July/August Tracks 2021

Tracks

July/August 2021 Volume 34 Issue 4

cover

page 8. fourth annual Trailer Safety Week a success

NATM Membership: Funding the future, Increasing Value

Page 22

Page 20

www.NATM.com

July/August 2021

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Tracks

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July/August 2021

www.NATM.com

NATM Headquarters • 2420 SW 17th St. • Topeka, KS 66604 • (785) 272-4433 • Fax: (785) 272-4455 On the Cover: NATM has announced a Tow Vehicle OEM Membership. For more information, turn to page 8.

Tracks

STAFF Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com Executive Director Kendra Ansley Kendra.Ansley@natm.com 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 II Catie Rutkowski Catie.Rutkowski@natm.com Administrative Assistant Abby Wiebler Abby.Wiebler@natm.com

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

Stay Up-To-Date with The NATM Insider .......... 48

Headquarter’s Report........................................... 7

Share Your Expertise! NATM Calls for Educational Articles and Presentations................ 48

NATM Welcomes Tow Vehicle OEMs to Membership......................................................... 8 NATM Adapts Federal Advocacy in the Virtual World............................ 10

President Marty Lorick Triple Crown Trailers Vice President Josh Johnson Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing, Inc. Treasurer Marco Garcia U-Haul International, Inc. Associate Member Representative Jim Berry, Dexter Axle Past President Owen Shelton BoatMate Trailers, Inc. DIRECTORS FEB. 2019 - FEB. 2022 Patrick Jennissen Felling Trailers

NATM Announces Advertising Packages ........... 52

Open Invitation to the 2021 Regulatory Roundup................................... 12

NATM Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide: Coming Fall 2021.................................... 54

NATM Companies Encouraged to Host Plant Tours............................................... 14

NATM Guidelines Annual Update Preview......... 56

NATM Political Action Committee Updating Records for 2021............... 16

Increasing Trailer Payload Webinar: Oct. 28....... 60

NATM Strategic Plan Update.............................. 18 OFFICERS

New 2021 Media Kit Available with Advertising Opportunities............................ 50

NATM Membership Funding the Future, Increasing Value................................ 20 Fourth Annual Trailer Safety Week a Success ........................................ 22 Kenda: Committed to Trailer Safety ................... 24 2021 NATM Educational Calendar...................... 26 Maximize Your Membership: Email Updates...................................................... 28 Diversity and Inclusion: Attracting the Most Underrepresented Demographic in Manufacturing.................................................. 30

Post-Pandemic Supply Chain Issues.................... 58 Trailer Technology Trends Webinar Recap.......... 62 Your Rear Impact Guard Questions Answered............................................. 64 Secure the Load, Keep It Off the Road!............... 68 When to Consider a Move to Pulsed MIG Welding ....................................... 70 NATM Online Resource Library Provides On-Demand Content to Members ........ 74 Call for Nominations: Board of Directors........... 76 2021 Membership Award Nominations............... 78 Tampa to Host 2022 Convention & Trade Show.................................. 80

Reach Veteran Workforce by Building Word-of-Mouth Network...................... 32

Booths on Sale Now for 2022 Convention & Trade Show!................................. 82

DIRECTORS FEB. 2020 - FEB. 2023

MFG Day 2021 Set for Oct. 1 ............................. 34

Jim Berry Dexter

Pre-Departure Safety Checklist for Towing......... 36

Jon Devitt Midwest Indusries, Inc.

Fifty Years and Going Strong: Rockwell American Fenders................................ 38

Free Registrations & Room Nights for Dealer Affiliates at 2022 Convention & Trade Show.................................. 84

Carl Maxey MGS Incorporated–Ft. Collins Joe Ostrowski Kenda/Americana Tire & Wheel Corporation

Jeff Jones Statistical Surveys, Inc. Dustin Miller Cross Trailers, Inc.

Intellifinishing: Flexible, Automated Finishing Systems for Trailer Manufacturers...... 42

Mike Story LOOK Trailers

Statistically Speaking........................................... 44

DIRECTORS FEB. 2021 - FEB. 2024

Statistical Survey Awards for Top Trailer Performance in 2020......................... 45

Leo Akins Forest River, Inc. Rick Huddleston White River Marine Group John Kerr Marsh & McLennan Agency

NATM 2022 Convention & Trade Show Tenative Schedule ..................................... 86 One Year Member Anniversaries......................... 87 Member News ..................................................... 88 New Member Update .......................................... 94

About this publication: Tracks Volume 34, Number 3 July/August 2021 is published six times a year (bi-monthly) for $50 per year by the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, 2420 SW 17th St, Topeka, KS 66604. Periodicals postage paid at Topeka, KS. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NATM 2420 SW 17th St, Topeka, KS 66604.

DISCLAIMER: The inclusion in this magazine of advertising, logos, or website links, or reference to any products, services, trade names, or manufacturers is not an endorsement by NATM of any such advertisers, links, entities, products, services, or names. NATM through this magazine provides news and opinion articles as a service to its members and readers. Often these articles come from sources outside of its organization. Statements and opinions expressed in these articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, its staff or management, or the official policies of NATM. Nor does NATM accept responsibility for any errors or omissions made in publishing or reproducing articles or advertising appearing in Tracks or for the return of unsolicited manuscripts sent to NATM. USPS Number: 022438

ISSN Number: 1552-2415

Ad Index

Tracks A.L. Hansen Mfg. Co. ................................................................ 51

LINK Trailer Parts...................................................................... 59

Affiliated Resources.................................................................... 81

Lippert Components, Inc. .......................................................... 9

ASA Electronics.......................................................................... 17

Magnum Venus Products, Inc..................................................... 77

Bludot.......................................................................................... 57

Natcon......................................................................................... 33

BrakeQuip................................................................................... 29

Optronics International..................................... Inside Front Cover

Bright Way, Group, LLC............................................................. 53

Peerless Industrial Group............................................................ 68

Buyers Products................................................ Inside Back Cover

Powerbrace Corporation............................................................. 35

CPR Systems............................................................................... 11

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

Curt Group ...........................................................................49, 83

Qingdao Highton Machinery, Co., Ltd....................................... 37

Dec-O-Art, Inc............................................................................ 69

Redarc Corporation..................................................................... 36

East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc.............................................. 16

Rendeck Trailer Supplies............................................................ 5

Equalizer Systems.................................................................. 40-41

Ridewell Suspensions................................................................. 27

H.E. Parmer Company, Inc......................................................... 31

Rockwell American..................................................................... 15

Heskins, LLC.............................................................................. 55

Tech Products, Inc. Signs, Tags and Markers............................. 20

Hutchens Industries, Inc.............................................................. 61

Tie Down Engineering, Inc......................................................... 19

IDC Spring.................................................................................. 72

Timbren Industries, Inc............................................................... 85

KampCo Steel Products, Inc....................................................... 73

TRAILSTAR ..................................................Outside Back Cover

Kenda/Americana Tire & Wheel ............................................... 44

Vin-Eze A Division of P.M.C.S., Inc........................................... 32

LaVanture Products Company.................................................... 79

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www.NATM.com

Tracks

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President’s Report

Tracks

President’s Report

By Marty Lorick, NATM Board President

For the July/August issue of Tracks and in celebration of Independence Day, it is a very appropriate time to be thankful for all the opportunities we have as Americans and as trailer manufacturers.

With the upheaval that COVID-19 has created in our communities and economy, it is crucial our Association continues to champion the needs of the lightand medium-duty trailer industry. It is our responsibility to advocate on behalf of our member companies, the thousands of workers the industry employs, and the many communities that have flourished as a result of these businesses.

Simply participating in the Compliance Verification Program (CVP) is not enough to bring about positive change at a national level. We must take it a step further and advocate on behalf of the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. The official NATM Government Affairs Program began when Carl Maxey, NATM President 2005-2006, established the first NATM Government Affairs Committee. Former President Maxey, along with the NATM Board of Directors, decided that NATM needed to become more proactive in addressing legislative and regulatory issues rather than continuing the reactive approach that NATM had unintentionally adopted for several years. Soon after, the NATM Government Affairs Committee determined that to be effective on legislative and regulatory issues NATM needed government affairs representation in Washington, D.C. and chose K&L Gates to guide the Association in 2008. K&L Gates has led numerous efforts on behalf of NATM with a long list of successes, including the doubles towaway language that was included in the FAST Act of 2015. To learn more about NATM’s advocacy, visit www.NATM.com/advocacy.

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July/August 2021

In addition to voting, NATM members advocate on behalf of the industry during the Association’s annual Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill Visits. This year, the event will take place on September 22. For more information about this year’s event, turn to page 12.

NATM also utilizes a Political Action Committee (PAC). The NATM PAC was established in 2010, and it has since been active in each congressional election. The NATM PAC is an effective tool in helping NATM educate political leaders on the Association’s priorities and NATM’s great work improving the safety of the industry and nation. For more information about the NATM PAC, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com, call (785) 272-4433, or turn to page 16.

Inviting Members of Congress to tour NATM Member facilities, either virtually or in person, is another great way to educate legislators about our industry. NATM encourages both suppliers and trailer manufacturers to schedule legislative plant tours or round tables to build relationships with political leaders. All Members of Congress have an impact on the outcome of any legislation, so it is essential to recruit advocates that understand and support the trailer industry. Hosting a plant tour is a simple process, and NATM will assist with the invitation and scheduling.

For more information, turn to page 14.

2021 marked the fourth annual Trailer Safety Week, held June 6-12. This year built upon the success established in years past with additions like a dedicated media push to local outlets across the country and a focus on end-user engagement. The 2021 TSW saw over 317 allies committed to trailer safety and education—a 37 percent growth from 2020.

This year marked the first year the TSW made a strategic effort to reach law enforcement and public safety officials. These individuals and departments play a large role in distributing safe trailering information to their communities. Because of this, the TSW crafted the offical Law Enforcement Kit with relevant regulations, safe trailering practices, and an invitation to join TSW. To learn more about the TSW success, turn to page 22.

I am proud to be a part of this great nation, this great industry, and this great Association. Thank you for your support and participation! www.NATM.com

Headquarter’s Report

Headquarter’s Report

Tracks

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director Although it’s hard to believe half the year has come and gone already, the renewed vigor of the new year is still very much alive at NATM headquarters. We just wrapped up a successful Trailer Safety Week with a 37 percent growth in ally sign-ups as compared to 2020 and are nearing the fruition of many Strategic Plan initiatives like the online store. NATM committees have made significant strides toward their annual goals. In May, NATM members voted to create a new membership type for the Association, a tow vehicle OEM membership. This new membership type will help NATM continue to expand its trailer safety mission while opening up lines of communication between tow vehicle manufacturers, trailer manufacturers, and industry suppliers. See more on page 8.

Preparation for the 2022 NATM Convention & Trade Show is in full swing. Booth sales have opened to select 2020 sponsors, educational sessions are being finalized, and the Association is preparing a new online registration platform that will be easier for attendees to use. NATM is excited to open the NATM Convention & Trade Show to dealers as well. With networking opportunities and a specialized educational track, this is sure to be a can’t miss event! To learn more about the 2022 Convention & Trade Show, including sponsorships opportunities, turn to page 80. While there is a great lineup in the works for the 2022 NATM Convention & Trade Show, NATM has educational webinars planned for the remainder of the year, including the industry favorite Workforce Development Summit in November.

Turn to page 26 for more information.

The NATM Government Affairs Program remains active on Capitol Hill. NATM regularly works with legislators to educate them about the concerns and challenges facing the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. With supply chain delays, potential changes in federal regulation concerning underride guards, lack of long-term funding of highways, and workforce shortages, the industry needs support and common-sense solutions. These meetings with legislators are an important tool in NATM’s advocacy arsenal but are just the first steps in educating legislators who have a profound impact on the regulatory environment the industry must work within. Members are encouraged to host plant tours as well as participate in NATM’s annual Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill Visits scheduled for September 22. To learn more about how you can get involved, turn to page 12. www.NATM.com

As the industry, on the whole, continues to thrive, your Association is continuing to look for ways to add value and lend support. The Association will soon be launching a resource guide for creating or improving an in-house quality management system for its members. NATM has long recommended members have such a program in place, but many members have been left wanting more assistance with the process. The Association is also creating the NATM Academy in partnership with a number of industry experts and expanding its marketing efforts to raise awareness about the value of the NATM Decal amongst dealers and end-users. At the same time, the NATM Board and Finance Committee are taking a hard look at the long-term goals of the Association and preparing a robust plan to ensure not only financial stability but also calculated reinvestment into your Association to ensure benefits, programming, and infrastructure continue to support the evolving needs of members. Despite the challenges faced in 2021, the industry and the Association are well poised for continued growth and success in the months ahead! For more information on how NATM is funding the future, turn to page 20.

Member feedback and communication are important parts of NATM’s ability to serve and provide opportunities for members to better arm themselves with knowledge and expertise from a wide array of sources. While time is short for all of us as we balance business needs, your continued participation is critical for NATM to be a value-add for members. Answering surveys, reading Tracks and the NATM Insider, and engaging with your representatives on the NATM Board or Committees as well as staff will better position the Association to help you. Thank you for your continued commitment! NATM exists to support our industry and improve the safety of our nation’s roadways. There is no NATM without each of you!

July/August 2021

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NATM Welcomes Tow Vehicle OEMs to Membership

Tracks

NATM Welcomes Tow Vehicle OEMs to Membership

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director

On July 1, NATM announced a new membership category: Tow Vehicle OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) for automotive manufacturers that build tow vehicles used to haul light- and medium-duty trailers. The Association has been committed to the light- and medium-duty trailer industry for more than 30 years with a focus on the manufacture of compliant trailers. Including tow vehicle OEMs as members is a natural next step in the evolution of NATM’s expanding trailer safety efforts.

The automotive industry is rapidly improving and expanding its smart technologies for autonomous driving and vehicle to vehicle (V2V), and vehicle to infrastructure (V2i) communication.

V2V is the ability for vehicles to wirelessly communicate and exchange information, such as the speed and position of surrounding vehicles. The development and use of autonomous vehicles and V2i communication are beneficial for traffic safety as it reduces traffic accidents, traffic congestion, harmful emissions such as CO2, and fuel consumption.

Since the economic recession that started in 2008, registrations for light- and medium-duty trailers have steadily risen. The United States sees over one million new trailers registered every year. With the increase of trailer registrations comes an increase in new trailer owners on the roads and additional tow vehicles in use. Many of these trailers are from NATM compliant manufacturers, but it may not matter how safely a trailer is built if trailers are not considered by automotive manufacturers in the development and implementation of smart technologies on tow vehicles.

As these technologies develop it is crucial trailers are taken into consideration. Communication links between trailers and tow vehicles will need to be improved as the industry moves toward a more automated future. For example, vehicles need to be able to identify the presence of a trailer and its length. It is also important for tow vehicle OEMs to understand the cost limitations of installing these technologies on trailers as trailers have a much smaller profit margin than other motor vehicles.

Additionally, NATM is encouraging these companies to participate in the NATM Technology Committee. The committee’s purpose is to coordinate communication between tow vehicle manufacturers, component manufacturers, and trailer manufacturers to better ensure that the technologies implemented are functional for all parties involved. To learn more about the NATM Technology Committee, contact NATM Technical Director Terry Jones at Terry.Jones@natm.com.

NATM is inviting tow vehicle OEMs to join the efforts of the Association in ensuring tow vehicles, trailers, and components all work together as seamlessly as possible. NATM is already working with one tow vehicle manufacturer, but the Association wants to make sure that its work integrates as many tow vehicle manufacturers as possible and is welcoming all applicable automotive manufacturers to join.

National Trailer Registrations

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July/August 2021

www.NATM.com

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NATM Adapts Federal Advocacy in the Virtual World

Tracks

NATM Adapts Federal Advocacy in the Virtual World

By Dennis Potter, Brody Garland, and George Riccardo, K&L Gates The last 18 months have been full of uncertainty and adaptation.

Industries across the national and global economy have felt the strains of the COVID-19 pandemic and have been forced to adapt their operations to survive and thrive. For the government affairs community, everything that we thought we knew about advocacy has been challenged. For decades, “fly-ins” and conventions bringing dozens of people to Washington, D.C. and bringing legislators to large gatherings were staples of government engagement. In a matter of days last spring, traditional face-toface engagement with legislators and regulators was replaced by virtual backgrounds and video conferences. Despite unprecedented challenges, the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) and its advocacy team have thrived in this new virtual era.

NATM’s 2020 Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas came in what would be the final weeks before the world changed forever.

When the pandemic hit, plans were underway for NATM’s annual Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill Visits in Washington, D.C. At that point, the dates were still several months away, and it was unknown how quickly a sense of normal would return. Over the summer, it became clear that in-person visits would not be possible, and NATM set to work planning its first-ever virtual fly-in. Dozens of NATM members from across the country participated in the virtual Hill Visits with legislators, including participation of Acting NHTSA Administrator James Owens in the virtual educational sessions.

In the months since, NATM Staff and the K&L Gates team have attended meet and greets, hosted fundraisers, recorded webinars, and conducted dozens of meetings with congressional staff. NATM Members even joined a Member of Congress for an impromptu tour of the Capitol via his cellphone. Talk about Zooming through the year!

The NATM team has helped to connect its members with key decision-makers in Washington, D.C. at a time of increasing instability. At a time where the expectation would have been

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for less engagement, NATM has done more. New relationships have been established, and old ones have been reinvigorated.

Association members have stepped up as well, sitting in on conference calls with policy professionals on important issues ranging from side underride guards to trailer safety education.

NATM’s members prove again and again that the industry has a strong voice and succeeds when we tell our industry’s story.

NATM prides itself on being an outlet for connecting the industry’s best with the lawmakers and thought leaders who help shape public policy. There were many concerns at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, including how well advocacy could be achieved in a less intimate and more technologyreliant environment. NATM has proven its resiliency and the resiliency of its members. Outreach efforts have increased, member participation is flourishing, and the flexibility of virtual meetings has allowed for input from new stakeholders that would ordinarily be held back by geographic restrictions.

There is no replacing the value of the face-to-face connection or the importance of coming together to tell our collective story, but as we look ahead to the end of 2021 and beyond, NATM can be proud of the work put forward, the valuable lessons learned, and the ability of its members to innovate, adapt and truly thrive.

For more information about NATM’s Government Affairs initiatives, including information about this year’s Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill visits, turn to page 12 or contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com.

Dennis Potter is a Government Affairs Counselor, and Brody Garland and George Riccardo are Government Affairs Analysts 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, Garland can be reached at Brody.Garland@klgates.com, and Riccardo can be reached at George.Riccardo@klgates.com. www.NATM.com

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Open Invitation to the 2021 Regulatory Roundup

Tracks

Open Invitation to the 2021 Regulatory Roundup

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director

The Annual Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill Visits is set for Sept. 22, 2021. Along with the Convention & Trade Show, this is one of NATM’s most important events of the year. It is especially important for NATM Members to participate in this year’s Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill Visits as the highway reauthorization will expire this year, and there will be continued pressure for infrastructure investment. Additionally, several previous iterations of the bill in both the House and Senate contemplate additional underride requirements that would be potentially more expansive than existing regulation.

About the Event Historically, the NATM Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill Visits are hosted in-person in Washington, D.C. At this time, legislators have opened up just slightly, allowing very limited inperson meetings. In the event that an in-person meeting in D.C. is not viable, NATM will once again host the event virtually.

The day of activities is divided into two distinct parts: the Regulatory Roundup which is held in the morning, and the Capitol Hill Visits in the afternoon. During previous Regulatory Roundups, attendees have heard from Congressional staffers, officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and experts from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

Midday, there is an overview of the appointments and Members of Congress that NATM members will meet with during the Capitol Hill visits. All materials and talking points are reviewed so attendees feel comfortable with messaging. NATM organizes Capitol Hill Visit teams so that those who have never participated in this event are paired with veteran attendees.

