm.com Meghan Ryan joined NATM in September 2012 and was recently promoted from communications director to assistant director
Kendra Ansley joined NATM in September 2011 and serves as Executive Director, providing overall administration and management of NATM. She plans and directs all NATM
NATM Staff at the 2018 Convention & Trade Show. L-R: Terry Jones, Colin Holthaus, Tom Trusdale, Matt Searcy and Bill Tofflemire.
www.NATM.com
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Know Your Team: the NATM Staff
Tracks TECHNICAL Colin Holthaus, Technical Director Colin.Holthaus@natm.com Colin Holthaus joined NATM in July 2016 and serves as Technical Director, overseeing all technical programs for the Association. He acts as liaison for the technical, Guidelines, and technology committees as well as conducts compliance consultations. Contact him for more information regarding NATM’s Compliance Verification Program and technical issues. Matt Searcy & Terry Jones, Compliance Consultants Matt.Searcy@natm.com & Terry.Jones@natm.com Matt Searcy joined NATM in June 2016 and Terry Jones joined NATM in February 2018. Both serve as Compliance Consultants. Searcy and Jones conduct compliance consultations as part of NATM’s Compliance Verification Program for trailer
manufacturers and assist members in correcting any compliance deficiencies. Contact them with questions regarding the compliance program or to schedule a consultation. EVENTS Lane McNeil, Events Coordinator Lane.McNeil@natm.com Lane McNeil joined NATM in January 2017. She is the NATM Events Coordinator and oversees the planning and implementation of the Annual Convention & Trade Show as well as meetings and special events for the Association. She serves as the staff liaison for the NATM Convention Committee and assists with the planning of NATM’s Regional Educational Workshops. Contact her for more information regarding NATM’s Annual Convention & Trade Show including trade show booth space, sponsorship opportunities and workshop topics.
Grab life by the horns: the NATM Staff at Billy Bob's-Texas during the 2018 Friday Night Gala. L-R: Pam Trusdale, Meghan Ryan, Kendra Ansley, Christina Trimmer, Savana Morrison and Monica Johnson.
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www.NATM.com
Know Your Team: the NATM Staff
Tracks
MARKETING Savana Morrison, Marketing Coordinator Savana.Morrison@natm.com Savana Morrison joined NATM in August 2017 and serves as the Marketing Coordinator. She develops and maintains consistent branding across all communications to enhance NATM’s mission, public image and increase member engagement. She serves as the staff liaison for the NATM Marketing Committee, produces NATM’s marketing publications and manages the Association’s social media presence. Contact her for questions or comments regarding NATM’s eNewsletter, the NATM Insider, website, marketing programs and materials. OPERATIONS Bill Tofflemire, Membership & Education Director Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com Bill Tofflemire joined NATM in March 2017 and serves as the Membership & Education Director. He oversees the recruiting and retention of members, serves as the staff liaison for the membership and education committees and develops and implements a comprehensive education program for NATM members that includes Regional Educational Workshops, online webinars and informational articles. Contact him for information regarding NATM membership, membership benefits, membership lists, or to suggest educational topics for workshops and articles.
www.NATM.com
Monica Johnson, Quality Director Monica.Johnson@natm.com Monica Johnson joined NATM in 2006 and serves as the Quality Director. She oversees the quality management program maintaining compliance with the ISO 17020 Standard for the NATM Compliance Verification Program. Monica’s years of experience with NATM and her varied roles in that time have made her a “Jill of All Trades,” supporting the compliance verification program and the Annual Convention & Trade Show among other projects. Cindy Streeter, Office Manager/Bookkeeper Cindy.Streeter@natm.com Cindy Streeter joined NATM in July 2011 and serves as the Office Manager/Bookkeeper. She is responsible for maintaining NATM's financial records and overseeing HR recordkeeping and compliance. Contact her for questions regarding invoices, payments and W9 forms. Christina Trimmer, Executive Assistant Christina.Trimmer@natm.com Christina Trimmer joined NATM in April 2011 and serves as Executive Assistant. She handles NATM administrative responsibilities, processes all NATM decal orders and assists with convention and the membership and compliance programs. Contact her for information regarding NATM decals and convention registration. May/June 2018
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NATM Education Update
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NATM Education Update By Bill Tofflemire, NATM Membership & Education Director NATM’s mission is to promote trailer safety and the success of the trailer manufacturing industry through education and advocacy. The Association proactively stays informed about issues that can impact the industry and members’ businesses by attending and speaking at industry conferences, working closely with government affairs partner K&L Gates, maintaining strong relationships with industry allies and federal entities, closely monitoring the economy and current affairs and most importantly, listening to members who are living and working within the industry each and every day. Through the combination of these efforts, NATM is able to deliver industry education and updates in a number of ways. In an effort to expand and improve knowledge of the NATM membership, a new committee was launched in 2018. The NATM Education Committee will focus on developing annual educational programs in different mediums. These include the NATM Regional Educational Workshops, NATM Convention and webinars. The committee will study the challenges and opportunities facing the industry and curate content around those topics. NATM hosts two Regional Educational Workshops each year. Regional workshops are one-day events that bring industry information closer to your business. At previous regional workshops, NATM members have shared their experiences and industry best practices on Early Warning Reporting, hiring and retaining skilled employees, risk management planning and welding best practices. The standard format for each Regional Educational Workshop is a morning education session, a sponsored luncheon session and an afternoon education session. The first Regional Workshop of 2018 will be held in Lancaster, Pa. on June 7, 2018 and the education topics will be Early Warning Reporting and a government affairs update. Mark your calendars and be on the lookout for more information coming soon. The second Regional Workshop of 2018 will be in Elkhart, In. in September and while the event is still being developed, the focus will be on addressing the skilled labor shortage in the industry. If you are interested in providing a luncheon education session and sponsoring the September event, contact membership and education director, Bill Tofflemire, at Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com. 42
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The annual NATM Convention & Trade Show is held every February and often alternates between the Southeast, SouthCentral and Southwest regions of the United States. During the convention portion of the annual event, the Association provides technical forums and workshops focused on important regulatory and technical updates as well as other general business practices to help improve members’ organizations. NATM always welcomes suggestions and input regarding the educational workshops. To request a workshop topic, or to submit a proposal to present at a future convention, contact membership & education director, Bill Tofflemire at Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com. Workshop proposals should be submitted by June 1. The Association understands that members cannot always travel to attend events, so NATM is meeting the educational needs of its members by providing more webinars. In 2017, NATM partnered with RSM US LLP to deliver a state of the trailer industry and tax reform update online. In 2018, NATM will partner with the Center for America who will provide education and best practices on transitioning veterans from the armed services to manufacturing jobs. This is an exciting opportunity that will help NATM members address skilled labor shortages while promoting the hiring of veterans. The webinar date has not been set, but for more information, contact membership & education director, Bill Tofflemire at Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com. The NATM Education Committee is discussing other possible webinar topics for 2018 and more information on those will be distributed when details are available. The NATM Education Committee meets regularly throughout the year to develop educational programming for convention workshops, regional workshops and webinars and the committee wants to know what you want to hear about at these educational events. Let NATM know by taking the Educational Topic Interest Survey, visit http://conta.cc/2FPVlxF or by contacting membership & education director Bill Tofflemire at Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com. If you are interested in providing industry education via webinar, at an NATM Regional Workshop, or at the 2019 NATM Annual Convention please submit your proposal to Bill Tofflemire (Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com).
