January/February Tracks 2021

Jan./Feb. 2021 Volume 34 Issue 1

HYBRID CONSULTATION TIPS PAGE 26

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR SERIES

NATM DEBUTS 2020 GUIDELINES FOR TRAILER MANUFACTURING

NATM EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION RESULTS

Page 48

Page 24

Page 72

“ENGINEERED TO LAST”

LOGOS • WARNING DECALS • BANNERS VINYL CUT GRAPHICS • SIGNS • METAL NAMEPLATES

FOR THE TRAILER INDUSTRY

(P)1.800.416.5553 • (F)1.800.498.9659 csr@tgi-tgi-direct.com • www.tgi-direct.com

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NATM Headquarters • 2420 SW 17th St. • Topeka, KS 66604 • (785) 272-4433 • Fax: (785) 272-4455 STAFF

On the Cover: A cell phone taking a picture of a trailer. For more information on hybrid consulations, turn to page 24.

Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com Executive Director Kendra Ansley Kendra.Ansley@natm.com

Tracks

Assistant Director Meghan Ryan Meghan.Ryan@natm.com Marketing Director Savana Morrison Savana.Morrison@natm.com Technical Director Terry Jones Terry.Jones@natm.com Compliance Consultant Scott Crimmins Scott.Crimmins@natm.com Compliance Consultant Sean Sloan Sean.Sloan@natm.com Bookkeeper Cindy Streeter Cindy.Streeter@natm.com Administrative Assistant Kay Deever Kay.Deever@natm.com OFFICERS President Owen Shelton BoatMate Trailers, Inc. Vice President Marty Lorick Triple Crown Trailers Treasurer Josh Johnson Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing, Inc. Associate Member Representative Jim Berry Dexter Axle Past President Patrick Jennissen Felling Trailers DIRECTORS FEB. 2018 - FEB. 2021 Leo Akins Forest River Cargo Division Lyle Berning Novae Corp.

John Kerr Marsh & McLennan Agency Serena Moran Sun Country Trailers

President’s Report...........................................6

Workforce Development Summit Recap........48

Headquarter’s Report......................................8

Stay Up-To-Date with The NATM Insider ....50

DOL Sets Interim Final Rule on Prevailing Wages........................................10

Share Your Expertise! NATM Calls for Educational Articles and Presentations...........50

NATM Government Affairs Advisor Wins Top Lobbyist Award.................12

New 2021 Media Kit Available with Advertising Opportunities.......................51

We Look Forward to Serving You in 2021........................................14

Statistically Speaking......................................52

2021 NATM Membership Dues......................16 NATM Feeds America Results........................18 NATM Quality Director Monica Johnson to Retire ..............................20

Innovative Tape Solutions for Building Trucks and Trailers...........................54 The Easy Button: Custom Orders from UFP Industries........................................56 Taking the Right Steps to Asset Management Success and Profit ....................58

Year-Round Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available..........................22

Combatting Pandemic Fatigue........................64

NATM Debuts 2020 Guidelines for Trailer Manufacturing...............................24

Core Values Allow Us to Deal with Rapid Changes................................66

Compliance Verification Program Pilots Hybrid-Consultation Format ................26

Employee Benefits Plan Limits for 2021........68

REDARC Launches New Generation of Trailer Battery Charger...............................28

Cut Your Costs without Laying Off Employees....................................70 NATM Executive Board Election Results .....72

Joel Bauer Midsota Manufacturing, Inc.

Ways to Maximize Your NATM Membership Series: Member Portal...............30

NATM Extends Strategic Plan through 2022...........................................74

Rick Coffey The Carlstar Group

NATM Launches Online Resource Library....32

NATM Selects 2021 Committees....................76

Carl Maxey MGS Incorporated - Ft. Collins

Meeting VIN Label Placement Requirements.................................34

DIRECTORS FEB. 2019 - FEB. 2022

DIRECTORS FEB. 2020 - FEB. 2023 Jon Devitt Midwest Industries, Inc. Marco Garcia U-Haul International, Inc. Jeff Jones Statistical Surveys Dustin Miller Cross Trailers, Inc. Mike Story LOOK Trailers

Refer Your Dealers to NATM’s Dealer Program................................79

Trailer Tires: To Balance or Not to Balance?...............................................36

NATM Dealer Compendium Offers In-Demand Resources for Dealerships...........80

Owner’s Manuals Offer Liability Reduction, Marketability................................44

New Member Update .....................................89

Member News ................................................83

About this publication: Tracks Volume 34, Number 1 Jan./Feb. 2021 is published six times a year (bi-monthly) for $50 per year by the NationalAssociation 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 A.L. Hansen Mfg. Co....................................................................53

Myers Spring Co...........................................................................65

Affiliated Resources, Inc. .............................................................13

Napoleon/Lynx..............................................................................26

BrakeQuip.....................................................................................63

Peterson Manufacturing Co. ........................................................59

Bright Way Group, LLC...............................................................41

Powerbrace Corporation...............................................................15

Cargo Systems, Inc. .....................................................................66

PPG...............................................................................................17

CPR Systems.................................................................................69

Premium Supply......................................................................46-47

Dec-O-Art, Inc..............................................................................67

Qingdao Highton Machinery Co., Ltd..............Outside Back Cover

Dexter Axle...................................................................................11

Redarc Corporation.......................................................................44

East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc................................................80

Redneck Trailer Supplies...............................................................5

Equalizer Systems.....................................................................42-43

Ridewell Suspensions...................................................................21

H.E. Parmer Company, Inc...........................................................70

Rockwell American ......................................................................39

Hutchens Industries, Inc. ..............................................................82

Tech Products, Inc. - Signs, Tags and Markers.............................79

KampCo Steel Products, Inc. .......................................................24

Tie Down Engineering, Inc. .........................................................75

LaVanture Products Company......................................................35

TGI-Direct........................................................... Inside Front Cover

Lippert Components, Inc.................................... Inside Back Cover

Vin-eze A Division of P.M.C.S., Inc.............................................16

Mac’s Custom Tie Downs, Inc.................................................... 37

Wire Works Technologies, Inc. ....................................................77

Muro North America Inc. .............................................................7

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January/February 2021

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President's Report

President’s Report

Tracks

By Owen Shelton, Boatmate Trailers With my term coming to an end in February, I would like to use my last President’s Report to reflect on my time spent on the NATM Board and as president and attempt to thank the many people that made this experience great. The mission of NATM is to promote trailer safety and the success of the trailer manufacturing industry through education and advocacy, and I am proud to say that the current performance of our Association is meeting those goals. During the last two years as president, NATM has implemented a dealer affiliate program, launched the online resource library, published the online job board on NATM.com, made improvements to the Compliance Verification Program, and introduced both health and retirement plans to members of the Association.

While it has been a successful two years, 2020 has not gone according to plan. The Association and NATM Board had to change their plans quickly back in March to focus on the developing pandemic, but reaction time was swift. There are now a plethora of resources NATM offers its members regarding COVID-19, including updates on relief packages and the COVID-19 Resource Guide. This new focus allowed NATM to cater to urgent member needs while still working on the Association’s goals. Events like the Regulatory Roundup and Trailer Safety week soldiered on virtually this past year and were both successes. The Workforce Development Summit went on as usual, featuring knowledgeable guests on relevant topics like

recruitment and engagement and shifts in the job market due to the pandemic.

With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the nation, NATM and the Board made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Convention & Trade Show. NATM and the Board acted in the best interest of members, the public, and staff with safety as the top priority. This is an event that members and non-members look forward to every year which unifies and educates the industry, and the decision to cancel was not taken lightly. Although we may be unable to see each other in person in February, NATM is ensuring its members do not miss out on the vital information relayed at the convention. NATM staff are currently working to bring the educational workshops and forums to members through webinars over the course of the year. Of course, we still have the 2022 NATM Convention & Trade Show in Tampa, Fla. to look forward to.

I was appointed to the Board in 2012 and re-elected twice. In addition, I have served on various committees such as the finance and government affairs committees, including serving as chair of the Technical Committee, before being elected president.

Volunteering on these committees was not only about what I could contribute, but was also a learning experience for me in association management, strategic planning, and regulatory issues. I believe in what NATM is trying to achieve and am honored to contribute to its mission.

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January/February 2021

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President's Report

Tracks I would like to note that I have had a gratifying experience personally serving as president. I found the board and committee meetings interesting and engaging, and I look forward to continuing as past president and serving on the Technical Committee. Working with such an impressive group of leaders has been a very rewarding experience. I spent enough time volunteering on the board to become familiar with the Association, its mission, and its members that once it was my time to serve as president, I realized the position of president of NATM was not intimidating but rewarding. I would like to encourage those that have reservations about getting involved to go ahead and join this great group of volunteers and serve on a committee or on the NATM Board. NATM staff and other board members are more than willing to coach new volunteers and help them settle into their role. I am proud to be a small part of the accomplishments that the Association made during my tenure.

Those that took the step further to attend the 2020 convention, volunteer on a committee, or attend the Regulatory Roundup also deserve recognition. It is only with your commitment and support that we will raise awareness of our industry and continue to improve trailer safety.

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I had the honor to work with great board members that were willing to sacrifice their time to serve this industry, and I wish my successor the best of luck as they take the position of president this February. Very little would be possible without a strong staff to keep the day-to-day operations running smoothly. Executive Director Kendra Ansley and the NATM staff have kept the Association upright, on course, and pointed in the right direction. The NATM staff has evolved into an extremely dedicated and dynamic unit that has already proven capable of providing information, workshops, and publications that benefit the industry. I encourage all of you to be active in this Association and to provide additional input to keep this Association strong and of value to you. The staff is always open to feedback to continuously improve and ensure member satisfaction and value-add, never hesitate to reach out. Thank you for a wonderful two years.

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January/February 2021

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Headquarter’s Report

Tracks

Headquarter’s Report

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director

Happy New Year! A new year, a fresh start, and renewed optimism about the year ahead—2021 is full of promise! This year has looked very different than years past. For example, I am not joining my team in a feverish pitch to pull off another wonderful Convention & Trade Show for our members in just a few short weeks. While I will certainly miss seeing all of you in Nashville—one of my favorite cities—I am glad that we all can remain safe and use the time and resources saved to further a different project and ensure its success instead.

Each year, I like to set a one-word intention. For 2021, that word is capitalize. 2020 required NATM to pivot quickly and often, without time to plan extensively. We used all of our resources and knowledge to provide the very best services in a tumultuous landscape. This year, however, comes with an unexpected gift, time. With the cancellation of the Convention & Trade Show and the continuation of the hybrid and remote compliance consultations, I plan to capitalize on, and take advantage of, the extra time we have been given and prepare for an even better future.

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January/February 2021

We’ll be spending more time on the 2022 Convention— improving the show, bringing you more of what you love, as well as working toward growing the attendance. We’re also focusing on expanding the Compliance Verification Program and increasing its effectiveness while also bringing down associated costs. On top of these changes, the NATM staff is working to bring to fruition many new programs per the Strategic Plan (see page 74).

2021 will also be filled with new faces with board elections and the introduction of a trailer dealer committee. This new committee, comprised entirely of NATM Dealer Affiliates, is an integral piece of continuing to be an association run by and for this industry. NATM staff are excited to expand dealer programming and benefits, gain new insights into dealer needs, and continue to grow this program while working to effectively house the entire industry under the NATM umbrella.

With 2021 committees set to begin their work in March, we’ll see more new faces on our existing committees as well as those who

www.NATM.com

Headquarter’s Report continue to sign up and give their time and expertise year after year. While committee goals have not been set as of this writing, we can expect to see new ideas about how committees can continue to expand and better NATM and its offerings to members.

While I am incredibly optimistic about the future, 2021 also means saying goodbye to NATM Board President, Owen Shelton as well as board member Serena Moran. Their expertise and insights have been invaluable and their willingness to volunteer their time to the board is part of what makes this Association so great. I had the pleasure of working more closely with Owen during his tenure as President. He has been a great leader for this Association. He has overseen the institution of a new NATM Strategic Plan which has altered the trajectory of the Association and created incredible value-add for the membership. He listened to his NATM peers, committees, and staff in creating an association that will continue to prosper in the years ahead. His interest in working hard and driving results as well as reacting

Tracks

rationally and thoughtfully to the many trials of 2020 has had a profound impact, and he will be missed.

2021 is going to be a great year. We will all capitalize on what is to come, making the best of every situation and finding the silver lining of a new year. NATM is prepared to add value in new ways to member companies, and as always, we are eager to hear from you, our members, in how we can serve you better.

Cheers to 2021! May it be filled with success!

- Patrick Jennissen, Felling Trailers

www.NATM.com

January/February 2021

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DOL Sets Interim Final Rule on Prevailing Wages

Tracks

DOL Sets Interim Final Rule on Prevailing Wages

By Dennis Potter and Brody Garland, K&L Gates In early October, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued an Interim Final Rule, amending the methodology used to set the prevailing wage in several foreign worker programs. Specifically, the DOL reviewed the H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visa programs and found that the way that existing wage determinations were being calculated, jobs and wages of U.S. workers could be undermined.

According to the DOL, the updated rule attempts to improve the accuracy of prevailing wages paid to foreign workers by bringing them in line with the wages paid to similarly employed U.S. workers.

Congress established the H-1B visa category through the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 in an effort to allow entry of non-citizens of distinguished merit and ability who are coming to the U.S. temporarily to perform services in a specialty occupation. The prevailing wage rate has been defined as the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area of intended employment. Proponents believe that moderating these rates protects workers from the unfair competition associated with lower cost foreign labor being introduced into the U.S. labor market.

Prevailing wage estimates are first determined by collecting data nationwide from approximately 800 occupations within the semi-annual Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) wage survey. Occupations are then tiered accordingly. In its October guidance, the DOL reformulated how it calculates its four-tiered wage structure, arguing that because not all workers in a given occupational category possess the requirements necessary to qualify for guest worker programs, the lower tier should be discounted for prevailing wage calculation purposes.

Critics of the adjustment contend that this will result in significant wage increases across all four levels of the OES survey. Several business organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, have since filed

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January/February 2021

lawsuits in federal court, railing against what they characterized as harmful regulations that would impact hundreds of thousands of U.S. workers and disrupt manufacturers’ ability to hire and retain critical high-skilled talent. All three plaintiff groups that participated in suits against the DOL have also filed motions for preliminary injunctions asking the courts to halt implementation of the rule while litigation proceeds.

Parties to the lawsuit argue that the DOL rule raises the minimum wages employers must pay to visa workers to artificially high levels, vastly exceeding what comparable domestic workers are paid. The groups note that for some 18,000 combinations of occupations and geographic locations, the DOL has set the new wage rate at $100 an hour, or $208,000 a year. The DOL’s own calculations estimate at least $198 billion in costs imposed on employers over a 10-year period.

Businesses that rely on these foreign worker programs insist that the updated regulations make it prohibitively expensive to hire the high-skilled, specialized workers they need to run and grow their businesses. They suggest that workers enrolled in programs like H1-B contribute to the national economy, perform crucial services where labor markets lack capacity, and inject ingenuity, entrepreneurship, and cultural diversity across the country. A potential Biden Administration would not be expected to continue similar changes to the program, but for now business owners will have to rely on the courts to intervene, as federal judges decide if implementation of the new wage standards can proceed.

Dennis Potter is a Government Affairs Advisor and Brody Garland is a Government Affairs Analyst at the law and lobbying firm of K&L Gates, where they represent NATM and other clients on legislative, regulatory, policy, and political matters. Potter can be reached at Dennis.Potter@klgates.com and Garland can be reached at Brody.Garland@klgates.com. www.NATM.com

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NATM Government Affairs Advisor Wins Top Lobbyist Award

Tracks

NATM Government Affairs Advisor Wins Top Lobbyist Award

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor

Dennis Potter, a Government Affairs Advisor at K&L Gates, has been advising the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) on government affairs for over a decade. For his outstanding work with NATM and other efforts, Dennis has won the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics 2020 Top Lobbyist at a Large Lobbying Firm.

When NATM first hired K&L Gates, the Association did not have a government affairs program. Dennis helped staff build the program from scratch. With his strategic advice and guidance, NATM launched the “Carrying It to Congress” program that is still going strong today. It was a multi-pronged campaign that involved designing and implementing legislative strategies and proposals to develop Congressional and grassroots support for NATM priorities, advocating industry-relevant issues before Congress and regulatory agencies, establishing a Government Affairs Committee to oversee the work, and a Political Action Committee to complement advocacy efforts. Over the years, he has continued to guide the program and help adapt to the constantly changing political environment.

The Association’s most significant success was the inclusion of a provision in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act establishing federal length exemptions for tandem trailer deliveries. This was the highest legislative priority when K&L Gates was hired. The benefits to members were significant— reducing delivery costs and times, lowering freight costs for consumers, reducing highway congestion and deterioration, and lowering vehicle emissions. Dennis was relentless year after year, steadily building support Congress after Congress and constantly tailoring his message to appeal to individual members.

Dennis does not rest on his laurels. Once the FAST Act was enacted, he immediately focused on potential challenges with the implementation of the provision as well as with helping NATM identify its next government affairs initiatives.

Dennis has developed a vast network and knowledge of members on Capitol Hill and puts that knowledge to use daily for NATM. He has a keen understanding of the interplay between members, politics, and perception. He assesses an issue from every angle to determine the best path forward and does not hesitate to use all the resources at his disposal to deliver for his clients.

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January/February 2021

Dennis Potter has advised NATM for over a decade.

He has spent most of his career at K&L Gates, rising throughthe ranks. Dennis is a next-generation leader, and his personal dedication to his clients is matched only by his loyalty to his colleagues at K&L Gates.

In addition to providing superior service to his clients, Dennis gives back to the community. For ten years, he has served as the pro bono government affairs advisor to the USA Science & Engineering Festival, the nation’s largest effort to attract America’s youth to careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Under his leadership, the Festival’s inaugural Washington, D.C. Expo in 2010 featured the participation of 50 federal government agencies. That year, the Senate and House of Representatives unanimously passed resolutions of support for the Festival. The most recent Festival Expo in 2018 included over 80 federal agency participants.

Dennis is an exceptional lobbyist and encapsulates all the characteristics of a Top Lobbyist—dedication, expertise, political savvy, loyalty, and unquestionable ethics and integrity. NATM has reaped the benefits of Dennis’ skills and abilities for the last 12 years, and it will continue to pay dividends for the Association for years to come.