During the Capitol Hill Visits, teams disperse to visit with three to four congressional offices. Teams are comprised of three to four participants with an experienced team leader. Handout

U.S. Senate: New Members Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)

Raphael Warnock (D-GA)

Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)

Mark Kelly (D-AZ)

Jon Ossoff (D-GA)

Bill Hagerty (R-TN)

John Hickenlooper (D-CO)

Roger Marshall (R-KS)

Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)

U.S. House of Representatives: New Members

12

Jerry Carl (R-AL-1)

Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-7)

Lisa McClain (R-MI-10)

Cliff Bentz (R-OR-2)

Barry Moore (R-AL-2)

Andrew Clyde (R-GA-9)

Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-7)

Nancy Mace (R-SC-1)

Jay Obernolte (R-CA-8)

Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA-15)

Cori Bush (D-MO-1)

Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-1)

David Valadao (R-CA-21)

Kai Kahele (D-HI-2)

Matt Rosendale (R-MT-AL)

Pat Fallon (R-TX-4)

Young Kim (R-CA-39)

Marie Newman (D-IL-3)

Yvette Herrell (R-NM-2)

August Pfluger (R-TX-11)

Michelle Steel (R-CA-48)

Mary Miller (R-IL-15)

Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-3)

Ronny Jackson (R-TX-13)

Darrell Issa (R-CA-50)

Frank Mrvan (D-IN-1)

Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-2)

Pete Sessions (R-TX-17)

Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

Victoria Spartz (R-IN-5)

Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11)

Troy Nehls (R-TX-22)

Lauren Boebert (R-CO-3)

Ashley Hinson (R-IA-1)

Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15)

Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23)

Kat Cammack (R-FL-3)

Marianette Miller Meeks (R-IA-2)

Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16)

Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24)

Scott Franklin (R-FL-15)

Randy Feenstra (R-IA-4)

Mondaire Jones (D-NY-17)

Blake Moore (R-UT-1)

Byron Donalds (R-FL-19)

Tracey Mann (R-KS-1)

Deborah Ross (D-NC-2)

Burgess Owens (R-UT-4)

Carlos Gimenez (R-FL-26)

Jake LaTurner (R-KS-2)

Kathy Manning (D-NC-6)

Robert Good (R-VA-10)

Maria Elvira Salazara (R-FL-27)

Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4)

Madison Cawthorn (R-NC-11)

Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10)

Nikema Williams (D-GA-5)

Peter Meijer (R-MI-3)

Stephanie Bice (R-OK-5)

Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI-5)

July/August 2021

www.NATM.com

Open Invitation to the 2021 Regulatory Roundup

Tracks

materials and talking points are provided to each participant, along with educational materials to share with the Senator, Representative and/or their staff. This is a great opportunity for members to learn more about what is going on in the industry, as well as build positive relationships with those that are regulating the industry.

NATM’s long-term approach to, and investments in, government relations continue to pay dividends to the Association and its members. Legislative and regulatory enactments are important and beneficial to NATM, but preventative activities are perhaps more important from NATM’s perspective. The Association has been successful on both counts. The current government relations program is strong and maintaining a steady course will continue to provide tremendous value to NATM members. Expanding the participation at the Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill Visits will help build on that success and help NATM educate Members of Congress about the trailer manufacturing industry.

If you would like to get involved with NATM’s advocacy but are unable to attend the Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill Visits,

Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-2) (right) meets with NATM members from the second district of Indiana.

there are others ways to participate. Turn to page 14 for more ways to meet your legislators.

If you would like more information about participating in the 2021 Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill Visits, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or (785) 272-4433.

September 22, 2021

THE

SAVE DATE Regulatory Roundup & Capitol Hill Visits

Washington, D.C. For Registration Information Contact: Meghan Ryan, Assistant Director 785.272.4433 | Meghan.Ryan@natm.com www.NATM.com

www.NATM.com

July/August 2021

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NATM Companies Encouraged to Host Plant Tours

Tracks

NATM Companies Encouraged to Host Plant Tours

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director

NATM has had a number of successes in its Government Affairs program over the past several years due in large part to the relationships NATM Members have built with their local Members of Congress.

Through NATM’s plant tours, legislative roundtables, and Capitol Hill Visits, NATM has built an awareness of the trailer manufacturing industry and the impact it has on the various states and legislative districts.

process easier. NATM’s government affairs representatives, K&L Gates, will contact the congressional offices and schedule the event once the company completes the template invitation letter.

The Association will provide a suggested tour outline and talking points. For those events that are virtual, the plant tours will most likely take place on a Zoom call and feature a slide deck of photos of the facility and/or a pre-taped video walk-through.

If your business is represented by a new legislator, listed on page 12, or sits on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, NATM highly encourages you to host your representative for a virtual plant tour.

If you are interested in hosting a plant visit, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or call NATM Headquarters at (785) 272-4433.

With over 60 new Members in Congress, it is crucial that companies in the light- and medium-duty trailer industry continue to build relationships and awareness of the industry with legislators. With many of the new congressional members joining the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, NATM is encouraging both suppliers and trailer manufacturers to schedule plant tours, virtual or in-person, this year. All Members of Congress have an impact on the outcome of any legislation, so it is important to recruit advocates that understand and support the trailer industry.

Industry interest in the Highway Reauthorization Bill continues as Congress continues to work toward a resolution. Of particular concern for the industry is potential inclusion of side underride requirements. Further, workforce shortages and supply chain challenges continue to plague the industry, and Congressional education and support are critical. All NATM Members are encouraged to get involved in the Association’s government affairs outreach, particularly if you see your Member of Congress on page 12.

Historically, plant tours have taken place onsite at member company facilities. As COVID-19 protocols limit visitors, NATM is encouraging members to host virtual plant tours where onsite is not feasibleFor those companies interested in engaging, NATM has template invite letters and other resources to make the

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NATM Political Action Committee Updating Records for 2021

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NATM Political Action Committee Updating Records for 2021

By K&L Gates NATM established a Political Action Committee, the NATM PAC, in 2010. The NATM PAC serves to support Members of Congress who support the light- and medium-duty trailer industry and its positions on matters of public policy.

Campaign finance law requires NATM to secure “prior approval” from member companies prior to soliciting member companies’ executive and administrative personnel, stockholders, and the families of both groups. Member companies may not approve solicitations by more than one trade association in any calendar year. If, on behalf of the company you are authorized to represent, you would like to grant prior approval for the administrative personnel, stockholders, and the families of both groups of your company to be solicited by NATM in the calendar year 2021, please contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433 to request the prior approval agreement form.

Since its inception, 45 individuals have contributed to the PAC raising more than $82,000 and those dollars have contributed to 29 incumbent candidates—many of whom have received multiple contributions over the years. The PAC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised entirely of NATM Members. The PAC Board is responsible for developing both an annual budget and confirming candidates to whom the PAC will contribute based on specific, established criteria. Having the PAC Board comprised of industry members is a key feature of assuring PAC goals align with industry needs.

To learn more about the PAC, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

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NATM’s Strategic Plan Update

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NATM Strategic Plan Update

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director NATM’s current strategic plan spans from 2019 to 2022. It covers three focus areas: support industry growth, be the recognized leader in trailer safety, and maintain the integrity and raise the value of the Compliance Verification Program (CVP). In the last two and a half years, the Association, with the support of countless volunteers, has made significant strides in all three areas. Taking a look back at all that has been accomplished and what is on the horizon, it’s clear the Association continues to advance and evolve alongside its members and is laying a strong foundation for years to come.

The following bullets are a look at what has been accomplished and what NATM Members and Dealer Affiliates can expect in the coming 18 months. Please note, the list of what is to come for each focus area is not comprehensive as NATM Staff and Committees refine and adapt projects and programming based on member needs.

Focus Area One: Support Industry Growth Accomplishments Thus Far • Association Health Plan • Association Retirement Plan • Workforce Development Summit

What’s to Come • NATM Academy—an online training platform for the light- and medium-duty trailer industry • Resource guide for creating an in-house quality management system • Marketing kits for Members and Affiliates • Young Professionals Program • School engagement program Focus Area Two: Be the Recognized Leader in Trailer Safety Accomplishments Thus Far • Expanded Trailer Safety Week • Launched Dealer Affiliate Program • Incorporated Dealers in the NATM Convention • Increased Trailer Safety Week Allyship • Launched Trailer Safety Week Partners and Champions • Created Law Enforcement Toolkit for Trailer Safety Week • Implemented a third-party media marketing plan for Trailer Safety Week expansion • Launched NATM Resource Library

• Regular webinars

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www.NATM.com

NATM’s Strategic Plan Update

Tracks • Developed a Strategic Marketing Plan

• Developed flow charts to illustrate the Compliance Verification Program processes

What’s to Come • Continue to increase Trailer Safety Week Allyship • Develop additional video content for Trailer Safety Week • Continued implementation of Strategic Marketing Plan • Enhance Dealer Benefits through committees and surveys • Redesign Trailer Safety Week webinars

• Shortened the Extension Process for Compliance Verification Program • Instituted monthly compliance team training • Meetings with industry suppliers to enhance component, service, and software knowledge What’s to Come

• Launch NATM Online Store • Adopted new compliance software to include photos and digital reports Focus Area Three: Maintain the Integrity and Raise the Value of the Compliance Verification Program Accomplishments Thus Far • Legal review of Compliance Verification Program (CVP)

• Changes to NATM’s Recommended Practices, a part of the NATM CVP Checklist • Continued compliance team training • Continued training with industry suppliers For more information about any of the initiatives seen here, contact NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley at Kendra.Ansley@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

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July/August 2021

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NATM Membership: Funding the Future, Increasing Value

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NATM Membership: Funding the Future, Increasing Value

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director

Just as costs are increasing for member companies, costs are increasing for the Association. The goal of the NATM Board of Directors and Staff is to keep costs as low as possible while providing great value to members of the Association. In the last five years, NATM has: •

Launched a national, annual Trailer Safety Week campaign, having reached more than 300,000 end-users and growing, and created a website that hosts a free Towing Safely Guide

•

Added a Dealer Affiliate program and created the Dealer Compendium

•

Welcomed tow vehicle OEMs into the Association as a new membership type

•

Expanded the Convention & Trade Show to include Dealer Affiliates

•

Created an Association Health Plan

•

Launched an Association 401(k) program

•

Launched a new Association website

•

Improved and refined compliance enforcement practices

•

Launched an online resource library

•

•

Brought the Compliance Verification Program into the digital age with iAuditor—providing members with more information, more quickly, and with less opportunity for error

Developed an Early Warning Reporting and Recall Resource Guide; and more.

•

Added an annual Workforce Development Summit and regular webinar content

In 2020 as the pandemic took hold, NATM slashed its budget early in the year, finding creative ways to reduce expenses without harming members’ benefits. This same practice was carried into 2021 as NATM canceled its convention in February.

For the past two years, the Association has cut nearly 20 percent in expenses. Except for the canceled 2021 convention, the Association has not cut any NATM programming or benefits, and instead, expanded its programming and benefits.

While these active responses to a foreseeable decline in revenue were necessary and have protected the financial standing of the Association, to prepare for 2022 and beyond, the NATM Board and several committees are looking critically at the future. This includes investing in improving existing programming, launching new programming, expanding marketing, and creating a robust infrastructure for the Association moving forward.

To cover the additional responsibilities of both a growing membership and expanded programming, NATM has begun the process of expanding its staff after 18 months of running on a leaner team than the Association has had in 10 years. The Association hired an additional administrative staffer and is in the process of hiring another marketing staff member as of this writing. In the next 18 to 24 months, the team is expected to grow again. With the addition of Dealer Affiliates, a new tow vehicle OEM membership type, increased educational programming like the Workforce Development Summit and regular webinars, and the phenomenal growth the Association has seen in Trailer Safety Week, the Association needs a team capable of delivering highquality output members have come to know and expect.

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NATM Membership: Funding the Future, Increasing Value

Tracks The Association is also investing in improved interfaces with members to include new convention registration software, an online store, a new website and database, and several other changes in the coming years. The Association is also looking into creating a charitable giving arm of its work focused on skilled trades education as well as other programming to support workforce development—a primary challenge for NATM Members. The growth and evolution does not stop there, turn to page 18 for more about the NATM Strategic Plan.

While the Association has expanded programming and benefits significantly in the last several years and has immense growth on the horizon, covering costs and ensuring NATM is properly valuing its work is key. The NATM Membership Committee was tasked with reviewing membership dues and found that the Association had not increased membership dues in five years, despite the increasing costs all businesses have faced in the same time period. As a result, the Membership Committee recommended and the NATM Board approved the following rates beginning in 2022: •

Regular/Intl. Regular Members (Trailer Manufacturers): $995

•

Branch Regular Members (Branch Trailer Manufacturers): $325

•

Associate Members (Suppliers/Service Providers): $860

•

Branch Associate Members (Branch Suppliers/Service Providers): $150

•

Tow Vehicle OEM Manufacturers: $860

COMPLIANCE

An in-depth look into the NATM decal.

NATM will also be increasing the price of its decals by $0.05 per decal. This increase will cover both the cost increases incurred

by NATM but will also allow NATM to offer free shipping and handling to domestic member companies.

In the last five years, NATM expanded its workload, improved programming and advocacy, and increased education, all of which contribute to rising expenses, and with these slight price increases of NATM’s Decals and membership dues, NATM will be able to continue its efforts at the forefront of safety in the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. For more information about membership benefits or membership dues, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or by calling (785) 272-4433.

www.NATM.com

July/August 2021

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Fourth Annual Trailer Safety Week a Success

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Fourth Annual Trailer Safety Week a Success

By Savana Morrison, NATM Marketing Director Trailer Safety Week (TSW), a national awareness campaign focusing on trailer education, made its debut just four years ago.

Since its inaugural year, this safety initiative has piqued interest across the nation amongst trailer manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, end-users, and law enforcement. The 2021 Trailer Safety Week was no exception and saw another successful year that included participation across the country, social media engagement from a variety of companies, and a plethora of media coverage.

Trailer Safety Week Allies Trailer Safety Week Allies ranged from law enforcement departments and industry partners to trailer manufacturers, suppliers and dealers. The 2021 TSW saw over 317 allies committed to trailer safety and education—a 37 percent growth from 2020. Allies were equipped with the official TSW Communications Kit, a marketing toolkit created specifically for TSW Allies, to effectively communicate the importance of trailer safety to their audience. This year, Allies sent TSW information

directly to over 2,300 dealers and end-users. Allies played an important role in not only the education of their customers and followers, but in helping generate awareness and drive traffic to NATM and TSW’s social media platforms as well as www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com.

Social Media Success Through the #TrailerSafetyWeek social media campaign, and with the help of more than 317 TSW Allies, the importance of safe trailering reached thousands across several social media channels. Countless social media posts were created and shared on Facebook in hopes to better educate end-users on important safety measures to take when trailering. In addition to this, NATM shared several trailer safety posts on its social platforms.

These posts featured loading tips, general safe trailering practices, the value of the NATM Decal, and more! Visit NATM’s or TSW’s Facebook page @NATMpage and @TrailerSafetyWeek respectively.

TrailerSafetyWeek.com TrailerSafetyWeek.com hosts an easily accessible Towing Safely Guide that is free to all. Since the inaugural TSW, this website has seen nearly 30,000 unique visitors. The TSW website also earned over 277,000 SEO impressions in 2021 alone. TSW Allies’ efforts on social media led nearly 3,000 new visitors to TrailerSafetyWeek.com throughout the week itself—a testament to the impact Allies have on generating safe trailering awareness.

It is apparent that TrailerSafetyWeek.com is not only being utilized during the week itself, but 365 days a year.

A graph displayingTrailer Safety Week Ally growth over the last four years.

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TSW Was Featured Here Trailer Safety Week was featured in a variety of ways. From a WSBT 22 news segment featuring TSW Ally LOOK Trailers to a feature in the Texas Department of Insurance’s Safety At Work www.NATM.com

Fourth Annual Trailer Safety Week a Success

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A circle chart breaking down Trailer Safety Week Ally demographics.

e-Newsletter, TSW garnered an increased amount of coverage.

Thanks to the hard work of TSW Ally Kenda Americana Tire and Wheel (Kenda ATW), the Governor of Georgia made an official proclamation to declare June 6-12, 2021 Trailer Safety Week in the state of Georgia. Learn more about TSW news here: www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com/news.

“Trailer Safety Week was once again a huge success thanks to the support of Trailer Safety Allies across the country,” said NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley. “A special thank you is owed to Peerless Industrial Group, the first Trailer Safety Week Partner, for helping grow the cargo securement information available on the www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com as well as our 2021 Trailer Safety Week Champion Felling Trailers. The staff is using the momentum and excitement of this year’s success to begin planning for next year’s Trailer Safety Week that will be held June 5-11, 2022. Improving trailer safety will take every facet of the industry working together to be successful and we look forward to more organizations getting involved at the level— ally, champion, partner—that best suits their needs.”

Those interested in joining this trailer safety movement can find more information at www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com/interest or by contacting the TSW team at TrailerSafetyWeek@natm.com.

Engaged With Law Enforcement Around the Nation 2021 marked the first year the TSW team made a strategic effort to reach Law Enforcement and Public Safety officials across the nation. TSW understands the large role these individuals have in passing along safe trailering information to their communities.

Because of this, the TSW team crafted the official Law Enforcement Kit containing relevant regulations, safe trailering practices, and an invitation to join the TSW movement as an official Ally. This strategic push resulted in new TSW Allies including: • State of New Hampshire–Dept of Safety • Office of Highway Safety–Delaware • Kentucky Office of Highway Safety • Los Angeles Police Department • Indiana Department of Transportation • Texas Department of Transportation, and more.

In addition, NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley was invited by the Florida Department of Transportation to speak on trailer safety at their monthly safety meeting.

Join The Movement Trailer Safety Week continues to be a step in the right direction for the trailer industry. With the support of our members, an effective social media campaign, countless TSW Allies and coverage in several news publications, this safety awareness campaign allowed safe trailering to become more visible to the general public. www.NATM.com

NATM’s Executive Director Kendra Ansley joined U-Haul and Ford’s Driving Skills for Life YouTube channel to discuss safe trailering.

July/August 2021

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Kenda: Committed to Trailer Safety

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Kenda: Committed to Trailer Safety

By Kim Besst, Product Marketing Manager, Kenda Americana Tire and Wheel

With millions of trailers traversing the nation’s roadways every day and being used by businesses, local governments and individuals for recreational purposes it is crucial to ensure that trailers are being towed safely for the sake of all of the drivers.

In support of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers’ (NATM) fourth annual National Trailer Safety Week, Kenda Americana Tire and Wheel is utilizing their expertise to share advice and spread awareness to help improve the driving experience on the nation’s roadways.

Kenda Americana Tire & Wheel, as part of the Kenda family of companies, has been engineering and manufacturing tires for the North American market for almost 60 years. The Kenda Loadstar® & Karrier® trailer tires have been a staple in the industry known for endurance, durability and quality. Utilizing R&D testing and new technologies in their facility in Canton, Ohio, Kenda trailer tires are continually reviewed for ways to improve performance plus enhance handling and stability. Kenda Americana Tire & Wheel is committed to providing the highest quality tires and wheels to customers.

Karrier tires on Ranger boat at ramp.

The company is committed to ensuring safety is a top priority not only for trailer manufacturers, distributors and retailers, but also drivers. In support of drivers across the United States, Kenda Americana Tires & Wheel is imploring governors across the country to issue a proclamation to recognize the importance and increase public awareness of National Trailer Safety Week. This proclamation further extends the visibility of the NATM mission and Trailer Safety Week.