www.NATM.com
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Regional Educational Workshop: June 7 in Lancaster, Pa.; NATM Membership Update
Tracks
Regional Educational Workshop: June 7 in Lancaster, Pa. By Bill Tofflemire, NATM Membership & Education Director NATM is committed to providing education and facilitating conversation about practices that will help members navigate regulatory compliance obligations with confidence. Bringing educational information closer to member facilities is one of the ways NATM is committed to that effort. Regional Educational Workshops are a benefit of membership and are provided at no cost to NATM member companies. NATM will be hosting a regional educational workshop June 7 in Lancaster, Pa. This regional workshop will feature two educational sessions focusing on Early Warning Reporting and a governmental affairs update. The workshop also includes an informational luncheon sponsored by Trailer Makers Insurance which will discuss trailer industry trending claims and coverages that trailer manufacturers need to be aware of, upcoming changes to workers’ compensation and the importance of having the right insurance to adequately provide for the challenges many businesses face.
When: Thursday, June 7, 2018 Where: Lancaster Marriot at Penn Square 25 South Queen Street Lancaster, Pa. 17603 Workshop Topics: •
Early Warning Reporting
•
Government Affairs Update
Cost: FREE for NATM members To reserve your seat or for more information, contact Bill Tofflemire, NATM Membership & Education Director, Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.
NATM Membership Update By Bill Tofflemire, NATM Membership & Education Director
NATM was hopeful to close 2017 with 900 members. The final membership count for 2017 was 930. Membership is off to a strong start in 2018. Year-to-date the membership is up 5 percent. As of March 12, 2018, NATM has a total of 941 members. The membership breaks down as 431 Regular Members, 50 Branch Regular Members, 28 International Regular Members, 390 Associate Members and 42 Branch Associate Members.
Branch Associate Members 4%
NATM MEMBERSHIP
Regular Members 46%
If you work with or supply other companies that would be a good fit for NATM membership, please let NATM know! NATM encourages members to do business with members and by bringing more suppliers, service providers and trailer manufacturers into the Association, NATM can further strengthen and improve the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. Contact Associate Members NATM Membership & Education Director Bill Tofflemire at 42% International (785) 272-4433 or Bill.Tofflemire@natm.com. Members 3%
www.NATM.com
Branch Regular Members 5%
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NATM Earns 2017 Constant Contact All Star Award
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NATM Earns 2017 Constant Contact All Star Award By Savana Morrison, NATM Marketing Coordinator
NATM has been named a 2017 NAT All Star Award winner A by Constant Contact, a company in email marketing solutions. The annual award recognizes the most successful 10 percent of Constant Contact’s customer base, bbased on their significant achievements using email achi marketing to engage their customers marketin and drive results for their organization during the prior year. NATM has made significant strides in enhancing its email marketing strategies. The Association’s communications department has been hard at work in its efforts to reduce the amount of emails that hit users’ inboxes while regularly communicating important information with members, as well as rebranding the eNews which is now known as the NATM Insider.
features; use of mailing list sign-up tools; and use of reporting tools. “Email marketing continues to deliver the highest returns of any marketing channel. Yet its ability to engage customers, drive awareness, boost sales, and increase donations isn’t always a given. It requires a balance of best practices and relevant content delivered through a powerful email marketing engine,” said Jamie Waldinger, Vice President of Marketing, Constant Contact. “This year’s All Stars embody that balance and we celebrate NATM’s achievements with this All Star Award.” Not subscribed to NATM’s mailing list? No worries! Simply text “NATM” to 22828 to automatically subscribe. For more questions or concerns regarding NATM’s marketing efforts, contact NATM Marketing Coordinator Savana Morrison at Savana.Morrison@natm.com.
“We’re happy to be recognized by Constant Contact for achieving strong marketing results and engaging with our customers. We’re grateful for our subscribers who are consistently engaging with our content as well as providing constant feedback for how we can improve our marketing efforts,” said NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley. Small businesses and nonprofits using Constant Contact’s email marketing tools are eligible for this award. Criteria used to select this year’s All Stars included the following during 2017: level of engagement with email campaigns; open, bounce and click-through rates; use of social sharing
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www.NATM.com
2900 Industrial Parkway East • Elkhart, IN 46516 • Phone: (574) 295-7888 • Fax: (574) 295-8666 • dexteraxle.com © 2016-2017 Dexter Axle Company.
2018 NATM Convention & Trade Show a Success
Tracks
2018 NATM Convention & Trade Show a Success By Lane McNeil, NATM Events Coordinator
In spite of the foul weather and difficulties that many experienced getting to Fort Worth, the 30th Annual NATM Convention & Trade Show was a great success! NATM staff are already hard at work to ensure next year’s Convention & Trade Show, Feb. 19-21, 2019, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. is just as great.
and exhibitors was extremely positive, with a lot of “best show ever” comments! Exhibitors reported that they are trying to grow their business and the NATM show is helping them do that. Trailer manufacturers said they really enjoy the educational workshops and appreciate what is being done by the association for its membership.