For more information about NATM’s Government Affairs initiatives, visit NATM.com/advocacy. www.NATM.com

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We Look Forward to Serving You in 2021

Tracks

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director The 2021 membership renewals are hitting inboxes, which is the perfect time for the Association to reflect on how membership dues are critical in supporting the actions, services, and educational programming that NATM provides for its members and the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. NATM is constantly evaluating costs and benefits to ensure your annual membership investment is being met with valuable returns.

•

Update the 2020 Guidelines for Recommended Minimum Manufacturing Practices for Light- and-Medium Duty Trailers, also known as the Guidelines.

•

Create the Guidance on Workplace Safety for COVID-19, which includes information from the CDC and OSHA. The document includes examples from similar industries to help members identify implementable safety protocols for the trailer manufacturing industry.

•

Create a COVID-19 Resource Center on NATM.com, which is updated regularly so that members have access to the latest information and guidance when they need it most.

In 2020, membership dues allowed NATM to: •

Launch an Association Health Plan (AHP) for most NATM member companies.

•

Establish the NATM Association Retirement Plan for member companies to offer their employees.

•

Continue the Association’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan focusing on industry growth, increasing brand awareness, and improving the NATM Compliance Verification Program.

Host a COVID-19 Webinar Series with Marsh and McLennan Agency (MMA) to help the trailer manufacturing industry continue operating while mitigating risks.

•

Survey members on the impact of COVID-19, which was used in advocacy efforts as data points for participants and for the Association to evaluate its benefits moving forward.

•

Adapt the NATM Compliance Verification Program to navigate travel restrictions and protect the health and safety of members and staff, while also continuing to help member companies ensure their compliance with applicable federal regulation and industry standards.

•

•

Host additional virtual educational resources online such as webinars and presentations.

•

Grow the reach of the third annual Trailer Safety Week, including the introduction of strategic partnerships and access to additional resources.

•

Devote resources to marketing the NATM Compliance Verification Program and benefits of the Association to the industry as well as end-users to grow value of the NATM Compliance Decal.

•

•

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Release the Dealer Compendium, a 300-page resource guide for trailer dealers that includes state laws, trailer safety information, end-user materials, and certain applicable federal regulations to help close the gap of information that exists between manufacturer, dealer, and end-user.

Educate members of Congress during the annual Regulatory Roundup and Capitol Visits.

January/February 2021

NATM’s commitment is to its members and ultimately to trailer safety. Supporting NATM members’ ability to grow and prosper, while also contributing to the safety of the nation’s roadways, is what drives the Association’s work. Your support of this mission and your feedback along the way is vital to NATM’s success.

NATM looks forward to continuing this important work in the coming year!

For more information about membership, or questions regarding renewals, contact NATM Assistant Director, at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com.

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2021 NATM Membership Dues Tracks

2021 NATM Membership Dues

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director

Your 2021 NATM membership renewal notice was mailed to the attention of your accounts payable department in November. For international members, invoices were emailed.

For 2021, Membership Dues are remaining the same: •

Regular Members (Trailer Manufacturers): $925

•

Branch Regular Members (Trailer Manufacturers): $300

•

Associate Membership (Suppliers/Service Providers): $795

•

Branch Associate Membership (Suppliers/Service Providers): $135

•

Trailer Dealer Affiliates: $150

Pay Membership Dues Online Instantly: •

Visit www.NATM.com.

•

Click “Member Login” at the top right of the page.

•

Enter your company’s username and password.

You have the option to renew your membership online at www.NATM.com. Log into the Members Only section to view and pay the invoice. Should you decide to pay online, please advise accounts payable to disregard the notice.

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Can’t remember your password? No problem!

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You can reset your password clicking the “Click here for login information.”

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Simply enter your main contact’s email address and wait for the reset email from NATMHQ@natm.com.

•

Note: the password will be sent to the main contact’s email only. If you need to change the main contact, email Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com, and she can change the main contact as well as manually reset the password.

•

Once logged in, click “Pay Your Bills.”

•

Your membership dues will be listed. Select the line item to instantly pay with a credit card.

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Pay Membership Dues with Check: Mail check to: •

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Membership dues must be paid no later than January 31, 2021.

If dues are not received by Jan. 31, the member company will be considered delinquent, and all membership benefits will be terminated until paid per the NATM Bylaws.

Thank you for your continued support of the Association. Please don’t hesitate to contact Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director, at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com if you have any questions or concerns.

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NATM Feeds America Results

Tracks

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director NATM launched its first annual giving campaign, NATM Feeds America, in November 2020 to support Feeding America. With wildfires ravaging Colorado and the West Coast earlier in the year on top of the effects of COVID-19, it was estimated more than 50 million Americans would face food insecurity in 2020 according to Feeding America, with 17 million of those being children. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported unemployment continues to trend above pre-pandemic levels with 10.7 million people unemployed which is 4.9 million people higher than February 2020.

each dollar donated into 10 meals. The organization spends only 0.4 percent of their finances on administrative costs according to Charity Navigator, an organization that systematically rates charities using a standardized methodology. Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a network of 200 food banks across the country. By working with manufacturers, distributors, retailers, food service companies, and farmers, Feeding America is able to gather food before it goes to waste. In 2019 alone, Feeding America created four billion meals for those in need.

In June of 2020, according to study by the Brookings Institute, 27.5 percent of households with children were food insecure with the number expected to rise as COVID-19 spikes through the winter. This value represents 13.9 million children across the country. With virtual education being reinstated in some areas beginning in the fall, and many more areas following as winter drew closer, more meals were being served at home, and the children who rely on school food programs no longer had the same access to food.

When NATM Feeds America was launched, the board set the goal of raising $5,000 from members and promised the Association would match donations dollar for dollar up to that amount. In just 36 hours NATM members exceeded that goal. NATM raised the bar seeking to raise $8,000 from industry. Just eight days later, members again surpassed expectations. NATM again raised the bar to $11,000, and the industry came through. Together, NATM and its members raised more than $16,000, creating more than 160,000 meals for those in need.

As NATM members were beginning to rebound from the slowdown with many companies reporting solid financials and the Association itself reporting strong reserves, the NATM Board of Directors approved the first annual NATM giving campaign to address a growing need in communities across the country.

Community stewardship has long been a guiding principle for many NATM member companies—creating jobs, supporting local schools, and charitable giving when possible. The Association, too, has been actively engaged in charitable giving to support causes close to the members hearts. In 2020, as many Americans were in need, the Association saw an opportunity to come together to give back.

Thank you to the many generous donors who made this first giving campaign a success! The trailer industry has always been the story of the American spirit which includes taking care of one another. NATM would like to especially thank KampCo Steel Products for its generous contributions to Feeding America through the NATM Feeds America campaign. Having donated $2,000, KampCo was the largest contributing organization during the campaign, and their generosity alone created 20,000 meals for those in need. You can learn more about KampCo Steel at www.KampCo.com.

Assessing the many challenges being faced by Americans, NATM carefully selected Feeding America. With 98.7 percent of funding going directly into programming, Feeding America is able to turn

18

January/February 2021

www.NATM.com

1. Spot a decal on a trailer.

2. Snap a picture of your decal.

3. Share with NATM!

NATM Quality Director Monica Johnson to Retire

Tracks

NATM Quality Director Monica Johnson to Retire

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director

For 15 years, Monica Johnson has been a fixture of NATM and an invaluable contributor to the Association’s success. On Jan. 31, Monica will be joining her husband in their next great chapter —retirement!

In 2006, NATM hired Monica to assist with part-time administrative work. She quickly proved herself to be capable, versatile, and meticulous with details, and as such, she started supporting the Convention, member services, and the NATM Compliance Verification Program. While in this role, Monica became the master user of NATM’s membership database, serving as a resource to her entire team. On top of this, Monica has also been a vital part of NATM’s onboarding process over the years. Her expansive knowledge of NATM’s programs and processes as well as her innate teaching ability and endless patience have made her a key trainer for new staff.

As NATM’s staff structure continued to evolve, and Monica continued to prove her adaptability and attention to detail, she was promoted to Trade Show Director, working with exhibitors and overseeing registration. She helped to streamline processes and sold out the trade show floor year after year. In this role, Monica also led the transition of the Association with the unenviable task of switching membership databases—a project which took many months and long hours to carry out. Monica quickly learned the new system and again trained her fellow employees. Not long after, Monica played a significant role in transitioning NATM’s Convention booth sales process to an online software—a transition which has paid dividends in time, resources, and user ease since its implementation.

In 2017, as the NATM staff again evolved, Monica was approached to take over the role of Quality Director, handling NATM’s Quality Management System and ensuring its adherence to ISO 17020, an international standard for certification bodies.

Monica was the perfect fit for this role. Her attention to detail, expansive knowledge of NATM and its processes, and ability to work independently and self-motivate set her apart. While the Quality Director role was not one that Monica had envisioned for herself, it was her commitment to what is best for her team that led to her taking on the role willingly and with fervor.

Monica is a “Jane-of-All-Trades,” the best example of a utility player. She knows it all because during her 15 years she has done it all. She provides historical perspective, but is equally

20

January/February 2021

Monica Johnson retires from NATM after 15 years of service.

invested in change and progress—she truly lives a life devoted to continuous improvement. Monica has spent her tenure being a reliable, hardworking, and loyal member of the NATM team.

She has taken on new roles and changing responsibilities with incredible grace and flexibility. She is trusted by her entire team to do whatever needs to be done and to do it well. She will be leaving the Association better than she found it.

As Monica embarks on her well-deserved retirement, NATM will miss her immensely. The NATM staff will miss her steadfast approach to all tasks, her willingness to pitch in, and the baked goods she would bring throughout the year —but most especially the giant tray of goodies around the holidays. She treated her coworkers like friends, she cared deeply about everyone, which she showed in countless ways over her 15 years with NATM. NATM wishes Monica well as she settles into the full-time role of wife, mother, and “grandmama” to four adorable grandsons! May this next chapter be filled with things she loves most!

www.NATM.com

Tracks

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Year-Round Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

Tracks

NATM SPONSORSHIPS 2021 Year-Round Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor NATM is excited to announce new year-round sponsorship opportunities for suppliers, service providers, and trailer manufacturers. The cancellation of the 2021 NATM Convention & Trade Show was not only a disappointment but a detriment to many businesses as the NATM Show serves as a major sales and marketing opportunity. Included in those sales and marketing opportunities are convention sponsorships which allow members to advertise to potential customers while supporting the success of the Show. Historically, these were the only sponsorships available from the Association, but with the cancellation of the event, members have lost these opportunities. To create additional ways to get in front of potential customers, NATM has created the following sponsorships: NATM Webinar Sponsorship Program NATM educational webinars take place online throughout the year with a live audience in attendance, including trailer manufacturers, dealer, and suppliers. The webinars will be housed on NATM’s Online Resource Library and accessible anytime by NATM members and dealer affiliates for free and non-members for a fee.

Benefits include but are not limited to: •

Three minute pre-recorded video or live presentation by sponsor, to be played at the beginning of the sponsored webinar

•

Sponsor logos featured on marketing of event and registration

•

Branded waiting room with sponsor logo

•

Closing credits–thank you slide with shoutout to sponsor

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January/February 2021

•

Press release drafted by NATM for sponsor to submit to news outlets of their choice NATM New Member Welcome Program

Participating Sponsors have a fantastic chance to raise brand awareness with all newly joining NATM Members through the NATM New Member Welcome Program. The Welcome Program Sponsorship gives associate members the ability (suppliers and service providers) to reach new customers and market their products. When a company joins NATM, they receive a confirmation email as well as a mailed welcome packet containing resources and forms. This welcome program sponsorship opportunity grants only two (2) NATM members with the ability to be the first company to welcome new members to the Association and to market their products or services before any others.

Benefits include but are not limited to: •

Welcome packet insert/brochure from sponsoring company included in all new member packets (material provided by sponsor)

•

One (1) article published in Tracks magazine annually (Onepage limit)

•

Logo branded cards for 1-year anniversary

•

Logo branded email for 6-month follow up

•

Sponsors receive monthly lists of newly joined Trailer Safety Week Sponsorship Program

The sole sponsor of Trailer Safety Week has a prime opportunity to promote their brand while supporting a nation-wide initiative. www.NATM.com

Year-Round Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available The mission of Trailer Safety Week (TSW) is 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. Held the first week of June every year, Trailer Safety Week has reached 150,000+ individuals and is the first nationwide traffic safety initiative aimed at light- and medium-duty trailer towing. NATM has developed sponsorship opportunities for companies interested in supporting goodwill initiatives in improving the safety of the nation. Sponsors of Trailer Safety Week will create positive PR and raise awareness of their company, all the while improving the safety of America’s roadways.

Limited to only one sponsor, the Trailer Safety Week Official Sponsor will be listed on all marketing pieces for TSW. In 2020, TSW reached over 90,000 people across the nation.

Benefits include but are not limited to: •

Free Tracks magazine article on sponsoring company (two page limit)

Tracks

•

Featured logo on home page of TSW.com

•

Logo featured with NATM’s Compliance Program Webinar during TSW

•

Three minute pre-recorded video or live presentation during NATM’s Compliance Program Webinar during TSW

•

Social media thank you posts

Each NATM sponsorship comes with unique benefits, but across the board, sponsors are able to raise brand awareness in front of a targeted audience, whether that be trailer manufacturers or dealers. All options allow for flexibility as companies can sign up at any time throughout the year to sponsor a single video or, for example, the entirety of the New Member Welcome Program.

To access the entire sponsorship prospectus, visit www.NATM.com/sponsor_2021. For more information about sponsorship opportunities or for questions regarding membership and events, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com.

SPONSORSHIPS

2021

www.NATM.com

January/February 2021

23

NATM Debuts 2020 Guidelines for Trailer Manufacturing

Tracks

NATM Debuts 2020 Guidelines for Trailer Manufacturing

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM), known as the resource for safety and compliance for the lightand medium-duty trailer industry, has published the 2020 edition of the Guidelines. This massive document takes the guesswork out of meeting federal requirements governing the manufacturing of trailers under 26,000 lbs. GVWR and is a benefit of NATM membership.

Building trailers to meet the federal regulations outlined in the NATM Guidelines is not optional. It is required by law and enforced by law enforcement every day on the nation’s roadways.

But it can be very time-intensive for trailer manufacturers to research the numerous federal rules, regulations, standards, and accepted industry practices that govern trailer construction.

NATM addresses this by compiling the Guidelines for Recommended Manufacturing Practices for Light- and MediumDuty Trailers. The document consists of over 400 pages of laws, regulations, rules, standards, and industry best practices.

This information is gathered from resources such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, the Traffic Safety Administration, the Maintenance Council, and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association amongst others. The Guidelines is updated annually by industry experts that stay abreast of changing regulations and who vet the addition of recommendations and best practices.

Members report substantial time savings by utilizing the Guidelines, particularly on the topics of lighting and reflectors, VIN and data plates, gross vehicle weight ratings, and state brake requirements. While the Guidelines focus on U.S. regulations, many may have an interest in Canadian compliance. For more information, visit Transport Canada’s website at www.TV.GC.ca/en/transport-canada.html.

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January/February 2021

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NATM Debuts 2020 Guidelines for Trailer Manufacturing

Tracks In recent years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has increased its enforcement activity concerning the compliance of motor vehicle manufacturers, including trailer manufacturers. NHTSA has placed particular concern on meeting tire recordkeeping requirements, which includes both manufacturer records as well as the provision of TIN cards to dealers, distributors, and purchasers. This is only one of the many requirements outlined in NATM’s Guidelines.

Once a trailer manufacturer has successfully passed the Compliance Verification Program, the company is able to purchase NATM Decals and market their company’s dedication to fulfilling their safety requirements by participating in an unbiased, third-party audit of their trailers. While participation in the NATM Compliance Verification Program is an additional, voluntary cost for manufacturers, there are economic benefits of participation.

NATM assists its trailer manufacturing members in avoiding costly fines and decreasing liability related to trailer compliance through the NATM Compliance Verification Program (CVP).

The NATM CVP is an unbiased, third-party audit of the trailer manufacturing process and uses the Guidelines as the backbone for the program. The CVP provides biennial on-site consultations to trailer manufacturers and technical assistance throughout the entire process to ensure companies are manufacturing trailers consistent with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and other industry best practices.

“The first-year sales saw a 20 percent boost and blew past the forecast over three years for the sales improvements for revenue targets for the existing trailer product. We will continue to use up the [NATM] labels we have in stock, and then order more,” said Pete Dixon, Engineer at Karcher North America, Inc., regarding the benefit of being a member of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers.

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25

Compliance Verification Program Pilots Hybrid-Consultation Format

Compliance Verification Program Pilots Hybrid-Consultation Format

Tracks

By Terry Jones, NATM Technical Director The onset of COVID-19 has presented both significant challenges as well as opportunities to improve the NATM Compliance Verification Program (CVP). Efforts to slow the spread have resulted in the Association adopting safety protocols such as avoiding air travel, requiring face coverings, temperature checks, and more. The most prominent obstacle has been maintaining a thorough and high-quality compliance process while protecting everyone involved. With this in mind, the NATM Board of Directors approved a new hybrid format for the Compliance Verification Program through 2021.

In short, the new hybrid format is simply breaking the consultation into two parts, the physical trailer inspection and the documentation. The physical trailer inspection will continue to be conducted onsite, but the remainder of the consultation, predominantly documentation, recommendations, and informational items, will be covered in a follow-up, remote meeting.

This follow-up meeting will take place within a few weeks of the onsite inspection and can usually be accomplished through a simple phone call or online meeting through a platform such as Zoom.

The goal of this new format is to minimize the amount of time a consultant spends onsite, thus reducing the risk of exposure. The member is always welcome to be present during the consultation, but if they choose not to be present out of caution, the physical inspection can still be completed. The consultant will make notes and take pictures, if needed, so during the follow-up consultation any issues can be addressed thoroughly using the photographs as supporting evidence.

While this process will reduce exposure to our consultants, our members, and their facilities, it will also reduce the face-to-face contact our consultants have with our valued members.

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Compliance Verification Program Pilots Hybrid Consultation Format

Tracks Consultants typically address many CVP and non-CVP related questions and concerns during the consultation process and still wish to provide this important service. Please do not hesitate to raise these concerns during the onsite consultation (at a safe distance with a face covering), follow-up consultation, or any other time. NATM consultants are there to serve, and this servant attitude will not lax during this new process.

What does the member need to do under the new format?

Pre-consultation: •

Nothing has changed here.

•

Respond to the scheduling email or phone call from the NATM consultant to confirm the onsite consultation day and time.