No matter how safely a trailer is built, it can still be used in incredibly unsafe ways, especially since many people new to using a trailer never receive even basic training of proper use. In an effort to make the roads safer for everyone, Kenda Americana Tire & Wheel is dedicated to creating messaging that both educates and informs the public on how tires play an important part in trailer performance.

Whether towing a boat to the lake, taking an RV to the campgrounds, or heading to the garden center to load mulch onto a trailer, most people on the roadways simply don’t realize how important understanding their trailer tire dynamics and the impact of their tires on trailer performance truly is. Things like load capacity, air pressure and proper tire maintenance matter immensely to both performance and safety.

Towing involves the interaction of a number of interactive parts; the driver, tow vehicle, and trailer—and, of course, the trailer’s components, like tires. A solid understanding of the trailer and its dynamics, plus safe and proper driving habits are crucial pieces of overall trailer safety.

Trailer Safety Week Govenors Proclamation.

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To help get everyone ready for this season, below are some tips from the experts at Kenda to ensure your RV or trailer is ready for the road. www.NATM.com

Kenda: Committed to Trailer Safety

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• Even smaller trailers that do not require brakes will require longer stopping distances for the combination than the tow vehicle requires while operating by itself. Even with adequate trailer brakes, if applicable, the tow vehicle will still have a greater stopping distance with a trailer attached.

• It takes experience for drivers to become comfortable with the difference between the way their vehicle handles by itself, versus the way the vehicle handles while towing a trailer loaded with cargo.

Kenda American assembly process.

5 Driving Tips for Towing Safety Inspect before you go with the pre-departure safety checklist.

• Check and correct tire pressure on the tow vehicle and trailer, including the spare tire.

• Make sure wheel lug nuts/bolts on the tow vehicle are tightened to the correct torque.

• Check that all items are securely fastened on and in the trailer.

• Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are working.

Maintain your tires after use.

• Visually inspect your tires after use. Look for signs of irregularities, cracking or stress. This can mean you’ve outlived the life of your tires and it’s time to replace them.

• Store your trailer properly. For example, if it sits in the hot sun, that could cause sun damage which could make your tires crack. Storing your trailer in the shade or covering the tires will help combat environmental damage to your tires.

• For following distances, a general rule of thumb is at least a 325-foot gap (about 5 seconds) between your vehicle and the vehicle or obstacle in front of you. Prolonged use of brakes can cause overheating and loss of brake effectiveness. Giving yourself ample space to respond should help prevent frequent and/or hard braking.

Respond to sway the right way.

• Gas off, brake off, steer straight and wait.

• DO NOT attempt to control sway by turning the steering wheel as it will only make the issue worse. If you have a brake controller, gently apply only the trailer brakes.

The summer traveling season is here and many are itching to get out of town and enjoy the great outdoors. As warm weather brings more trailers out, following these tips are as essential for drivers as always maintaining focus while operating a motor vehicle to eliminate distractions. By taking the right measures, you can reduce any problems that could arise on the road.

For more information on Kenda Americana Tire and Wheel, visit www.KendaTire.com or call (877) 766-9321.

Know the load capacity of your tires.

• Make sure the tires on your trailer meet or exceed load capacity.

Check owners’ manuals or placards for maximum limits.

• Load your trailer properly—weight distribution matters, a tail-heavy trailer could cause instability. As a general rule of thumb, at least 60 percent of your load should be toward the front. Check your trailer owner’s manual for the correct distribution.

Know the proper stopping distance.

• On trailer models with brakes installed, the combination will require a greater stopping distance with a trailer in tow than the tow vehicle requires while operating by itself. www.NATM.com

Checking tire pressure on a Kenda Loadstar.

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2021 NATM Educational Calendar

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2021 NATM Educational Calendar

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director

The NATM Educational Committee and NATM Technical Committee have actively worked to address common challenges and barriers impacting the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. As a result, the committee has identified the following topics as top issues: •

Supply chain disruption

•

Workforce shortage

•

Rising component prices

•

Uncertainty in the marketplace

•

COVID-19

•

Trailer compliance and technologies

Armed with this knowledge, NATM is providing educational opportunities via webinars throughout the year to assist members in tackling the hurdles that they are facing. Below is the list of all webinars that have been or will be held in 2021. To access the previously recorded webinars, visit the NATM Online Resource Library at www.NATMShop.com.

2021 Webinar Schedule Quarter 1: • NATM Compliance Verification Program Update—Feb 9, 2021

Quarter 2: • NATM Presents Tires 101 with Kenda/Americana—April 6, 2021 • NATM Trailer Technology Trends—May 20, 2021 • For more information about this recent webinar, turn to on page 62.

• NATM Tariff & Trade Webinar—June 22, 2021 Quarter 3: • NATM Presents Trailer Axles 101 with Dexter Axle—July 13, 2021 • NATM Presents Trailer Brakes 101 with Dexter Axle—July 15, 2021 Quarter 4: • Increasing Trailer Payload with Peak Metals—October 28, 2021 • For more information about this event, turn to page 60.

• NATM Workforce Development Summit – November 16-18, 2021

To submit a speaker proposal, or ask questions about registration, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

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Maximize Your Membership: Email Updates

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Maximize Your Membership: Email Updates

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor This installment of Maximizing Your Membership will highlight a free benefit for all NATM Members: NATM email updates.

NATM members are increasingly short on time as they work to keep up with the day-to-day demands of running their business.

Email updates are topic-specific, allowing members to receive only the information they want without filtering through the rest. Updates won’t clog up inboxes either as they are sent on an as-needed basis, which means there’s no commitment to weekly or monthly emails. These additional email updates are not to be confused with the NATM Insider eNews, which is NATM’s monthly member newsletter. To sign up for the NATM Insider, contact NATM Marketing Director Savana Morrison at Savana.Morrison@natm.com. Read on to learn about all the updates NATM currently offers.

Convention Interest Newsletter The 2022 Convention & Trade Show will be held Feb. 1-3, 2022 in Tampa, Fla. and is quickly approaching. Sponsorships, booth selection, and registration are all vital when it comes to attendance. All the dates and information can be tough to keep track of. Let NATM help with these reminders by signing up to receive additional information on this great event!

Government Affairs NATM has a robust Government Affairs program that works with legislators all year round. With the Highway Reauthorization Bill expiring this year and infrastructure plans coming to fruition, staying up to date has never been more critical. NATM sends regular updates regarding the changes on Capitol Hill that impact trailer manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers. The update also offers members opportunities to engage with their legislators.

Marketing Minute If you are interested in staying up to date with NATM’s latest marketing initiatives, this is the update for you. Perfect for those

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working in marketing, graphic design, or interested in expanding their advertising repertoire with NATM. This update is also ideal for those interested in honing their marketing skills.

Maximize Your Membership There are tons of small ways to get the most out of your NATM membership. This email update will share helpful tips and tricks to maximize your membership with NATM and educate members about underutilized benefits. New and veteran members are sure to learn something about the Association through these emails.

NATM Education Interested in tuning into all the educational webinars, recordings, Q&As, and chats NATM offers? This email update will provide the latest information regarding these sorts of events. In addition, recordings or other materials used during webinars will be distributed via this email update.

NATM Tech Talk If you enjoy learning about the latest trailer technology or always find yourself seeking out technical information on topics like lighting, VIN labels, etc., then this email update is sure to provide useful information. This update will walk you through regulations, tips, and best practices to improve your trailers.

All email updates are voluntary, and you must sign up yourself.

NATM cannot sign up on your behalf. In addition, you can opt out of any email updates at any time. To sign up, visit www.NATM.com/email. Click the checkboxes next to the email updates you are interested in receiving and fill out all applicable fields. When finished, click “Sign up!”

For more information, contact NATM Headquarters at NATMHQ@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

www.NATM.com

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Diversity and Inclusion: Attracting the Most Underrepresented Demographic in Manufacturing

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Diversity and Inclusion: Attracting the Most Underrepresented Demographic in Manufacturing

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor This article is the third article in the Diversity and Inclusion series. Each article focuses on one aspect of diversity and inclusion and gives definitions, examples, and advice on how to implement similar programs. Most of the information presented in these articles was gathered from a diversity summit hosted by The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturing (NAM). This two-day summit covered what diversity and inclusion mean, challenges in these fields specific to manufacturing, and how to implement diversity and inclusion initiatives at all levels in any size of company.

This year NAM announced a pledge for action to help close the equity gap in the industry. By 2025, the goal is for manufacturers to have made 50,000 tangible actions to repair the unequal opportunities in the industry and create 300,000 pathways to job opportunities specifically for people of color and Black people.

The final goal is to change the workforce by 2030. Tracks coverage of the summit has been broken into several articles.

The previous articles have covered what exactly diversity and inclusion are referring to, but the next few articles will take a deeper dive into different aspects of diversity. For ease of access, all of the articles in this series will be uploaded to the NATM Resource Library. For instructions on accessing the library, turn to page 74.

Women in Manufacturing The Manufacturing Institute states, “Women are the greatest challenge and greatest opportunity for the manufacturing industry.” Almost since the end of the Industrial Revolution, it has been a struggle to employ women in manufacturing. During World War I, women made up 20 percent of the manufacturing workforce, and today—over a century later—they make up 28.6 percent of the manufacturing workforce. The last century of progress for women’s rights only resulted in an 8.6 percent jump despite the fact women now make up the majority of the workforce at 51 percent.

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Increasing the employment rate of women in the industry would have remarkable effects. If the representation of women were to increase by as little as 10 percent, the skills gap in manufacturing would close by 50 percent. Women play a vital role in not only closing the skills gap but also ending the workforce crisis that is rampant across the industry.

Obstacles to Retaining Women There is a lack of understanding and education on the employer side surrounding women’s needs as well as the importance of their contributions to the industry. On the other hand, women are uneducated on what a career in manufacturing looks like; they often do not understand the richness that a career in manufacturing can provide in terms of pay, benefits, and personal fulfillment.

Steve Buchanan, VP of Human Resources at Americans Production Area Fresenius Medical Care North America, stated that his company had a difficult time setting diversity and inclusion goals, particularly when it came to the employment rates of women because they had not taken the time to properly educate the leadership within their company about where their company stood in regards to gender diversity (i.e., looking at the makeup of women, nonbinary, trans, etc. people at different levels of the company, analyzing the engagement of these demographics, etc.) and the importance of hiring women.

Patricia Rossman, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer of BASF Corp., explained that diversity can be lost when it comes to screening candidates. The problem can often be found in rigid job descriptions or rigid interviewer requirements. She said you should ask yourself if your culture receptive to diverse talent.

In addition, the reality of a career in manufacturing is skewed due to the public’s perception. This is especially problematic as women are already underemployed in the industry, and therefore, have very little opportunity to speak with peers who can dispel www.NATM.com

Diversity and Inclusion: Attracting the Most Underrepresented Demographic in Manufacturing the common myths of manufacturing. One such myth is that the industry is “dirty” or “unclean.” If you would like to help educate not only women but students, teachers, and your community about manufacturing, turn to page 34 to learn about MFG Day. Steps to Attract and Retain Women Although there are obstacles to hiring women in manufacturing, there are also changes that can be made to incentivize women to join the industry. Women report a need for better work/ life balance as well as benefits. Ensuring these aspects of the company are in check can show women you have considered their demands and responded accordingly.

Other valuable programs to develop include mentorship or sponsorship programs. These programs provide an official channel within the company for women (or other demographics) to develop their skills and move into higher-level positions. In turn, that generation of mentees can become the next generation of mentors. In addition, awards and recognition have also been shown to be important. For example, NATM awards the Pam O’Toole Trusdale award every year to a woman in light- and medium-duty trailer manufacturing that has gone above and

Tracks

beyond for the industry. Recognition shows all employees, not just women, their hard work is appreciated. When awards designed for specific demographics or minorities in the industry are present, it shows both those inside and outside of the industry that there is space for that kind of person to flourish.

Lastly, return to the basics and go over the details to ensure no bias is present. Have current employees go over interview questions, company policies, and other aspects of the company, such as the onboarding processes. Target employees that fit the demographic you are seeking feedback from. Then, take time to seriously consider this feedback and choose what to implement.

Most importantly, be authentic and genuine when it comes to diversity and inclusion; make these initiatives more than a token or a quick fix. Rather, deeply imbed these values into the company, so they become self-sustaining.

Future articles will focus on various dimensions of diversity, including race and ethnicity, military status, and age. More resources can be found at www.TheManufacturingInstitute. org/diversity-inclusion/resources. For questions or article suggestions, contact NATM Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore at Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com.

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31

Reach Veteran Workforce by Building Word-of-Mouth Network

Tracks

Reach Veteran Workforce by Building Word-of-Mouth Network

By Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Marianne Watson Are you placing job ads, but you’re not attracting veterans?

You’re not alone if you are having this problem. In a national survey of employers by the nonprofit Center for America, a majority of employer respondents cited the problem that their job advertisements are not attracting veterans.

A good first step in word-of-mouth recruitment is finding a veteran—perhaps someone already in your organization, or among your retirees and suppliers. They can put you in touch with good candidates in their veteran network. Veterans want to help other veterans find good full-time jobs.

There are many effective nonprofits, state agencies, and military employment transition organizations in your area that can help, so make sure to reach out to them. However, your own

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networking with the veteran community may be a faster way to find candidates who match well with your requirements and culture.

Most veterans maintain close contact with other veterans through a wide range of organizations and events. They know friends and acquaintances who are looking for jobs. They also have good instincts about who in their network would have an interest in a given job and the skills and experience to fit in well.

Tapping into this network isn’t hard: start by identifying veterans among your employees, your retirees, and your suppliers.

Give them an up-to-date written description of the job and the qualifications to pass along to their contacts.

Developing a word-of-mouth network works better when you explain to your veteran contacts why your company offers a good fit for people with a military background. This can empower your contacts to make a case for you. Veterans making a transition to a civilian job often know very little about most industries and less about specific companies.

While many veterans go online to research jobs, you should take the time to explain the aspects of your company that are especially attractive to veterans. Your military-friendly attributes could include future career growth supported by training or in-house mentoring, an emphasis on teamwork, and/or your commitment to diversity. Since veterans are accustomed to these topics while in the military, the more specific you can be, the better.

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There are many national veterans’ organizations that have local affiliates you can contact for referrals. Although these organizations are not specifically in the business of providing referrals, veterans who belong are always interested in helping their members find career jobs.

You can contact the local affiliates of these national organizations by visiting the national websites listed with each: •

Team Red, White & Blue at www.TeamRWB.org

•

Team Rubicon at www.TeamRubiconUSA.org www.NATM.com

Reach Veteran Workforce by Building Word-of-Mouth Network

Tracks •

Mission Continues at www.MissionContinues.org

•

Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) at www.IAVA.org

•

Marine for Life at www.MarineForLife.org

•

Soldier for Life at www.SoldierForLife.army.mil/employment

•

Citizen Soldier for Life at www.JointServicesSupport.org/communityforces

The time you spend developing a word-of-mouth network among veterans will have compounding benefits over the coming months. The more your veteran contacts learn about you and your company, the more they will want to recommend candidates to you. The more you learn about the veterans you are in touch with and the issues and concerns they have, the more effectively you can gain their help. You’ll also get feedback about your jobs that will help you position them more effectively or address aspects of your offers that are turning veterans off.

If you would like to learn more about hiring veterans, National Guard members, and Reservists, visit our website at www.CenterForAmerica.org. You’ll find many free guides, articles, and video presentations on recruiting military candidates.

You can also post your jobs on the CFA homepage through the American Jobs for America’s Heroes campaign to have them distributed directly to military employment counselors where your jobs are located.

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Marianne Watson serves as Center for America’s Director of Outreach and served as the Director of Manpower and Personnel at the National Guard Bureau.

She was chief human resources officer of the Air and Army National Guard, responsible for leading the employment transition operations, among other functions. When deployed to Afghanistan, she was head of National Guard Affairs when 30+ percent of the U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan were National Guard members.

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MFG Day 2021 Set for Oct. 1

Tracks

MFG Day 2021 Set for Oct. 1

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor as well as shape the public’s opinion of the industry. This is a chance for manufacturers to come together to overcome the collective challenge of the workforce shortage.

For 2021, the emphasis will be on digital and virtual events throughout the country. The Manufacturing Institute can help with the planning and hosting of events such as tours, round tables, press conferences, educational and job fairs. When planning such events with the help of the Institute or on your own, it is important to consider how interactive you want the event to be and how big the audience is. These factors will inform what platform you use (i.e., Facebook Live, Zoom,

Manufacturing Day (MFG Day), an initiative of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Manufacturing Institute, is set for Oct. 1, 2021, with events continuing throughout the month. The Manufacturing Institute is the workforce development and education partner of NAM. MFG Day is a near-decade-long initiative that seeks to provide awareness of the industry and help solve the workforce shortage that plagues manufacturing. In the last year, the trailer manufacturing industry has been increasingly vocal about workforce challenges, and MFG Day is the perfect way to be part of the solution!

The initiative encourages companies and educational institutions across the country to open their doors to students, educators, parents, and their communities by hosting events or sharing information online. If you are interested in registering an event, visit www.CreatorsWanted.org/register-event.

GoToWebinar, etc.) and whether or not you want to introduce pre-produced content such as a tour of the facility. If you would like to give students the opportunity to interact directly with your company, you can partner with the Boys and Girls Club by reaching out to Partnerships@bgca.org or visiting www.BGCA.org.

Initiatives like MFG Day are vital as the industry struggles to fill the 538,000 jobs that are open as of Feb. 2021. Over the next decade, 4.6 million high-skill and high-tech jobs will need to be filled. For resources and information on MFG Day, visit www.CreatorsWanted.org/resources. There you can find marketing and hosting toolkits, information on MFG Day’s app, as well as on-demand webinars about MFG Day.

MFG Day also seeks to address the misconception that the industry is “dirty or “unclean.” The greatest influence on perception is personal experience and providing opportunities for interaction between manufacturers and the community “helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers,” says The Manufacturing Institute.

Manufacturing day has a real, measurable impact on the public’s perception of the industry. Seventy-two percent of MFG Day participants believe that manufacturing provides an interesting and rewarding career after the event. In addition, the hashtag #MFG20 had almost 95 million impressions. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain visibility for your company and mission

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Pre-Departure Safety Checklist for Towing

Tracks

Pre-Departure Safety Checklist for Towing

By NATM Staff

Before towing a trailer, make sure your tow vehicle and trailer maintenance are current. This is important because towing puts additional stress on the tow vehicle. The following is a predeparture safety checklist for towers to review before hitting the road.

• Verify that the brakes on the tow vehicle and trailer are operating correctly.

• Check and correct tire pressure on the tow vehicle and trailer.

• Check load distribution to ensure the tow vehicle and trailer are properly balanced front-to-back and side to side.

• Ensure the wheel lug nuts/bolts on the tow vehicle and trailer are tightened to the correct torque.

• Be sure the hitch, coupler, chains, draw bar, and other equipment that connect the trailer and the tow vehicle are properly secured and adjusted.

• Check that the wiring is properly connected, not touching the road, but loose enough to make turns without disconnecting or damaging the wires.

• Check that all items are securely fastened on and in the trailer.

• Be sure the trailer jack, tongue support, and any attached stabilizers are raised and locked in place.

• Check side- and rear-view mirrors to make sure you have good visibility.

• Check routes and restrictions on bridges and tunnels.

• Make sure you have wheel chocks and jack stands.

For more information about safe towing practices, visit www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com.

• Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are working.

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Fifty Years and Going Strong: Rockwell American Fenders

Tracks

Fifty Years and Going Strong: Rockwell American Fenders

By Steve Caudill, Rockwell American

®

A Leading Manufacturer And Distributor Of ofTrailer Parts And American Accessories!

Kings the road depend on Rockwell to meet all

!