The 2018 show boasted fantastic attendance and an increase in exhibitors with 26 more exhibitors and 36 more booth spaces being filled over last year's show. Out of the soldout trade show, 44 were new exhibitors, which gave trailer manufacturing attendees plenty of new products to explore and companies to meet.
“I’ve been to a lot of shows and yours is the best run show I have ever been to,” said first time attendee Mark Thompson of Tanglewood Trailers.
With 1,194 attendees, the show at the Fort Worth Convention Center boasted the highest attendance since the economic recession in 2008. Sponsored by The Carlstar Group, the New Member Promotion helped bring 75 new attendees to the show. The feedback received from both trailer manufacturers 48
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“We enjoyed Fort Worth. Everything was wonderful. The event flowed really well, the food was great (really great) and the trade show was very worthwhile. Our booth was very nice and we saw many of our current customers and met quite a few prospects. We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year,” said returning exhibitor Brian Senn of Powerbrace Corporation.
www.NATM.com
2018 NATM Convention & Trade Show a Success
Tracks
The NATM Convention Committee is already planning the 2019 event. The 2019 schedule of events will be very similar to 2018 but with one major change: the entire show is moving up one day. NATM hopes with this change attendees will stay longer on the trade show floor and wrap up the convention by attending the Closing Celebration on Thursday night. Exhibitors have also begun to select their desired booth in real time through the booth selection software, Map Your Show. For more information about the booth selection process, turn to page 66. The committee is excited to bring back complimentary hotel room nights in Florida for first time trailer manufacturer attendees through the New Member Promotion. Exhibitors can also look for incentives to invite their trailer manufacturing customers to the show. NATM would like to thank its members for taking advantage of the opportunities available at the convention and for continuing to attend each year. The convention committee reads and considers the evaluations received after each show; trying to implement suggestions and make the convention better each year. Any comments about the convention can be shared with NATM Events Coordinator Lane McNeil at Lane.McNeil@natm.com. NATM looks forward to working for its members this year and will see you in Florida, Feb. 19-22, 2019!
www.NATM.com
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Thank You to the 2018 Convention & Trade Show Sponsors
Tracks
Thank You to the 2018 Convention & Trade Show Sponsors
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www.NATM.com
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Rick Russell Receives 2018 Outstanding Member Award
Tracks
Rick Russell Receives 2018 Outstanding Member Award By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director
Rick Russell, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development for Carry-On Trailers, receiving the 2018 Outstanding Member Award during the 30th Annual NATM Convention & Trade Show.
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) named Rick Russell, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development for Carry-On Trailers, as the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Member Award. The Outstanding Member award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to NATM and the trailer manufacturing industry. The award was presented Feb. 21, 2018 during NATM's Convention & Trade Show at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Rick Russell began his tenure in the trailer industry at Peterson Manufacturing in 1986. There he spent 21 years, and it was during that time that he was introduced to the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers and began attending conventions. Of the 30 conventions NATM has hosted, Rick has attended more than 20. In 2007, Rick went from being an NATM Associate Member as an employee at a company that supplies products to the trailer industry to a Regular Member when he joined Carry-On Trailers.
www.NATM.com
Elected to the NATM Board of Directors in 2012 and again in 2015, Rick’s tenure as a board member ended in 2017, but he carried on in his capacity as the government affairs committee chair. He has served on the government affairs committee since 2012, chairing the committee since 2014. He served on the marketing committee from 2013-2016 and has supported the NATM Political Action Committee and served on the PAC Board since 2015. Rick has attended every Regulatory Roundup in Washington, D.C. since 2012 and has hosted legislative plant tours at several of Carry-On’s manufacturing facilities. For one such visit, he traveled from Georgia to Washington state to host Rep. Peter DeFazio the ranking minority member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. The NATM staff and Association would like to thank Rick Russell for his dedication, support and contributions to many of NATM's programs over the years. For more information about his company, Carry-On Trailer, Inc., visit www.carry-ontrailer.com. May/June 2018
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Ron Yarnell Receives 2018 Outstanding Associate Member Award
Tracks
Ron Yarnell Receives 2018 Outstanding Associate Member Award
By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) named Ron Yarnell, PPG, as the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Associate Member Award. The award was presented by NATM President Patrick Jennissen during NATM's Convention & Trade Show, held at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The Outstanding Associate Member award is presented to an individual from an Associate member company who has made outstanding contributions to NATM and Ron Yarnell is a highly deserving recipient of this year’s award.
Ron Yarnell (center) receiving the 2018 Outstanding Associate Member Award during the 30th Annual NATM Convention & Trade Show with NATM President Pat Jennisen (right) and previous NATM Executive Director Pam Trusdale.
Ron began his career with PPG in its auto refinishing division in 1984. It was not until the year 2000 when Ron entered the commercial coatings side of the business that he attended his first NATM Convention. Ron founded the NATM Green Award in 2010, the same year he was first elected to the NATM Board of Directors. After going off the board, he was elected again in 2014 and re-elected in 2017. By the end of most recent term, Ron had been an NATM Board member for nine years in total.
In 2012, Ron was selected to serve as the Associate Representative on the NATM Executive Committee. He has also served on the NATM Nominations and Membership committees as well as chairman of the convention committee. He has played an integral role in the convention process, providing support and input regularly, even going so far as to attend site-surveys. His
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insights have helped shape the high-caliber conventions NATM members have all come to expect. Ron’s passion for NATM and its mission and his commitment to the Association’s growth and success is evident in the many years he has dedicated. Not only serving on the board and committees but also attending trade shows with NATM staff to spread awareness and recruit new members. Ron’s unwavering support, industry knowledge and thoughtful approach to the issues facing NATM have been an important piece of the Association's success. NATM is a better organization thanks to Ron Yarnell’s involvement and commitment. For more information about his company, PPG, visit www.ppg.com.
www.NATM.com
Felling Trailers, Inc. Receives 2018 Green Manufacturing Award
Tracks
Felling Trailers, Inc. Receives 2018 Green Manufacturing Award By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director to ensure environmental safeguarding, protection of people and organizational compliance. In one year, nearly 8,000 gallons of paint waste was reused as fuel in cement kilns, 165 gallons of paint waste were reused as waste-to-energy and 500 light bulbs were recycled.