•

Sign and return the NATM CVP Policies and Procedures.

The Day of the Onsite Consultation:

•

•

•

Have a sample of trailers available to view outside or in a well-ventilated location.

If attending the onsite consultation, be prepared to socially distance and wear required protective equipment (details provided in scheduling email). The time needed to inspect the required number of trailers is typically less than 30 minutes. While this shorter time onsite may allow you to get back to your work faster, please do not hesitate to take advantage of the time the consultant is onsite to answer any questions or concerns.

If not attending the onsite consultation, have a staff member available to inform the consultant of the location of the trailers and any company regulations or requirements to be aware of while onsite.

The NATM Compliance Decal.

After the onsite consultation, there is nothing that needs to be done by the member until the follow-up consultation. If any corrections are required, the member may proceed with corrections, but the 60-day timeframe for corrections does not start until the completion of the follow-up consultation.

Follow-up Consultation: •

Respond to the scheduling email or phone call from the NATM consultant to confirm the follow-up consultation day and time.

•

Be prepared to attend the remote meeting, whether it be a phone call or online meeting.

•

Review the CVP checklist the consultant sent to you in order to be prepared to speak to documentation and recordkeeping requirements such as tire recordkeeping, MCO/MSOs, etc.

At this point, the consultation itself is completed. If corrections are required, the consultant will email the report, complete with a to-do list of items requiring correction.

If necessary, the NATM consultant will take photos. www.NATM.com

NATM is here to assist. The consultant will serve as a guide through the consultation process and will always be available to assist in the CVP process or with any other related needs. For any questions or assistance, contact Terry Jones, NATM Technical Director at (785)272-4433 or Terry.Jones@natm.com.

January/February 2021

27

REDARC Launches New Generation of Trailer Battery Charger

Tracks

REDARC Launches New Generation of Trailer Battery Charger By the REDARC Team Australian-based electronics manufacturer REDARC is releasing the next generation of DC-DC trailer battery chargers.

The BCDC1212T is the ideal battery charger for trailers with electrical equipment and accessories (i.e. a hydraulic pump, winch, fridge, etc.) such as dump trailers, boat trailers, car trailers, liftgate trucks, and camper vans. This is a 12-volt, 12 amp input limited charger and works in both 12V and 24V vehicles. It is compatible with 7-way Round trailer plugs for easy install in any trailer. The BCDC1212T charges Standard Lead Acid, Calcium content, Gel, AGM, or LiFePO4 battery and is input current limited to ensure that the current rating of trailer plug is not exceeded.

This BCDC1212T is moisture, dust, and mud resistant, designed and built by REDARC to be the highest quality and most reliable battery charger of its kind.

Designed for easy and fast install, the cable configuration eliminates the need to run additional dedicated wiring, connectors, and input fuses between the tow vehicle and trailer.

Your trailer batteries are now self-sufficient.

The BCDC1212T can be installed in the nose cone of a trailer and allows use of the existing 12V auxiliary power available on many trailer plugs to charge an auxiliary battery installed on the trailer, making it the easiest solution for on-board DC charging.

The BCDC1212T can be installed in the nose cone of a trailer, eliminating the need to run additional dedicated wiring, connectors, and input fuses between the tow vehicle and trailer.

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January/February 2021

Craig Herriot, General Manager of International Sales for REDARC explains, “No longer do you need to charge your trailer’s battery overnight or in between jobs. You’ll always have battery power for your dump, RV, utility, or landscaping trailer. Pull the plug and give yourself the freedom to travel and

www.NATM.com

REDARC Launches New Generation of Trailer Battery Charger

Tracks work where you want for as long as you want. The REDARC BCDC1212T will become your most powerful, compact, and reliable trailer accessory.”

This BCDC1212T is moisture, dust, and mud resistant, designed and built by REDARC to be the highest quality and most reliable battery charger of its kind.

REDARC has over 40 years of experience in the research, design, development, and the company manufactures a range of electronic voltage converters and associated products: power supplies, battery chargers, brake controllers, and trailer braking products. REDARC’s goal is to ensure that each product and service is the benchmark by which the competition is measured.

“We’re always looking at ways to solve customer problems.

Whilst there are other battery chargers for trailers on the market, we wanted to offer a cost-effective solution that ensures optimum charging performance and eliminates the need for customers to remember to plug in and charge their battery. We’ve designed this product to make it easy to install for both the largest trailer manufacturers and the first time DIY installer.”

This DC battery charger keeps the secondary battery charged whilst driving to a proven 100 percent state of charge. It allows users to save time by powering the battery throughout the day and removes the dependence on AC mains charging ensuring you’re always charged and ready to work.

The BCDC1212T comes pre-wired with wiring harness allowing easy installation into any typical trailer battery setup.

To find out more on how REDARC powers trailers, visit www.RedarcElectronics.com.

The REDARC BCDC1212T battery charger (drawing up to 12 A) connects to a trailer equipped with an auxiliary battery. This requires a 12 V auxiliary feed through the towbar wiring, including socket and plug, with sufficient capacity to support the additional load.

www.NATM.com

January/February 2021

29

Ways to Maximize Your NATM Membership Series: Member Portal

Tracks

Ways to Maximize Your NATM Membership Series: Member Portal

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor

This article is the first in a series that will help members maximize their NATM membership. Each article will focus on one lesser-known membership benefit and give tips, tricks, and explanations on how to make the most of these benefits. Every of issue of Tracks in 2021 will feature an installment.

NATM offers no shortage of member benefits, but some are more well-known than others. This article will focus on the chronically underutilized Member Portal. This portal can make companies more independent and allow them to take more control over their membership experience. The member portal compiles important information and functions in one central, easy to use location.

How to Access the Member Portal When a company joins NATM and their application is processed, the company will receive an email instructing them to reset the portal password.

If the company no longer has access to the member portal, contact Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com about resetting it. The email associated with the company will receive the reset link for the password. Follow the instructions in the email to properly reset the password.

How to access the Member Portal: • • • •

Go to NATM.com Click Member Login in the header Type in username and password Click login

Member Portal Use Inside the member portal, a variety of functions become apparent.

In the past, NATM staff members may have been used to accomplish these tasks, but now members have more flexibility and access to these functions which will allow staff to continue to approve the Association for its members.

The online portal gives access to plenty of member only functions and information. Within the portal one can: • • •

30

Update company and personal information Check out the latest Association news Link social media profiles January/February 2021

• • •

Order NATM products like lighting posters, generic owner’s manuals, etc.

View and pay bills Access the company’s referral report

Referral Reports By far one of the most important functions of the portal is the referral report. This is an automatic benefit for members.

Referral reports are a great way to track the company’s reach and growth from being on NATM.com whether it is through advertising or a regular listing. These reports can be accessed at any time and as frequently as needed. Once inside the portal, simply click referral report to access it.

Reports list out information such as impressions, leads, etc.

Although some of this information is straightforward, some of the terms are not. To simplify, listed out are some of the terms on these reports.

• • •

•

•

• • •

Total impressions-the number of times the information was displayed.

Banner impressions-the number of times the banner ad was displayed.

Total leads-the number of times a person clicked on the link or was provided with additional information about the company.

Lead rate-the number of leads divided by the number of impressions (shown as a percent); represents the percentage of potential customers who are click on links to learn more.

Banner ads-a type of ad that usually runs across the top, bottom, or in the margins of the page (what NATM uses on NATM.com).

Banner clicks-the number of times the ad was clicked on.

Leaderboard- refers to the size of a banner ad, standard size of 729 (w) x 90 (h) pixels.

Click-Thru Rate (CTR)-how many times the ad has been clicked and the user redirected to the linked page (shown as a percent); the internet average is about 0.1 percent.

The member portal is only one of several benefits that are going to be covered in this series. If you have topics you would like covered in this series or have questions on the information, contact NATM Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore at Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com or (785) 272-4433. www.NATM.com

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NATM Launches Online Resource Library

Tracks

NATM Launches Online Resource Library

By Savana Morrison, NATM Marketing Director

NATM is pleased to announce the launch of the NATM Resource Library! In line with the Association’s mission and the 20192022 Strategic Plan, NATM is excited to provide members with relevant educational information that’s easily accessible.

This long-awaited member benefit will streamline how NATM members receive the latest information regarding new technology developments, best practices for manufacturers, HR, and administrative needs as well as a host of other topics. The NATM Resource Library provides members with a sense of community via live chats, member profiles, and comment threads on the articles.

The NATM Resource Library also provides the Association another opportunity to lead the industry in safety. NATM is proud

to offer a library of resources specifically dedicated to trailer users—a highly requested resource. This area dedicated to trailer users is just another way the Association is working towards educating this audience on the importance of compliant trailers, trailer safety, and the NATM Compliance Verification Program.

Members can access the NATM Resource Library by visiting www.NATMShop.com.

Once on the site, navigate to the top right-hand corner where the Log In bar is located. Click on this bar to create a NATM Resource Library username and password. Make sure to either use a NATM member company email or indicate the member company name while logging in.

The homepage of the NATM Online Resource Library.

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January/February 2021

www.NATM.com

NATM Launches Online Resource Library

Tracks NATM staff will approve the log-in request so the NATM Resource Library can be accessed. Once approved, log-in and navigate to the top of the site page where it says “Resource Library� and click.

Once on the NATM Resource Library landing page, members can either utilize the search bar or browse through the five categories: Technical, Compliance Verification Program, Membership/ Marketing, Business Administration/HR, or Consumer Information.

This exclusive benefit will be updated regularly with new articles and topics ensuring NATM members have access to the latest information regarding the trailer industry. Questions? Reach out via the chat box on NATMShop.com or by email at library@natm.com.

The NATM Online Resource Library sign up page.

The NATM Resource Library with the drop down menu circled. www.NATM.com

January/February 2021

33

Meeting VIN Label Placement Requirements

Tracks

Meeting VIN Label Placement Requirements

By Terry Jones, NATM Technical Director

Title 49 CFR Sec. 567.4 provides the “Requirements for Manufacturers of Motor Vehicles.” Subsection (d), applicable to trailer VIN label placement location, states, “The label for trailers shall be affixed to a location on the forward half of the left side, such that it is easily readable from outside the vehicle without moving any part of the vehicle.” The wording can be found in the full length of the regulation, Section 567.4 at www.ECFR.gov.

Due to some uncertainty as to the interpretation of the regulation above, as of July 2019, the NATM Board of Directors and legal counsel determined for the purpose of the NATM Compliance Verification Program (CVP), VIN labels installed on the front driver-side of a trailer or on the inner frame rail of the front driver-side of a trailer are compliant VIN label mounting locations, satisfying Section 567.4(d). The wording “forward half of the left side” requires that VIN labels be placed to the left of the vehicle centerline. For clarity, the industry standard for the left side of the vehicle and trailer while connected is the driverside, and the right side of the vehicle and trailer while connected is the passenger-side. See the image to the left of a tow vehicle and trailer for reference.

This recent determination meets the intent of keeping the VIN label on the front left side of the trailer, otherwise known as the driver-side, but also ensures that the VIN label is visible and easily readable from outside the vehicle without moving any part of the vehicle. This means not behind wiring harnesses, inside cargo boxes, behind breakaway batteries, and any other object that may cover or hide the VIN label.

Left Side:

Right Side:

Driver-side of tow vehicle and trailer

Passenger-side of tow vehicle and trailer

NATM members should be advised of this checklist change, especially during the next two-year cycle of NATM Compliance Verification Program consultations. Now and moving forward, any VIN labels located on the right side or passenger-side of a trailer will be marked as non-compliant by the NATM Compliance Consultant.

If you have any questions about this change, please contact NATM Technical Director Terry Jones at (785) 272-4433 or at Terry.Jones@natm.com.

34

January/February 2021

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Trailer Tires: To Balance or Not to Balance?

Tracks

Trailer Tires: To Balance or Not to Balance?

By the NATM Technical Committee With safety being at the forefront of the NATM Technical Committee’s focus, it is important to analyze one of the most important topics with regard to trailer wheels and tires—whether or not to have trailer tires balanced.

Is it necessary to balance trailer tires? Is it an unnecessary expense? Like many complicated issues, the answer is it all depends. Since the primary duty of a trailer tire is supporting a vertical load, rather than gripping an automobile through turns, trailer tires do not have to be dynamically balanced like passenger car tires do. Steering and cornering are less of a concern on a trailer tire than they are on an automotive tire. Balanced

passenger car tires prevent the passengers inside a vehicle from feeling the bumps and irregularities of the road at higher speeds.

Although some trailer cargo requires the smoothest of rides, trailers transport cargo and equipment, rather than passengers, so the standard for ride quality is usually less of a concern.

The Challenges Associated with Balancing Trailer Tires Trailer owners may struggle over the long haul to keep trailer tires balanced because their wheels have a tendency to “throw weights.” In other words, the tire balancing weights end up coming off of the trailer wheels during normal trailer usage, which can happen for a number of reasons. It is not uncommon for the weights to be thrown off when towing an unladen trailer because the trailer may bounce excessively without a load, especially through potholes and over rough terrain. Tandem or triple-axle trailers have a tendency to throw weights when making tight turns as well.

Another aspect that makes balancing trailer tires challenging is that most automotive service centers are not equipped with the proper wheel balancing machine to correctly balance most trailer tires. Most trailer wheels are a lug centric design which means the wheels are centered on the hub by the torque of the lug nuts.

On the other hand, many automotive wheels are a hub centric design. Most automotive service centers use a computerized “cone” balancer which works great on automotive hub centric wheels, but it does not work very well on lug centric trailer wheels. In order to correctly balance trailer wheels, an adapter must be used on the cone balancer. To save time and avoid a wasted trip, customers should check with their automotive service center beforehand to make sure the company has the adapter to properly balance trailer tires.

An example of a tire weight for tire balancing.

36

January/February 2021

Further complicating the issue is the fact that many trailer wheels are galvanized, and galvanized trailer wheels are usually not designed to be balanced. When the steel wheel is hot dipped galvanized, some of the liquid zinc often accumulates on one end.

This can make galvanized wheels difficult to balance. However, the upside of galvanizing is the galvanized coating provides corrosion resistance to harsh environments such as salt water.

If end-users are not sure whether or not their trailer wheels are galvanized, they should ask their trailer manufacturer or wheel www.NATM.com

Tracks

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Trailer Tires: To Balance or not to Balance?

Tracks manufacturer and follow the wheel manufacturer’s specific instructions on whether or not they should balance their tires and if so, how best to do so.

How does the Trailering Application Factor In? Customers purchase trailers for a wide variety of reasons, and the intended use of the trailer is a significant factor when deciding whether to balance the trailer tires. For example, recreational vehicle trailers and boat trailers are often stored outside in harsh environments. These trailers are typically only pulled on a handful of trips each year.

Some customers will not balance tires on these trailer models because they feel the tire will wear out from dry rot long before the tire tread is actually worn or any substantial benefit would be derived from having the tires balanced.

In addition, the size of the trailer and the type of cargo transported are other useful factors for determining if tire balancing is necessary for a specific trailer. Valuable, fragile cargo may be more protected and have a smoother ride with balanced tires. In addition, trailer cargo can have a rough ride if vibration and suspension components lend themselves to instability when the trailer is on rougher roads, or the trailer is improperly loaded.

Another trend in recent years is installing custom wheels on trailers, including chrome and aluminum. These wheels have an attractive look and are typically acceptable for trailers as long as the trailer manufacturer or end-user makes sure the wheels have the correct weight capacity for the trailer, as well as the correct wheel offset, which will assist in making sure the load is over the hub bearings.

How do Wheels Factor In? Customers can have their trailer tires balanced if they wish, but it is not essential to the proper operation of most trailers. As was previously mentioned, there are two distinct types of wheels found on today’s cars and light trucks. Hub centric wheels are centered by the center bore of the wheel and hub flange. Most trailer wheels are lug centric and are centered by the torque of the lug bolts, rather than the center bore of the wheel and hub flange. The most common automotive wheels are hub centric in design. The center hole of these wheels are the actual center bore of the wheel. If new tires are purchased for a set of stock wheels, the customer can have them balanced if they choose. If the customer balances the tires, they must take into account that

38

January/February 2021

A tire balancing machine.

many trailer wheels are lug centric. To get the best tire balance for lug-centric wheels, the tires should be balanced by a shop that uses a pin plate adapter. This mimics the way a lug-centric wheel is mounted to a hub and will result in the best overall outcome.

Many tire and wheel manufacturers balance tires by mounting their tire and wheel assemblies so the high, heavy spot on the tire is aligned with the low, light spot on the wheel. This provides adequate balancing for many trailer tires. Many trailer manufacturers purchase their tire and wheel assemblies mounted and inflated to PSI specifications from the factory.

However, some do not, and it depends on the terms of the trailer manufacturer’s agreement with their tire and wheel supplier.

Some end-users insist their trailer tires be balanced, but the majority of trailer customers are probably not concerned with whether or not the tires are balanced. Most end-users simply want their trailer to adequately perform its function. However, in some applications, the end-user may not be aware that adequate performance for their particular trailer requires that the trailer tires be balanced or that balancing the tires would greatly improve the ride quality of the trailer. www.NATM.com

Tracks

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39

Trailer Tires: To Balance or Not to Balance?

Tracks

Balancing with Bead Bags

Rather than utilizing weights on the wheels which can be thrown off, many tire manufacturers balance all of their tire and wheel assemblies with bead bags. Since it is so fast and easy, many in the industry predict this method of tire balancing will grow in popularity in the years to come. Balancing beads are an internal balancing product that will help fulfill all of the trailer tower’s tire balancing needs. This technology efficiently addresses a number of problems at once compared to other balancing systems. Balancing the entire wheel assembly attacks the vibration forces that can be caused by an out of balance assembly.

Reduced vibration, extended tire life, and the elimination of hammer-on weights are major benefits of these systems. With bead bag systems, the tires and wheels are constantly being rebalanced and adjusting to the changing conditions of the tire and wheel assembly. Unlike wheel weights, balancing beads are free to constantly adjust the balancing needs of the wheel. They last for the complete life of the tire and can also later be reused in another set of tires.

When balancing beads are installed inside the tire, the specially coated microspheres are distributed throughout the tire through centrifugal forces as the wheel rotates. As the force of the out-ofbalance spot increases and impacts the assembly performance, the inertia causes the beads to move in the opposite direction and rapidly shift until the complete wheel assembly is balanced.

The tempered glass beads will not react to any metal or other materials and do not break down when used in tires.