S R E D N FE

their trailer part needs. Whether it’s for quality of service, domestically manufactured products, or convenient locations, Glen Burke, Plant Manager, checking the measurements on a fender.

Rockwell American has developed from humble beginnings to be a nationwide leader in the distribution and manufacture ofatrailer F cilitiesToInmaintain their edge, the team works daily on continuous ringworkshop tu c fa u n a parts. It doesn’t get much more humble than the small ola, IN.improvement, constantly generating new ideas to provide their ge With M a g r n e A v d o n C a e ., L id Texas where the company y, F manufacturing customers with world-class levels of quality and delivery. Chuck Citstarted NationinwAzle, TX ., Plant first , le z A ., A C , sno fenders under the name Quality Trailer Products. Over the Vaughn, President of Rockwell American, sees the daily “Grey Fretrailer Floor” meeting attended by key members of the manufacturing years, axle and leaf spring manufacturing as well as nationwide team as part of this continuous improvement. Each morning they distribution were added to the portfolio, becoming Rockwell MN. OR. meet to review production plans, resolve issues, and figure out American in the process, but fender manufacturing remains a how they can delight their customers. “Communication is a key cornerstone of the business.

PA. for continuous improvement, many of our great ideas come from IN. CA. small workshop has grown to encompass That four different CO. AXLES MO. the team members performing the work,” Vaughn remarked.

FENDERS fender manufacturing locations spread across the country with SPRINGS AZ. MADE IN USA the original site in Azle now recognized as the only SC. ISO-certified AL. manufacturer of light-trailer fenders in North America.

DA-ad.indd 1

TX.

FL.

When asked how Rockwell American was able to achieve this, Glen Burke, the current Plant Manager at the Azle site who started his 30-year career with Rockwell running a press brake on the shop floor, answered, “First it takes great people. Without a great team, it would not be possible to grow this business.”

rockwellamerican.com

12/21/20 10:58 AM

Burke is proudest of the safety records at the four fender manufacturing locations. The Azle facility, for example, just celebrated 1,000 days without a recordable injury. “We believe each team member should leave work safely the same way they arrive each day,” he added. “Ensuring safety not only improves quality but also empowers the Rockwell American team to improve every day.”

Rockwell American manufacturers axles and leaf springs in addition to fenders.

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Fifty Years and Going Strong: Rockwell American Fenders

Tracks

One way that they’ve done this is by creating unique packaging designs for each fender. These designs have been optimized to protect the fenders during transit while keeping costs down. The team has worked hard to take advantage of Rockwell American’s wide geographic footprint, augmenting the original Azle location with operations in Angola, Ind., Plant City, Fla., and the newly opened Fresno, Calif. plant. Combined with Rockwell American’s US-based distribution centers, Rockwell American, as Brent Pope, Rockwell American’s Sr. Vice President of Manufacturing, puts it, “offers an unbeatable combination of manufacturing know-how with nationwide reach, making us able to provide the same levels of quality and service to both the largest original equipment manufacturers, regional trailer builders, and even your local 4H club.”

From humble beginnings in Azle, Texas to growing to four manufacturing facilities and fourteen distribution centers, Rockwell American has been on a great ride over the past fifty years. But the team would not have gotten here without a focus on safety, continuous improvement and a passion for service and quality to the customer. Rockwell American will continue to be the name in fenders everyone believes in for many years to come.

Glen Burke, Plant Manager showing the safety awards for 2019 and 2020.

For more information on Rockwell American or to browse the selection of producs, visit www.RockwellAmerican.com.

Rockwell American has created unique packaging for each fender to protect them as well as keep costs down. www.NATM.com

July/August 2021

39

Intellifinishing: Flexible, Automated Finishing Systems for Trailer Manufacturers

Tracks

Intellifinishing: Flexible, Automated Finishing Systems for Trailer Manufacturers John Claman, IntelliFinishing Sales

Load Trail recently faced a significant challenge trying to improve the quality and throughput of their agricultural trailers within the finishing process. Their trailers range from 24 to 53 feet in length and weigh up to 10,000 lbs. Most traditional automated finishing systems would not be able to handle trailers of this size, or a large system would need to be installed, exceeding the available footprint Load Trail desired for their system.

IntelliFinishing systems use a friction tube rather than a chain to move carriers. By using the friction-tube-driven shuttle, the trailers can move laterally from process to process with no U-turns, saving a tremendous amount of floor space. The frictiontube conveyor also moves carriers into and back out (forward and reverse) of each process. This eliminates large bulb turns and return sections of chain track, as seen with many traditional finishing systems.

To help solve the problem of powder coating trailers of this size and streamline their finishing, IntelliFinishing installed a dual shuttle system at their Sulphur Springs, Texas facility.

Processes on Load Trail’s shuttle system include automatic and manual shot blast booths, an automatic two-stage cabinet wash booth, a dry-off oven, several final prep and quality control stations, prime and topcoat powder booths, three final cure ovens, dual unload stations on either side of the main shuttle, and a secondary 52-foot carrier return shuttle to transport empty carriers back to the original nine weld and loading cells.

The finishing system IntelliFinishing installed for Load Trail features nine lanes that run above their final weld cells. After final assembly and weld, trailers are loaded immediately on a carrier above the weld cells from one of those nine lanes. The trailers are then transported directly ahead by 53 feet long conveyorized carriers onto a large primary shuttle which moves to each of the finishing processes.

After final assembly and weld, trailers are loaded immediately on a carrier above the weld cells

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July/August 2021

IntelliFinishing systems are completely automated (with the exception of the occasional manual process), which means each of Load Trail’s processes within the system is controlled with

IntelliFinishing systems are completely automated (with the exception of the occasional manual process). www.NATM.com

Intellifinishing: Flexible, Automated Finishing Systems for Trailer Manufacturers

Tracks “recipes”. With a recipe-based system like IntelliFinishing, each trailer carrier moving through a system can be treated differently based on the process data entered into the system as its recipe.

Recipes are created by entering commands or process instructions for each part family or group of similar parts. The recipe is selected manually or automatically for each trailer loaded from a weld cell. All trailers with the same recipe will receive the same process. If the next carrier loaded on the system has a different trailer type requiring a different recipe, the operator simply selects the correct recipe for that trailer at the load-area HMI screen. When that carrier gets to a process area, the system will automatically run the selected process for that part family. These intuitive controls ensure every trailer and trailer part achieve its own optimal finish.

IntelliFinishing takes pride in providing the most flexible, modular, customized, automatic finishing systems that can address unique finish, parts, and footprint needs. Other system customers include Caterpillar, Altec, Hyster Yale, Boeing, Raytheon, Hytrol, and others.

With a recipe-based system, each trailer carrier moving through a system can be treated differently based on the process data entered.

To view a short video of the Load Trail system visit: www.Intellifinishing.com/trailers. If you’d like to discuss if an IntelliFinishing system might be right for you, please call (785) 309-0356.

IntelliFinishing takes pride in providing the most flexible, modular, customized, automatic finishing systems that can address unique finish, parts, and footprint needs. www.NATM.com

July/August 2021

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Statistically Speaking

Tracks

Statistically Speaking Submitted by Statistical Surveys

Registration for the light- and medium-duty trailer industry were up 78.1 percent in March 2021. Below are the details of the market’s performance for the five trailer segments as reported by Statistical Surveys: Trailer Type Open

Mar. 2021 92.0%

Jan.–Mar. 2020 52.7%

Enclosed

55.7%

31.5%

Livestock

35.1%

13.6%

Horse

58.0%

34.8%

Boat

65.8%

47.2%

Industry

78.1%

45.8%

The following are the top five states in sales growth for all trailer segments in the first three months of 2021.

Ranking 1

State Ohio

Percent Growth 88.1%

2

New York

81.9%

3

New Jersey

80.7%

4

Minnesota

76.2%

5

Vermont

75.8%

Industry registrations for the first three months of 2021 were up 45.8 percent over 2020.

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

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Statistical Survey Awards for Top Trailer Performance in 2020

Tracks

Statistical Surveys Awards for Top Trailer Performance in 2020 Top Manufacturer in Number of Registrations by Segment for 2020

Top Manufacturer in Largest Market Share Increase by Segment for 2020

•

All Trailer Segments—Carry-On Trailers, Inc.

•

All Trailer Segments—American Cargo Group

•

Boat Trailer Segment—White River Marine Group

•

Boat Trailer Segment—Back Track Trailers, Inc.

•

Enclosed Trailer Segment—LOOK Trailers

•

Enclosed Trailer Segment—American Cargo Group

•

Horse Trailer Segment—Trails West MFG of Idaho

•

Horse Trailer Segment—C & B Quality Trailer Works, Inc.

•

Livestock Trailer Segment—Exiss/Sooner Trailers

•

Livestock Trailer Segment—Snake River Trailer Company

•

Open Trailer Segment—Carry-On Trailer, Inc.

•

Open Trailer Segment—Carson Trailer, Inc.

The Exiss/Sooner Trailers team.

Back Row, Left to Right: Wood Moser, Trance Hicks, Braden Bergquist, Ty Jensen, Shawn Purser, Brandon Bergquist, Kevin Beck, Lynden Moser, Jason Andersen Front Row, Left to Right: Tyler Talbot, Shane Porter, Morgan Purser, Kerry Hodges, Guy Weeks. www.NATM.com

Left to Right: Mike Nichols, Gary Mackelprang, and Jeff Howes.

Left to right: Kelly Robakowski–Chief Financial Officer, Matt Arnold– CEO & Founder, Steve Hartman–Vice President of Sales, Jeff Troyer– President of Formula/Impact.

July/August 2021

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

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 Advertising opportunities are available for the NATM Insider eNews. For more information, contact NATM Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore at Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com.

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.

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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

New 2021 Media Kit Available with Advertising Opportunities

Tracks

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! Visit www.NATM.com/advertising to view the NATM 2021 Media Kit as well as advertising packages for trailer manufacturers and suppliers/service providers.

Tracks magazine deadlines for contracts and artwork are as follows: 7Deadline: 8 5 . 2 7 2 . 4 4July 3 3 15 September/October* NATM.COM *Trailer Dealer Special Issue 78 . 2Y7A2N . 4@4 N 3 3A T M . C O M MEGHA N5. R N A T M .

C O M November/December Deadline: Sept. 15 2O 7 2M. 4 4 3 3 M E G H A N . R Y A N @ N A7T8M5..C January/February Deadline: N A T M . C O M Nov. 15 MEGHAN.RYAN@NATM.COM

785.272.4433

If you would like to spruce up your company’s online directory NATM.COM listing, you can add company logos, link social media accounts, ELIZABETH.MOORE@NATM.COM and update contact information all for free.

NATM offers advertisers a unique to reach If you haveopportunity any questions or concerns about advertising or If you, or someone you know, would like to receive advertising trailer manufacturers, suppliers, trailer dealers and Tracks magazine, contact Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore at notices, please let NATM know, and you will be added to the Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com.

NATM encourages consumers all in one place. With both digital and print members mailing list. to submit suggestions for Tracks article topics and welcomes avenues available, NATM is sure to have what you're Most opportunities accept contracts on a rolling basis space submissions for member spotlight articles. looking for. permitting, and you can start and end advertising at any time.

900+ 369,000+ 22,000+

NATM MEMBERS AS OF SEPTEMBER 2020

WEBSITE VISITORS ANNUALLY

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2021 ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES NATM is enhancing the advertising opportunities it offers its members. With more options available to advertisers than ever before, 2021 promises to be a year full of new opportunities.

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July/August 2021

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

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NATM Announces Advertising Packages

Tracks

NATM Announces Advertising Packages

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor

NATM is excited to announce new advertising packages for suppliers, service providers, and trailer manufacturers. Placing advertising in front of prospective customers is one of the easiest and most effective benefits of NATM membership. These packages are fantastic opportunities to get involved with NATM advertising or expand your existing program. There are options for everyone as the packages fit a variety of budgets and needs.

For trailer manufacturers and suppliers/service providers alike, there are three different tiers of advertising packages: essential, basic, and premium.

Essential Advertising Package—$2,500-3,600 This package is perfect for those just getting their feet wet with NATM advertising. Never advertised with the Association before? This is the perfect place to start. At this level, advertisers will receive a mix of print and digital options, ideal for getting the company’s name in front of potential customers.

Included in this package are the following opportunities: • Tracks advertisements (half page) • Online Directory and Buyer’s Guide leaderboard advertisement • Print Directory and Buyer’s Guide ad (half page) OR Convention Map advertising* Basic Advertising Package—$4,600-$6,300 The Basic Package is excellent for those interested in upping their advertising game. Not sure how to expand your presence in NATM’s publications? Unsure how to better reach your audience? This package provides a great selection to do just that.

At this level, advertisers receive a mix of print and digital options but for larger ad sizes than the Essential Package provides.

Companies can make a statement with the included ad placements: • Tracks advertisements (full page) • Print Directory and Buyer’s Guide (full page) OR Convention Map advertising* • NATM.com leaderboard advertisement Premium Advertising Package—$5,900-$11,400 This package provides ultimate advertising exposure. It contains sure-fire ways to stand out from the crowd. Included in this package is demand positioning for Tracks advertisements. At this level, advertisers receive a mix of print and digital options but with added benefits like demand positioning or brochure inserts*.

Included in this package are: • Tracks advertisements (full page with demand positioning) • Print Directory & Buyer’s Guide brochure insert OR Convention Map advertising* • NATM.com advertisement • NATM Insider eNews** Historically, ad placements were sold separately with associated costs, but with the creation of advertising packages, placements are combined and sold at a reduced fee. No matter the package, take advantage of over 15 percent in savings compared to buying each ad individually.

Claiming a package for yourself is simple, fill out the contract, send it in, and NATM will send you an invoice for payment.

Access the advertising packages at www.NATM.com/advertising.

Don’t see anything that fits your budget or needs? Reach out to NATM Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore at Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com to arrange a custom package. *subject to time of year **Supplier Packages

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www.NATM.com

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FOR TRAILER BRAKE SAFETY PRODUCTS AND COMPONENT PARTS

BREAK AWAY KITS 2311 12v10amp Battery in a Top Load LED BAK with 2.0amp built-in Charger and Complete Switch Assembly for Electric over Hydraulic Trailer Brake Systems.

2382 Side Load LED BAK with 1.0amp built-in Charger, 12v5amp Battery and Complete Switch Assembly.

4112 12 volt 7.5 watt Solar Charger Maintainer • Inner Box (1 piece per box) 11 x 10 x 2.75 inches 1.6 LBS. Unit Specs: Wt. 1.25 LBs • Panel Dimensions 10.25 x 8.9375 x .125 inches, UV protective coating • 4 Reinforced .319” mounting holes (8.08” center to center on width, and 9.48” center to center on length) • Cable on panel 16’8”- 16AWG- SPT2/ 10 Amp- 300V- 105°C, UV Protected with S connector to connect to charge controller pigtail, which attaches to battery.

• Charge controller has red LED to let you know it is charging; regulates voltage 13-20V from panel to 13.2514.7V to battery, total length including cable is 47” with .411” ring connectors, that attaches to battery.

S connector for connecting to panel. One-way diode to prevent flow back voltage.

• Multiple applications: Can be used for Dump Trailers, Gates, Electric Fencing, RV, Stored Autos, Power Sport, Marine and any 12 volt battery 5 amp hour and up.

5214 Second generation 12v5amp Charger with new chamfered top.

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Deep Cycle Marine Battery for Dump Trailer and hydraulic lift applications.

DC27-6 Deep Cycle Marine Battery for Dump Trailer and hydraulic lift applications. (not pictured) Recommended when single battery is used for operating multiple pieces of equipment on the trailer.

2326 Patented “Incident Crisis Unit” can save your loved ones life. Flashing Trailer Lights when the 7 pin cable is disconnected the trailer lights will flash, until reset. Built into a Side Load LED BAK. Comes complete with 12v5amp Battery, 1.0a Charger, Switch and Push to Test LED

2305 Patented “All-in-One” BAK with 48” 7 pin cable

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NATM Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide: Coming Fall 2021

NATM Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide: Coming Fall 2021

Tracks

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director More than 900 trailer manufacturers and suppliers to the lightand medium-duty trailer industry will be listed in the 2021/2022 NATM Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide. This printed directory is designed to be used by trailer manufacturers looking for suppliers and select trailer dealers looking for the best, compliant trailer options in the industry.

The NATM Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide is an annual, free NATM member benefit and is distributed to purchasing agents and main contacts within the Association.

Published by the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, the Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide has multiple sections to organize information consisting of: • Membership Directory • Alphabetically by company name • Buyer’s Guide • Associate (supplier) Members by category—this guide is divided by supplier category and sorted alphabetically • Tow Vehicle OEM Members—this guide is sorted alphabetically

• Regular Members by category—trailer manufacturer companies are listed by trailer category such as cargo, landscape, or utility Although many industries are moving away from printed publications, NATM’s membership continues to prefer the feeling of holding a hard copy to flip through to find suppliers to meet their needs, and this year’s printed Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide is scheduled to arrive this fall to NATM Members, Dealer Affiliates, and additional dealers across the nation!

Online Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide Is searching for a new supplier on the internet more your speed? Have you misplaced your hard copy of the Membership Directory? Don’t worry! NATM’s members are also listed on NATM’s website on the online Membership Directory.

The online Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide requires no password or account to access the company information. Search criteria can be narrowed down to search by category, state and keyword. Find a new business partner today at: www.NATM.com/membership-directory.

Di

Bu rec ye tor r’s y Gu & id e

You can update your company information at any time by using the secure member login at www.NATM.com. If you have forgotten your username and/or password, use the “Reset password or forgot username” link or contact NATM Administrative Assistant II Catie Rutkowski at Catie.Rutkowski@natm.com or by calling (785) 272-4433.

Digital Advertising Opportunities

2019 2020

Advertising opportunities are available for the Online Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide. Your company could be featured at the top of the category of your choice, pending availability. Your ad will show up first above all other listings, and the Directory is available to the general public, increasing your company’s exposure. Ads will link to a webpage of your choice. This opportunity also comes with flexible deadlines.

If you are interested in advertising, reach out to NATM Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore at Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com for a contract.

The cover of the 2019-2020 Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide.

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www.NATM.com

Make it better with Heskins tapes Work it better

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A range of abrasive or non-abrasive tapes designed to make steps and work areas safer underfoot

Protect it better

Gravel Guard

Tough tape with embossed PVC surface prevents stone chips and scratches from damaging your paintwork. Available in colors or transparent.

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Ultra Heavy Duty Bonding tape

Heskins UHDBT can be used on many surfaces, including sound painted and galvanized metals • Aluminum siding for trailers • Truck side panels • Horse boxes • Window glass to vehicles

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DOT tape

with reflective conspicuity tapes, branded with your logo show the world you made it better

Tel 877-900-8359 heskins.us Heskins LLC, PO box 559, East Butler, PA 16029

NATM Guidelines Annual Update Preview

Tracks

NATM Guidelines Annual Update Preview

By Terry Jones, NATM Technical Director

Since 1992, the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has annually published the Guidelines for Recommended Minimum Manufacturing Practices for Light- and Medium-Duty Trailers, otherwise known as the Guidelines. These updates are researched and compiled by NATM Staff, NATM Members, and NATM’s committees with approval by NATM Staff, and the NATM Compliance Committee. One drawback to the annual update process is only updating once a year. Members are required to wait until each new edition to gain any new or edited information. Starting this year, NATM will periodically update its membership on upcoming changes for the next edition of the Guidelines via Tracks magazine, social media, and NATM Tech Talk, a brand-new electronic newsletter keeping you up to date on all things technical and compliance. Sign up for this newsletter and more at www.NATM.com/email.

