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Headquarters REPORT JULY/AUGUST 2022

By Kendra Ansley, NATM Executive Director

August of this year marks my 10-year anniversary with the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM). When I was hired as Member Services Coordinator by Pam O’Toole Trusdale, I can still recall sitting in her office and asking, “Is it a problem if I don’t know a lot about trailers?” She chuckled and told me not to worry, I would learn. She was right. Through the generosity of our member volunteers, industry experts, and my co-workers over the years, I have learned an incredible amount about trailer manufacturing. Each day I continue to learn more.

Thinking back over the last 10 years, I am in awe of the work the Association has accomplished and the growth of the industry. Some of the highlights include:

Compliance/Technical

› Compliance Verification Program became a requirement for trailer manufacturer members

› ISO 17020 Certification of Compliance

Verification Program

› Doubling the compliance/technical staff to meet the needs of a growing membership

› Digitization of the Compliance Verification Program

Education and Resources

› Creation of an Early Warning Reporting and Recall Guide

› Expanding education to include webinars and the forthcoming NATM Academy

› Creation of the Trailer Safety Brochure – a glove-box sized pamphlet with critical towing safety and maintenance information

› Creation of the Dealer Compendium – a dealer version of the NATM Guidelines

Government Affairs

› Hosted the NHTSA Administrator at the 2012 Convention

Marketing

› Launch of the NATM Insider eNews

› Launching the annual Trailer Safety Week campaign – boasting more than 400 allies and growing

› Marketing kits created for members to market their compliance

› Addition of QR codes on the NATM Decal to lead consumers to more safety information

› Launched www.NATMShop.com

Membership Benefits and Programming

› Release of an Association Health Plan and 401(k) for member companies

› Launch of a Technology Committee

› Launch of a Trailer Dealer Committee

› Launch of the NATM Dealer Affiliate Program

› Added automobile OEMs to NATM’s membership

Despite the vast changes NATM has seen in the last 10 years, one thing has stayed the same—NATM has always existed because of its members and for its members. It has been a pleasure to serve the light- and mediumduty trailer manufacturing industry for a decade. This is an incredible industry filled with hard-working and generous people who share a commitment to roadway safety. I look forward to the next decade as NATM continues to adapt to the needs of the industry! ■