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) named Felling Trailers, Sauk Centre, Minn., as the recipient of the 2018 NATM Green Manufacturing Award. The award was presented to Felling Trailer’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Patrick Jennissen, during NATM's Convention & Trade Show, held at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. NATM’s Green Manufacturing Award was established to recognize the best innovation or novel solutions by a trailer manufacturer in the light- and medium-duty trailer industry to positively impact the environment. This award celebrates environmental awareness and protection, as well as the business opportunities created. Felling Trailers is a family owned and operated full-line trailer manufacturer located in central Minnesota. What started as a small shop in 1974 by Mr. Merle J. Felling and his wife Kathy, now boasts two factories and an office complex with over 260,000 square feet of space. In the spring of 2017 Felling Trailers received ISO 9001:2015 certification. Their hard work in certifying their quality management system was only the beginning. Over the course of several years, Felling has held fast to initiatives to maximize energy efficiency, minimize waste and reduce their environmental impact. Each Felling facility upgraded their lighting systems to T8 fixtures that use a quarter of the electricity of the previous metal halide fixtures, has 30 percent less light loss and 40 times longer life expectancy. This not only created a positive environmental impact, but also saved the company significantly in operational costs. Felling Trailers implemented a partnership with Stericycle, a company whose services handle pick-up and proper disposal of liquid paint waste, florescent light bulbs and oil absorbent rags
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Felling also took a critical look at the air in their facilities. The company invested in systems that not only pull welding fumes and gases away from breathing zones but filtered that air through a high-efficiency canister with a 99.9 efficiency rate. Felling’s blast booth is also equipped with its own air filtration system that not only filters the air, but returns it to the welding shop floor, allowing the facility to maintain the heat of the manufacturing area and better control the temperature. This isn’t the only way that Felling reclaims heat during the long, cold Minnesota winters. Felling also implemented a new system that utilizes the heat from the compressor room that houses four large compressors. The system is configured for two modes – summer and winter. In the winter mode, the warm air is pulled, filtered and pushed into the drying room. In summer mode, the air is pulled, cleaned and pushed outside. The company also took steps to reduce the amount of hazardous air pollutants by using a new paint vendor that offers paint with only four percent of the pollutants found in their previous paint. The NATM Green Manufacturing Award includes a cash gift that is directed to a charitable organization of the winner’s choice. Felling Trailers selected the mikeroweWorks Foundation as the recipient for the Green Award. The mikeroweWORKS Foundation provides financial assistance to qualified individuals with a desire to learn a skill that is in demand, bringing much needed support to the widening skills gap in manufacturing. “The skills gap is real, and we believe much of that widening gap has to do with the perception that a four-year degree is the 'best' option for most students. Meanwhile, student debt from fouryear degrees is rising, and many of our kids are missing out on, or worse, being discouraged from pursuing in-demand careers in the trades. The mikeroweWORKS Foundation challenges the persistent belief that a four-year degree is the best path for most www.NATM.com
Felling Trailers, Inc. Receives 2018 Green Manufacturing Award
Tracks
Left to Right: Jim Berry (Dexter), John Kerr (Marsh & McLennan Agency), Marcus Hester (Optronics International), Patrick Jennissen (Felling Trailers), Ron Yarnell (PPG), Rick Coffey (The Carlstar Group) and Jerry Sampson (Kenda/Americana Tire & Wheel Corporation).
people speaks about our country's dysfunctional relationship with work and highlights the widening skills gap. The foundation's scholarship programs provide financial assistance to individuals who have an interest in learning an in-demand skill and has provided over $3 million in education at trade schools in our country. As an industry and company who relies heavily on the skills that result from trade schools, Felling Trailers, Inc. proudly selected mikeroweWORKS Foundation to receive our Green Award donation. We are grateful to the other vendors who contributed to this cause as well,” said Brenda Felling Jennissen, President/CEO of Felling Trailers, Inc. This year PPG, Optronics International, LaVanture Products Company, The Carlstar Group, Dexter Axle, Marsh & McLennan Agency and Kenda/Americana Tire & Wheel sponsored this award bringing the total donation to $8,000. For more information about Felling Trailers, visit www.Felling.com.
www.NATM.com
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Marco Garcia Receives 2018 Regular Member Young Professional Award
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NATM President Patrick Jennissen awarding Marco Garcia, Director of Engineering Services, U-Haul International, the 2018 Regular Member Young Professional Award at NATM's 30th Annual Convention & Trade Show.
Marco Garcia Receives 2018 Regular Member Young Professional Award By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) named Marco Garcia, Director of Engineering Services, U-Haul International, as the recipient of the 2018 Regular Member Young Professional Award. The award was presented by NATM President Patrick Jennissen during NATM's Convention & Trade Show, held at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The NATM Regular Member Young Professional Award is presented to an individual under the age of 40 who has been involved and successful in the trailer manufacturing industry. The recipient of this year’s award, Marco Garcia, holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is a 16-year veteran of the automotive industry having begun his career at Ford Motor Company where he spent 13 years in vehicle engineering. In 2015, Marco made the switch to trailers in joining U-Haul where he does testing of U-Haul trailers, tow dollies and 58
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trucks as well as policy development, accident investigations and supporting the U-Haul Safe Trailering Program. Marco Garcia is perhaps best known for the Marco Garcia Trailering Demonstrator which illustrates the 60/40 rule for loading trailers. By utilizing a scale model car and trailer on a treadmill-like belt that moves beneath, the demonstrator simulates road travel and demonstrates the benefits of loading trailers heavier in the front in order to reduce sway. Marco is an NATM Board Member, chairs the technology committee and previously sat on the technical safety committee. He has also been an invaluable contributor to NATM’s first ever Trailer Safety Week which will debut in June. For more information about his company, U-Haul International, visit their website at www.uhaul.com
www.NATM.com
Dearing, Gurley Receive 2018 Associate Member Young Professional Award
Tracks
Josh Gurley and Andrew Dearing of Trailer Makers Insurance (center) receiving the 2018 Associate Member Young Professional Award during the 30th Annual NATM Convention & Trade Show with NATM President Pat Jennissen (left) and previous NATM Executive Director Pam Trusdale (right).