Rotating Trailer Tires Like tires on a tow vehicle, trailer tires last longer and wear more evenly if they are inflated to the proper PSI rating, properly balanced, and properly rotated. However, single axle trailer tires usually do not need to be rotated. On a tandem axle trailer a tire rotation is not necessary unless the tires are experiencing increased wear that is occurring faster than normal. In that case, the tires should be rotated from front to back, in an “X” configuration. It is worth noting that proper balancing and rotating of trailer tires will not improve the ride of the trailer if the tire is out-of-round. If that is the case, it will never be totally balanced and ride perfectly smooth, and the out-of-round tire(s) should be replaced.

Tire Manufacturer’s Warranty Tire warranties on trailer tires are just as important on trailers as they are on automobiles. Certain issues with unbalanced tires may void a trailer tire warranty. Most trailer tires will come with a warranty, but the terms of warranties can differ between manufacturers. Do tire manufacturers require that trailer tires be balanced in order to replace tires under warranty? Usually they do not, but the determining factor in each specific case are the terms of the tire manufacturer’s warranty. Trailer manufacturers will most likely purchase their wheel and tire assemblies balanced from the tire manufacturer anyway, so they do not need to balance them themselves. However, it is important for trailer manufacturers to double check the terms of their agreement with their tire and wheel sales representative, so they know for sure whether or not their tires must be balanced to keep the tire warranty valid. For the relatively low cost and time investment associated with balancing trailer tires, if required by the tire manufacturer’s warranty anyway, trailer manufacturers and end customers will need to have theirs balanced in order to keep the tire warranty valid.

Tire beads on the inside of a tire are used to easily balance tires.

40

January/February 2021

For more information about technical issues related to the lightand medium-duty trailer industry, contact NATM Technical Director Terry Jones at Terry.Jones@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433. www.NATM.com

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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 To directly communicate proper trailer usage and safety to endusers, 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.

To educate customers, trailer owner’s manuals provide instructions regarding maintenance and safety, as well as important warnings. Creating owner’s manuals for trailers manufactured can be a daunting and often expensive task.

Fortunately, NATM has made it easy and affordable for trailer manufacturer and dealer members to include manuals with their trailers. By providing a quality owner’s manual with every trailer, it not only markets the manufacturer as reputable, but also helps to reduce liability due to misuse or improper maintenance by end-users.

NATM owner’s manuals also include the tire safety information and NHTSA notification statement as required by federal regulation.

NATM offers manuals for 12 trailer types. Bumper pull style trailers including: utility, enclosed, horse, livestock, dump, and boat trailers. Gooseneck-style trailers including: utility, enclosed, horse, livestock, dump, and boat trailers.

Every manual purchased will be personalized to include the manufacturer’s company name and address, and each manual is product-line specific. The manuals have the items required to be communicated in writing per federal regulation and include the following sections: Section 1–Introduction/General Information Section 2–Safety Section 3–Tire Safety Information Section 4–Coupling and Uncoupling

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Owner’s Manual Offers Liability Reduction, Marketability 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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 in a minimum 10 pt. font: 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].

To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800424-9153), go to www.safercar.gov; or write to:

Tracks

The manuals are available for purchase by NATM members only and are sold individually, but discounts are available when ordering multiple manuals. Once purchased, they are emailed as a non-editable PDF format and can be easily reprinted as many times as necessary. For more information about purchasing generic owner’s manuals or having your manuals updated, contact NATM at NATMHQ@natm.com.

Utility Trailer Owner’s Manual

^ 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

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 a company’s reputation.

www.NATM.com

Bumper Pull Trailers November 2013 1

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45

Workforce Development Summit Recap

Tracks

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor In the trailer manufacturing industry, a successful business is dependent upon an educated, skilled workforce. Workforce development is a necessity for both employees and businesses to remain competitive, particularly in today’s economy with the pandemic.

This November, NATM hosted the second annual NATM Workforce Development Webinar Series. This three-part series aimed to help the trailer manufacturing industry address these growing challenges of recruiting and retaining a skilled, reliable workforce. This series was free for all NATM Members and NATM Dealer Affiliates. Attendees sat in on presentations from the comfort of their desks over three days, learning more about workplace culture, retention strategies, and how these have changed in the time of COVID-19.

In the coming year, NATM Members and Dealer Affiliates will have on-demand access to all webinar content by utilizing the NATM Online Resource Library. More details to come! In the meantime, if members or dealer affiliates wish to see any of the Workforce Development Webinar Series presentations, they should contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or (785) 272-4433.

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January/February 2021

2020 Workforce Development Webinar Series Presenter Lineup: Building a Successful Workplace Culture Mike Krizman, Human Resource Advisor, University of Texas at Arlington, is with TMAC, the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center. TMAC is a NIST MEP approved center (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) and is the official representative of the MEP National Network in Texas. TMAC’s mission is to accelerate profitable growth and competitiveness of Texas manufacturers by developing and improving profit, products, processes, technologies and people.

Krizman discussed the importance of organization culture and what it can do lead businesses to success. He spent time explaining what organization culture is, how leadership can shape the culture, and how to link organization and employee needs, and strategies for building and maintaining a successful culture.

Krizman defined culture as the conscience and subconscious of an organization. It is universally understood and influences the success of a company. Culture is compromised of the values and behaviors of employees and is unique to that individual group.

www.NATM.com

Workforce Development Summit Recap

Tracks At the end of the presentation, he described how culture flows through organizations. Leadership defines the vision and drives the performance, while the Human Resources department champions the cause by transforming the vision into actionable steps that nourish the culture. This in turn creates an environment where employee needs and organizations needs are linked, so employees can reach their full potential. For more information about how the TMAC can assist your company in Texas, contact TMAC at www.TMAC.org, or contact speaker Mike Krizman at Mike.Krizman@tmac.org.

Attracting/Retaining a Skilled Workforce Post-Pandemic Leressa Suber PHR, SHRM-CP, Evaluation and Talent Development Specialist, NC State University, Industry Expansion Solutions, is affiliated with the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). Suber touched on three major points: identifying what is important to candidates postpandemic, exploring new strategies for attracting and retaining talent, and examining innovative tools to retain employees.

She noted safety, trust, and flexibility in employers are some of the top concerns for employees. Current barriers to retention include AI, competing funding streams, the expansion of virtual work, and new hire fatigue. Suber explained that each of these reduce retention rates for companies.

Suber ended her presentation with ways to recruit and retain employees. Branding efforts and accurate job descriptions and titles can help companies recruit the right person for the job, just as pulling from diverse talent pools, such as people of color and women, can also help with recruitment. To help retain employees, she recommended companies commit to employee development by, for example, instituting a mentor program and strengthening employee benefits.

organization’s talent pipeline and strategies should be in place for the future; the goal is to develop a pipeline before it is needed.

Apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and investing in current employees are all ways to develop a talent pipeline according to Grantham.

She recommended using several recruitment strategies, such as participating in job fairs, whether virtual or drive-through, implementing an employee referral program, and utilizing career centers within the community. Engagement, though, is where companies seek out certain populations to recruit from, namely underrepresented groups. Grantham explained that justiceinvolved persons and youth aging out of the foster care system as well as military veterans are great untapped populations for recruitment. Around 200,000 people transition out of the military every year, bringing their skills to the workforce.

For more information about how the NC Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions can assist your company in North Carolina, visit www.NCCommerce.com/aboutus/divisions-programs/workforce-solutions-division or contact speaker Veronica Grantham at Veronica.Grantham@nccommerce.com.

For more information about upcoming educational webinars or to request the recording of a webinar, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com.

For more information about how the NC State Industry Expansion Solutions can assist your company in North Carolina, visit www.IES.NCSU.edu/evaluation-solutions-group or contact speaker Leressa Suber at Leressa_Suber@ncsu.edu.

Accessing the talent pipeline, recruitment strategies, onboarding, and engaging untapped populations Veronica “Ronne” Grantham, Regional Operations Director, NC Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions, addressed talent pipeline development as well as recruitment and engagement strategies. These aspects of the hiring process go hand in hand, and Grantham explained it is best to start early. An www.NATM.com

January/February 2021

49

Stay Up-To-Date with The NATM Insider; Share Your Expertise! NATM Calls for Educational Content

Tracks

Stay Up-To-Date with The NATM Insider

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor

The NATM Insider is NATM’s monthly electronic newsletter and is emailed to subscribing NATM members the last Saturday morning of every month. Articles published in The Insider include topics such as: • NATM Events & Updates • Welding Trends and Techniques • The Dealer Corner If you would like to receive these communications and subscribe for free, contact NATM Marketing Director Savana Morrison at Savana.Morrison@natm.com.

Share Your Expertise! NATM Calls for Educational Articles and Presentations

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor

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 delivers learning opportunities in a number of formats including online Educational Summits, convention workshops, webinars and Tracks magazine articles. The purpose of events and articles is to provide valuable industry information and training to NATM members.

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.

50

January/February 2021

Members have shown interest in learning more about the following: • • • •

Welding LEAN manufacturing Quality control Technology

Educational webinars 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 Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore at Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

www.NATM.com

New 2021 Media Kit Available with Advertising Opportunities

Tracks

New 2021 Media Kit Available with Advertising Opportunities

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor

NATM NATM NATM ADVERTISING NATM ADVERTISING ADVERTISING WHY ADVERTISE WITH NATM ADVERTISING

Placing advertising in front of trailer manufacturers and dealers is one of the easiest and most effective benefits of NATM membership. Advertising in the bimonthly Tracks magazine, on www.NATM.com, the annual NATM Convention Program, or the Online Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide is easy. NATM has further simplified the process by putting all the information in one convenient document, the NATM 2021 Media Kit!

If you, or someone you know, would like to receive Tracks magazine or advertising notices, please let NATM know, and you 785.272.4433 will be added to the mailing list.

Tracks magazine follows:

NATM.COM 78 . 2Y7A2N . 4@4 N 3 3A T M . C O M MEGHA N5. R deadlines for contracts are as N A Tand M . Cartwork OM 2O 7 2M. 4 4 3 3 M E G H A N . R Y A N @ N A7T8M5..C NATM.COM

MEGHAN.RYAN@NATM.COM

March/April

Fill out the contract, send it in, and once your ad is published, NATM will send you an invoice for payment.

7 8 5 . 2Jan. 7 2 . 415 433 Deadline: NATM.COM

E L I Z A B E T H . M O O R E @ N A March T M . C O15 M May/June Deadline:

If you have any questions or concerns about advertising or NATM offers advertisers a unique opportunity to reach It is free for NATM members to upload their company logos and Tracks magazine, contact Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore at trailer manufacturers, trailer dealers and update company information on NATM’s online Membership suppliers, Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com. NATM encourages members Directory, and your listing can be edited. all in one place.toWith consumers both digital and print submit suggestions for Tracks article topics and welcomes submissions forhave member what spotlight you're articles. avenues available, NATM is sure to looking for.

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NATM.COM BANNER ADS

NATM INSIDER (ENEWS)

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QUESTIONS?

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CONTACT TRACKS EDITOR ELIZABETH MOORE AT ELIZABETH.MOORE@NATM.COM

51

Statistically Speaking

Tracks

Statistically Speaking Submitted by Statistical Surveys

Registration for the light-and-medium duty trailer industry were up 24.9 percent in September 2020. Below are the details of the market’s performance for the five trailer segments as reported by Statistical Surveys: Trailer Type Open

Sept. 2020 24.8%

Jan.–Sept. 2020 1.1%

Enclosed

27.9%

-2.0%

Livestock

16.1%

-5.6%

Horse

27.9%

-6.4%

Boat Industry

22.5% 24.9%

4.9% 1.0%

The following are the top five states in sales growth for all trailer segments in the first nine months of 2020.

Ranking 1 2 3 4 5

State Utah Arkansas South Dakota Mississippi Washington

Percent Growth 22.1% 20.3% 20.1% 19.5% 14.5%

Industry registrations for the first nine months in 2020 are up 1.0 percent over 2019.

If there are any questions, or if Statistical Surveys can help, please contact Jeff Jones at (254) 715-1314 or jjones@statisticalsurveys.com.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

52

January/February 2021

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Tracks

Innovative Tape Solutions for Building Trucks and Trailers

By Brittany Pelka, Marketing Specialist, Duraco

Duraco is the heart of quality manufactured products and efficient distribution. As a leading manufacturer and supplier for a variety of industrial markets, they exist to help people discover specialty tape solutions for their desired application.

Of all the markets they serve, trucks and trailers are an area of expertise. Duraco helps customers improve their manufacturing processes, increase turnaround lead times, and produce quality end products to better establish customer satisfaction. They provide quality tape products guaranteed to perform when building end applications. Duraco tapes ensure trucks and trailers remain strong and well-built no matter what forces they may encounter.

Trucks and trailers are designed for the open road which means they need to be built with durability and resistance to environmental forces. Using tape to improve fastening applications is new to most and frequently overlooked. Normally, manufacturers utilize traditional fasteners such as bolts, screws, and rivets to secure these applications; however, tape can be used as a more effective alternative solution to traditional parts. In addition, tapes also create a more efficient, stronger bond that will hold up over time.

Duraco tapes were designed to withstand external elements such as heat, cold, UV exposure, moisture, temperature cycling, and solvents. This ensures the bond never breaks which keeps applications intact and prevents objects from falling off. There are several types of tapes to choose from and which product will work best ultimately comes down to the desired application.

Duraco High Bond tapes are suitable for structural bonding of panels, skins, roofs, external trim, sidewall, and ceiling liners.

Often these tapes are used for external application because they create a superior permanent bond. They feature a double-sided adhesive used for effective bonding to multiple surfaces. The conformable foam core delivers outstanding stress relaxation allowing the tape to withstand stress.

Duraco tapes were designed to withstand external elements such as heat, cold, UV exposure, moisture, temperature cycling, and solvents.

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Innovative Tape Solutions for Building Trucks and Trailers

Tracks Dubl Kote tapes are used for general bonding and sealing of roofs and sidewall vents, light fixtures, and windows.

These double-sided foam core tapes are ideal for bonding to irregular surfaces. Dubl Kote can speed up the mounting process and improve aesthetics by creating invisible bond lines.

Gone are puncture holes which are an eyesore to many. These tapes are available in continuous rolls for easy application by hand or machine.

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Duraco also provides general weather stripping and gasket materials. These products are ideal for sound dampening and sealing LED lighting, roof bows, and access ports. Such materials ensure a waterproof, airtight seal inside trucks and trailers to prevent damage from the environment, including wind, water, and humidity. They also work to prevent unwanted vibration and excessive noise.

Overall, Duraco tapes are ideal for creating aesthetically pleasing trucks and trailers. With tape, welds that ruin surfaces or disrupt the smoothness of a nice finish will no longer be an issue. Smooth sides transmit a professional appearance, quality construction, and graphics that run without interruption.

The tapes are easy-to-use as a permanent bonding solution that provides stability and strength. Duraco helps to build better products and optimize all processes from beginning to end with the simple use of tape. This enables companies to get products to customers more quickly, delivering a finished product when and how it’s wanted.

For more information, visit www.Duraco.com or for questions or to speak with an expert, email sales@duraco.com.

Overall, Duraco tapes are ideal for creating aesthetically pleasing trucks and trailers.

January/February 2021

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The Easy Button: Custom Orders from UFP Industries

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The Easy Button: Custom Orders from UFP Industries

By Russ Shaw, Regional Sales Manager, UFP Industries

When Universal Forest Products became UFP Industries in early 2020, it didn’t just change its name. The company reorganized its businesses to better serve specific markets, including trailer manufacturers. The company has become a single source for many trailer components such as flooring, panels, and cut-tosize wood components. During the past year, UFP has expanded its capabilities to produce a variety of trailer doors: side doors, concession doors, rear doors, generator doors, double side doors, cabinet doors, and more. The doors aren’t one-size-fits-all products; rather, they are made to specifications and delivered to the customer’s site when needed. The doors are available to manufacturers throughout the Southern U.S., and UFP is evaluating additional door lines in other markets.

The partnership we have is one that we appreciate because we know they desire to be an integral part in our success.”

“One of the biggest bottlenecks experienced by those in the cargo trailer industry during the past few years is sourcing doors,” explains Wesley Tate, Senior Account Manager, UFP Industries.

“Trailer manufacturers are struggling to find a quality door manufacturer that can produce doors quickly and reliably so they aren’t stuck with trailers that can’t be shipped because they need doors. We solved that problem.”

“We have been buying trailer components from UFP for the past decade,” said Scott Vickers, Purchasing Manager at Freedom Trailers. “As their first door customer in late 2018, we worked with them to produce a quality door that has truly helped to alleviate a supply issue for our industry. We value UFP as a supplier, and we know they value us as a customer.

UFP’s portfolio of trailer offerings also includes cut-to-size front nose pieces, high-performance OSB, and domestic and import panels with any cut-to-size options. UFP has the in-house capabilities to cover panels with a laminate or spray-on coating for improved traction and durability. The company’s line of SuperStratum laminated panels contains a coating that makes the

During the past year, UFP has expanded its capabilities to produce a variety of trailer doors: side doors, concession doors, rear doors, generator doors, double side doors, cabinet doors, and more.

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www.NATM.com

The Easy Button: Custom Orders from UFP Industries

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surface impact-resistant and virtually impervious to gas, oil, solvents, dirt, and moisture. The panels can be used in all climates.

“We want it to be easy to do business with UFP, and as we add products, it makes our customers’ lives easier,” said Tate. “We are a just-in-time supplier who can mix truck loads with doors, panels, and other items to suit our customers’ needs and help them reduce unneeded inventory. They make one call for two or three products and create one purchase order, and that reduces their soft costs. We’re the easy button.”

The doors aren’t one-size-fits-all products; rather, they are made to specifications and delivered to the customer’s site when needed.

For more information about UFP’s trailer products, call Wesley Tate at (334) 798-0196.

UFP Industries (formerly Universal Forest Products) is a holding company whose subsidiaries supply wood, wood composite, and other products to three markets: retail, construction, and industrial. Founded in 1955 in Grand Rapids, Mich., UFP Industries employs approximately 14,000 people at nearly 150 locations throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Known for innovation and outstanding customer service, the company is a leading provider of OEM components, serving companies across the globe.

UFP Industries is a publicly traded company (Nasdaq: UFPI), and many of its employees at all levels of the organization are shareholders, instilling in them a sense of ownership that results in outstanding customer service. The company’s business units have been expanding their offerings, adding more value-added products and services that help solve the most pressing problems in the markets they serve. If your company is looking for more efficiency or an item that is difficult to source, contact UFP. To find more information about the company as well as contact information, visit www.UFPI.com. www.NATM.com

The doors are available to manufacturers throughout the Southern U.S., and UFP is evaluating additional door lines in other markets.

