STAFF
Tracks Editor
Samantha Darling LaCount • Samantha.Darling@natm.com
Interim Executive Director
Alex Stowe • Alex.Stowe@natm.com
Assistant Director
Meghan Ryan • Meghan.Ryan@natm.com
Marketing Director
Savana Morrison • Savana.Morrison@natm.com
Compliance Manager
Scott Crimmins • Scott.Crimmins@natm.com
Senior Compliance Consultant
Sean Sloan • Sean.Sloan@natm.com
Compliance Consultant
Aaron Langer • Aaron.Langer@natm.com
Member Outreach Specialist
Scott Simons • Scott.Simons@natm.com
Marketing Coordinator
Erin Mohwinkle • Erin.Mohwinkle@natm.com
Membership & Events Coordinator
Catie Rutkowski • Catie.Rutkowski@natm.com
Administrative Services Coordinator
Abby Wiebler • Abby.Wiebler@natm.com
Bookkeeper
Sherry Palmeroni • Sherry.Palmeroni@natm.com
OFFICERS
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 John Kerr • Marsh & McLennan
Past President
Owen Shelton • BoatMate Trailers, Inc.
DIRECTORS FEB. 2020 - FEB. 2023
Bill O'Hara • Dexter
Jon Devitt • Midwest Industries, Inc.
Jeff Jones • Statistical Surveys, Inc.
Dustin Miller • Cross Trailers, Inc.
Mike Story • LOOK Trailers
DIRECTORS FEB. 2021 - FEB. 2024
Leo Akins • Forest River, Inc.
Andy Derr • M.H. Eby
Rick Huddleston • White River Marine Group
John Kerr • Marsh & McLennan Agency
DIRECTORS FEB. 2022 - FEB. 2025
Charles Daugherty • Red Fern Dynamics
Andy Gehman • MGS Incorporated
Daniel Luby • BoatMate Trailers
Nathan Uphus • Felling Trailers
About this publication: Tracks Volume 36, Issue 1 January/February 2023 is published six times a year (bi-monthly) for $50 per year by the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers,
As we begin a new year in 2023, companies across the globe are renewing their membership and affiliation with the National Association Of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM). To those of you that have recommitted to NATM’s efforts, thank you. NATM would be unable to achieve its growth and positive influence on this industry without dedicated suppliers, service providers, dealers, and trailer manufacturers supporting the Association’s mission to "promote trailer safety and the success of the trailer manufacturing industry through education and advocacy." Renewing NATM members also understand the multifaceted benefits of being a member of a trade association specific to the light- and medium-duty trailer industry.
For our trailer manufacturer members, participation in NATM and its Compliance Verification Program is entirely voluntary. Choosing to renew your membership and invest the time and money necessary to ensure your compliance demonstrates your company’s sense of civic responsibility. The NATM members that choose to renew membership year after year recognize that building trailers to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards is not only the right thing to do. It is the law.
Participation in the NATM Compliance Verification Program lends credibility to member companies. Biennially, our trailer manufacturers receive an unbiased, third-party consultation by NATM Compliance Consultants to verify that they have the processes in place to build trailers to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). By renewing membership, NATM members demonstrate their dedication to their customers in building compliant trailers. In addition, these trailer manufacturers also purchase the NATM Decal. NATM Decal purchases create awareness of NATM’s mission to promote trailer safety and applying the decal to trailers raises the visibility of their company’s affiliation with NATM as a reputable resource.
Belonging to NATM offers improved representation of your company’s needs on a federal level when it comes to legislation and regulation. It can be difficult for one small company to be heard above the racket. NATM membership unifies the voice of the light- and medium-duty trailer industry by bringing together over 1,100 companies. The Association advocates on behalf of our priorities so that we do not individually have to invest our already scarce resources. For example, NATM spent years advocating for a national bill that would allow unladen trailers to be towed in tandem, subject to certain limitations, by someone with a commercial driver’s license. Had the Association not regularly met legislators in person on Capitol Hill and submitted comments, such legislation would not have passed. Without NATM’s efforts, there would still be a random patchwork of differing state laws across the nation forcing trailer manufacturers and dealers to inefficiently deliver products.
Being a member of NATM also grants you connections to
others in the industry. Active members in NATM recognize that participating in NATM through the NATM Convention & Trade Show, committees, and advertising gives you access to those that can help your company achieve its goals. Trailer manufacturers can find suppliers that offer an improved component or part, or access to a service provider that can assist with financing or insurance. NATM membership links trailer manufacturers to vendors, prospective customers, and other leaders in the industry and vice versa.
One of the most apparent benefits of renewing membership with NATM is access to information. NATM provides solutions for businesses in the industry, both trailer manufacturer companies and suppliers alike. By pooling together the collective brainpower of leaders in companies in all facets of this industry, NATM helps problem solve. The challenges NATM member companies face are often not unique. For example, most of us in the industry are struggling with the economic uncertainty as the nation faces a potential recession, and the NATM Education Committee planned the webinar line up with a focus on the economy with the State of the Industry Update with Statistical Surveys in September and the Economic & Inflation Outlook webinar with Merrill Lynch held in October.