The intention of these general updates is not to provide an official new version of the Guidelines, provide a full context, or provide immediate changes, but to notify members of the upcoming changes so they may be prepared and take action if needed.

Contact NATM Technical Director Terry Jones at Terry.Jones@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433 for more information.

Upcoming Changes Section B11 – VIN / Data Plates and Manufacturer Information The addition of: • 49 CFR § 567.1 Purpose • 49 CFR § 567.2 Application • 49 CFR § 567.3 Definitions • 49 CFR § 567.5 Requirements for manufacturers of vehicles manufactured in two or more stages.

• 49 CFR § 567.6 Requirements for persons who do not alter certified vehicles or do so with readily attachable components.

• 49 CFR § 567.7 Requirements for persons who alter certified vehicles.

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Purpose: Manufacturers may have additional requirements based on the type or stage of manufacturing they participate in, and the addition of these regulations will assist in navigating these requirements.

Appendix 2 – Quick Guide and Checklist The addition of: Checklist question: 7.41 Underride properly labeled on the forward or rear of the underride, including the manufacturer’s name and address, date of manufacture statement, and DOT marking.

Correlating Quick Guide information: The addition of: S5.3 Labeling. Each guard shall be permanently labeled with the information specified in S5.3 (a) through (c) of this section. The information shall be in English and in letters that are at least 2.5 mm high. The label shall be placed on the forward or rearward facing surface of the horizontal member of the guard, provided that the label does not interfere with the retroreflective sheeting required by S5.7.1.4.1(c) of FMVSS No. 108 (49 CFR 571.108), and is readily accessible for visual inspection.

• The guard manufacturer’s name and address.

• The statement: “Manufactured in ____” (inserting the month and year of guard manufacture).

• The letters “DOT”, constituting a certification by the guard manufacturer that the guard conforms to all requirements of this standard.

Purpose: Information on rear underride labeling and enforcing existing federal regulation which requires specific labeling of the rear underride guard and aligning the Compliance Verification Program with federal regulation.

For more information on these changes, the Guidelines, or any other technical or compliance issue, contact NATM Technical Director Terry Jones at Terry.Jones@natm.com or (785) 272-4433. www.NATM.com

Tracks

www.NATM.com

July/August 2021

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Post-Pandemic Supply Chain Issues

Tracks

Post-Pandemic Supply Chain Issues

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor

Supply chain issues have been a hot topic since the pandemic started, making their way into headlines across the world. IBEX 365, in partnership with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), held a webinar addressing supply chain concerns for manufacturers on April 29, 2021. IBEX 365 is North America’s largest technical trade event for marine industry professionals. NMMA is the leading trade organization for the North American recreational boating industry. Andrea Sordi, Clinical Professor Supply Chain Management, University of Tennessee, spoke with Scott Berry, Director of Engineering Standards, NMMA, to answer questions about planning for disruptive events such as costly shipping, innovation, and consolidation.

Global and environmental factors are shaking the principles on which the supply chain has built itself. The pandemic, trade wars, tariffs, etc. have all impacted the global supply chain over the last 18 months. With these tumultuous landscapes changing daily, many manufacturers are struggling with no end in sight. Sordi explained that extreme solutions do not solve these problems. He said, “You need to find a balance. Extreme doesn’t work. Some materials can be sourced nearshore [vs. offshore], so the question becomes how do you control that balance?” He encouraged manufacturers to think critically about their supply chains and pivot quickly when issues, like costly shipping, arise.

How can manufacturers plan for disruptive events?

Although no event can be fully anticipated, some preparations can be made in advance. Sordi explained that too much time is spent perfecting data and forecasts when the truth is accurate forecasts are entirely subjective. Each company has to decide for what “accurate” means for them. However, Sordi elaborated that what matters is the ability to turn those forecasts into directional data and understand how different scenarios might play out.

Accuracy is less important than the ability to be flexible. This can be difficult to do since the supply chain has built itself around the bottom line and growth, which downplays risk management; all industries need to move to a supply chain that is lean and has groundwork built on flexibility instead.

Another way companies can prepare for disruptive events is to ask the question, “How can the company shape demand in the

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future?” Sordi posed this question so companies look beyond current demand and determine how they can influence it. Looking for new customers and tracking new customer interests are ways that companies can shape demand; the idea is to get ahead of the curve and lead demand in the business’s favor. Investing in infrastructure, personnel, and automation can also help anticipate or lessen the effect of disruptive events. For example, if companies take the time to understand where bottlenecks occur in their supply chains, they can mitigate those effects now instead of waiting until the bottleneck causes issues.

Innovation and the Supply Chain Manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to innovate their products, services, and processes, but there are many hurdles to innovation, including the supply chain. It is unlikely innovation will be found within the supply chain; businesses may need to forge relationships with more than one supplier to create the desired result. Use long-term tactics and strategies with suppliers so a stable, symbiotic relationship is made. When looking for suppliers, small and medium enterprises may be worthwhile investments. According to Sordi, small and medium businesses are more diverse and 20 to 30 percent more creative than big businesses.

Many companies start with a tool and then build a business around that tool. However, that is not a sustainable business model. It is much more effective to have a goal or an answer to the question “why are you making this tool/product/service/etc.?” and work backward from there to create a business. Understand why this particular product needs innovating. Even working from this model, innovation can still fail if the values and goals are not aligned internally. If the team does not understand why this innovation needs to be made, not only will confusion run rampant, but trust between leadership and employees could break down.

Consolidation in the Supply Chain When questioned about consolidation within the supply chain, Sordi did not believe it was a solution. “Consolidation means putting too many eggs in the same basket,” he said. It is not a solution to the issues that exist right now. He explains there was

www.NATM.com

Post-Pandemic Supply Chain Issues

Tracks a big push for consolidation several years ago because it makes • Build incentives into supplier agreements such as penalties if managing more efficient. Keeping the supply chain diverse cannot they do not deliver on time or cannot hold up their end of the only spark innovation, as mentioned above, but can also create contract. competitiveness within the industry. Overall, diversifying supply • Give suppliers visibility of the customer base and focus on a chains is a much safer solution than consolidation. long-term partnership. The stability may be enticing for them.

Quick Tips to Improve Supply Chains • Remember, there is always a lag between normalcy and prices • Lock in prices (components, shipping, etc.) as far in advance as going down. The return to normal is estimated to take another possible to avoid paying inflated prices. three to six months in the best-case scenario.

• To find the best ports to ship to, analyze the company’s inland network to see where resources are the most bountiful (i.e., alternative routes if needed, enough drivers and containers, strong infrastructure).

• If there are not enough resources to serve all customers equally, prioritize certain demographics or types of customers. Focus time, attention, and resources on the segments that will bring the most financial stability

There are, unfortunately, no instantaneous fixes to the supply chain issues present today. The information here is meant to help you think crtically about your own supply chain in hopes of preventing or mitigating future issues. Time and the return to normal will eventually bring inflated prices down and allow for more movement within the manufacturing industry. If you would like more information on Sordi’s presentation, contact NATM Tracks Editor Elizabeth Moore at Elizabeth.Moore@natm.com.

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59

Increasing Trailer Payload Webinar: Oct. 28

Tracks

Increasing Trailer Payload Webinar: Oct. 28

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director

NATM is partnering with Peak Metals Inc./Nucor to offer the webinar “Increasing Trailer Payload through Weight Reduction with Nucor’s Nustrength Grade 100” on Oct. 28, 2021, at 2:00 pm CST. Trailer manufacturers across the globe strive to optimize weight and payload capacity to reduce costs, improve fuel efficiency, and increase the weight capable of being towed without reducing durability and safety.

This event was scheduled as an in-person workshop at the canceled NATM Convention & Trade Show in 2021. Due to the relevancy of this helpful information, NATM and Peak Metals Inc./Nucor are excited to virtually deliver this content directly to members. For more information about Peak Metals Inc./Nucor, visit www.PeakMetals.com.

Workshop agenda: • Trailer Weight Reduction • Payload Increase and Cost Savings • Production, Forming, Fabrication, and Welding Characteristics of Nucor’s Nustrength Grade 100 Speakers: Frank Baumgardner, Nucor Decatur Market Development and Product Applications Manager, has 37 years of steel industry experience, including 21 years in product development and application. He has spent the last six years working on the development of Grade 100. Baumgardner focuses on product development and process improvement for heavy transportation and agriculture, the energy industry, Nucor’s Tubular Product Group, and Nucor’s Grade 100 Nustrength products. He has served on several ASTM (formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials) and AIST (Association for Iron and Steel Technology) technical committees and is currently committee chair for the AIST Pipe and Tube Technical Committee.

Timo Vierimaa, owner and Managing Director of Peak Metals, has 31 years in the steel industry in various capacities including

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steel mill technical customer service and sales, steel service center quality management, steel mill agent, and specialty steels distribution. After establishing Peak Metals in 2005, Vierimaa has been focusing on developing the specialty steel business, especially the Grade 100 market in North America.

Mike Trull, Sales Representative for Peak Metals, has 40 years in the steel industry, including sales and management experience with domestic and offshore steel producers. He has spent 20 years with Salzgitter—the German steel mill group—and 14 years with the Brazilian mill group CSN, LLC, along with various positions in the service center industry. His major product areas include all flat-rolled, plate, and structural steel from commercial quality through ultra-high-strength steel.

Karl McKeever, Metallurgist and Transportation Authority, is a metallurgical engineer with over 40 years of experience, including working with National Rolling Mills. Later in his career, Karl became an expert in evaluation and consulting of overseas steel mills regarding their operations. He spent 15 years as Head of Metallurgy with the Commercial Metals Trading Group.

For additional information, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or (785) 272-4433.

For more information about NATM Member Peak Metals Inc., visit www.PeakMetals.com.

Increasing Trailer Payload Through Weight Reduction Using Nucor Nustrength 100 Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 Presenters: • Frank Baumgardner, Nucor Decatur Market Development and Product Applications Manager • Karl McKeever, Metallurgist and Transportation Authority • Mike Trull, Sales Representative for Peak Metals • Timo Vierimaa, Owner and Managing Director of Peak Metals Time: 2:00 pm CST (Tentative) Cost: FREE for NATM Members and Dealer Affiliates Register: www.NATM.com/natm-events

www.NATM.com

Tracks

The Difference is Durability. The Quality is Hutchens.

The Difference is Durability. The Quality is Hutchens.

The Difference is Durability. The Quality is Hutchens.

The 9700 Series The 9700 Series With With Springs Springs to to Support Support Your Your Utility Utility Trailer Trailer With Springs to Support Your Utility 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: We now offerlb. two greatsprings choices three-leaf, steel springs: Our 12,000 GAWR forof42.5” and 44”high-arch, axle spacings Our 12,000 lb. GAWR springs for 42.5” and 44” axle spacings Our 12,000 15,000 lb. GAWR GAWR springs for for 49” axle Our andspacings 44” axle spacings Our 15,000 lb. lb. GAWR springs springs for 42.5” 49” axle spacings Either springlb.can be used with Hutch 9700 Our 15,000 GAWR springs for the 49” axle spacings Either spring can be used with the Hutch 9700 Series suspension and configured to fit your Either spring can beand used with the Hutch 9700 Series suspension configured to fit your needs.

Series needs. suspension and configured to fit your needs.

Visit www.NATM.com www.hutchensindustries.com for more information.

Visit www.hutchensindustries.com for more information.

Visit www.hutchensindustries.com for more information.

The 61 The Hutch Hutch 9700 9700 Series.

Series.

The Hutch 9700 Series.

July/August 2021

Trailer Technology Trends Webinar Recap

Trailer Technology Trends Webinar Recap

Tracks

By Elizabeth Moore, NATM Tracks Editor in-house that were impossible to do before. Efficiency on the line can be increased by 30 to 60 percent while soft costs decrease.

More parts per shift can be manufactured and ordering time and inventory can be reduced; more orders can be made to order.

Although there can be a significant upfront cost for some automation systems—Sumig products run the gamut, ranging from $65,000 over $300,000—the focus should be on the return on investment (ROI.) Saumier explains the complete ROI for Sumig products is roughly a year and half no matter the initial cost of the product.

This webinar was sponsored by IntelliFinishing

On May 20th, NATM hosted a Trailer Tech Trends webinar presented by NATM Technical Director Terry Jones with panelists Nathan Dossmann of Dec-O-Art, Steve Saumier of Sumig Automation, Cary Kronebusch from Peerless Industrial Group, and Steve Hidden from Miller Electric. Throughout the course of the presentation, each panelist presented on technological trailer trends and innovations that are relevant to the light- and medium-duty trailer industry.

VIN Calculation Dossmann showed attendees how Dec-O-Art and Vineze are revolutionizing VIN calculations with computer software.

FedCert Suite provides customers a computer software the automates the process. However, these programs don’t just simplify the process, they also make being federally compliant much easier. TINs, VINs, and MSOs can all be completed with this type of software. NATM has covered Dec-O-Art and Vineze’s products before in an article titled “VIN Deciphering Scheme Software: An Alternative to Manual Calculation.” To access the article, visit NATMShop.com and create an account.

Leaping into the world of automation can be challenging, but there are questions to ask to feel more prepared while exploring options. Below are a few of the questions to help you get started.

• Ask why now? Why are you looking for a system now? What needs are going to be met?

• How many years should this system meet your needs? Five years? Ten years?

• Do you have enough data and information?

• Who should you partner with? Partner is key in this question as the relationship should be a partnership and not simply a transaction between two companies.

Before getting into the process, you should define the project goals and identify roadblocks. These two steps are key, as automation cannot solve all problems. Saumier does not recommend getting hung on the welding machines or the robotics, but instead focusing on aligning your company with an integrator you can trust.

Automating the Manufacturing Process This year Sumig Automation has been contacted by trailer manufacturers more than any other manufacturing industry segment, and it’s no surprise why. Automation on the manufacturing line can provide wide variety of benefits for the company, impacting everything from workplace safety and design to sales and marketing.

With automation systems, manufacturers can increase parts throughput by 35 to 60 percent and begin manufacturing parts Dec-O-Art presented on their VIN Deciphering Scheme software.

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www.NATM.com

Trailer Technology Trends Webinar Recap

Tracks

Sumig Automation presented on automation trends within the industry.

Cargo Securement Cargo securement should always be taken seriously not only for the laws and regulations governing securement but to prevent damage to the cargo and protect the public and the transporters.

There are a variety of options to do just that, ranging from chains to rope and beyond.

Kronebusch described Peerless’ newest chain, a Grade 100 chain.

This new chain is made with heat-treated alloy steal with a higher strength to weight ratio than other chains. In fact, the Grade 100 chain is 25 percent stronger than Grade 80 chain. This particular chain is meant for tie-down assemblies and not overhead lifting; chains must be recommended for overhead lifting and not all are.

No matter what method is chosen to secure cargo, it must be able to withstand nearly anything the road can throw at it, such as the G-forces exerted while driving, emergency maneuvers, panic stops, environmental conditions, and vehicle malfunctions, among many other situations. In the same vein, Kronebusch mentioned bungee cords are not meant for cargo securement although they are often used. Bungee cords don’t have ratings the way chains do and can snap easily if overloaded.

All chain and component assemblies should be rated according to the working load limit of the weakest component. Care should

A slide from Peerless Industrial Group exhibiting cargo securement.

be taken to select attachments of the same type, grade, size, and working load limit. As the saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

Miller Electric OpenBook Miller Electric understands the workforce shortage is a major obstacle in the manufacturing industry right now, and they have placed their focus on education to bring in new workers. Miller Electric has invested in scholarships and grants, training systems, fume management, and most notably e-learning resources titled OpenBook.

OpenBook is a free interactive, modular system. Courses are broken up by modules and contain quizzes and welding assignments. The courses can be completed online, on-site, or off-site depending on student needs. Over 70 modules are offered within the five pre-designed courses: Base Metals and Filler Metals, Introduction to Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), and Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG). Books containing course content are available for purchase in an e-publishing format.

Miller Electric did not stop there, though. They also offer the Augmented ArcTM which is an augmented reality welding system. This machine allows students to learn the right technique without wasting money on materials such as metal and gas.

LiveArc is another system Miller Electric designed that provides immediate feedback to trainees after a real weld.

Many companies are beginning to provide in-house training to new employees as the skilled labor shortage continues across the manufacturing sector. Miller Electric’s materials can be used in such programs, offering a graduated process from OpenBook to LiveArc.

A slide from Miller Electric’s presentation featuring photos of their Augmented ArcTM. www.NATM.com

To access a recording of the webinar, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com.

July/August 2021

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Your Rear Impact Guard Questions Answered

Tracks

Your Rear Impact Guard Questions Answered

by David Smith PE, Alpine Engineering & Design, Inc.

On Jan. 1, 1953, the first federal regulation for rear impact protection—Regulation 393.86—went into effect. The regulation required heavy vehicles to have a device that was “substantially constructed and firmly attached.” The device was intended to prevent excessive underride if a passenger car collided with the rear of the heavy vehicle. Today, these devices go by several different names including rear impact guards (RIG), underride guards, Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) bumpers, Department of Transportation (DOT) bumpers, and Mansfield bars.

As time went on, there was an apparent trend of increasing injuries and fatalities due to rear collisions despite the regulation.

In 1967, rulemaking efforts were initiated to improve safety for passenger car occupants involved in collisions with the rear of heavy vehicles. However, the efforts were terminated in 1971 as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator concluded, at the time, that the safety benefits achieved in terms of lives and injuries saved would not be commensurate with the cost of implementing the proposed rule.

In 1976, the popular American actress Jayne Mansfield was traveling on US Highway 90 from Mississippi to New Orleans with her attorney, three kids, and their driver. In the very early morning, the Buick crashed at high speed into the rear of a tractor-trailer that had slowed behind a truck spraying mosquito fogger which was shrouded in an insecticide fog. The three adults in the front seat died instantly. The children, asleep in the back seat, survived with minor injuries. Thus, the term “Mansfield Bar” was coined for the underride guard.

Around the same time, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety was conducting tests to show that excessive underride is preventable with specially designed high strength, low weight, low-cost underride guards.

Subsequently, the efforts to create new and better laws for rear impact protection resumed in 1977 and involved significant amounts of testing, analysis, and data collection. Today, the governing law for rear impact protection is 49 CFR § 571.223224 in the United States and CRC c. 1038-223 in Canada.

An example of an auto collision without a rear underride guard.

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www.NATM.com

Your Rear Impact Guard Questions Answered What trailers need a RIG? Federal law requires that all trailers in the United States with the following requirements “shall be equipped with a rear impact guard certified as meeting FMVSS No 223, Rear Impact Guards (§571.223) (49 CFR §571.224)”: • Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 lbs.

Tracks • Vehicle is not a special purpose trailer • Vehicle is not a pole trailer • Vehicle is not a pulpwood trailer • Vehicle is not being used in a driveaway-towaway operation

• Rear-most surface of tires is more than 12” from back of trailer

• The flow chart below can help determine if a certified rear impact guard is required for your trailer.

• Is not a low chassis vehicle (low chassis vehicles have a transverse horizontal member behind the wheels, the bottom of which is no higher than 22” above the ground)

The US standard exempts low chassis vehicles, special purpose trailers, pulpwood trailers, pole trailers, and trailers used in driveaway-towaway operations, as defined in 49 CFR.

This flow chart below can help determine if a certified rear impact guard is required for your trailer. www.NATM.com

July/August 2021

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Your Rear Impact Guard Questions Answered

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Minimum Standard Requirements for RIGs

The testing that was performed during the creation of the standard revealed that there are two competing failure modes, and for the guard to actually increase safety, it must be designed to a sweet spot. The obvious danger is that if the guard is too flimsy, it will not stop excessive underride, which often results in decapitation.

On the other hand, if the guard is designed to be overly rigid, it causes rapid decelerations similar to running into a brick wall, which results in head injuries even when wearing a seat belt.