Dearing, Gurley Receive 2018 Associate Member Young Professional Award By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) named both Andrew Dearing and Josh Gurley of Trailer Makers Insurance, as the recipients of the 2018 Associate Member Young Professional Award. The award was presented by NATM President Patrick Jennissen during NATM's Convention & Trade Show, held at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The recipients of this year’s award, Josh and Andrew, have been in the insurance industry for ten years, and three years ago founded Trailer Makers Insurance. The company now boasts a team of 11 employees and a vast network of organizational partners. Both graduates of the University of Georgia with degrees in risk management and insurance, they are Certified Insurance Counselors and Master of Workers Comp Advisors.
www.NATM.com
Josh and Andrew joined NATM in 2016 and since that time have shown a true commitment to the Association and the industry with 2018 marking their third convention as an exhibitor. As firm believers in NATM’s educational programming, in 2017 they not only presented at both the Oklahoma City, Okla. and Douglas, Ga. regional workshops, but they also sponsored the Douglas workshop. They are regular contributors to Tracks magazine and have offered, on countless occasions, to support NATM and its mission in any way they can. When asked why they joined NATM, their answer was to give trailer manufacturers an advocate in the insurance industry. For more information about their company, Trailer Makers Insurance, visit their website at www.trailermakersins.com.
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Joe Ostrowski Receives 2018 Ed Freel Membership Award
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NATM P President id P Patrick i k JJennissen i (l (left) f ) and d previous i NATM E Executive i Di Director P Pam T Trusdale d l ((right) i h ) awarding di JJoe O Ostrowski, ki National Sales Manager of Kenda/Americana Tire & Wheel (center), the 2018 Ed Freel Membership Award at NATM's 30th Annual Convention & Trade Show.
Joe Ostrowski Receives 2018 Ed Freel Membership Award By Kendra Ansley, Executive Director
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The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) named Joe Ostrowski, National Sales Manager of Kenda/ Americana Tire & Wheel, as the recipient of the 2018 Ed Freel Membership Award. The award was presented by NATM President Pat Jennissen during NATM's Annual Convention & Trade Show, held at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
The 2018 recipient of the award, Joe Ostrowski, was a member of the 2017 Membership Committee. Ostrowski’s efforts to recruit new members extended far beyond his committee work. He regularly communicates with NATM staff about prospective members, often making phone calls or meeting with these companies ahead of time to lay the groundwork for NATM’s membership pitch.
The NATM Membership Award is presented to an individual who has done an outstanding job on behalf of the Association recruiting new members. From 2000 to 2007, the Membership Award was given to Ed Freel of KampCo Steel Products three times. In recognition of Ed Freel's commitment to NATM and his consistent efforts in recruiting the most new members, the NATM Board of Directors voted to rename the award as the "Ed Freel Membership Award".
Joe Ostrowski has been in some segment of the tire industry for over 25 years and with Kenda for over 10 years. He says that he has enjoyed his time in the trailer industry more than any other. Joe’s commitment to the mission of NATM and his belief in membership as a value added proposition has been an integral part of the Association's recruiting efforts.
May/June 2018
For more information about his company, Kenda/Americana Tire & Wheel Corporation, visit www.americanatire.com.
www.NATM.com
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NATM Golf Tournament 2018
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NATM Golf Tournament 2018 by Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director NATMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golfers braved the cold and rain Feb. 20 during NATMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018 Golf Tournament held at Golf Club Fossil Creek in Fort Worth, Texas. This year's event was sponsored by Peterson Manufacturing Co. and the beverage carts were sponsored by UFP by Dexter and Premium Supply. Many NATM member companies took advantage of sponsoring golf holes on the course, and thanks to the supporters, the event was a success!
A Special Thank you to the Sponsors: Cargo Towing Solutions The Carlstar Group Dexter Hutchens Industries, Inc. Kenda/Americana Tire & Wheel Corporation
The results of the 2018 NATM Golf Tournament: 1st Place Team: 56 - Michael Jenson, Colin McMurry and Dennis Webster 2nd Place Team: 60 - Matt Dutton, Matt Searcy, Greg Faherty and Ryan Eichorn 3rd Place Team: 61 - Micah Scott, Joe Ostrowski and Steve Jones Longest Drive: Gary Panico Longest Putt: Tary Krahenbuhl
Nordec Incorporated Optronics International Peterson Manufacturing Co. Phoenix Stamping Group, LLC Powerbrace Corporation PPG Premium Supply Rigidized Metals Corporation TexTrail Trailer Parts Titan Trim-Lok, Inc.
Second place team members Matt Searcy, Matt Dutton, Ryan Eichorn and Greg Faherty.
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www.NATM.com
NATM Golf Tournament 2018
Tracks
Top: First place team members Colin McMurry, Dennis Webster and Michael Jenson. Left center: Third place team members Micah Scott, Steve Jones and Joe Ostrowski. Left bottom: Scott Hardesty, Harry Dewey, John Kerr and Von Lindsey. www.NATM.com
Longest putt winner Tary Krahenbuhl (left) with longest drive winner Gary Panico (right).
May/June 2018
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Booth Selection Process for the 2019 NATM Trade Show
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Booth Selection Process for the 2019 NATM Trade Show by Lane McNeil, NATM Events Coordinator Booth Selection has been opened to 2018 sponsors and will open to 2018 exhibitors May 10. The general membership and nonmembers will be allowed to choose booth space beginning June 21, 2018. Sponsors and 2018 exhibitors that sign up before June 21 will receive a $200 discounted rate of $1,200 per 10’x10’ booth. The rate for any member that signs up June 21 or after will be $1,400 per 10’x10’ booth. Booth space for companies that are not a member of NATM is $2,800 per 10’x10’ booth. On the day your booth-selection window opens, you will receive an email from NATM notifying you that the booth sales application is now available online for your company. This email includes a unique booking code that, when entered, pre-populates the online booth sales application. Within the application, exhibitors can view the 2019 show floorplan and select the desired booth(s). During the completion of the online application, exhibitors pay for their booth(s) online via credit card. Once NATM show management approves the application, an email containing login credentials to the exhibitor dashboard is sent. The dashboard allows exhibitors to update their company profile and contact information and view other important information relevant to the upcoming show. As always, sign up at any time after your group’s window begins. If you miss the window for your group you can still purchase a booth, but the privilege of choosing your booth space before it opens up to new groups is lost. Be sure to mark your calendar to sign up as soon as you receive your email from NATM as there will be more than 30 fewer booths at the 2019 show!