January/February 2021

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Taking the Right Steps to Asset Management Success and Profit

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Taking the Right Steps to Asset Management Success and Profit

By Deanna L. Nord Nogel, Nord Strategy Group

How walking the plant floor can change your perspective. It can give insight into company productivity processes.

When Dr. Klaus Blache accompanies you on a walk through your plant, prepare for your life to change. There is a John Muir quote: “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”

Among the humming machines, echoes of steps on concrete, the twitchy robots, focused workers, you will discover your plant from a different perspective.

“We go on a walk. The walks on the plant floor are where the A-ha! moments happen,” says Dr. Blache, director of the Reliability & Maintainability Center (RMC) and research professor at the College of Engineering of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. “This is where teams recognize, analyze, and solve problems.”

“I live for those light bulb moments,” says Jeff Shiver, managing principal at People and Processes, a training partner of the RMC,

“where teams learn how to do things different and stop what I would call ‘maintenance insanity,’ doing the same thing and expecting different results.”

“Walking the floor, teams start to see the macro picture of how all the pieces of maintenance, of reliability, come together for better asset management,” says Shon Isenhour, trainer at Eruditio, another key partner with the University of Tennessee.

As an engineer, tradesperson, technician, or corporate leader, you will learn best practices and the macro picture when attaining the Reliability and Maintainability Implementation Certification (RMIC). This premier national certification is part of the Tickle College of Engineering Guided Professional Development Program at the University of Tennessee. The training will also be useful to pursue the Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) or Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) designation offered through the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP).

Walking the floor, teams start to see the macro picture of how all the pieces of maintenance, of reliability, come together for better asset management.

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TOUGHEST LED TRAILER LIGHT KIT ON LAND AND UNDER WATER.

Peterson’s USA-made submersible trailer lights offer an exciting advance that combines superior function and durability with exclusive LumenX® LED lens technology — for boat, utility and small cargo trailer owners.

Peterson’s high-performance LEDs paired with LumenX® precision lens optics produce a uniform, evenly lit appearance for outstanding visibility. Hermetically sealed inner lens and insert-molded electrical terminals protect circuitry in corrosion-safe, water-tight security. The result is a trailer lighting solution that ensures rugged reliability anywhere — from dry land to wet boat ramp.

REDUCE INVENTORY! Exceeds DOT rear lighting and reflex requirements for all trailers under and over 80” wide

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January/February 2021

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Taking the Right Steps to Asset Management Success and Profit

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The top three problems in manufacturing facilities are (1) a lack of consistent leadership; (2) too much reactive maintenance; and (3) a lack of focus on organizational health compared to performance and operations.

The RMIC program consists of six adult education courses that include the R&M Boot Camp Course and three courses from multiple training partners. The final step to complete the certification is a mentored three- to six-month implementation project that delivers measurable results in a student’s workplace.

Within the project, the student will be coached by Blache or partners, just as they have coached hundreds of manufacturing clients.

The University of Tennessee also offers both undergrad and graduate programs in reliability, a unique minor in maintainability, and many professional courses and events throughout the year. Courses are typically both onsite and virtual, but currently, all courses are virtual.

Common Problems in Reliability and Maintenance What are the common problems in reliability and maintainability found in these ambles through plants? According to Blache, who has worked with more than 1,000 manufacturing facilities throughout his career, the top three problems are (1) a lack of consistent leadership; (2) too much reactive maintenance; and (3) a lack of focus on organizational health compared to performance and operations.

Blache emphasizes that a complete reliability journey should be enterprise wide. Asset management, reliability, and maintenance are important to everybody in the plant. Let’s say, procurement

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buys cheaper, low-quality bearings. On paper, it looks like they are saving money, but the reality is more breakdowns and downtime. The engineer is frustrated and spends hours in overtime.

“Sometimes tribal knowledge moves us to ask the wrong questions. We develop hard construct routines,” says Ian McKinnon, principal of another training partner, Reliability Solutions. “For example, I would say the wrong question is: What is the appropriate value range of bolt torque? The first question to ask is: What is the lubricant being used on the threads?”

“There is practical problem-solving in engaged small teams,” Blache says. “For example, we say to Joe, ‘Did you know when you do X on the first shift, it requires Bob to do Y on the second shift?’ Then at some point, we get the two to have a conversation.”

The key move from the start is for corporate leadership to be totally engaged with the proposed solutions. In addition, the asset and reliability managers must communicate the benefits of a new system—whether it be a better lubrication process, a way to reduce downtime or decrease life cycle costs—all with upper management, finance, and the CEO onboard. In addition, asset and reliability managers must demonstrate the net present value and the annual value of the improvements. In other words, make it clear there is money to be made. www.NATM.com

Taking the Right Steps to Asset Management Success and Profit

Tracks “There needs to be a shift in thinking, where maintenance and reliability are components of the profit center,” explains Tom Moriarty, author of The Productive Leadership System: Maximizing Organizational Reliability and president of Alidade Mer, Inc. “These are necessary functions and costs.

Unfortunately, business schools still label them as liabilities.”

With Blache’s experience at the University of Tennessee consulting with several hundred companies on asset management initiatives and improvements, he can show a return on investment of about 5:1 to more than 100:1, with the average being 15:1 to 20:1. Even though Blache and his partners are restricted from using client names, he offered examples of savings from specific projects: $3.5 million in labor savings after a 40 percent reduction in planning hours; $400,000 savings per project per year after implementing a precision maintenance system; and a 15 percent increase in throughput after setting up predictive technology applications with a client.

Shiver added an example where they guided a chemical company with planning and scheduling. “The changes eliminated downtime and improved their process,” Shiver says. The change returned $1.8 million to the maintenance budget and in two

years, gave $20 million back to their plant capacity and reduced storeroom inventory by $10 million.

These benefits could not happen without training and certification, as well as ongoing coaching and mentoring. In addition, certified individuals become subject matter experts in the companies and can look for greater opportunities in their current firm or elsewhere. “More and more companies rely on this training for peak performance,” says Gary Weiss, executive vice president and general manager for Vector Solutions, another key RMC partner.

“We see a high promotion rate after certification,” Isenhour says.

“Their employee’s knowledge is validated, and their engagement improves.”

Overall, Blache and partners concur that the best actions to successful asset management are built on key foundational and hierarchical elements.

Starts with Leadership: Building the Vision Once leadership is committed, the next step is strategic and begins with an assessment to discover the gaps or potential fault lines. Blache and company agree that you do not simply look for

There needs to be a shift in thinking, where maintenance and reliability are components of the profit center. www.NATM.com

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Taking the Right Steps to Asset Management Success and Profit

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“How do we get the plant floor to do better and keep that momentum? We create a culture of problem solvers,” Blache says. “We mentor and coach the plant floor to get there.”

“We work to prevent the failures in asset management, where there is also the human cost, the toll on people’s daily lives,” Shiver says. “On one project, I interviewed a technician who worked 80 hours a week, 16-hour days when the plant was not running well. Over his 35 years at this plant, he had missed recitals, games, and other important events and felt like he may need to get a divorce.”

RMC helps people and companies find those problems that cost money, time, and stress.

How do we get the plant floor to do better and keep that momentum?

We create a culture of problem solvers.

failures, you discover the potential for failures. This includes a critical analysis of the asset library. From there, they can create a reliability action plan with customized training for the clients.

“This is a framework, a road map, not a cookie-cutter approach,” Shiver says. “It is important to paint a vision because a plant’s team must understand what they are targeting.”

“We need to nurture the skills to better use precision and predictive maintenance technology,” Blache says. “From there we need to add the next level, prescriptive technology that uses what is learned and prescribes changes in the behavior. The technology changes as more data come in, using vast data for affordable solutions.”

Next is a focus on tactics that come with a root cause analysis of each problem. From there you can select a system for your reliability-centered maintenance.

Then, you get to what is the “hardest part,” according to Moriarty.

“A core management process to sustain the change, follow the plan, and the new system.” It comes back to consistent leadership as well as organizational health. “The new system can be one CEO away from being wiped out,” Moriarty says. “The system needs good traction.”

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RMC will soon be opening a mock factory in Knoxville to teach plant floor skills, conduct mini assessments, and offer many more classes. They will also focus on the process and principles of leadership so “they have a complete understanding of reliability and maintainability, the bigger picture,” Blache says. “In training and consulting, I like to see deliverables in one year.” So yes, in a year, your plant will profit and so will your life.

Supporting Note on Career Development and Education Companies and individuals can also find curriculum complementary to RMC within the continuing technical education in their state’s manufacturing organizations; local manufacturing extension programs through the Department of Commerce; programs and associate degrees in manufacturing at their local community colleges and universities as well as vocational-technical schools.

For companies and individuals in manufacturing that need financial support for their education and training, there are grants in reliability and maintenance management as well as in the trades. Community colleges can help with training plans, uncover grant resources, and help create proposals. The county or regional economic development council can typically point the way to grant money, such as Perkins federal grants (to enroll in career and technical education programs); Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) grants up to $8,000 for training per individual and 50 percent cost share with employer/employee; grants for veterans; and others.

Reprinted with permission from Plant Services. To access the original article, visit https://www.plantservices.com/articles/2020/ taking-the-right-steps-to-asset-management-success-and-profit/

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TRUST THE BRAKE LINE EXPERTS

DOT-compliant hydraulic brake systems From tubing to hoses, protect your customers and business with hydraulic brake lines that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

BrakeQuip works closely with your team to design and build the optimal brake layout for your trailer.

Discover your options. call 865-251-9193 or visit brakequip.com/trailer

Combatting Pandemic Fatigue

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Combatting Pandemic Fatigue Submitted by Truck and Trailer Makers

An unintentional phenomenon is on the rise—pandemic fatigue.

Many people are tired of staying at home and want to be the social creatures they inherently are. In short, a lot of people want their “normal” back.

Pandemic fatigue occurs when people show low motivation or energy to comply with safety guidelines. In turn, this makes some Americans—consciously or unconsciously—disregard pandemic guidance such as social distancing, mask wearing, and handwashing. Others may be reaching a mental health breaking point.

Alarming Statistics The effects of COVID-19 go beyond the number of cases and deaths. Alarming data from a U.S. Census Bureau survey revealed the psychological toll taken by the pandemic. American adults were asked typical mental health screening questions.

Twenty-four percent showed clinically significant symptoms of major depressive disorder, and 30 percent showed symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Those rates were higher among younger adults (ages 18 to 29), women, and people making less than $25,000 a year.

Symptoms of Pandemic Fatigue Pandemic fatigue could result in feelings of fear, anger, anxiety, loneliness, frustration, or hopelessness. Specifically, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stress during a global pandemic can cause the following: •

Fear and worry about personal and loved ones’ health

•

Fear and worry about finances or employment

The survey also revealed that adults who experience common symptoms of anxiety and depression are also twice as likely to delay or avoid medical care during the pandemic.

•

Changes in sleep or eating patterns

•

Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

•

Worsening of chronic health problems

These results were from Phase One of the Household Pulse Survey. To learn more about the experimental survey which tracks the mental, social, and economic health of Americans during the pandemic, visit www.Census.gov/data/experimentaldata-products/household-pulse-survey.html.

•

Worsening of mental health conditions

•

Increased use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances

Contributing Factors Americans have lost their daily routines, interactions, and their overall sense of normalcy. With the development of the pandemic unknown and COVID-19 cases still on the rise across the country, Americans continue to be stressed with the uncertainty of what’s ahead.

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Coping Strategies Feeling overwhelmed or battling pandemic fatigue? Stay the course with these lifestyle coping tips: •

Try a new exercise. If it’s been harder to stay active, experiment with something new like walking, yoga, or cycling.

•

Try mindful activities. Meditation and breathing exercises can help lower stress levels and improve mood.

•

Try going outside. Daylight can help reset the body’s natural sleep patterns. Outdoor activities can reduce stress and improve the ability to regain focus.

•

Try to get a good night’s sleep. Set a bedtime and schedule time to wind down as well. www.NATM.com

Combatting Pandemic Fatigue •

Try new recipes. Most have already mastered the pandemic sourdough or banana bread, so whip up something else. This is a good time to prepare healthier meals and use that time as a fun daily activity. It’s just as important to keep regular mealtimes during the pandemic.

•

Try to limit news intake. With the pandemic constantly evolving, it may be hard to keep up and understand what’s factual and what is fake—especially on social media. If the overabundance of information (both accurate and not) is feeling like too much to process, dedicate only 30 minutes each day to the news.

•

Try saying it out loud. Sometimes just talking to someone about feelings, especially stress, frustration, or anxiety is helpful. Ignoring those strong feelings won’t make them go away.

With substance abuse on the rise, avoid overusing alcohol or other substances to cope with pandemic trauma. Substances mayprovide short-term relief but can chip away at efforts in managing stress or other feelings.

As the pandemic continues, it’s important to get accurate and updated information on the risks and benefits of seeking medical care. Don’t put off needed medical care.

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Take Control Today Remember, it’s fine to not discover a new hobby, learn a new language, or get a jump start on fitness goals. Dealing with a pandemic is enough of an accomplishment.

Consider what relaxation was like pre-pandemic, and try to get back to that lifestyle. If cooking, reading, or listening to music is relaxing, make that a part of a routine. Continue to check in with yourself and keep following local and CDC guidance. There are still ways to make connections and stay present while being physically distant.

Focusing on what is controllable and letting the rest go is key.

Find the motivation and stay the course.

If you’re worried about your mental well-being or have been delaying medical treatment, please contact a doctor or health professional.

For more details about the Trailer Makers Toolkit resource, contact Andrew Dearing, CIC, MWCA, Trailer Industry Risk Management Advisor/Insurance Broker, at Truck and Trailer Makers at adearing@trailermakersins.com or call (478) 449-5928.

Higher Quality.

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January/February 2021

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r ale

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Core Values Allow Us to Deal with Rapid Changes

Core Values Allow Us to Deal with Rapid Changes

By Bob Clements and Sara Hey of Bob Clements International, Inc.

This article is an excerpt from the new book, You’re the Problem (and the Solution), by Bob Clements and Sara Hey of Bob Clements International, Inc. It’s no surprise to you, as an owner or manager of a dealership, that rapid change is part of today’s business culture. Maybe rapid change scares you to death. Maybe you thrive on change.

Wherever you might be on the continuum, you will have people in your dealership who are on the complete other end. Like black and white, paper or plastic, or kale or potato chips—the opposite end of the spectrum.

I love change. The idea of doing the same thing day in and day out sounds like my nightmare. However, there are other people in our organization who get chills up and down their spines when I walk into a room, and it’s not because they are terrified of me, thank you very much. It’s because they know that for me to thrive, I need things to be fast-paced and new. All they want is to maintain a consistent routine.

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Here is the thing I have come to realize. Both sides are, in fact, essential. You, on the high capacity for change side, we need you! We need you to push the envelope. We need you to think about how we can do things better, more efficiently, and more profitably. We need you to keep pushing us in a way where good enough is never good enough. On the flip side, those of you who when you hear the word change you get goosebumps up and down your spine, we need you too! We need you to hold our processes together like glue and push us to be consistent in what we are doing. We need you to help us pursue excellence and continued reliability. The moment we have one side without the other, balls begin to drop, and forward progress comes to a halt.

Do you know how both the need to change and the need for stability coexist? It happens by having a common mission, a common set of core values, and a common vision. They let you and your employees make quick decisions because everyone is using the same manual to make their decisions.

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Core Values Allow Us to Deal with Rapid Changes

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When my dad was young (right after dinosaurs went extinct), he worked at his granddad’s gas station. This was not just a gas station, but a service station, where you stayed in your car and not only had your car filled with gas by an attendant but also had your windows cleaned, oil and tire pressures checked, and the driver’s side of the car vacuumed out. That sounds almost identical to my experience at our local gas station—not! Bob’s granddad, Dale McGinness, operated his gas station successfully because he communicated his core values to his employees, which included Bob.

His vision was focused, to be better than the competition, which in his case just happened to be right across the street selling gas for the exact same price that Dale was selling his for. Bob’s granddad knew the only thing he had to set his station apart from his competitors were the people who worked for him. And according to Bob, he worked tirelessly to keep all his people focused on those three key elements. Whether Dale was at the station or at home putting up hay while his people ran the station, he knew he had given his team the ability to make like-minded decisions without him being there.

“The customer comes first.” Bob will tell you that regardless of what you were doing when a customer pulled in the drive for fuel, everyone in the gas station stopped what they were doing to take care of the customer.

This set of decision-making references is also helpful when a “once in a lifetime” opportunity comes up. You know the ones I’m talking about. “Should I add a partner?” (No. No. No. No.) “I have an opportunity to open another location, does this make sense?” (Probably not, this is your ego talking.) “My kids just graduated, should they join the business?” (Only if they have a skill you need, and you have an opening.) You simply need to ask the question, “Does it match our mission, vision, and core values?” If yes, do it. Go all in. If no, respect the boundaries you have put in place to help you succeed.

“Do more for the customer than they expect.” New customers to Dale’s gas station were stunned that the front of their car was vacuumed as they were getting fuel.

“Always be honest in what you say and do.” Again, Bob would tell you that his grandfather, Dale, was all about honesty. Whether the customer wanted to hear it or not, Dale always shot straight with them.

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For more information, visit www.BobClements.com.

January/February 2021

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Employee Benefits Plan Limits for 2021

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Employee Benefits Plan Limits for 2021 Submitted by Marsh and McLennan Agency Each year the IRS announces inflation-adjusted limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s), Qualified High Deductible Health Plans (QHDHP’s), and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s). The adjusted contribution limits and cost-sharing limits take effect for the plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2021.

HSA: Employers who sponsor QHDHP’s should review their plan’s cost-sharing limits (minimum deductibles and maximum outof-pocket expense limit) when preparing for the plan year beginning 2021. Employers who allow employees to make pre-tax HSA contributions should update their plan communication for the increased contribution limits.

High Deductible Health Plan (QHDHP) / Health Savings Account (HSA) Limits 2020 2021

Change

QHDHP Minimum Deductible Single:

$1,400

$1,400

No Change

Family: QHDHP Maximum Out-of-Pocket

$2,800

$2,800

Single:

$6,900

$7,000

Up $50

Family:

$13,800

$14,000

Up $100

Single:

$3,550

$3,600

Up $50

Family: HSA Catch-up Contribution Limit (Age 55 and older)

$7,100 $1,000

$7,200 $1,000

Up $100 No Change

(deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, does not include premium) HSA Annual Contribution Maximum

For HSA plan eligibility, participation, contribution, and administration rules, visit the IRS website.