To ensure that RIGs increase safety, the standard has requirements for both strength and energy absorption. They also require a label indicating compliance with the standard. The requirements are summarized below: • Horizontal member shall have a height of at least 100 mm (about 4 inches) when viewed from the back.

• Must resist force levels of 50,000 Newtons at P1 and P2 (outside edge and center of guard), and 100,000 Newtons at

P3 (point load at the guard supports).

• Must not deflect more than 125 mm during any of the force applications.

• Must absorb at least 5,650 Joules by plastic deformation at each test location.

• A label on the forward-facing surface of the horizontal member placed 305mm (12”) in from the outside edge.

These are the very minimum standards for RIGs as outlined in 223 that are legal requirements. Having and retaining documentation showing that RIG designs meet these minimum qualifications is critical for liability if there ever is an accident.

How to make sure your RIG complies Often, a rear impact guard is designed for a particular trailer. But designing the rear impact guard to meet all of the requirements of the standard is not so simple. There are many ways a trailer manufacturing company may approach the task. The worst thing that could be done is to install an underride guard that is not

A screen shot of the finite element analysis used to simulate testing.

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www.NATM.com

Your Rear Impact Guard Questions Answered

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An example of a rear underride guard.

known or in compliance. This is even worse than not having a guard because it produces the illusion of safety, where no such safety actually exists.

The first way to ensure a safeguard complies with the regulations is a “guess and check” method. Here, the manufacturer would build a guard, test it, make adjustments when it fails, build a new guard, test the new guard, make more adjustments when it fails again, etc. As you can imagine, this can take a significant amount of time and money, whether you have the equipment and do the testing on your own or send it out to a third party. However, if

you have a design that you think meets the requirements and only lack the paperwork to show that, this may be a viable option.

A second option would be to use a combination of advanced computer simulation and testing. Using non-linear finite element analysis (FEA), you can apply loads and measure deflection, even when you are dealing with permanent plastic deformation right on your computer. This can be a much more cost-effective way of getting to a design you are confident will pass the test as you can iterate without actually buying metal, fabricating a guard, or going through destructive testing. Some people think that computer simulations are sufficient analysis for certification, but the standards require that the design be physically built, mounted, and tested. This makes sense as computer simulations which can be very good, are at best only approximations.

Alpine Engineering and Design has been providing engineering consulting services in the trailer industry for over 20 years. The company understands the rear impact guard regulations and has the qualifications, skills, experience, and equipment to simulate RIGs using FEA, conduct physical tests, and certify designs that pass so trailer manufacturers can rest easy knowing they comply with the most up-to-date standards. If you would like help navigating the process and certifying your rear impact protection, contact Alpine Engineering and Design by visiting www.AlpineEng.com or call (801) 763-8484.

An example of a test device. www.NATM.com

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Secure the Load, Keep It Off the Road!

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Secure the Load, Keep It Off the Road!

By Jim Hanni, Jennifer Haugh of AAA

AAA Foundation study shows that more than 200,000 crashes are caused by road debris Entering into another busy moving season, AAA wants to be sure the load is secure! Whether moving the whole family, the college student, or cleaning out the garage and hauling things off, take these precautions to avoid causing trouble on the roadways.

AAA is calling for drivers to properly secure their loads to prevent dangerous debris. AAA researchers examined common characteristics of crashes involving road debris and found that: • Nearly 37 percent of all deaths in road debris crashes resulted from the driver swerving to avoid hitting an object.

Overcorrecting at the last minute to avoid debris can increase a driver’s risk of losing control of their vehicle and make a bad situation worse.

• More than one in three crashes involving debris occur between 10:00 a.m. and 4 p.m., a time when many people are on the road hauling or moving heavy items.

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Debris-related crashes are much more likely to occur on Interstate highways. Driving at high speeds increases the risk for vehicle parts to become detached or cargo to fall onto the roadway.

More than 200,000 crashes involved debris on U.S. roadways between 2012 and 2016 according to a new study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Road debris has resulted in approximately 39,000 injuries and more than 500 deaths between 2011 and 2014.

About two-thirds of debris-related crashes are the result of items falling from a vehicle due to improper maintenance and unsecured loads. Crashes involving vehicle related-debris increased 40 percent since 2001 when the Foundation first studied the issue. The most common types of vehicle debris are: • Parts becoming detached from a vehicle (tires, wheels, etc.) and falling onto the roadway • Unsecured cargo like furniture, appliances, and other items falling onto the roadway

www.NATM.com

Secure the Load, Keep It Off the Road!

Tracks • Tow trailers becoming separated and hitting another vehicle or landing on the roadway Drivers can decrease their chances of being involved in a road debris crash by: • Maintaining their vehicles: Drivers should have their vehicles checked regularly by trained mechanics. Badly worn or underinflated tires often suffer blowouts that can leave pieces of tire on the roadway. Exhaust systems and the hardware that attaches to the vehicle can also rust and corrode, causing mufflers and other parts to drag and eventually break loose. Potential tire and exhaust system problems can easily be spotted by trained mechanics as part of the routine maintenance performed during every oil change.

• Securing vehicle loads: When moving or towing furniture, it is important to make sure all items are secured. To properly secure a load, drivers should: • Tying down load with rope, netting, or straps • Tying large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer • Covering the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting • Don’t overload the vehicle

www.NATM.com

• Double-checking the load to make sure it is secure “Continually searching the road at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead can help drivers be prepared in the case of debris,” said William Van Tassel, Manager of Driver Training Programs for AAA. “Always try to maintain open space on at least one side of your vehicle in case you need to steer around an object. If you see you are unable to avoid debris on the roadway, safely reduce your speed as much as possible before making contact.”

AAA also recommends that drivers avoid tailgating and remain alert while on the road.

About AAA AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 56 million members nationwide. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully taxpaying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for Apple and Android. For more information, visit www.AAA.com.

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When to Consider a Move to Pulsed MIG Welding

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When to Consider a Move to Pulsed MIG Welding

By Kodi Welch, welding engineer/CWI, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC From reduced spatter and rework to increased weld quality and productivity, the benefits of a switch to pulsed MIG welding can help manufacturing operations reach their productivity goals and save money.

Because of the numerous benefits of the process, many industries are converting to pulsed MIG. So how do companies know when

to make the switch? Read more about six questions that can help manufacturers determine if it’s a good fit that will deliver results for their welding operation.

The pulsed MIG process Pulsed MIG is a modified spray transfer process. The welding power source rapidly switches the welding output between high peak currents and low background current. The peak current pinches off a spray-transfer droplet and propels it toward the weldment, which helps create proper fusion. The background current maintains the arc, but it is too low for metal transfer to occur.

Because the weld pool cools slightly during the background cycle, it allows for welding in all positions, on thin or thick metals. It also allows operators to run faster wire speeds while keeping a clean arc and bead profile, which reduces spatter and cleanup.

Making the move to pulsed MIG Pulsed MIG delivers benefits that result in time and cost savings in the right applications. Operations that are now using CV MIG with solid wire or metal-cored wire are good candidates for conversion to pulsed MIG. When considering the switch, think about these six common issues in the welding operation.

Pulsed MIG is a modified spray transfer process that allows operators to run faster wire speeds while keeping a clean arc and bead profile, which helps reduce spatter and cleanup.

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www.NATM.com

When to Consider a Move to Pulsed MIG Welding

Tracks Do post-weld grinding and cleanup cost too much time and money?

If an operation wants to save time and money by reducing nonvalue-added work, such as post-weld grinding and cleaning, pulsed MIG can deliver. With pulsing, operators can use the entire wire speed range without entering globular transfer. This is a benefit for material thicknesses where conventional CV MIG would transition to a globular transfer, which results in extreme spatter, poor arc characteristics and the potential for rework. With pulsed MIG, operators can run globular transfer wire speeds and keep a clean arc and bead profile. This reduces spatter, plus the time and money spent on cleanup.

Is new welder training eating up a lot of time?

Because pulsed MIG is generally an easy process to learn and use, it can help operations train new welders faster. Pulsed MIG systems are designed with synergic control that offers ease of use for welders of all skill levels. Easier process setup translates into time savings and better weld quality, since it helps ensure

operators are using the right parameters for the job. Accu-Pulse™ technology from Miller, available on Deltaweld® system power sources, provides a more forgiving arc and a 28 percent wider operating window, which helps welders of many skill levels produce quality welds.

Is increased productivity a goal?

Compared to standard spray transfer, pulsed MIG welding typically delivers an increase in wire feed speed to match welding amperage. As a result, more weld metal goes into the joint, which can increase productivity. This is in addition to the other benefits of pulsed MIG—the ability to reduce spatter, distortion and burnthrough—that can also help operations improve throughput and productivity and spend less time on non-value-added activities.

Are distortion and burn-through problems part of your welding operation?

Problems with weld quality, such as distortion or burn-through, can waste materials and cost operations lots of money. This can be especially true with operations that weld a lot of aluminum,

From reduced spatter and cleanup to decreased time spent on rework, the benefits of a switch to pulsed MIG welding can help manufacturing operations reach their productivity goals and save money. www.NATM.com

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When to Consider a Move to Pulsed MIG Welding

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which can be more sensitive to issues regarding heat input in the weld. Because pulsed MIG allows wire feed speed to be increased to match welding amperage, travel speeds will also increase. Travel speed is one of the main drivers of heat input; when travel speed goes up, heat input goes down. The higher travel speeds of pulsed MIG help reduce heat input, which helps reduce distortion and burn-through.

the weld at a faster rate than many materials (like steel), making it more difficult to establish a weld puddle. And because the material has a relatively low melting point, it’s prone to burnthrough and warping on thinner sections where there simply isn’t enough mass to transfer the heat. Pulsed MIG can be an excellent option for welding thick and thin aluminum, since it offers increased control of the weld puddle.

Is out-of-position welding common in the operation?

Pulsed MIG benefits to save time and money

Pulsed MIG delivers better weld quality and puddle control when welding out of position with solid or metal-cored wires. This results in less part handling and helps reduce operating costs.

While not every welding application is well suited to pulsed MIG welding, the process can deliver benefits for many manufacturing operations. If the operation doesn’t already have pulsed-MIGcapable welding power sources, it may require an investment in new equipment. But the move can quickly provide a return on that investment through improved productivity, reduced rework and easier setup and training.

Is the operation frequently welding aluminum?

As stated above, the pulsed MIG process can provide benefits for aluminum welding because of the ability to increase travel speed and lower heat input. Aluminum transfers heat away from

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For more information, visit MillerWelds.com. www.NATM.com

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www.NATM.com

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NATM Online Resource Library Provides On-Demand Content to Members

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NATM Online Resource Library Provides On-Demand Content to Members

By Savana Morrison, NATM Marketing Director

In line with the Association’s mission and the 2019-2022 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

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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.

www.NATM.com

NATM Online Resource Library Provides On-Demand Content to Members

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 and click where it says “Resource Library.”

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

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Call for Nominations: Board of Directors

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Call for Nominations: Board of Directors

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director Nominations are now open for the 2022-2025 term of the NATM Board of Directors. Would you like to be a part of the future success of NATM, or do you know someone that would be a strong leader for the Association?

For more than 30 years, NATM has been fortunate to be guided by committed and visionary members serving on the Board of Directors. It is because of these board members that NATM has a Compliance Verification Program (CVP), responded to issues such as tandem towing and tariff challenges, created a national campaign to raise awareness of safe trailering, and launched the Dealer Affiliate program. Through strategic planning, meaningful discussion, and decisive action, the NATM Board is tasked with ensuring that the industry and the Association continue to thrive and grow.

Nominations Process Per the NATM Bylaws, the Board of Directors calls for nominations from the Association’s membership. Election of directors takes place by email ballot before the annual NATM Convention & Trade Show. Nominated candidates fill out a questionnaire, which is reviewed by the nominations committee.

The nominations committee, chaired by the current vice

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president, selects a slate of candidates for approval by the Board of Directors. Ballots are sent to all NATM Regular and Associate Members in November. Regular members (trailer manufacturers) elect the regular member directors, and Associate members (suppliers) elect associate member directors.

Board Member Essential Duties and Responsibilities Attend all board meetings and committee meetings, training sessions, and special meetings, as appropriate in accordance with the board participation policy (must be available for occasional conference call meetings throughout the year). Annually, there are four in-person scheduled board meetings that include one at the annual NATM Convention & Trade Show. The Board may, in its discretion, choose to host a virtual meeting in lieu of in-person based on various factors.

• Attend and participate in the NATM Annual Convention & Trade Show. Board members are expected to attend and participate in as many convention meetings, luncheons, and agenda events as possible.

• Attend meetings at your own expense (hotels can cost up to $300 per night, and total meeting expenses, including airfare, will range from $1,000 to $1,500 per meeting). www.NATM.com

Call for Nominations: Board of Directors

Tracks • Understand and support the Association, its mission, goals, objectives, programs, operations, and functioning.

• Participate fully and openly in board meetings, sharing insights, ideas, and suggestions that may benefit the Association and the industry.

• Serve and actively participate on one or more committees, as appointed by the president.

• Keep informed about and know what is happening in the industry and never hesitate to ask questions or request information to enhance that knowledge.

• Make decisions on Association and industry-wide issues, policies, programs, goals, and objectives based upon careful consideration of all relevant facts and data.

• Provide advice, counsel, and encouragement to staff, including outside professionals, but offer constructive criticism when necessary and appropriate.

• Serve as an advocate for the trailer manufacturing industry and the Association, placing those interests ahead of your own

www.NATM.com

and your company’s interests, consistent with the Board’s Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Policy.

• Carry out special assignments as requested by the board president.

Terms and Term Limits Board members may serve two consecutive terms of three years each on the NATM Board of Directors. A member who is appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors is eligible to be elected for two complete terms following appointment to the board.

How to Apply or Nominate a Candidate If you would like more information about the responsibilities and time commitment for serving on the board or a nominations form, contact NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley at (785) 272-4433 or Kendra.Ansley@natm.com. Nominations must be received by Sept. 15, 2021 to be considered.

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2021 Membership Award Nominations

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2021 Membership Award Nominations

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director Young Professional Award The purpose of the Young Professional Award is to recognize the accomplishments of young individuals in the trailer manufacturing industry. Nominees should be individuals under the age of 40, who have been innovative and successful in the trailer manufacturing industry. Both Associate and Regular member company employees are eligible for this award.

The nomination must include the name and address of the nominee and nominator along with a brief narrative about the accomplishments of the nominee.

Innovation Award

NATM Past President Pat Jennissen (left) with 2019 Outstanding Member of the Year Award Recipient Chris Steinman.

NATM is soliciting nominations for awards to be presented at the annual NATM Convention & Trade Show Feb. 1-3, 2022 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla. Please consider and nominate individuals who may be eligible candidates for the following awards.

Outstanding Member Award The Outstanding Member Award is presented each year to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the trailer manufacturing industry. The nominee must be an employee of an NATM Regular (trailer manufacturer) Member.

The nomination must include the name and address of the nominee and nominator along with a brief narrative about the contributions the nominee has made to the trailer manufacturing industry.

The Innovation Award is open to member companies that exemplify creativity and innovation in the areas of technological advancement, green practices, or workforce development.

Applicants for the award must submit a written description of the company’s innovative practices, including both qualitative and quantitative evidence of success. This award is open to all NATM Members and will include a charitable donation made in the company’s name.

Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. To request the award nomination form, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm or (785) 272-4433. Nominations are due by Nov. 30, 2021.

Pam O’Toole Trusdale Woman in Manufacturing Award The Pam O’Toole Trusdale Woman in Manufacturing Award is given to a woman from the manufacturing floor to the C-Suite in the light- and medium-duty trailer industry who has demonstrated excellence in their role. The award recognizes the contribution of the recipient to the success of their organization and/or industry.

The nominee must be an employee of an NATM Member company.

The nomination must include the name and address of the nominee and nominator along with a brief narrative about the accomplishments of the nominee.

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A portion of the 2018 NATM Awards program. www.NATM.com

For Challenging appliCations

LICATIONS ENGING APP FOR CHALL

LPC Gas Springs are available in both Black Nitride and Stainless Steel all at factory pricing and a large inventory is in stock for immediate shipment.

LK, TAPES, CAU LS, FOAM COATINGS TRIMS, SEA INDUSTRIAL SEALANTS,

INNOVATIVE

PVC Foam and High Bond Tapes: As the exclusive distributor of Gaska Tape products we offer high density foam tapes, Hi-Bond tapes, vinyl glazing tape, and polyethylene foam tapes at competitive prices.

Since 1969 LaVanture Products Company has been providing customers with the highest quality products to meet the challenging applications of today’s competitive markets. LaVanture offers products to meet the needs of custom applications in the industry.

PRODUCTS

All of these have passed our rigid quality standards. If we sell it... we stand behind it!!!

Call for our new catalogs.

New LaVanture Line of Sealants: LaVanture Products is proud to announce our new sealant line including great quality products including, MS Polymers, Silicones and many others. We have partnered with a quality manufacturer to provide a great product at a great price.

Conspicuity Tapes: We are a national distributor for 3M D.O.T. Diamond Grade Conspicuity Tape.

LaVanture Products | Post Office Box 2088 Elkhart, IN 46515-2088 | E-mail: sales@lavanture.com Phone: 800-348-7625 | Fax: 800-348-7629 www.lavanture.com | www.conspicuity.com

Applications: • Tool Boxes • Door and Window Seals • Truck Caps and Tonneau Covers • Truck Bodies • Made Cargo Trailers in the USA • Utility Boxes • Fiberglass Doors • Work Truck Doors • Marine • Recreational Vehicles • Roof Sealant We also stock complete lines of high quality EPDM Seals, Trim Seals, Edge Trims, Butyl Tapes, Caulks and Sealants.

Tampa to Host 2022 Convention & Trade Show

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Tampa to Host 2022 Convention & Trade Show

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director

Supply chain disruptions, material and component availability, and workforce shortages have caused the light- and mediumduty trailer industry continued headaches.

NATM recognizes the challenges and is curating the 2022 Convention & Trade Show to assist its members’ success. The NATM Convention & Trade Show is the perfect one-stop-shop for trailer manufacturers and dealers to meet with suppliers and service providers as they exhibit on the trade show floor. Looking for a new chain supplier? Interested in checking out new light options? Shopping around for new software to make life easier?

If so, plan to walk the trade show floor and meet directly with suppliers and service providers in the industry! Educational events relevant to both suppliers and trailer manufacturers alike will be featured, including government affairs updates, a trade/ tariff workshop , and information about addressing the workforce shortage. Stay tuned to www.NATM.com and the NATM Insider for updates about workshop topics.

Host Location The 2022 Convention & Trade Show is headed to the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla. Feb. 1-3, 2022. Florida continues to be a popular location for NATM’s Convention & Trade Show as it boasts sunny weather and great sites for dinners with customers, golf outings, shopping, and family-friendly vacation activities, but this will be the first time that Tampa has been the host location for NATM’s event.

The Tampa Convention Center is located along the Riverwalk in the heart of downtown and will serve as the site of educational workshops, networking events, and the trade show. Attendees of the show can access the NATM special room block rates at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center and the Marriott Tampa Waterside. More information will be

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provided via the NATM Insider newsletter and email. To sign up for the NATM Insider, contact NATM Marketing Director Savana Morrison at Savana.Morrison@natm.com.

Booth Selection Trade show space opened to the 2020 Sponsors starting June 1. Following sponsors, companies that chose to roll their 2021 booth funds over to 2022 began to select their spaces July 6. The opportunity to select space for the general membership will begin Aug. 4, and non-members can select booths starting Aug. 18. For more information about the booth selection process, turn to page 82.