NATM N ATM C CON CONVENTION ONVEENTION NTION & TRADE TTR RADE ADE SHOW SHOW February 19-21, 2019 | Lake Buena Vista, Florida
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The opportunity to select exhibitor space at the 2019 trade show has been made available to suppliers and service providers in the following phases: Phase 1: 2018 sponsors choose their booths first in the order of their sponsorship levels during the following dates: $30,000 and higher: April 2 - April 5 $10,000-$29,999: April 6 - April 12 $7,500-$9,999: April 13 - April 17 $5,500-$7,499: April 18 - April 22 $2,500-$5,499: April 23 - May 2 $1,000-$2,499: May 3 - May 9 Phase 2: 2018 non-sponsor exhibitors select their booths May 10 - June 20. Phase 3: The general membership and non-members will be allowed to choose booth space beginning June 21. Sponsorship Opportunities Sponsorships for the 2019 Convention & Trade Show are now available. As always, the NATM Convention & Trade Show would not be possible without the support of its generous sponsors. There are sponsorship opportunities available from $500 to $50,000 to fit any budget. Being a sponsor of the 2019 show allows you to select your 2020 booth before previous exhibitors and the general membership, as well as provides a wide range of exposure, both electronically on NATM’s website and mobile app and in print on the convention program map and in Tracks. This creates name recognition which helps drive customers to your booth. If you have any questions regarding how to book your exhibit space or would like to be a sponsor at the 2019 Convention & Trade Show, contact NATM Events Coordinator, Lane McNeil at Lane.McNeil@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.
www.NATM.com
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2019 Convention & NATM Trade Show Tentative Schedule
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2019 Convention & Trade Show Tentative Schedule By Lane McNeil, NATM Events Coordinator
Monday, February 18, 2019
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Golf Tournament 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Young Professionals Reception
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Registration 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Workshop Session 1 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Technical Forum Session 1 11:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Annual Membership Meeting & Luncheon 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Lunch Served 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Membership Meeting & Awards 12:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Keynote Speaker Noon – 6:00 p.m. Exhibitor Move-In 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Workshop Session 2 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Technical Forum Session 2 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. Committee Orientation 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Newcomer Orientation & Reception 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. President’s Reception
Registration 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Networking Breakfast 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Exhibitor Move-In 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Technical Forum Session 3 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Coffee Break 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Workshop Session 3 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Trade Show 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch with the Exhibitors 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Trade Show Reception
Thursday, February 21, 2019 8:00 a.m. – Noon Registration 8:00 a.m. – Noon Trade Show 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Breakfast with the Exhibitors 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Door Prizes Noon – 4:00 p.m. Exhibitor Move-Out 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. NATM Tech Talk 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Closing Celebration
www.NATM.com
May/June 2018
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Owner's Manuals Offer Liability Reduction, Marketability
Tracks
Owner's Manuals Offer Liability Reduction, Marketability By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director
In order to directly communicate proper trailer usage and safety to end-users, NATM recommends that all trailers include an owner’s manual. As members of NATM, trailer manufacturers understand the importance of safety and build trailers accordingly. Unfortunately, it does not matter how well a trailer is built if the end-user improperly hitches, loads or fails to maintain a trailer. In order to educate customers, trailer owner manuals provide instructions regarding maintenance and safety, as well as important warnings. Creating owner's manuals for the trailers you manufacture can be a daunting task. Fortunately, NATM has made it easy and affordable for members to include manuals with their trailers as an additional resource and benefit to doing business with their dealers. By providing a quality owner’s manual with every trailer, it not only markets the company as a reputable group, but also helps to reduce liability due to legal issues and misuse by end-users.
Utility Trailer Owner’s Manual
A WARNING This Owner’s Manual contains safety information and instructions for your trailer. You must read this manual before loading or towing your trailer. You must follow all safety precautions and instructions.
Sample Trailers, Inc. 1234 Any Street Somewhere, KS 11111
Bumper Pull Trailers
NATM offers manuals for 12 trailer types. Bumper-pull style trailers include: utility, enclosed, horse, livestock, dump and boat trailers. Gooseneck-style trailers include: utility, enclosed, horse, dump and boat trailers. Every manual purchased will be personalized to include the company’s name and address, and each manual is product-line specific. The manuals have the required compliance items and include the following sections: •
Section 1 - Introduction/General Information
•
Section 2 - Safety
•
Section 3 - Tire Safety Information
•
Section 4 - Coupling and Uncoupling
•
Section 5 - Loading and Unloading the Trailer
•
Section 6 - Towing
•
Section 7 - Inspection, Service and Maintenance
One of the top shortcomings of trailer manufacturers working to become NATM Compliant is failure to include the NHTSA notification statement. It is required that trailer manufacturers provide the following statement to the purchaser in the owner’s manual, or, if there is no owner’s manual, on a one-page document: If you believe that your vehicle has a defect that could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying [Insert company name here]. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or [Insert company name here].
November 2013
Sample of an NATM Generic Owner's Manual for a bumper pull utility trailer.