Health FSA: Each employee may elect up to $2,750 in pre-tax salary reductions in 2021, regardless of whether he or she also has family members who benefit from the funds in that FSA. However, each family member who is eligible to participate in his or her own health FSA will have a separate limit.

Employees enrolled in a PPO plan are eligible to contribute to a Traditional Health FSA, and employees enrolled in a QHDHP plan are eligible to contribute to a Limited Purpose Health FSA. Dependent Care FSA: Allows employees to defer salary on a pre-tax basis for dependent care services for qualifying dependents. Each employee may elect up to $5,000 in salary reductions in 2021.

Employers who sponsor FSA’s should ensure their FSA’s will not allow employees to make pre-tax contributions in excess of 2021 plan limits and communicate the limit to employees as part of the open enrollment process.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Limits 2020 Traditional or Limited Purpose Health FSA Dependent Care FSA (household limit)

$2,750 $5,000

2021

Change

$2,750 $5,000

No Change No Change

For FSA eligibility, participation, contribution, and administration rules, visit the IRS website.

For more information or assistance regarding your employee benefit plan options, contact Lisa Clark at Marsh & McLennan Agency.

Lisa Clark works with NATM and their members to provide benefit consulting services. For more information about NATM’s efforts and benefit solutions, contact Lisa at lisa.clark@marshmma.com.

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www.NATM.com

ONE STEP. ZERO DISCHARGE. Tracks

High Pressure Pretreatment For Large Metal Products

“We switched from just pressure washing using a degreaser to a CPR phosphate cleaning system with recycling. We greatly reduced our chemical consumption and eliminated discharging any wash waters. We continue to see the savings to this day. We have been using CPR SYSTEMS for over 10 years.”

- Greg G Snyder, President, Car Mate Trailers

Reduce Operating Costs 14 Day No Flash Rust Guarantee Improve Paint Adhesion Increase Corrosion Resistance Closed Loop Recycling No Daily Waste Water Discharge Environmental Compliant Quick Return On Investment

Clean, Pretreat And Recycle In One Step.

The CPR SYSTEM meets the cleaning effectiveness of a 5-stage washer in a compact size. This method of high pressure spray wand phosphating increases salt spray test times, alleviates corrosion, provides a 14-day no flash rust at 50% humidity, saves up to 80% of chemicals and 95% of water used in typical wash and dump cleaning methods. A CPR SYSTEM pays for itself within a short period of time.

Surface Rust

Cleaned And Pretreated Steel

Closed-Loop Phosphate Or Zirconium Recycling System

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ONE STEP. ZERO DISCHARGE.

Because CPR SYSTEM uses a proprietary closed-loop recycling process to reclaim and reuse the wash solution, sewer discharge is eliminated. Therefore, this system is environmentally compliant…no permitting, treating, monitoring and record-keeping of industrial wastewater is required.

www.cprsystemsonline.com January/February 2021 PH: (800) 897-7515 PH: (574) 233-9111

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Cut Your Costs without Laying Off Employees

Tracks

Cut Your Costs without Laying Off Employees Submitted by Truck and Trailer Makers

As many organizations continue to struggle in this tough economy, many employers are finding effective ways to cut costs without having to lay off any employees. While some experts claim that layoffs are a critical part of the business cycle, giving employers the opportunity to eliminate weak employees, others feel that layoffs only generate more costs for companies. In fact, layoffs may result in added expenses for planning, legal fees, severance packages, redistributing work, and reduced productivity from surviving employees—plus the cost to train new workers when the economy turns around.

•

Cut employee salaries

•

Offer four-day work weeks

•

Freeze wages and offer other incentives, such as a weekend at a vacation home

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Cut pensions, overtime pay, and work hours

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Reduce employee travel expenses

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Limit the purchase of new office equipment and supplies

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Freeze hiring efforts

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Raise employee health care contributions Consider increasing that cost during open enrollment.

In lieu of layoffs, consider these cost-saving techniques:

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Reduce employer contributions to retirement plans

•

Extend unpaid holiday or vacation time for employees

•

Revise budgets for employee training

•

Shut down the business for a few days at the end of the year

•

Move employees to lower paying positions

Ways to Cut Costs

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It’s Selection, Delivery, Fit, Fabrication & Service.

H.E. PARMER COMPANY Nashville, TN (615) 256-4687 www.hepop.com

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www.NATM.com

Cut Your Costs without Laying off Employees

Tracks •

To make up for the need to hire additional workers, crosstrain employees so they are able to take on additional duties.

•

Offer a voluntary furlough for some employees (temporary layoff or leave of absence). This will give them the opportunity to travel, spend time with family, pick up a new hobby, etc.

•

Contact mortgage brokers, realtors, bankers, auto dealers, and credit counselors to offer information to employees. Just make sure their presentations are purely informational and not sales-driven.

•

To ensure that employees understand the important issues related to diversification, asset allocation, market timing, compound interest, and systematic saving and investing, offer educational materials provided by a local mutual fund company.

•

Evaluate retirement offerings

Offer voluntary benefits • These benefits (such as life insurance, dental, vision, disability income and long-term care) can be offered to your employees at no cost to you.

•

•

• Most employers offer a 401(k) plan for their employees with a company match. Analyze the current plan to make certain that the vesting schedule promotes participation.

Increase wellness program participation to reduce health care costs • Healthier employees will be more productive and will have fewer health care claims, which means lower costs for the company.

• Increase employee education efforts to promote contribution into these accounts.

Though some of these solutions may seem rash, a pay cut is much better than a job cut, and eliminating bonuses now is better than eliminating jobs in a few months. After initial pushback, employees will value the preservation of their jobs. It’s best to determine what will work for the organization and implement those changes. If they are successful, continue to implement them until the organization gets back on its feet.

Ways to Boost Employee Finances The following are ways to help improve employee finances.

•

Offer personal financial education

•

Through company intranet or employee newsletter, encourage employees to create a monthly budget and cash flow document. Then, suggest that they calculate their personal financial net worth and determine how much they need to budget each month for expenses.

•

Employees may discover ways to cut costs or savings when taking a more evaluative look at their monthly spending.

They may also discover that they have more money to invest in the company 401(k) plan.

•

Encourage employees to be savvy consumers

•

When making large purchases (for housing and transportation), one bad decision can lead to incredible financial strain and debt. Offer financial education at the work site presented by industry professionals in the real estate and transportation industries. Most will present to employees at no cost. www.NATM.com

• Ask a pension investment plan representative to conduct a seminar educating on the benefits of saving for the future with pretax dollars.

• Consider an automatic enrollment plan for new hires and those who are not currently enrolled in your retirement plan (employers must allow a 30-day opt-out option for automatic enrollees, as mandated by law).

•

Add a Roth 401(k) or Roth 403(b) retirement option • There is no income limit for employee participation in these retirement plans. Employees must use post-tax dollars, but withdrawals at retirement are tax-free.

For more details about the Trailer Makers Toolkit resource, contact Andrew Dearing, CIC, MWCA, Trailer Industry Risk Management Advisor/Insurance Broker, at Truck and Trailer Makers at adearing@trailermakersins.com or call (478) 449-5928.

January/February 2021

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NATM Executive Board Election Results

Tracks

NATM Executive Board Election Results

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director For 33 years NATM has been fortunate to be guided by committed, forward-thinking Boards of Directors. It is these visionary boards that pushed for the development of the Compliance Verification Program, determined the need for government affairs representation in Washington DC, pulled trailer dealers into the Association through the Dealer Affiliate program, and developed fiscal policies that ensured NATM had the reserves to weather recessions and even the pandemic.

NATM’s Board of Directors is comprised of 16 to 17 individuals (this variance in size is related to Board terms as dictated by the Bylaws), with 12-13 trailer manufacturers and four suppliers or service providers to the industry. These individuals are nominated by their peers, and before advancing to the ballot, each nominee’s qualifications, including industry experience and participation in the Association, are reviewed by the Nominations Committee and a slate of candidates is prepared for election by the membership.

Split into three classes with rolling term expirations, roughly one third of board seats are up for election each year. The 20212024 term of the NATM Board of Directors, as elected by the membership is listed below.

Regular Board members include the return of Leo Akins, Lyle Berning, and Marty Lorick. Only one new Board member was elected, Rick Huddleston.

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On the Associate side of the elections, John Kerr will be returning.

The following paragraphs detail small biographies of the new and returning Board members.

John Kerr: Marsh and McLennan Agency Overland Park, Kan. Marsh and McLennan Agency, a provider of commercial insurance, health insurance, and 401(k) services, has been a member of NATM since 2011. Kerr is Director of Trailer Mfg., working with trailer manufacturers for more than 20 years providing comprehensive and tailor-made risk management and insurance solutions. Kerr played integral role in the creation of NATM affinity programs for members covering product liability insurance, health insurance, and most recently an NATM sponsored 401(k) plan. Kerr is completing his first term on the Board having been elected in 2018. He also serves on the Government Affairs Committee where his background on Capitol Hill lends him significant expertise. Kerr is also a regular attendee of the NATM Convention and Regulatory Roundup, a past presenter at the Convention as well as NATM webinars including a 2020 COVID-19 webinar series. In 2017 John was named NATM Associate Member of the Year. When asked about

www.NATM.com

NATM Executive Board Election Results

Tracks his qualifications to serve on the Board, John notes, “I am very committed to the NATM and have a long and consistent track record of participation, service, and support for the events, resources, and causes that benefit their members.”

Leo Akins: Forest River, Inc. Elkhart, Ind. Forest River, a manufacturer of RVs and enclosed cargo trailers, has been an NATM member since 2010. Akins serves as Corporate Director with the company. His trailer manufacturing career has spanned more than 31 years, with the last 21 years at Forest River and has included roles such as Corporate Director of Quality Assurance, PDI, and the Office of Corporate Compliance.

Akins was first elected to the Board in 2018. He serves as Chair of the NATM Government Affairs Committee and attends each NATM Convention and the annual Regulatory Roundup.

Outside of NATM, Akins is an active member of the RV Industry Association (RVIA). When asked about his qualifications, Akins said, “Simply put, I am passionate about the care of our industry and desire to work with others to improve it.”

Lyle Berning - Novae Corp. Elkhart, Ind. Novae Corp., a manufacturer of open utility, dump, deckover, equipment, and cargo trailers, has been a member since 2011.

Berning serves as Corporate Product Manager, having also served in roles such as design engineer, engineering manager, maintenance manager, buyer, plant manager, national account sales, and more. Lyle was elected to the NATM Board in 2018, but has also served on the Guidelines, Compliance, and Technical Committees. He is also a regular attendee of the NATM Regulatory Roundup and NATM Convention. He also participates in the North American Trailer Dealer Association, Society of Automotive Engineers, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. When asked why he believes himself to be qualified to serve on the Board he said, “I’m involved with all aspects of our business across multiple brands and in different states that can provide insight into our industry.”

Rick Huddleston - White River Marine Group Flipping, Ariz.

White River Marine Group, a manufacturer of boat trailers, has been a member of NATM since 2006. Huddleston serves as Manufacturing Engineer for the company, a role he has held for the past 30 years. On top of his work with NATM which includes the past four years on the Compliance and Guidelines www.NATM.com

NATM Logo.

committees, Rick has been a Board member for the Boat Trailer Manufacturers Association (BTMA) for 10 years. He has also been a regular attendee at the NATM Convention. When asked why he is qualified, Huddleston notes, “I have been involved in the trailer manufacturing industry, specifically the engineering of these trailers, for the last 30 years.”

Marty Lorick - Triple Crown Trailers Ocala, Fla. Triple Crown Trailers, a manufacturer of utility, dump, and equipment trailers, has been a member of NATM since 2004.

Lorick is the owner of Triple Crown Trailers and is completing his first term on the NATM Board, elected in 2018. Marty’s involvement with NATM also includes serving on numerous committees including Finance, Convention, and the Executive Committee in 2020 alone. He also attends each annual Convention and the Regulatory Roundup. When asked why he believes himself to be qualified, Marty noted that as a “second generation family business owner, I grew up in the trailer industry since 1983.”

These new Board members will officially join their peers on Feb. 22, 2021. The Association is looking forward to continuing its work with these new and returning board members! As always, the NATM Board of Directors is interested in and open to member feedback. While members are encouraged to reach out to staff with ideas about how to improve the Association, board members are also available members for discussion!

For more information about becoming more involved in NATM through Board or committee participation, contact NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley at Kendra.Ansley@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

January/February 2021

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NATM Extends Strategic Plan through 2022

Tracks

NATM Extends Strategic Plan through 2022

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director The NATM Strategic Plan took a backseat in 2020 as the NATM staff focused on pivoting bedrock programming in the time of COVID-19. While understandably delayed, the NATM Strategic Plan contains many valuable initiatives, and for this reason, the NATM Board of Directors voted to extend the plan through 2022 to ensure staff and volunteers have adequate time. With the cancellation of the NATM Convention, some NATM staff have additional time to devote to the plan and other projects.

The NATM Strategic Plan has three main objectives, support industry growth, become a recognized leader within the trailer industry, and maintain the integrity and raise the value of the Compliance Verification Program. Some of the projects that fall under these umbrellas are still exploratory with details to be revealed, but others, such as the resource library, have already been implemented. Still, even more are concrete promises members can expect to see within the next two years.

To support industry growth, NATM is prioritizing education. The Association will continue the NATM Workforce Development Summit as well as regular webinars covering technical, HR, and other relevant topics. Soon, marketing lessons will be introduced to teach small companies without a marketing professional how to use existing, cost-effective tools to support a marketing program. The focus on education, particularly surrounding the workforce, will not end here.

In the next two years, NATM will continue to target workforce development with a wide range of plans coming to fruition.

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While the details are still being vetted and much research remains, the Association is looking into providing training programs, recruiting resources, and support for maintaining an existing workforce beyond the existing programming. In addition to supplying members with information, efforts will include working with legislators to support training program accessibility at the high school level and beyond. The Association is keenly aware of the struggles in the trailer manufacturing industry to find and retain a strong, skilled, and reliable workforce, and it is with that in mind NATM has chosen these objectives.

Another strategic plan initiative set to debut in 2021 is guidance for trailer manufacturers in establishing, or improving, a quality management system. While each company will vary in its needs and approach, this guidance will cover basic components of a quality management system and include helpful templates to jumpstart the process. Quality management systems are top to bottom systems that support continuous improvement, increased efficiency, cost savings, and product consistency, amongst many other benefits. NATM has long recommended through its Compliance Verification Program trailer manufacturers have a quality system in place, and soon the Association will be able to provide practical resources for implementation or improvement for its members.

To help further NATM’s mission of becoming a leader within the trailer manufacturing industry, the Association is compiling and expanding existing programming, including the resource library and Trailer Safety Week. The resource library, mentioned above, www.NATM.com

NATM Extends Strategic Plan through 2022

Tracks was a huge accomplishment in 2020, but there is still much to be done after launch. Currently, members can sign in to access a library of Tracks articles, technical resources, on-demand webinars, as well as relevant links to outside resources. In 2021, NATM will also be incorporating an online store feature with the hope of being able to sell decals online amongst other products.

This change will streamline the flow of information for members, delivering important material in a central location and having it available when needed most.

The Association is also expanding the reach of Trailer Safety Week, continuing to educate end-users, dealers, and law enforcement agencies across the country about trailer safety and compliance. As part of this program, NATM is working on several industry partnerships to expand not only the reach, but also content for end-users.

The Association is partnering with industry experts on various topics to ensure consumer education is all-encompassing and accurate. The companies will also support marketing efforts and will be appropriately credited for their value-add. To support Trailer Safety Week, June 6-12, please contact

TrailerSafetyWeek@natm.com for more information. NATM has a wide range of options for companies looking to participate.

Lastly, improving the CVP is always a top priority for NATM, and as such, it is incorporated into the NATM Strategic Plan. In 2021, the Association will employ new enforcement mechanisms to ensure a company’s process is truly compliant, including a new methodology to ensure tire recordkeeping systems are effective.

The Association also has a number of plans being vetted for how to expand the scope and depth of the program. With Technical Director Terry Jones as well as the compliance committee specifically devoted to these issues, the program will continue to evolve and improve—ensuring members compliance and increasing value-add.

The 2019-2022 Strategic Plan still has much in store. Despite delays in 2020, the coming year promises great advancement, and the Association is looking forward to providing members with much-needed support and benefits!

For more information about NATM’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, contact NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley at Kendra.Ansley@natm.com.

Tie Down Is Your #1 Source For Manufacturing The Most Reliable Trailer Parts & Accessories: • Custom Aluminum, PVC, & Steel Fenders • Boat Trailer Accessories • And All Your Custom Fabrication Needs

Atlanta, GA. • www.tiedown.com www.NATM.com

January/February 2021

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NATM Selects 2021 Committees

NATM Selects 2021 Committees

Tracks

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor In December, the NATM Executive Committee met in person at NATM Headquarters to set the 2021 committee goals and choose committee members. Using the results of interest indicators sent to all NATM members in November, members were selected for each committee. Taking into account the NATM 2019-2022 Strategic Plan and NATM’s Mission, the Executive Committee diligently thought through what each committee could do to help raise the Association to new heights. For more information about becoming more involved in NATM through committee participation, contact NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley at Kendra.Ansley@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

Finance Committee

Government Affairs

Rick Huddleston, White River Marine

Charles Daugherty, Redfern Dynamics

Byron Chartier, Lippert

Andy Jamison, Dexter

Robert Harris, AMeraTrail, Inc.

Stephanie Devine, Protectio

Michael Story, Look Trailers

Richard Lavanture, Lavanture Products Company

Deborah Edwards, MMDi

Chad Jones, Big Tex Trailer Mfg

Carl Maxey, MGS, Inc.