Sponsorships As always, the NATM Convention & Trade Show would not be possible without the support of its generous sponsors. There are sponsorship opportunities available from $500 to $50,000 to fit any budget. Being a sponsor allows you to select your booth before previous exhibitors and the general membership, as well as provides a wide range of exposure, both electronically on NATM’s website and mobile app and in print on the convention program map and branded events. This creates name recognition which helps drive customers to your booth. Watch your email for sponsorship information coming in May. New Attendee Promotion Are you a new member trailer manufacturer? Are you a trailer manufacturer whose company has not attended in the last five years? Are you a Trailer Dealer Affiliate? You may qualify for NATM’s New Attendee Promotion!

The New Attendee Promotion includes two complimentary full registrations and up to two complimentary hotel room nights at the host hotel for the convention. Those interested in participating should contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan soon— complimentary hotel rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis and will go fast.

Stay tuned for more information about NATM’s 2022 Convention & Trade Show at www.NATM.com. Questions about the show sponsorship opportunities or exhibit space? Contact Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

www.NATM.com

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Booths on Sale Now for 2022 Convention & Trade Show!

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Booths on Sale Now for 2022 Convention & Trade Show!

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director allows exhibitors to update their company profile and contact information and view other important information relevant to the upcoming show.

As always, sign up at any time after your group’s window begins. If you miss the window for your group, you can still purchase a booth, but the privilege of choosing your booth space before it opens up to new groups is lost. Be sure to mark your calendar to sign up as soon as you receive your email from NATM! 2022 Booth Selection Process

A workshop at the 2020 NATM Convention & Trade Show.

NATM’s booth selection for the 2022 Convention & Trade Show began on June 1! The first group that was eligible to select booth spaces in June included 2020 sponsors. Companies that chose to roll their booth over from the canceled 2021 show can select booths starting July 6. The general membership will be allowed to choose booth space beginning Aug. 4, and booth space opens to non-members beginning Aug.18.

The opportunity to select exhibitor space at the 2022 trade show has been made available to suppliers and service providers in the following phases: •

Exhibitors that chose to roll their 2021 booth over to 2022 will keep their discounted rate and automatically have their funds applied directly to their 2022 booth. Excluding the rollover booths for 2021, the member booth rate is $1,457 per 10’ x 10’ booth. Booth space for non-member companies is $2,914.

On the day your booth selection window opens, you will receive an email from NATM by 11:00 a.m. CST notifying you that the booth sales application is now available online for your company. This email includes a unique booking code that, when entered, pre-populates the online booth sales application. Within the application, exhibitors can view the 2022 show floorplan and select their desired booth(s) in realtime.

During the completion of the online application, exhibitors pay for their booth(s) online via credit card. Once NATM show management approves the application, an email containing login credentials to the exhibitor dashboard is sent. The dashboard

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Phase 1: 2020 sponsors will choose their booths first in the order of their sponsorship levels during the following dates: •

$30,000 and higher – June 1-3

•

$10,000 – $29,999 – June 4-8

•

$7,500 – $9,999 – June 9-11

•

$5,500 – $7,499 – June 14-16

•

$2,500 – $5,499 – June 17-21

•

$1,000 – $2,499 – June 22-24

•

$250 – $999 – June 25-29

•

Phase 2: Companies that chose to roll their 2021 booth funds over to 2022 will select their booths beginning July 6, 2021.

•

Phase 3: The general membership and nonmembers will be allowed to choose booth space beginning Aug. 4, 2021.

•

Phase 4: Non-members will be allowed to choose booth space beginning Aug. 18, 2021.

If you have any questions regarding how to book your exhibit space or if you would like to be a sponsor at the 2022 Convention & Trade Show, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

www.NATM.com

Free Registrations & Room Nights for Dealer Affiliates at 2022 Convention & Trade Show

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Free Registrations & Room Nights for Dealer Affiliates at 2022 Convention & Trade Show

NATM DEALER COMPENDIUM

By Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director

NATM is excited to welcome trailer dealers to the 2022 NATM Convention & Trade Show in Tampa, Fla. Feb. 1-3, 2022!

Free to all NATM

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.

Expanding the Association’s base to include Dealer Affiliates and now allowing dealers to attend the Annual Convention & Trade Show is the logical next step to advancing the mission of NATM. The NATM Convention & Trade Show is the annual trade show for the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. With more than 1,000 trailer manufacturer and supplier attendees per year and growing, this “must attend” event provides education, networking, and communication for those in the industry. The 2020 sold-out trade show boasted over 200 exhibiting companies, with 37 new exhibitors, which gave attendees a variety F of EATU products and services to view. The show also included attendees from over 100 trailer manufacturing companies from across State Towing Laws North America.

Dealers will be invited to attend all regular workshops and technical forums, as well as the Dealer Workshops & Luncheon Dealer Affiliates on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, and a Dealer Reception exclusively for trailer dealers!* Please note: Dealers are not able to attend the Top Golf event, NATM Membership Meeting, or any events on the Trade Show Floor on Wednesday, Feb. 2.

Dealers are invited instead to tour the trade show floor and shop for components, materials, and service providers on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. There will be no trailers on exhibit at this show.

NATM will be offering a “New Dealer Promotion” to help offset costs for dealers attending the show. NATM Dealer Affiliates are eligible for two complimentary registrations and two free hotel room nights while available! NATM will provide more RING: information to all Dealer Affiliates via email in September and on www.NATM.com/convention.

Towing Tandem Trailers Information

State Brake Laws Safety Chain Laws The Association’s purpose State is to open up lines of communication, State and License Plate Laws increase trailer safety awareness, provide dealers with Commercial Driver’s Licenses the education and information they have long requested from NATM. NATM has workedState diligently with committees, trailer Registration Laws

Online registration will open on Sept. 13. NATM looks Tire Recordkeeping forward to seeing you in Tampa! For more information about Federal Excise Tax the Convention & Trade Show or the NATM Dealer Affiliate EWR & Safety Recalls program, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Safe Trailering Resources Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or (785) 272-4433.

manufacturers, industry suppliers, and dealers to create a path of inclusion for the entire industry.

*Schedule subject to change.

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Selling NATM Compliance

www.NATM.com

TIMBREN.COM TIMBREN_INDUSTRIES

Quiet & Smooth

There’s a good reason it’s called Silent Ride.

This long travel suspension increases stability keeping all 4 tires on the ground.

The ride is so quiet and smooth you’ll think you’re riding on air!

SILENCE IS GOLDEN Durable Powder Coat Finish Exceptional Ride Quality

Easy Bolt-On Installation Maintenance Free Fully Equalizing Tandem Suspension

As of 4/16/2021 As of 4/16/2021 – schedule – schedule subjectsubject to change. to change. subject toto change.

Monday, Monday, January January 31 As 31 of 4/16/2021 – scheduleWednesday, Wednesday, February February 2 2 As of 4/16/2021 – schedule subject change.

6:00 p.m.

6:00- 9:00 p.m. -p.m.

9:00 p.m.

7:00 a.m.

7:00 – 4:30 a.m. –p.m.

4:30 p.m.

* *

Monday, January 31 Monday, 31 Convention Convention Tee Off Tee - Top OffGolf - Top Golf 6:00 p.m.

-January 9:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

- 9:00 p.m.

Convention Tee Off - Top Golf Convention Tuesday, Tuesday, February February 1 Tee1 Off - Top Golf 7:30 a.m.

7:30 – 7:00 a.m. –February p.m.

7:00 p.m.1 Tuesday, Tuesday, Registration Registration 7:30 a.m.

–February 7:00 p.m. 1 7:30– a.m.

– 7:00 8:30 a.m.

8:30 10:00 a.m.

10:00p.m. a.m.

Registration Registration Workshop Workshop 1 1 8:30 a.m.

–Session 10:00Session a.m.

8:30 a.m.

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

– a.m.

10:00Session a.m. 1 Workshop Workshop Session Technical Technical Session 11 1 8:30 a.m.

–Forum 10:00Forum a.m. Session 8:30 a.m.

– 10:00 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

10:15 – 11:15 a.m.

–a.m.

11:15Forum Session 1 Technical Technical Forum Session 1 Membership Membership Meeting* Meeting* 10:15 a.m.

– 11:15 a.m.

10:15 a.m. –p.m.

11:15p.m. a.m.

11:45 a.m.

11:45 – 1:00 1:00 Membership Meeting* Membership Meeting* Awards Awards Luncheon* Luncheon* 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

11:45 – 1:00 p.m.

Noon –Noon 6:00p.m.

–a.m.

6:00p.m.

Awards Luncheon* Awards Luncheon* Exhibitor Exhibitor Move-In Move-In Noon – 6:00p.m.

Noon – 6:00p.m.

1:30 p.m.

1:30 –Exhibitor p.m.

3:00 –p.m.

3:00 p.m.

Move-In Exhibitor Move-In Workshop Workshop Session 2 2 1:30 p.m.

–Session 3:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

1:30– p.m.

3:00 –p.m.

3:00 Session p.m. 2 Workshop Workshop SessionSession Technical Technical Forum Session 22 2 1:30 p.m.

–Forum 3:00 p.m.

1:30– p.m.

–p.m.

3:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30 5:00 5:00Forum Technical Session 2 Technical Forum Session 2 Newcomer Newcomer Orientation Orientation 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

4:30– p.m.

–p.m.

5:00 5:00 p.m.

5:00 6:00 6:00 p.m.

Newcomer Orientation Orientation Newcomer Newcomer Reception Reception 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

5:00– p.m.

6:00 p.m. p.m.

6:00 p.m.

6:00 7:30 –p.m.

7:30 Newcomer Reception Newcomer Reception President’s President’s Reception* Reception* 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Reception* DealersDealers Restricted: Restricted: DealersPresident’s Dealers are unable aretounable attendtothe attend NATMthe NATM President’s Reception*

Wednesday, February 2 Wednesday, February Registration Registration 7:00 a.m.

– 4:30 p.m. 2 7:00 – 4:30a.m. p.m.

7:30 a.m.

7:30 11:00 a.m. a.m.

11:00 Registration Registration Exhibitor Exhibitor move-in move-in 7:30 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

7:30– a.m.

11:00 a.m.

8:00 a.m.

8:00 11:00 a.m.

–a.m.

11:00 a.m.

Exhibitor move-in Exhibitor Technical Technical Forum Session 3 3 8:00 a.m.

–Forum 11:00move-in a.m. Session 8:00 a.m.

8:00 – 11:00 a.m.

–a.m.

11:00Forum a.m. Session 3 Technical Technical 3 Workshop Workshop Session 3 Session 3 8:00 a.m.

–Session 11:00Forum a.m.

8:00 11:00Session a.m. 3 9:30 a.m.

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

– a.m.

10:00 Workshop Workshop Session Coffee Coffee Break Break 9:30 a.m.

– 10:00 a.m. 3 9:30 a.m.

– 10:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

11:30 – 5:00 a.m.

–p.m.

5:00 p.m.

Coffee Break Coffee Break Trade a.m.

Show* Trade Show* 11:30 – 5:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. –p.m.

5:00 11:00 a.m.

11:00 – 3:00 3:00 Trade Show*p.m.

Trade Show* Dealer Dealer Workshop Workshop &p.m.

Luncheon** & Luncheon** 11:00 a.m.

– 3:00 11:00 a.m.

– 3:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

11:30 – 1:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. & Luncheon** Dealer Workshop Dealer Workshop & Luncheon** Lunch with Lunch the with Exhibitors* the Exhibitors* 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. –p.m.

1:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

4:00– p.m.

5:00 Lunch5:00 with the Exhibitors* LunchReception* with the Exhibitors* Trade Show Trade Show Reception* 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.–p.m.

– 5:00p.m. p.m.

– p.m.

6:00 5:00 p.m.

5:00 Trade6:00 Show Reception* Trade Show Reception* Dealer Dealer Reception** Reception** – 6:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Dealer Reception** DealerFebruary Reception** Thursday, Thursday, February 3 3 9:00 a.m.

9:00 – Noon a.m. –February Noon Thursday, 3 Thursday, February 3 Registration Registration 9:00 a.m. – Noon 9:00 a.m.

9:00 – Noon a.m. – Noon Registration Registration Trade Show Trade Show 9:00 a.m. – Noon 9:00 a.m.

– Noon 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

Trade Show Trade Show Coffee with the with Exhibitors the Exhibitors Membership Membership Meeting,Meeting, Awards Awards Luncheon, Luncheon, President’s President’s Reception, Reception, NoonCoffee 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

– 10:00 –Noon 5:00–p.m.

5:00 p.m. a.m. totoShow. attend NATM and theDealers and Wednesday theRestricted: Wednesday hours ofDealers hours the Trade ofare theunable TradeDealers Show.

Dealers arethe are Coffee with the Exhibitors Dealers Restricted: Dealers are unable attend the NATM Meeting, Awards Luncheon, Coffee withOut the Exhibitors Exhibitor Exhibitor Move Move Out welcomeMembership welcome to walk the to walk showthefloor show onfloor Thursday on Thursday fromPresident’s 9:00fromam-Noon.

9:00Reception, am-Noon.

Membership Meeting, Awards Luncheon, President’s Reception, Noon – 5:00 p.m. and the Wednesday hours of the Trade Show.

Dealers are Noon – 5:00 p.m. and the Wednesday hours of theonTrade Show.from Dealers are Exhibitor Move Out to walk the show floor Thursday 9:00 Denoteswelcome Denotes Dealer Only Dealer Event.

Only Event.

Exhibitor Move Out welcome to walk the show floor on Thursday from 9:00am-Noon. am-Noon.

* ** *

Aero Build, LLC Ranew’s Outdoor Equipment Allen’s Pump & Rentals Rhino Trailers LLC Diamond K Sales Silver Bullet Manufacturing Duraco Teems Fabrication Green Mountain Trailers Tri Tank Corp.

Mouser Steel Visto’s Trailer Supply Inc Sales Power Line VORSHEER LLC Industries

Member News

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Felling Trailers Releases User-Focused, Re-engineered Utility Pole Cargo Trailer Operator safety, ease of use, and maintenance are prime factors taken into account when any company is looking into equipment acquisition. These same factors are even more vital in the Utility & Telcom Industry as they service, build, and maintain infrastructures for their state and local regions. Felling Trailers’ re-engineered Utility Pole Cargo trailers (UPT-C’s) are fully engineered and documented products that embody these factors. Thus operators can be assured of many years of reliable, trouble-free service. Felling’s Engineering, Sales, and Utility Telecom Product Manager worked together to create a user-focused product, incorporating all of the standard features an operator wants and needs to get through a day’s schedule of pole replacements and line maintenance.

The UPT-C model line offers four models with GVWRs (gross vehicle weight rating) ranging from 13,800 lbs. to 23,000 lbs.

All models are standard with electric FSA (forward self-adjusting) brakes on all axles with an air brake option available on FT20 UPT-C. Lengths Retracted/Extended & Cargo Box Lengths Available • 20’-30’ length models)

10’ bed (standard on all

• 24’-40’ length models)

12’ bed (available on all

• 29’-46’ length 14’ bed (available on FT-20 UPT-C only) Functionality and Flexibility—Equipped with a 2” cold rolled steel, positive locking adjustment pin and designed with a notched flange welded on the pin, the flange notches have to pass through two

tabs welded 90 degrees from each other, assuring a positive locked position. The 2” positive locking adjustment pin is attached to the trailer with a chain to prevent loss.

Improved toolbox design offers safer accessibility for the operator when the trailer is loaded with poles and features a locking t-handle design. The tailgate latching system features a spring-loaded securement system, and bumper stops on the tailboard to govern the rear tailgate.

Safety by Design—The UPT-C trailers feature a triple taillight system which provides for increased visibility of the truck & trailer during offload/loading of poles in the field. Optional amber LED strobe lights, switched and mounted in tailboard, replacing two center lights. Pole transport, UPT-Cs are equipped standard with center and rear, 95” wide bolsters with 21” sliding lever locking removable stanchions with winch binder and 30’ x 4” strap. A 45” wide front bolster with a

A diagram of Felling’s FT-14 UPT-C in 20’/30’ length shown from both the top and the side.

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www.NATM.com

Member News

Tracks 4” strap and binder are standard. Optional front bolsters include 60” and 95” wide.

Both are double c-channel construction and have a 4” strap and binder along with lever locking removable stanchions.

Multiple load securement points are located down the mainframe rail. Four (4) d-rings provide ideal tie-down points for the material being carried in the cargo box.

• 10” c-channel main frame rails • Extendable tongue, 8” x 4” x ¼” wall tube with 10” x 6” x ¼” receiver tube • Cargo box, 15” tall sides, ten (10) gauge floor & twelve (12) gauge sides • All wiring and airlines (when equipped with air brakes) are ran Internally traveling in a Heavy-Duty Energy Chain • No User intervention is required for the wiring or airlines when extending and retracting the tongue • Positive Locking Adjustment Pin with a chain attached to the trailer to prevent loss To learn more about the UPT-C, Utility Pole Cargo Trailers, or other utility and telecom trailer solutions, visit www.felling.com or call (800) 245-2809.

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 craftsmen use cuttingedge technology to turn its customers’ www.NATM.com

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 Certified Quality Management System Company, WBENCCertified WBE, and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information, contact 1.800.245.2809, 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 Instagram.

Daniel “Boone” Larsen Set to Cast into Retirement After 30 Years in the Trailer Industry Daniel “Boone” Larsen, Felling Trailers’ Great Lakes Regional Sales Manager has been a part of the equipment industry for 40-years and will retire in early May 2021.

Thirty of those years have been spent spec’ing and selling trailers; 19-years with Towmaster, and the last 11-years with Felling Trailers. Daniel “Boone” joined the Felling Trailers’ team in July of 2010 as the Midwest & Southeast U.S. Regional Sales Manager. He provided dealer support for 15 states spanning from Minnesota to Virginia to Florida to Mississippi. In the fall of 2014, Boone reduced his coverage area to the Great Lakes Region to provide more focused dealer support to the Felling Trailers’ dealer base in the Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota regions.

In his time with Felling Trailers, Boone helped expand its dealer base and increase brand awareness. As the trailer sales

Daniel Boone of Felling Trailers to retire.

increased, the facility and production team followed suit growing from 125,000 sq. ft. to 325,000 sq. ft. and a production team of nearly 300. “Boone has been a great asset to Felling Trailers since he joined the team in 2010. His vast market and product knowledge, experience, and dedication are greatly appreciated. We wish him well in his retirement!” said Nathan Uphus, Felling Trailers’ Sales Manager. Through the years, Boone played a vital role in the company’s involvement with the ARA (American Rental Association) and the local chapter MRA (Minnesota Rental Association), strengthening customer relationships through local chapter events and national events like The ARA Show.

“I have always appreciated Boone’s nononsense; say it like it is style. He has dedicated the bulk of his working life to the trailer industry. His expertise and vigor for the trailer industry have been exemplary. You have played a big part in what Felling Trailers is today. Thank you for your service Boone, enjoy retirement!” said Pat Jennissen, Felling Trailers VP of Sales & Marketing. Those in the industry who have had the opportunity to know and work with Boone also know he is an avid fisherman and hunter. Hence the selection of his official retirement date of May 7th, July/August 2021

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2021, the week leading up to Minnesota’s fishing opener. “The week of the fishing opener will be the start of a new part of my life; the cell phone will be shut off, and not another trailer sales call will be taken.

I’m glad to have had the chance to meet all the people I have along the way. Like my good friend Roger Magers said not too long ago when he retired from Felling, thanks for the memories!” said Daniel “Boone” Larsen.

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 Instagram.

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Hillsboro Industries: 2020 Dealer Awards

Top Five Steel Truck Bed Dealers • Monroe Truck Equipment, Monroe, Wis.