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www.NATM.com
Owner's Manuals Offer Liability Reduction, Marketability
Tracks To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Administrator NHTSA 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E. Washington, DC 20590 You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov. By including an owner’s manual, trailer manufacturers are easily able to meet this requirement of both NHTSA and NATM, as well as reduce the chances that customers are left frustrated and confused. The inclusion of an owner's manual helps to avoid mistreatment and misuse of the trailer in a way that could damage both the trailer and your company’s reputation by word-of-mouth. The manuals are available for purchase by members only and are sold individually, but discounts are available when ordering multiple manuals. Once purchased, they are mailed on a CD as a non-editable PDF format and can be easily reprinted as many times as necessary. Have you purchased an owner’s manual previously, and it is now out-of-date? It is only $25 a manual to have an updated and revised manual issued to you! For more information about purchasing generic owner’s manuals, or having your manuals updated, contact NATM Marketing Coordinator Savana Morrison at Savana.Morrison@natm.com.
www.NATM.com
May/June 2018
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NATM Member News
Tracks
They have always treated me with respect and been great to work with and now to work for,” said LeRoy.
Optronics’ New Directional Scene Light Aims a High-Intensity LED Beam Precisely Where It’s Needed
“LeRoy has a lot of industry/product knowledge and I believe he will be an asset to our team as we continue to grow our market share in the Power Gen and OEM niches,” said Patrick Jennissen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Felling Trailers. For more information, visit www.felling.com or call (800) 245-2809.
Optronics introduces new competitively priced, low-profile, surface-mount LED scene light with unique directional lens and optics.
About Felling Trailers
LeRoy Larson recently joined the Felling staff as OEM Sales Consultant.
Felling Trailers, Inc. Adds Larson to Sales Team Sauk Centre, Minn. — Felling Trailers Inc., an industrial and commercial trailer manufacturer has announced that LeRoy Larson recently joined its organization. LeRoy Larson now serves as Felling’s OEM Sales Consultant (Original Equipment Manufacturer). LeRoy comes to the company with more than twenty years of related OEM sales and product support experience. Larson previously worked in the Power Gen field with a company that specialized in fulfilling the custom transport needs of the market. While there, LeRoy helped to grow the company’s market share, expanding the product line offering, while working with engineering to design viable products for the market and their customer base. The expanded product line, in turn, fostered significant growth for the company in new customer development and increased business revenue by 15-20 percent annually. Now with Felling Trailers, Larson will be managing Felling’s existing OEM accounts along with assisting in developing and improving the technical and marketing aspects of Felling’s existing Power Gen and OEM product lines. Larson is glad to be part of the Felling Trailers' team. "I have worked with Felling in different capacities for the past twenty years, from purchasing trailers as an OEM customer, to selling fuel tanks to them as a vendor.
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Felling Trailers is a family owned and operated full line trailer manufacturer located in Central Minnesota. Started in 1974 by Merle J. and Kathy Felling, Felling’s daughters Brenda Jennissen and Bonnie Radjenovich now own and operate the company with their spouses Patrick Jennissen and Paul Radjenovich. Felling Trailers, Inc. has grown from a small shop to a factory and office complex that today covers over 260,000 square feet. Felling Trailers currently manufactures over 5,000 trailers a year ranging from a 3,000 lb utility trailer to a 120,000 lb hydraulic gooseneck trailer and its standard trailer line includes over 240 models. Felling’s pride and differentiation is its customized trailer division. Its engineers utilize the latest industryleading design techniques and its experienced metal craftsmen use cutting-edge technology to turn its customers' conceptual trailer needs into a tangible product. Felling Trailers continually researches and implements new technologies to reduce leadtime and increase production in the manufacturing plant. Felling Trailers provides a high-quality product that is distributed across North America and internationally. For more information, contact (800) 245-2809, sales@felling.com or visit them on the web at www.felling.com. You can also follow them on Twitter (@FellingTrailers), Facebook (Felling Trailers, Inc.) and Pinterest.
Tulsa, Okla. — Optronics International, a leading manufacturer and supplier of heavy-duty LED vehicle lighting, announced the introduction of its new UCL41 Series Scene Light. The new lamp is the first of a new style of directional scene lighting that casts a more focused beam of LED light in a direction that can be accurately defined simply by its placement. Priced at roughly half the cost of traditional nine-diode scene lights, the UCL41 Series Scene Light uses 12 diodes and advanced optical engineering to focus its optimal beam pattern. Until now, scene lights have generally just flooded an area with illumination, without regard for how wide or deep the scene may be. The result of ultrawide beam pattern scene lighting has been less focused and less usable light in the areas that may be most critical –– those directly adjacent to the vehicle. Optronics’ new UCL41 Series Scene Light is engineered to deliver an intense white LED beam pattern at a 45-degree angle to its mounting position. The lamp enables OEMs, bodybuilders and end-users to determine the size and shape of the scene they prefer to illuminate. Mounting the lamp higher creates a larger scene, while mounting it lower creates a smaller scene and the lamps can be rotated before mounting to deliver light that is oriented to a vehicle’s front, rear and sides. “Our new UCL41 Series Scene Light is the first to be engineered with the scene in mind,” Brett Johnson, president and CEO of Optronics International, said. “Our design enables the engineers and those using a vehicle to configure a custom lighting scenario that best fits the specific need.” The low-profile surface-mount lamp is easy to install and requires only two mounting fasteners. Once the UCL41 is secured, a black- or chrome-coated plastic bezel snaps into position, giving the lamp a clean finished appearance.