Andy Gehman, MGS Inc

Jim Shirk, Sewer Equipment

John Kerr, MMA

Alli Steiner, Hydrastar Don Taylor, Brakequip Kevin Tenhaken, Dethmers Mfg. Co. Convention Committee Jim Berry, Dexter Axle Brent Freel, KampCo Steel Products Ryan Griesemer, Ridwelll Coorporation Jeff Jones, Statistical Surveys, Inc. Paul Lockwood, Taskmaster Jennifer Moore, NCP Coatings Inc. Joseph Ostrowski, Kenda Tire Chris Shadbolt, Genius Solutions ERP Dustin Smith, Optronics International Patrick Jennissen, Felling Trailers Jason Johnson, Wylie Manufacturing Co. Devlun Whiteing, Midwest Industries Josh Johnson, Big Tex Trailer Mfg. Drew Dubberly, Down to Earth Trailers Joe Snyder, Novae Corp Marty Lorick, Triple Crown Trailers Nicole Evans, Supply Technologies Education Commitee Mark Bay, MAK Safety Services LLC Derek Hentges, Midsota Manufacturing Eric Kazmierza, Laclede Chain Raymond Smith, RS Supply LLC Bill Snider, Dexter Axle Don Taylor, Brakequip Brian Murkey, Supply Technologies

Tary Krahenbuhl, Austin Hardware

William Craig, U-Haul

Dustin Miller, Cross Trailers

Andy Derr, M H Eby

Ty Scott, Hydrastar

Nick Dorfer, Brakequip

Jacob Woodard, Manus

Michael Etheridge, Wylie Manufacturing Co.

Josh Johnson, Big Tex Trailer Mfg.

Randy Gressley, Big Tex Trailer Mfg.

Leo Akins, Forest River

Al Henderson, Kenda Tire

Michael Story, Look Trailers

Taylor Jones, B&W Trailer Hitches

Patrick Turley, Bludot

Cary Kronebusch, Peerless Industries

Marketing Committee

Bryce McIntyre, Stellar Industries, Inc.

Jeremy Handley, Choice Axle

Owen Shelton, BoatMate Trailers, LLC

Randy Lewis, Hillsboro Industries

Brandon Starkey, Ex Loader Custom Boat Trailers Inc.

Doug Moats, Look Trailers Cindi Ramirez, Supply Technologies LLC Membership Committee Rick Coffey, Carlstar Group Josh Gurley, Trailer Makers Marcus Hester, Optronics International Cary Loeser, Automotive Mary Lysaght, Supply Technologies Kyle McCord, Just Trailers LLC Jason McGahee, Clarke Veneers and Plywood J’Lynn Olah, Shelby Trailer Services LLC Pat Patry, The Raynor Company Bill O’Hara, Dexter Axle Brian Emanuelson, Trailer Hub USA, LLC Compliance Committee Willie Bauer, Car Mate Trailers Inc. Lyle Berning, Novae Corp Paul Feight, MGS Incorporated

January/February 2021

Rod Ludwig, Midwest Industries

Rebecca Gerads, Felling Trailers

John Dietz, Sewer Equipment

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Technical Committee

John D. Soptich, Tuson RV Brakes Technology Committee Steven Aiuto, General Motors Shaun Douglass, Optronics International_ USA Harness Andrew Duggan, Hillsboro Industries Marco Garcia, U-Haul Jonathan Gravell, Truck System Technologies Jeff Gray, ASA Electronics Wendell Hansel, Hydrastar Daniel Luby, BoatMate Trailers LLC Stephen Robertson, Toyota Steven Saumier, Sumig Manufacturing Nathan Uphus, Felling Trailers Mark Nave, Dexter Axle Michael Gerowitz, Treddit Tire Christopher Rauch, Crystal Welding Inc Jamie Wenger, HB Fuller www.NATM.com

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Tracks

Anvil Trailer, LLC

Northfield Industries, LLC

Cook County Welding and Machine, Inc.

Pavlik Trailers

Cruisemaster Australia Pty. Ltd.

RPD

Elite Trailers, Inc.

Rustic Mountain Overlanding

IntelliFinishing

Six Star Manufacturing

Into the Wild Overland - DBA Boreas Campers

Sky

Isotec International Inc. K&S Fabrication, LLC Kamp Kessel Land’N’ Sea Distributing, Inc. Marine Master Trailers

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Rettig Enterprises Inc.

Star Lake Fabrication, LLC Swenco Mfg., LLC TIMPTE INC. Valor Trailers Wait Industries, LLC

Mauslein Welding

WTM, Inc. DBA Winston Trailers

Max Welding & Fabrication

Wurth Industry North America

January/February 2021

www.NATM.com

Refer Your Dealers to NATM’s Dealer Program

Refer Your Dealers to NATM’s Dealer Program

Tracks

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has been committed to trailer safety for more than 30 years. While NATM has long worked with trailer manufacturers, industry suppliers, and service providers, trailer safety can only be improved through dealer interaction and consumer education.

The NATM Dealer Affiliate program is an opportunity to unify the trailer industry and improve trailer safety.

Members who have committed time and effort participating in NATM’s programming are the best advocates for the value in belonging to NATM. Growing NATM’s educational reach, improving trailer safety, and supporting trailer dealers as a vital part of the industry is an important goal for the industry. NATM needs members to help connect their dealer network with the NATM Dealer Affiliate program. The Association knows its members are busy, so NATM has created a Dealer Affiliate referral program to recognize those efforts. NATM has even made communicating with dealers easier with an outreach kit filled with easy-to-use templates to save you time. To access the document, contact Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com.

Companies must inform NATM of their referral on the Dealer Affiliate Application in the space provided on the form for a referral to be counted. For more information, contact Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com.

For members who can’t commit additional time to contacting their dealer network, NATM is also collecting contact information for trailer dealers across the country in order to distribute safe trailering resources and discuss affiliation.

For every 50 dealer contacts that your company sends to NATM, you can receive a $100 discount on advertising with NATM! Those interested should contact Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com for the required information. *Please note, all incentives are available for 12 months. Any incentives not used will expire.

Tier 1: 1-4 Companies Referred • •

One free half-page ad in Tracks magazine Buy one, get one free convention registration for 2022 (limit three) Tier 2: 5-9 Companies Referred

• • •

One free full-page ad in Tracks magazine One complimentary convention registration for 2022 One complimentary Dealer Summit Registration Tier 3: 10+ Companies Referred

• • • •

Two free full-page ads in Tracks magazine One complimentary convention registration for 2022 One complimentary Dealer Summit Registration Company entered into raffle for a one-year complimentary NATM membership

www.NATM.com

January/February 2021

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NATM Dealer Compendium Offers In-Demand Resources for Dealerships

Tracks

NATM Dealer Compendium Offers In-Demand Resources for Dealerships

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director

The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM), known as the resource for safety and compliance for the lightand medium-duty trailer industry, published its first edition of the NATM Light- and Medium-Duty Trailer Dealer Resource Compendium.

Known as the Dealer Compendium, this document was launched Sept. 1, 2020 and is free to all NATM Dealer Affiliates. The Dealer Compendium is full of educational content and materials that will help trailer dealers quickly and easily access essential information in one place. The document includes state laws, helpful trailer safety information, as well as resources NATM Dealer Affiliates can pass along to their customers.

Modeled after the NATM Guidelines for trailer manufacturers, this resource guide is over 300 pages and contains information on: • State Towing Laws • State Brake Laws • State Safety Chain Laws • State License Plate Laws • Commercial Driver’s Licenses • State Dealer Registration/Licensure Laws • Towing Tandem Trailers Information • Tire Recordkeeping • Federal Excise Tax • Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings • Early Warning Reporting and Safety Recalls • Safe Trailering Resources • Dealer Checklists • Selling NATM Compliance • Social Media Marketing Kit • Trailer 101 Articles • Trailer Definitions • NATM’s Guidance on Workplace Safety Guidance for COVID-19 The information featured in the Dealer Compendium is gathered from resources such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, amongst others. The Dealer Compendium will be updated annually by NATM

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Committees and staff that stay abreast of changing regulations and vet additions to the document’s contents.

NATM has been committed to trailer safety for more than 30 years. While NATM has long worked with trailer manufacturers, industry suppliers, and service providers, trailer safety can only be improved through dealer interaction and consumer education.

The NATM Dealer Affiliate program is an opportunity to unify the trailer industry to improve trailer safety. In addition to granting access to NATM’s publications such as Tracks magazine, the NATM Insider, dealers receive hard copies of safety resources to distribute to customers.

For more information about how the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers can assist your dealership, visit www.natm.com, email NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

www.NATM.com

NATM DEALER COMPENDIUM Free to all NATM Dealer Affiliates

FEATURING: State Towing Laws State Brake Laws State Safety Chain Laws State License Plate Laws Commercial Driver’s Licenses State Registration Laws

Towing Tandem Trailers Information Tire Recordkeeping Federal Excise Tax EWR & Safety Recalls Safe Trailering Resources Selling NATM Compliance

Tracks

The Difference is Durability. The Quality is Hutchens.

The Difference is Durability. The Quality is Hutchens.

The 9700 Series With With Springs Springs to to Support Support Your Your Utility Utility Trailer Trailer

We now offer two great choices of three-leaf, high-arch, steel springs: We now offer two great choices of three-leaf, high-arch, steel springs: Our 12,000 lb. GAWR springs for 42.5” and 44” axle spacings Our 12,000 lb. GAWR springs for 42.5” and 44” axle spacings Our 15,000 lb. GAWR springs for 49” axle spacings Our 15,000 lb. GAWR springs for 49” axle spacings Either spring can be used with the Hutch 9700 Either spring can be used with the Hutch 9700 Series suspension and configured to fit your Series suspension and configured to fit your needs. needs.

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January/February 2021

Visit www.hutchensindustries.com for more information.

Visit www.hutchensindustries.com for more information.

The The Hutch Hutch 9700 9700 Series.

Series. www.NATM.com

Member News

Tracks

Pictured L-R: Kevin Athmann, Brenda Jennissen, Bonnie Radjenovich, Marisa & Adam Seifert.

CM Truck Beds introduces new Hotshot trucking body Kingston, Okla.—CM Truck Beds has added another innovation to its lineup with the debut of the specialized Hotshot model. This single-piece steel truck body is designed for ultimate strength and durability, with the industry’s best hauling capacity and an array of standard features that deliver convenience, safety and ease for hotshot truck drivers.

“For hotshotters looking to beat the clock with a highly efficient and powerful rig, CM’s new Hotshot is the answer,” said CM Vice President Joe Lewis. “It’s not only built tough and built smart, it also complements any truck with its sleek, head-turning appearance and precisionengineered fit.” One of the Hotshot’s standout features is its hauling capacity: The bed is rated for a whopping 30,000 pounds in both the gooseneck and 5th-wheel configurations, thanks to an exclusive partnership with CURT trailer hitches. For drivers with a lot of ground to cover and heavy loads in tow, the Hotshot’s capabilities are unsurpassed. It also comes loaded with premium standard features not commonly found on a hotshot model—including integrated LED lighting backed by a lifetime warranty; CM’s single-piece tubular steel headache rack, ensuring safety and durability; and two integrated toolboxes with T-handle compression latches and automotive www.NATM.com

D-bulb weatherstripping, providing a secure place to stash tools and necessities.

Plus, CM’s unique Fuel Deck feature supports fuel tanks up to 18 inches deep, eliminating extra stops at the pump and saving drivers valuable time. “Hotshot trucking is a growing profession, with more and more people starting their own delivery services,” said Lewis. “Many of our competitors are using kits, but real hotshotters don’t want a kit—they want the real thing! Why settle for a box of loose pieces when you could have a turnkey solution, fully integrated, with all of the great features included in the CM Hotshot model?” Trusted by professionals as the premier source for high-quality truck beds and service bodies that go the distance, CM Truck Beds offers superior product availability and the fastest lead times on the market. “The Hotshot model is the latest example of our commitment to building top-quality, work-ready products that meet the specific demands of our customers,” said Lewis. “Hotshot drivers now have a safe solution for their hauling needs.”

For complete product details, please visit CMTruckBeds.com/specialty-bodies/ hshotshot-body.

About CM Truck Beds Headquartered in Kingston, Okla, CM Truck Beds is the market leader in flat-deck truck body manufacturing.

Founded in 1990, CM has consistently

manufactured work truck and ranch bodies marketed to fleets, municipalities and end users. Originally a family owned business, CM Truck Beds is now part of ATW, a Bain Capital portfolio company.

CM manufactures beds in more than 350,000 square feet of facilities in three locations across southern Oklahoma. CM’s bandwidth spans steel and aluminum truck bodies, with nearly 15 models of flat decks in addition to two service body models.

Consistently viewed as the toughest, most rugged bodies in the marketplace, CM is a superior option for towing as hitches are always a key feature of its bodies. Further, CM offers the best-looking flat beds on the market because they’re designed to fit the contours of the OEM chassis. CM Truck Beds currently distributes to more than 300 distributors across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit CMTruckBeds.com.

M.H. EBY Announces New Equipment Trailer Dealer in North Central, Pa. Blue Ball, Pa.—M.H. Eby is pleased to announce that Carrs Trailers and Supplies of Muncy, Pa. is now an authorized dealer of EBY equipment trailers. Carrs Trailers and Supplies has been serving the transportation needs of North Central Pa. since 1991 and will be adding the complete line of EBY aluminum equipment trailers to their extensive selection of products.

With over 20 years in the trailer business, Carrs Trailers prides themselves in offering expert advice and an unbeatable selection. “We maintain one of the largest trailer inventories in the northeast and are

excited to add EBY equipment trailers to our product offering,” said Richard Cihanowyz, Owner and Manager of Carrs Trailers and Supplies. “We’re committed to working with top quality manufacturers and EBY’s reputation in the industry is second to none,” said Cihanowyz. With their state-of-the-art service equipment and 4,500 square foot shop, Carrs will January/February 2021

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Member News

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be selling, servicing, and offering parts support for EBY Equipment Trailers.

“We are very excited, and want to welcome Carrs Trailers and Supplies as our new partner in serving the North Central region of Pa. with our line of aluminum equipment trailers,” said Northeast Region Dealer Representative, Shane Sweigart. “Their commitment to quality equipment and their reputation for strong customer service and support make them a great fit with EBY.” For more information about how Carrs Trailers and Supplies can help you with your trailer needs in the North Central Pa. area contact Richard Cihanowyz at (570) 546-0304 or find them online at www.CarrsofPa.com.

Find out more about M.H. EBY’s trailer and truck body products at www.mheby.com or (800) 292-4752.

Based in Blue Ball, Pa., M.H. EBY designs and builds high quality aluminum trailers and truck bodies for agricultural, industrial and commercial markets. In the trailer market, EBY builds livestock trailers, grain trailers, equipment trailers and horse trailers. For the truck body market, EBY builds flatbeds, service bodies, van bodies, and dump bodies.

Products are sold nationwide by dealer and distributor partners with strong roots in their local communities. Started in 1938, the company is led by Travis Eby, President, and Nick Eby, VP of Engineering. Menno H. Eby serves as chairman.

Equalizer Systems and Days Distribution & Logistics Promotes Kimes and Reinoehl Elkhart, Ind.—Days Corporation, with business roots in the Elkhart community since 1913, consists of two divisions that include Equalizer Systems and Days Distribution & Logistics.

“As we look to the future, we have made a few paramount decisions this year.

Equalizer Systems and Days Distribution & Logistics are growing and expanding their reach within our market and beyond.

It is for this reason we chose to promote both Ben Reinoehl (VP, Days Distribution

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& Logistics) and Mike Kimes (VP, Equalizer Systems). Both Ben and Mike have proven abilities in their leadership that will solidly lead us into an exciting future.”, says Jason Loose, COO of Days Corporation.

Ben Reinoehl who has been the Division Director for Days Distribution & Logistics, starting with the company in 1998, has been promoted to the positionof The Air Link Redline axle suspension feature dual height-control valves.

Vice President. Days Distribution & Logistics offers a diverse range of services services, and solutions to the RV industry to maximize efficiency and minimize cost and beyond. From automatic leveling and is strategically located one hour east systems and slide room solutions, to of Chicago, in Northern Indiana. export packing of motorhomes and boats, to warehousing and transportation of “We are positioned and focused for components to complete 3PL offerings— growth and this is a very exciting time we are there when you need us. To learn for us as a company and I am proud more about Days Corporation and how we to be leading an excellent team who is can assist you please visit determined and passionate. We have www.Dayscorp.com. strong roots and our branches are growing and accepting this promotion only further solidifies for me that we are moving forward and continuing to meet the needs of our customers (new and existing) and providing solutions now and in the future.”, Ben Reinoehl, VP, Days Distribution & Logistics.

Mike Kimes joined Equalizer Systems in May of 2019 as the Sales Manager and has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Equalizer Systems. Equalizer Systems is a manufacturer of electric and hydraulic power-lifting and leveling systems.

“I am truly excited to take on this role and grateful for the chance to learn from and build upon Equalizer Systems history and successful leadership. Starting off with a great team who shares their enthusiasm with meaningful contributions makes this transition one that I truly look forward to.

We all have a common purpose and that is to continue to cultivate a strong team that innovates and grows—now and in the future.”, Mike Kimes, VP, Equalizer Systems.

For more information, contact Days Corporation Marketing Manager, Rachel Little at (800) 706-0884 or rlittle@dayscorp.com Days Corporation is comprised of two divisions offering professional products,

Seifert Takes Winning Bid on 2020 Trailer for a Cause Auction Benefitting the Lymphoma Research Foundation Sauk Centre, Minn.—Felling Trailers, Inc. is conducted its eighth annual online auction of an FT-3 drop deck utility trailer to benefit a non-profit organization: the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF).

A winning bid of $4,650 won the online auction that ended at noon on World Lymphoma Awareness Day, Tuesday, Sept.

15th, 2020. The bid winner was Adam Seifert of Springfield, Minn.

The Seiferts followed the Trailer for a Cause auctions for a few years and decided this was the year they were going to take part in the auction and place a bid. Adam and his wife Marisa own and operate Seifert Transport, which does contract hauling for Felling Trailers, transporting completed trailers to Felling Trailers dealers throughout the United States. “We’ve always thought the yearly Trailer for a Cause event was a wonderful thing and a great way for a company to give back,” said Adam Seifert. Adam works closely with Felling Trailers’ Traffic Coordinator scheduling loads and asked her to send him the auction information when it was available. He didn’t want to miss the opportunity to bid on the trailer. “When she sent me the www.NATM.com

Member News

Tracks auction information, I sent a picture of the trailer to my brother and asked him, what do you think? He laughingly told me, ‘It’s a little loud, (with the bright green paint color), but it’s a sharp trailer.’ It’s a beautiful trailer, and the proceeds go to a great cause! We are so happy that we were able to help donate this year to LRF (Lymphoma Research Foundation),” said Adam.