The 2020 Hillsboro Industries dealer awards are given to members of the Hillsboro dealer network for achievements in sales this past year. The dealers that Hillsboro is recognizing are part of a distinguished group of business leaders who have demonstrated a strong commitment to customer service and to capturing new customers.

• Idaho Trailer Sales, Buhl, Idaho

Jost Fabrication LLC of Hillsboro, Kansas was awarded the overall Top dealer sales award and Top Endura Livestock trailer dealer. In addition to these awards the following dealers also earned #1 in

• Jost Fabrication LLC, Hillsboro, Kan.

• Nitz Trailers, Fremont, Neb. • Riverside Boot and Saddle, Blackfoot, Idaho • Gerber Trailer Sales, Hermiston, Ore. Top Five Aluminum Truck Bed Dealers • Diamond West Sales, Black Diamond, Alberta

• Grant County Truck bodies, Kieler, Wis. • Riverside Boot and Saddle, Blackfoot, Idaho

Hillsboro’s product categories and Top 5 in each category:

• Kaffenbarger Truck Equipment, New

• #1 Steel Truck Bed Dealer- Monroe

Top Five Endura Livestock Dealers • Jost Fabricating LLC, Hillsboro, Kan.

Truck Equipment, Monroe, Wis.

Carlisle, Ohio

• #1 Aluminum Truck Bed DealerDiamond West, Black Diamond Alberta.

• Arrow Equipment Inc., Maple Creek, Saskatchewan

• #1 Endura Livestock Trailer Dealer- Jost Fabrication LLC, Hillsboro, Kan.

• Hinshaw Trailer Sales, Richland, Iowa

• #1 Utility Trailer Dealer-Pete’s Trailer Sales, Rice Lake, Wis. • #1 Car Trailer Dealer- Mt. Eaton Trailer LLC, Dundee, Ohio.

Top Five Overall Dealers • Jost Fabrication LLC, Hillsboro, Kan. • Idaho Trailer Sales, Buhl, Idaho • Diamond West Sales, Black Diamond, Alberta • Riverside Boot and Saddle, Blackfoot, Idaho • Arrow Equipment Inc., Maple Creek, Saskatchewan

• Silver Spur Trailers, Brush, Colo.

• McCurry Trailer Sales, Springfield, Mo. Hillsboro was founded in 1968 in Hillsboro, KS. From the start the company has been dedicated to producing unique, innovative high quality products.

Hillsboro Industries manufactures a high quality line of aluminum, hybrid and steel truck beds, the Endura all aluminum livestock, combo, cargo and car trailer models and aluminum utility trailers. With an experienced and dedicated work force that continues to develop and introduce industry-first features year after year.

Bottom line: when you say HILLSBORO you’re talking quality. Hillsboro is “Simply the Best” “For more information, contact Hillsboro Industries at (800) 835-0209.

www.NATM.com

Member News Optronics Develops New MCL16 LED Marker/Clearance Lights and Wins Standard Lighting Position on Timpte Trailers Optronics’ new MCL16 LED Marker/ Clearance Light will be featured on Timpte’s upcoming 2022 Super Hopper, and Optronics’ LED lighting will now come standard on all Timpte trailers.

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 1 1/4-inch MCL16 LED Marker/ Clearance Light today. Timpte, Inc. will be the first to use the new light on their dry bulk commodity trailers, and Optronics lighting will now come standard across the board on all Timpte trailers, including the 2022 Super Hopper model trailers.

“We’re very excited to earn a partnership with a well-respected industry leader like Timpte Inc.,” Marcus Hester, vice president of sales and marketing for Optronics International, said. “We’re looking forward to the honor of having our 1 1/4-inch MCL16 LED Marker/Clearance Light on Timpte’s 2022 Super Hopper and to seeing Optronics’ high-performance LED lighting on new Timpte trailers.”

Headquartered in David City, Nebraska, Timpte focuses on designing and building lightweight, dependable, customized trailers, and is the best-selling dry bulk commodity trailer manufacturer in North America. The company specializes in agriculture, fertilizer, energy and aggregate sectors, and some of their trailers feature as many as 102 marker/ clearance lights for enhanced style and safety.

The 6-diode MCL16 Series lights are hard wired and include separate grounding www.NATM.com

wires and a PVC gromet. Dual-function models are available for supplemental stop and turn functions. MCL16 Series lamps include models featuring a yellow lens, a red lens, a clear lens that is yellow when illuminated, and a clear lens that is red when illuminated.

“Timpte started shipping trailers with Optronics LED lighting in March of this year,” said Hester. “The move to Optronics’ LED lights will make Timpte trailers more visible, and because Optronic LED lights commonly have life spans of between 50,000 to 100,000 hours, those who purchase and own Timpte trailers won’t have to worry about lighting issues.”

The lamp’s lens and housing are made of tough polycarbonate material that is sealed and waterproof. The lamp employs a solid-state, surface-mount device (SMD) design that protects its electronics against moisture, shock and vibration. Like all LED products from Optronics, these lamps come with no-hassle, one-diode lifetime warranty protection that will replace the lamp if even one diode fails.

Some versions of the new 1 1/4-inch MCL16 LED Marker/Clearance Light are in stock now, and all are expected to be in stock and available for shipping by the end of the second quarter of 2021.

Optronics products are available in the U.S. and Canada through the company’s extensive distribution network of more than 20,000 convenient distribution locations. Users can access individual Optronics distributor websites by simply clicking on their logo icons. For information on international sales and distribution of Optronics products, please contact Dorian Drake at (914) 697-9800, or visit www.DorianDrake.com.

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To view high-resolution product images of the new 1 1/4-inch MCL16 LED Marker/Clearance Light, please visit www.optronicsinc.com/RESOURCES/ ImageGalleries/ImageGallery_May2021. aspx.

About Timpte

Serving the transportation industry since 1884, Timpte is the number one selling dry bulk commodity trailer in North America.

Headquartered in David City, Nebraska, Timpte trailers are sold and serviced by a network of nine factory-direct customer support centers located throughout the Midwest and over 30 authorized dealers with facilities based throughout the rest of North America. Timpte represents American craftsmanship and innovation at its finest. We are proud to designate each new manufactured trailer as Made in America. Learn more at www.Timpte.com.

About Optronics As the fastest-growing vehicle lighting and harness manufacturer in the U.S., Optronics International attributes its success to delivering better value, better options and better lighting to its customers. Founded in 1972, Optronics International is a premier worldwide manufacturer and supplier of branded industrial and commercial vehicular safety lighting products and premium, custom electrical wiring harnesses for commercial vehicle applications. The company specializes in electrical system and harness design and interior and exterior LED and incandescent lighting for heavy-duty on- and off-highway vehicles, armored couriers, light- to medium-duty trailers, specialized vocational equipment, transit vehicles, RVs and marine equipment. The company’s patented USA-PLUS system provides the most advanced molded harness connections available in the July/August 2021

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With the addition of the SMT technology, along with their expanding plastic injection capabilities – TecNiq continues to position themselves as a market leader in the industrial LED lighting arena. For more information about TecNiq lighting, visit www.TecNiqInc.com.

About TecNiq

An example of a PCB machine from TecNiq.

market. The Optronics product catalog is among the most extensive in the industry.

Optronics is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it has an IATF 16949– certified manufacturing facility in Annan District, Tainan, Taiwan. The company also has a plant in Winnsboro, Texas, and ISO 9001:2015–certified manufacturing and distribution facilities in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Goshen, Indiana. Learn more at www.Optronicsinc.com.

TecNiq Utilizes SMT Pick-andPlace Machine for Higher Quality Parts - Expanding Their In-House Manufacturing Capabilities Continuous improvements are nothing new to the group at TecNiq Inc. Started in 2004, TecNiq has quickly become a leader in the LED lighting industry among Work Trucks and Fleets, Emergency vehicles, Marine, and Trailer lighting. During the past 18 months, TecNiq has continued to improve upon its position in the market by

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adding machines like their new SMT (Surface Mount Technology) machine.

SMT machines mount devices and components onto circuit boards.

Various electrical components including capacitors, and diodes can be placed with precision and accuracy, with speeds averaging 48,000 components per hour.

Pick-and-Place machines, or SMT machines are not new in the industry, but for TecNiq having this capability inside their 200,000 sq.ft. facility located in Galesburg, Michigan represents a strong movement towards becoming vertically integrated. In addition, TecNiq owners have realized tremendous value added in having this type of technology. With reduced costs in shipping, faster turn times for custom solutions, and the ability to quickly make changes for dedicated customer lighting – the movement is working. In the end, TecNiq believes their continued investment in USA driven production capabilities will ultimately create savings and higher quality products for their customers.

TecNiq Inc. is an engineer owned & operated company with a strong commitment to excellence. We begin with a simple belief in offering the greatest value, the highest quality lighting solutions, and great customer care. We use the highest quality LEDs, materials, and offer market leading technologically advanced lighting solutions. From emergency response vehicles, fleet vehicles, construction trailers, boats, heavy or light duty equipment, you can expect your lights to work every time.

Our goal is to exceed your product quality expectations. We feel so strongly about our commitment to quality, that we back every one of our products with a nononsense Lifetime Warranty.

Wil-Ro Records Double-Digit YoY Growth During 2020 Despite Pandemic Eight New Distributor Partners Inked in Q1 2021 Wil-Ro, Inc., a leading truck body manufacturer based in Gallatin, Tenn., experienced an exceptional double-digital growth rate during 2020 and expanded its product line to include eight new truck bodies, despite global hardships presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The momentum continued in first-quarter 2021, with the company inking eight new distributor partners to its growing roster.

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Member News

Tracks Eight New Distributor / Dealer Partners Q1 2021 include: • B&B / Hoekstra Equipment, Grand Rapids, Mich.

• Bethlehem Truck & Body, Bethlehem, Pa. • Buckeye Body & Equipment, Columbus, Ohio • Erie Fleet Solutions, Erie, Pa. • Fleetco, Pensacola, Fla. • Northpoint Trailer Sales, Northumberland, Pa.

• Sancrest, LLC, Billings, Mont.

• Ultra Equipment, Inc. Barnegat Township, N.J. “Wil-Ro is excited to have these new distributor partners join the Wil-Ro family,” said Joshua J. Coster, President and Owner of Wil-Ro, Inc. “Our sales team worked incredibly hard to develop these relationships, and they are committed to ensuring our partners’ business needs are met with dedicated inventory, exceptional service and craftsmanship on every order.”

Wil-Ro’s team includes more than 55 team members at its 27,000-square-foot manufacturing headquarters, serving 34 states among a strategic customer mix of 60 percent Commercial Dealerships, 30 percent Wil-Ro Distributors and 10 percent End-Users.

“Since I acquired Wil-Ro in 2017, we’ve made significant capital expenditures and investments in modernizing our facility from the factory floor to the front office,” said Coster. “And we’re continuing to invest in our people at every level—they are the fabric behind each of our truck bodies, and our culture is the pulse of our organization.”

The company is targeting 25+ percent growth goals for 2021 with a sharp focus on the continued expansion of its National Distributor Network and 2021 plans for facility expansion, which are under review with builders andarchitects.

About Wil-Ro, Inc. Crafted in America since 1973, Wil-Ro, Inc. manufactures high-quality truck bodies and trailers for landscaping,hauling, construction, equipment distribution, and farming, as well as outdoor adventure excursions. Wil-Ro’spremier truck bodies and trailers come in a variety of standard models as well as custom configurations to fit theneeds of customers and distributor partners nationwide.

Headquartered in Gallatin, Tennessee, WilRo focuses on craftsmanship and people, fostering time-honoredmanufacturing processes to build the strongest, longestlasting truck beds and trailers in the industry.

An example of a PCB Machine from TecNiq. www.NATM.com

Forged in the fires of the American spirit, Wil-Ro is 100 percent American made and veteran owned. For more information, please visit Wil-Ro.com.

July/August 2021

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New Member Update

Tracks

Regular ALCOM LLC - FL Branch 2526 W New York Ave Deland, FL 32720 www.alcomusa.com • Aluminum American Augers Inc. (part of The Charles Machine Works Inc.) 135 US Rte 42 West Salem, OH 44287 www.americanaugers-trencor.com • Equipment Eaton Compressor & Fabrication 1000 Cass Dr Clayton, OH 45315 www.eatoncompressor.com • Portable Equipment Encore by FabMetals Inc. 250 Brubaker Dr New Carlisle, OH 45344 www.fabmetals.com • Agricultural/Farm, Aluminum, Auto Hauler, Cargo, Concession, Custom Design, Gooseneck, Landscape, RV/ Towable, Specialty, Utility/ Flatbed Erskine & Sons, Inc. 833 Laura Mae Ln Albertville, AL 35950 www.erskineinc.com • Concession FORT Campers 173 Sutherland Dr Auburn, CA 95603 www.fortcampers.com • RV/Towable Hunter Trailers, LLC 577 US Hwy 62-180 W Seminole, TX 79360 www.huntertrailers.com • Agricultural/Farm, Auto Hauler, Dump, Gooseneck, Landscape, Utility/Flatbed Inland Empire Trailers 17748 Taylor Ave Bloomington, CA 92316 www.ietrailers.com • Auto Hauler, Boat, Cargo, Concession, Custom Design, Dump, Equipment, Landscape,

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July/August 2021

Mobile BBQ/Smoker, Motorcycle, Snowmobile/ATV, Specialty, Utility/ Flatbed Keep It Cold LLC 514 Hangar Ln Corpus Christi, TX 78406 www.keepitcold32.com • Concession, Custom Design, Portable Equipment, Specialty Material Handling of Georgia, Inc. dba Tuff Dawg Trailers 4322 Hwy 81 Oxford, GA 30054 • Utility/Flatbed Maverick Manufacturing LLC 4056 FM 1960 Dayton, TX 77535 • Agricultural/Farm, Aluminum, Auto Hauler, Boat, Custom Design, Equipment, Gooseneck, Horse, Livestock, Specialty, Utility/Flatbed OFFTRAX CAMPERS Miami, FL 33155 www.offtrax.com.au • RV/Towable, Specialty Osburn Associates, Inc. 9383 Vanatta Rd Logan, OH 43138 www.osburns.com • Auto Hauler, Enclosed Cargo, Equipment, Utility/Flatbed OW Excel Oilfield Equipments, Inc. 13227 Chrisman Rd Houston, TX 77039 • Agricultural/Farm, Aluminum, Boat, Cargo, Equipment, Gooseneck, RV/Towable, Tow Dolly, Utility/Flatbed Precision Custom Trailers 1920 W Cornell Ave Englewood, CO 80110 • Agricultural/Farm Precision Custom Trailers 1920 W Cornell Ave Englewood, CO 80110 • Auto Hauler, Boat, Cargo, Concession, Custom Design, Enclosed Cargo, Horse, Landscape, Livestock, Mobile BBQ/Smoker, Motorcycle, Portable Equipment, Snowmobile/ATV, Specialty

RBJ Trailers, Inc. dba GPS Trailers 601 Independent St Bainbridge, GA 39817 www.gpstrailers.net • Utility/Flatbed Triple L Trailers 14323 Fern Ave Chino, CA 91710 www.triplel.com • Utility/Flatbed

Associate Chicago WaterMark 455 W 37th St, No 1018 New York, NY 10018 www.chicagowatermark.com/ certo • Computer Software, MCO/MSO Harp’s Tarps 1501 Rock Mountain Blvd Stone Mountain, GA 30083 www.harpstarps.com • Cargo Control, Hardware, Safety Devices Osburn Associates, Inc. - Branch 9383 Vanatta Rd Logan, OH 43138 www.osburns.com • Labels/Decals/Nameplates, Reflectivity, Roll Striping Ox Industries LLC 3620 W 11th St Houston, TX 77008 www.butlerproducts.com • Engineering, Fabricated Parts, Hitches, Hydraulics, Jacks/ Landing Gear, Towing Accessories, Wheels/Rims

Dealer Affiliate Casper Electric Corp. DBA Cobalt Trailers & UTV 101 Hwy 146 N Texas City, TX 77590 Early Trailer Sales LLC 901 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 www.earlytrailersales.com Maine Trailer, Inc - Dealership 101 Coldbrook Rd Hampden, ME 4444 www.mainetrailer.com www.NATM.com

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TRAILSTAR -- FARM FARM TIRES TRAILSTAR TIRES TRAILSTAR FARM TIRES CALL (903) 886-4067 FAX--(903) 886-4768 TRAILSTAR FARM TIRES TRAILSTAR FARM TIRES CALL (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768

CALL (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768 CALL (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768 CALL (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768 AG STAR by TRAILSTAR AG STAR by TRAILSTAR PLY AG STAR by AG STAR

by TRAILSTAR TRAILSTAR AG STAR by TRAILSTAR SIZE OD PLY RATING SIZE OD PLY PLY PLY RATING SIZE OD SIZE ODOD 9.5L-15 I-1 8 30.70 SIZE RATING RATING RATING 9.5L-15 I-1 88 30.70 11L-15 I-1 31.90 9.5L-15 I-1 888 8 30.70 9.5L-15 I-1 I-1 30.70 9.5L-15 30.70 11L-15 I-1 31.90 11L-15 I-1 88 8 31.90 11L-15 I-1 I-1 31.90 11L-15 31.90

1 1 1 1 1 in Service Service in st st ststst

in ininService Service Service

NEW NE W NNEN EW EW W SW SW SW SWSW 9.4 9.4 11.0 9.4 9.49.4 11.0 11.0 11.0 11.0

www.trailstartirewheel.com www.trailstartirewheel.com www.trailstartirewheel.com www.trailstartirewheel.com www.trailstartirewheel.com (903) 886-4067 886-4067 (903) (903) 886-4067 (903) 886-4067 (903) 886-4067 Tire@trailstartirewheel.com Tire@trailstartirewheel.com Tire@trailstartirewheel.com Tire@trailstartirewheel.com Tire@trailstartirewheel.com TRAILSTAR LLC TRAILSTAR LLC

DEMAND THE ORIGINAL DEMAND DEMANDTHE THEORIGINAL ORIGINAL 10716 HWY 224 TRAILSTAR LLC TRAILSTAR LLC TRAILSTAR LLC 10716 HWYTX 224 COMMERCE, 75428 10716 HWY 224 10716 HWY 224 10716 HWY 224 75428 (903) COMMERCE, 886-4067 FAXTX (903) 886-4768 COMMERCE, TX 75428 COMMERCE, TX 75428 COMMERCE, TX886-4768 75428 (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768 (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768 (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768

ST Radial Tires ST Radial Tires ST Radial Tires STST Radial Tires Radial Tires

LL LL ST Bias Tires LL LL LLBias ST Tires

XL XL XL XL XL

ST Bias Tires STST Bias Tires Bias Tires

QUEST QUES T QUES QUEST T ST Radial Tires QUEST QUES TTT QUEST QUES QUEST ST RadialQUES Tires

ST Radial Tires STST Radial Tires Radial Tires ST Bias Tires ST Bias Tires ST Bias Tires STST Bias Tires Bias Tires

G G Implement G GG Tires Implement Tires

Implement Tires Implement Tires Implement Tires

Often imitated Often Oftenimitated imitated

NNNEEEVVVEEERRR Duplicated

Dup licated Duplicated Dupl icated TRAILSTAR LLC, 10716 HWY 224, COMMERCE, TX 75428 (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768 TRAILSTAR LLC, 10716 HWY 224, COMMERCE, TX 75428 (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768 TRAILSTAR LLC, 10716 HWY 224, COMMERCE, TX (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768 TRAILSTAR LLC, 10716 HWY 224, COMMERCE, TX75428 75428 (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768 TRAILSTAR LLC, 10716 HWY 224, COMMERCE, TX 75428 (903) 886-4067 FAX (903) 886-4768

PSI PSI (lbs.)

PSI PSIP (lbs.)

40 (lbs.) (lbs.) (lb 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40