www.NATM.com
NATM Member News The UCL41 Series Scene Light accommodates both 12- and 24-volt electrical systems and is IP67 rated. The lamp comes complete with a 6-inch hardwired lead and ground wires and requires only a three-quarter-inch hole for the wire feed. “The UCL41 Series Scene Light is a highly versatile and competitively priced alternative to current scene light offerings,” Johnson said. “With its unique precision optics, the UCL41 is a new low-cost, high-value option for work trucks, emergency, fire and rescue applications, as well as recreational vehicles.” The powerful lamp measures just 8.7 inches in width and 2.95 inches in height. The lamp is only 1.59 inches thick when installed, including its mounting plate and bezel. In order to maintain the lamp’s low profile, the UCL41’s lens is designed with a 15-degree angle, relying on its advanced optical design to enable the lamp to cast its unique 45-degree beam pattern. The new UCL41 Series Scene Lights are in stock and available now. Lenses and housings are made of tough polycarbonate material that is sonically welded and the base is made of sturdy aluminum. The lamps employ a solidstate, surface-mount device (SMD) design that protects their electronics against moisture, shock and vibration. Like all LED products from Optronics, these lamps come with no-hassle, onediode lifetime warranty protection that will replace the lamp if even one diode fails. Optronics products are available in the U.S. and Canada through the company’s extensive distribution network of more than 12,000 convenient distribution locations. Users can access individual Optronics distributor websites by simply clicking on their logo icons. For information on international sales and distribution of Optronics products, please contact Dorian Drake at (914) 697-9800 or visit www.doriandrake.com About Optronics As the fastest-growing vehicle lighting manufacturer in the U.S., Optronics International attributes its success to delivering better value, better options and better lighting to its customers. Founded in 1972, Optronics International www.NATM.com
is a premier worldwide manufacturer and supplier of branded industrial and commercial vehicular safety lighting products. The company specializes in interior and exterior LED and incandescent lighting for the marine, RV, trailer, HD and transit vehicle markets. The Optronics product catalog is among the most extensive in the industry. Optronics is headquartered in Tulsa, Okla. and has an ISO/TS 16949:2009 certified manufacturing facility in Annan District, Tainan, Taiwan, with additional manufacturing capabilities in Muskogee, Okla. The company has an ISO 9001:2008 certified distribution facility in Goshen, Ind., as well as distribution through its location in Ontario, Canada. Learn more at www.optronicsinc.com.
Tracks
That status insures that in 2018 Sawblade.com will have significant TV presence on CBS, CBSSN, NBCSN, the Lucas Oil owned MAVTV Motorsports Network and Lucas Oil Racing TV - the first streaming TV network dedicated solely to the world of motorsports. Coverage includes 30 cumulative hours of ASCS coverage, 53 cumulative hours of LODBRS coverage and 75 hours of LOPPL coverage. About Sawblade.com
Sawblade.com Expands Partnership with Team Lucas in 2018
Based in Houston, Texas, Sawblade.com is redefining the way industrial hardware and home-use band saw blades are made and distributed. Its bandsaw speedand-feed wizard uses standard industry calculations, not only to estimate cutting times for different alloys and metals, but also to provide recommendations for band saw blade pitch for each application.
Corona, Calif. — Sawblade.com, an innovative leader in the production of custom saws and sawblades for wood, steel and other-cutting applications, has expanded its 2018 partnership with Team Lucas to include the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series (ASCS), the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League (LOPPL) and the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series (LODBRS).
Sawblade.com is a proud sponsor of many types of professional race teams who use machines and blades, including Trajan Q700 and Trajan Q1400 saws to help achieve their competitive goals. The company is very focused on the fan experience with product giveaways slated for nearly every ASCS national tour event in 2018. For more information, visit www.Sawblade.com.
Sawblade.com will be the presenting sponsor of the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by Sawblade.com, while continuing to provide individual sponsorship to the Cooper Motorsports team. Sawblade.com is also very excited to announce they will be sponsoring the light-weight superstock tractor Eat’n Dollars, owned and operated by David & Janet Esteb in the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League. “My employees are very much gearheads and many of our customers are involved in the racing industry,” said Sawblade.com owner and CEO Chris Luke. “This is a huge deal for us and we’ll be around a long time.” In addition to its status as presenting sponsor of the ASCS series, Sawblade.com has been designated the “Official Sawblade of the ASCS,” “Official Sawblade of the LOPPL” and “Official Sawblade of the LODBRS.”
May/June 2018
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NATM New Member Update
Tracks
Associate All State Fastener Corp. PO Box 426 Roseville, MI 48066 www.allstatefastener.com • Adhesives/Tapes, Engineering Fabricated Parts, Fasteners, Hardware, Labels/Decals/Nameplates, MROP Supplies Anhui Qingtai Auto Parts Co., LTD No 1288 Yikesong Rd Wuhu, China 241100 www.qingtaibrake.com • Brakes, Caps, Castings Bulldog Winch CO LLC 1725 W Williams Dr, Ste 46 Phoenix, AZ 85027 www.bulldogwinch.com • Cargo Control, Electrical, Tools/Equipment, Towing Accessories C & G Wiring, Inc 1823 Leer Dr Elkhart, IN 46514 www.cngwiring.com • Electrical HSC Industrial Coatings 1711 N Highway 7 Pleasant Hill, MO 64080 www.hscindustrialcoatings.com
•
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Paints/Coatings/ Galvanizing
May/June 2018
Manus Products 866 Industrial Blvd W Waconia, MN 55387 www.manus.net • Adhesives/Tapes, Gaskets/ Seals, Paints/Coatings/ Galvanizing, Rubber Products, Sealants SoundOff Commercial Vehicle Products 3630 Highland Dr Hudsonville, MI 49426 www.soundoffcvp.com • Lighting Velvac, Inc. 2405 S Calhoun Rd New Berlin, WI 53151 www.velvac.com • Electrical, Hardware
Regular Awol Outdoors Inc 7640 Washington Ave S Eden Prairie, MN 55344 www.camp365.com • Aluminum, Custom Design, Living Quarters, RV/ Towable, Specialty
Foldtrailer LTD. Frydenlund 38 Lierstranda, Norway 3414 www.foldtrailer.com • Utility/Flatbed Grupo Industrial Tres Estrellas SA de CV Km 19 + 600 Carr Cuauhtemoc Alvaro Obregon Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua 31608 Mexico www.gitesa.com • Agricultural/Farm, Cargo, Custom Design, Dump, Equipment, Gooseneck, Livestock, Utility/Flatbed International Automated Systems, Inc 510 Vandeberg St Baldwin, WI 54002 www.iasmn.com • Aluminum, Custom Design, Equipment, Gooseneck, Portable Equipment, Specialty, Utility/Flatbed Premier Pump & Power, LLC 7600 NE 47th Ave Vancouver, WA 98661 www.premierpumpandpower.com
•
Agricultural/Farm, Portable Equipment
Blackwater Ironworks 7960 Riley Rd Bryan, TX 77808 • Custom Design Deep South Cargo LLC. 355 FM 3267 Hillsboro, TX 76645 • Cargo
www.NATM.com
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