A few days after the auction had finished, Adam and Marisa made the two-hour drive from their home in Springfield, MN to Sauk Centre to pick up their FT-3 Trailer for a Cause. Once at Felling Trailers, the couple met with Felling Trailers owners: Brenda Jennissen and Bonnie Radjenovich. They congratulated the Seiferts on their winning bid and thanked them for their participation and support. A surprise for the Seiferts: they were introduced to the person who inspired the Felling Trailers team members to select the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Felling Trailers’ longtime team member and Burkitt’s lymphoma cancer survivor, Kevin Athmann who shared a bit of his story. A surprise for Felling Trailers: Adam told them, “When I decided that I was going to bid on the Trailer for a Cause, I set a proxy bid of $4,800. I won the closing bid at $4,650, but when I write my check out, it will be for the $4,800 to be donated to LRF.” The 2020 Trailer for a Cause FT-3 utility trailer was painted the signature green color for Burkitt’s lymphoma and donned the LRF emblem along with Kevin’s Team Warrior name. Several Felling Trailers’ suppliers joined in to support LRF thorough sponsorship of the trailer build, from lighting to tires and paint.

The 2020 Trailer for a Cause sponsors were Trans-Texas, PPG Industries, Dexter, Sealco, Peterson, Industrial Wood, and Demco. Felling Trailers wanted to generate awareness about lymphoma and the research funding and resources that the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) has to offer those individuals and families it affects. The online auction ran for seven days, from Tuesday, Sept. 9th, at noon CST through Tuesday, Sept. 15th (World Lymphoma Awareness Day) at noon CST ending with Seifert’s winning bid of $4,650. One hundred percent of the www.NATM.com

$4,650, plus Seifert’s remaining proxy bid for a total of $4,800 benefits the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

About Seifert Transport: Seifert Transport is a family-owned trucking company based out of Springfield, Minn., offering step deck transportation services throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Seifert Transport, Inc. is dedicated to providing our customers with a safe, efficient, and knowledgeable movement of freight. For additional information about Seifert Transport, visit www.facebook. com/SeifertTransportInc. About the Lymphoma Research Foundation: The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization devoted to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives, and patient services. To date, LRF has awarded more than $62 million in lymphoma-specific research. For additional information on LRF’s research, education and services, visit lymphoma.org.

About Felling Trailers, Inc. Felling Trailers is a family-owned and operated Full Line Trailer Manufacturer located in Central Minnesota. Started in 1974, Felling Trailers, Inc. has grown from a small shop to a factory and office complex that today covers over 325,000 square feet. Felling’s pride and differentiation is its customized trailer division. Its engineers utilize the latest Industry-leading design techniques, and its experienced metal craftspeople use cutting-edge technology to turn its customers’ conceptual trailer needs into a tangible product. Felling has been providing innovative trailer solutions to the transportation industry for over 45 years. Felling Trailers’ current capabilities allow them to provide a high-quality product that is distributed across North America and internationally. Felling Trailers, Inc. is an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certified company, WBENC-Certified WBE company, and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.

Link Launches Redline Performance Series Suspensions for Fire Apparatus with $2,000 Donation to NFFF Link honors National Fallen Firefighters Foundation with donation during kickoff of purpose-built Redline Performance Series Suspensions, offering expanded weight capacities that meet the unique requirements of individual fire departments.

Sioux Center, Iowa—Link Mfg., Ltd., the leader in specialty-engineered suspensions, announced the introduction of its new Redline Performance Series Suspensions that include a broader selection of weight capacities for its acclaimed Air Link tandem drive axle suspension and Atlas single drive axle suspension. In tribute to fire departments and personnel across North America, the company has created a dedicated charity dubbed “Link Cares” that will regularly contribute to firefighter-related charitable organizations across North America. Link Cares has made an inaugural contribution of $2,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).

“Link has met the demands of major fire departments and equipment manufacturers with high-performance, heavy-duty vehicle suspensions for more than 20 years,” said Chris English, managing director, Link Suspensions of Canada.

“The development of our Redline Performance Series Suspensions and the establishment of our Link Cares charity represent our company’s core values of servanthood and our sincere reverence for the heroic nature of the firefighting culture.”

Redline Performance Series Suspensions expands Link’s product range, offering new weight ratings as a response to market demand and the unique combinations of equipment and apparatus used by individual fire departments. The Air Link January/February 2021

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Tracks Redline tandem drive axle suspension will now be available in a carrying capacity of 62K to 85K, while the Atlas Redline single drive axle suspension will now have a carrying capacity range of 31.5K to 35K. The Air Link Redline tandem axle suspension features a unique air spring over walking beam design, patented by Link close to 30 years ago. Originally engineered to handle extreme payloads in harsh, off-highway and military environments, this rugged suspension meets the demands of aerial fire and rescue vehicles and then some. It fully integrates with Dana, Meritor, SSU, and Mack axles.

The Air Link Redline tandem axle suspension delivers superior emergency vehicle performance, a smoother ride, higher roll stability, maximum articulation, better traction and has lower maintenance requirements. Link’s time-tested air-overwalking-beam technology uses large, high-volume, low-frequency air springs that enable firefighters to experience a consistently stable and comfortable ride, whether they’re racing to an emergency on a city street, on an unpaved road or without benefit of either.

“The City of Syracuse has used the Air Link suspension for decades and has benefited from its reliability and ease of service,” said Zach Smith, fleet maintenance manager for the City of Syracuse, NY Department of Fire. “The department responds to 22,000 calls annually and operates this suspension on its Sutphen tower fleet.”

Link’s Atlas Redline single axle air spring suspension was designed from the ground up to meet the demanding life of fire and rescue vehicles. It fully integrates with Dana and Meritor axles, and when introduced, it was the first single axle suspension to have a 35K rating. It is the ideal air suspension solution for aerials and pumpers that need to carry longer ladders and more equipment on a single rear axle chassis.

Engineered with extra-wide bearing surfaces, the Atlas Redline provides high yaw stability, resulting in stable and predictable cornering. The robust design of the Atlas Redline provides enhanced ride quality, superior cab protection and significantly reduces departmental maintenance expenses.

“The Atlas meets all our requirements for a suspension,” said Drew Sutphen, president, Sutphen Corporation. “We have realized significantly less long-term structural problems, and no jarring to the aerial equipment. The Atlas is rugged and dependable and is a fast installation.”

Link Redline Performance Series Suspensions deliver everything fire departments demand in a heavy-duty suspension, including better overall handling, maximum ride comfort and enhanced safety for firefighters. Link’s suspensions also improve the life expectancy of bodies and aerial equipment on the fire trucks they serve, and have been proven to isolate the chassis platform and contingent structures from stressinducing impacts encountered on-highway and off. All Link Redline Performance Series Suspensions are 100 percent offhighway rated, all can be retrofitted on existing vehicles and all come with a sixmonth money-back guarantee.

Both the Air Link Redline tandem axle suspension and Atlas Redline single axle suspension feature dual height-control valves that help maintain proper ride height and vehicle leveling. Convenient air dump capabilities allow some of today’s higher-profile apparatus to kneel under older garage doors with less clearance.

Simulation of Optronics lighting products.

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bushings and are treated with Link’s exclusive Link-KOAT migratory selfhealing metal treatment. Link-KOAT provides unparalleled corrosion resistance and rust protection, even when surfaces are exposed to excessive cleaning, harsh chemicals and the severe-duty environments commonly encountered.

Their polyurethane bushings also resist solvents, require no lubrication or maintenance and are far more durable than rubber.

“Link is committed to building the safest and best-performing suspensions for fire apparatus,” English said. “We will never stop improving and innovating and our Redline Performance Series Suspensions and Link Cares charity are testaments to our dedication to firefighting and to the men and women who serve that profession so valiantly.”

Link’s Redline Performance Series Suspensions can be ordered through local OEM dealers. For more information on Redline Performance Series Suspensions and the Link Cares charity, please call (800) 222-6283 or visit www.linkmfg.com/redline.

About Link Mfg., Ltd. Link develops and manufactures a variety of suspension systems specially engineered to address the unique needs of commercial vehicles and equipment.

Link is driven to outperform as the worldwide leader in heavy-duty truck cab air suspensions marketed under the brand name Cabmate. U.S.-based Link Manufacturing is an IATF 16949 and ISO 14001: 2015 (EMS) certified company whose primary products include cab, chassis and auxiliary suspensions.

Canadian-based Link Suspensions of Canada is an ISO 9001 certified company whose primary products include heavy vocational and off-highway chassis suspensions. Link also makes specialty products such as tire pressure equalization systems, ramps and other products designed to enhance the productivity of commercial vehicles. For more information, visit www.linkmfg.com.

All Redline Performance Series Suspensions feature polyurethane www.NATM.com

What separates dealers who are in a never-ending cycle of struggle from those who are able to be successful regardless of what is happening around them?

In this brand new book, Bob Clements and Sara Hey share the seven habits that winning dealers consistently exhibit, along with real stories of dealers who moved from being the problem in their dealership to the solution.

YOU’RE THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION!

by Bob Clements and Sara Hey

Available on

www.BobClements.com • info@BobClements.com • (800) 480-0737

Member News

Tracks Norstar, LLC Announces New Patent Brookston, Texas – Norstar is pleased to announce the grant of US Patent No. 10,759,323 for the invention of a revolutionary dovetail actuating mechanism.

“This new dovetail mechanism is far superior to anything on the market. It has one of the highest lifting and carrying capacities being used on this trailer type. It is also by far safer than any other design.

It will stay locked in place in the event of a hydraulic failure. We are all so excited to have this industry changing design.

This will offer our Iron Bull dealers the very best option in a hydraulic power dovetail trailer. Our FHG model is a game changer for the industry, “said Abe Harms, President and Owner of Norstar.

About Norstar: Norstar, LLC was founded in 2012 and in three short years has become one of the major players in the national truck bed market and in late 2015 they began manufacturing Iron Bull Trailers. The whirlwind of growth at Norstar has been very welcome at the Brookston, Texas based company and is attributed to one simple fact: Norstar Truck Beds and Iron Bull Trailers represent an amazing value – a great product at a competitive price – and this message is being received by more and more customers on a daily basis. For further information, please visit www. norstarcompany.com.

Novae Corp acquires Midsota Manfucaturing Novae Corp of Markle, Indiana has acquired the assets of Midsota Manufacturing of Avon, Minnesota.

Financial terms of this private transaction are not disclosed. Headquartered in Markle, Indiana, Novae Corp is a leading North American manufacturer of Utility, Dump, Equipment and Enclosed Trailers marketed under the brands of Sure-Trac®, H&H®, CAM Superline® , Trailerman® and ITI Cargo® . Novae Corp operates manufacturing facilities in Indiana, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Missouri, and distributes all five brands through a network of independent dealers throughout North America.

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Founded in 1971, Midsota Manufacturing, Inc. is a manufacturer of a full line of professional grade dump and equipment trailers, along with an extensive line of skid steer attachments. Novae Corp will continue to operate in the current Avon location, and has immediate plans for further investment in those facilities. The Midsota leadership and employee teams will be retained as Midsota continues to operate as an independent entity within the Novae Corp group of companies.

“Midsota has been an industry leader in terms of product innovation and advanced manufacturing technology” according to Mark Yde, Director of Business Development for Novae Corp. “We look forward to leveraging that advantage and translating that platform within the Novae portfolio”. Joel Bauer, co-owner of Midsota along with Tim Burg, stated “We look forward to working with a growthoriented leader like Novae Corp. We are confident that they will preserve the Midsota value proposition, while investing for the next level in business growth”.

Novae Corp is a privately held company that was founded in 1995 and entered the trailer segment in 2000. Novae Corp is one of the fastest growing companies in the trailer industry over the last decade and has consistently been among the Inc 5000 fastest growing private companies.

Optronics Unveils Modular LED Strip Light That Can Snap Together, Forming Almost 7 Feet of Continuous Illumination Optronics’ Modular LED Strip Light mounts almost anywhere, has a finished look, comes in 17.25-inch modules, and delivers a sustained and uniform beam pattern along its length.

Tulsa, Okla.—Optronics International, a leading manufacturer of vehicle harnesses, electronic control systems and LED lighting for the global transportation industry, announced the introduction of its new Modular LED Strip Light model ILL23CB today. The versatile new light is 17.25 inches long and only 0.75 inches thick and can be mated together to form a solid, linear light source measuring 6.939 feet in length. Its design makes it easy to

install, even in corners, and its automotive styling and end caps give the light a clean, finished look.

LED strip lights on vehicles have become more and more ubiquitous as their designs have advanced. However, the lamps are generally engineered for independent applications, and if multiple lamps are used together, each must be wired in a sequence, or “daisy-chained” together. The wiring process can be tedious and time consuming and often leaves the finished application looking cobbled together.

Optronics’ Modular LED Strip Light is designed for total adaptability and can be used in virtually any interior environment.

Individual lamps have a streamlined ABS housing with an integrated acrylic lens and require just two fasteners for surface mounting.

Each lamp comes with a power cap on one end and trim finish cap on the other. Both caps are detachable, revealing modular connecting ports that enable up to six of the lamps to plug together, giving the resulting lamp configuration a long, clean, seamless look.

“Our Modular LED Strip Light offers total installation versatility and looks great no matter which length is selected,” Marcus Hester, vice president of sales and marketing for Optronics International, said. “Its intelligent design is rivaled only by 6,000 K daylight brightness, providing almost 7 linear feet of seamless LED illumination.”

The lamp’s optical characteristics create a broad, smooth, even beam pattern that can illuminate large areas. Each 18-diode lamp packs 880 raw lumens and delivers 730 effective lumens.

The lamps are perfect for ceiling and corner-mount applications. Their low profile makes them less vulnerable to strikes by cargo and loading equipment, and their nearly 7-foot length makes them particularly suitable for lighting the long and narrow spaces inside vehicles. The interior lamps are rugged enough to be used on a variety of commercial vehicles and stylish enough to be used on consumer vehicles, including RVs. www.NATM.com

New Member Update

Regular American Airboat Corp.

108 East Lutcher Dr Orange, TX 77632 • Aluminum, Boat FalCan Industries, Ltd. 260 Harley Ave Fort Macleod, AB T0L0Z0 Canada www.falcan.com • Agricultural/Farm, Custom Design, Dump, Equipment, Gooseneck, Landscape, Pole/Pipe/Cable Reel, Portable Equipment, Snowmobile/ATV, Specialty, Utility/Flatbed Iron Famous 230 N. 4th St Columbia, PA 17512 www.ironfamous.com • Pole/Pipe/Cable Reel, Utility/Flatbed KRIN USA 41 County Rd 2350 Lakeville, OH 44638 www.krinusa.com • Custom Design, Enclosed Cargo, Equipment, Portable Equipment, Specialty LaCosta Trailers, LLC 7408 W State Hwy 22 Barry, TX 75102 • Agricultural/Farm, Dump, Equipment, Gooseneck, Landscape, Mobile BBQ/ Smoker, Utility/Flatbed MAC3 10 Allee Du Canal Saint Cyprien, 42340 France www.mac3.fr • Equipment, Portable Equipment www.NATM.com

Max Built Trailers, LLC 2000 Smyrna Church Rd Chatsworth, GA 30705 www.maxbuilttrailers.com • Auto Hauler, Landscape, Utility/Flatbed P&C Trailer & Repair, LLC 3624 State Hwy 171 Malone, TX 76660 • Utility/Flatbed Reliance Repair LLC 108 S Mill St Vine Grove, KY 40175 • Auto Hauler, Custom Design, Snowmobile/ ATV,Utility/Flatbed STC Trailers 620 Reese Ave Elba, AL 36323 www.southerntractor.net • Agricultural/Farm, Auto Hauler, Custom Design, Equipment, Landscape, Mobile BBQ/Smoker, Motorcycle, Portable Equipment, Specialty, Utility/Flatbed Thunderbolt Industries LLC 3115 W Buckhorn Trl Phoenix, AZ 85083 • Utility/Flatbed Triple Crown Trailers - NC 1400 16th St NE Hickory, NC 28601 www.triplecrowntrailers.com • Dump, Equipment, Landscape, Utility/Flatbed Wicked Trailer 2800 Fairpark Blvd Jonesboro, AR 72401 www.wickedtrailer.com • Agricultural/Farm, Auto Hauler, Boat, Custom Design, Dump, Equipment, Gooseneck. Landscape, Motorcycle, Snowmobile/

ATV, Specialty • Utility/Flatbed

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Associate

IntelRise LLC 6160 Warren Pkwy Frisco, TX 75034 www.intelrise.com • Computer Software, Consulting Magnum Venus Products, Inc. 2300 Falling Waters Rd Knoxville, TN 37932 www.mvpind.com • Adhesives/Tapes, Composite Panels, Sealants, Tools/Equipment New Deal Tool + Die 3225 TN-76 Cottontown, TN 37048 • Hardware, Metal Stamping Protection GPS 4408 W Silent Rain Dr South Jordan, UT 84009 www.protectiongps.com • Batteries/Accessories, Safety Devices Tower Extrusions 1003 Hwy 79 S Olney, TX 76374 www.towerextrusion.com • Aluminum-Extrusions

Dealer Affiliate Beam Trailer Sales LLC 120 Antiquity Ln Mooresville, NC 28117 www.beamtrailersales.com SR Trailers 4055 E Morris Blvd Morristown, TN 37813 www.srtrailers.com

January/February 2021

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PREMIUM BLACK POWDER-COAT FINISH

Zn

ZINC-PLATED HARDWARE

ASSEMBLED IN THE USA

VALCRUM PREMIUM OIL CAPS STANDARD ON 8K - 16K AXLES

INTEGRATED ONE-PIECE SPINDLE AND FLANGE

Lippert Components axles always take you farther.

Our state-of-the-art robotic welders ensure the highest precision and quality on every component. We offer a full line of reliable 2 – 16K spring axles, 2 – 12K torsion axles and 10 – 16K heavy-duty capacity axles to meet your unique specifications.

As of January 1, 2017, Lippert Components offers the industry leading limited axle warranty: Limited 1 Year Warranty – grease and oil seals for all axles Limited 6 Year Warranty – spring axle welds and suspension systems Limited 11 Year Warranty – torsion axle welds and suspension components

Redefining “Standard” on today’s trailer axle.

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We now offer Valcrum Premium Oil Caps standard on 8K – 16K spring and torsion axles.

January/February 2021

lippertcomponents.com | www.NATM.com

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WE ARE THE MANUFACTURER

Electric/ Hydraulic drum Spindles, brake system

Hydraulic disc-caliper brake system

torsion arms and assemblies Accessories and hardwares

Grease seals

Dust caps

Equalizers and hangers

Mobile home axle parts

www.qd-highton.com info@qd-highton.com