Suppliers and service providers play an equally important role in NATM’s success. These associate members support the light- and medium-duty trailer industry through their committee and Board participation, monetary investments such as advertising and membership dues. Most helpful to the industry has been suppliers leveraging their expertise to share with the industry through educational articles and workshops. Suppliers work with many different trailer manufacturers directly and get a broad view and better understanding of the industry. They can identify trends and challenges faced by trailer manufacturers and use their understanding of the collective group. This information helps NATM better understand the needs of the membership in a way that one trailer manufacturing company may struggle to convey thanks to the strength of having extra data.
As a result, supplier members have improved NATM’s ability to provide educational resources, workshops, and informative articles. Supplier member companies are also often NATM’s greatest asset in recruiting new trailer manufacturers to the Association. Suppliers are the Association’s biggest cheerleaders. Many of them advocate on behalf of NATM to encourage the trailer manufacturing companies they work with to participate in the Compliance Verification Program or to attend the NATM Convention & Trade Show.
The Association is the combined effort, expertise, and support of all members, and without your annual recommitment to membership, none of this would have been possible. For more information about renewing your company’s membership with NATM, contact NATM Membership & Events Coordinator Catie Rutkowski at Catie.Rutkowski@natm. com or by calling NATM’s headquarters at (785) 272-4433.
Thank you again to those that have re-enlisted to support the lightand medium-duty trailer industry. I look forward to seeing you all at the 2023 Convention & Trade Show in Fort Worth, Texas. ■
I hope you all have had a happy new year! This will be a year that presents new opportunities for the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) as we introduce our new strategic plan. The start of a new year also marks the beginning of new leadership for NATM with the departure of Executive Director Kendra Ansley. We wish her the best in future endeavors, and her knowledge and assistance will be missed by NATM. I am honored and excited to serve the Association as interim executive director until a permanent replacement is determined.
I am eagerly awaiting the 35th annual NATM Convention & Trade Show, which is right around the corner. With cold weather and snow here at headquarters, the heat and barbecue in Fort Worth will be a welcome break. With over 1,100 members, the Convention is an incredible opportunity to meet with an average of 1,100 attendees all in one place. For those who enjoy golf, we will also be bringing back our Top Golf event on Monday, Feb. 13. I am personally a horrible golfer but enjoy the opportunity to meet with members and staff in a more casual setting. The convention itself will feature multiple great speakers bringing their expertise and knowledge to attendees. I look forward to seeing you all in Fort Worth!
2023 will mark the first year of NATM’s new strategic plan, and with the assistance of our Board, we are excited to share those updates with you in the coming months. NATM’s overall vision and mission have not changed from advancing trailer safety and promoting industry success. As an association, we will be looking to deliver more value to the membership via educational benefits, our Compliance Verification Program, and consumer education through Trailer Safety Week, which takes place the first week of June. This is an exciting time to be a part of NATM, and I am excited to see where the new strategic plan guides the Association.
In addition to a new strategic plan, 2023 will also be filled with new faces as Board elections and new committees set
to start their work following Convention. I look forward to our new Board members and committees bringing fresh perspectives and industry expertise and know NATM is poised to generate more value for members in 2023. As part of the new strategic plan, NATM has worked to update committee goals and how they are tracked. Although these committee goals are not currently set as of the writing of this article, the Board brought forth new ideas on how to assist committees in working to expand NATM and its offerings to members.
While I am excited for the future, 2023 also marks the end of current NATM Board President Marty Lorick’s time leading NATM’s Board. Marty has been a great advocate for NATM and has assisted me greatly during this leadership transition. Marty’s ability to gather feedback and provide insights has been an invaluable addition to NATM’s Board. Josh Johnson of Big Tex Trailers will begin serving as the new Board president following Convention. Josh will be able to use his years of industry knowledge and time spent on NATM committees and the Board to assist the Association in implementing our new strategic plan and ensuring NATM will continue to prosper in the years ahead.
The NATM staff will continue to generate new ideas on how to improve the Association while also using our years of industry knowledge to ensure we are providing the best service we can to our members.
I hope you have an excellent year that is filled with success! ■
Director
In 2017, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) initiated a Section 301 investigation to determine whether China’s acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are unreasonable or discriminatory, and burden or restrict U.S. commerce. As a result of USTR’s 2018 affirmative findings, then-President Donald Trump determined to impose a 25% ad valorem duty on products of China with an annual trade value of approximately $34 billion (List 1), followed by an additional 25% tariff on $16 billion worth of products from China (List 2). The combined trade value of the products on Lists 1 and 2 was intended to match USTR’s finding of U.S. damages of $50 billion annually from China’s unfair acts, policies, and practices.
President Trump subsequently imposed additional tariffs on Chinese products (List 3 and List 4A) with an annual total trade value of $500 billion. The former president’s actions were in response to China’s decision to impose tariffs on U.S. exports to China in retaliation for the U.S. tariffs on Lists 1 and 2 products.
Notably, the wide-ranging list of products subject to the China 301 tariffs included multiple components used in the manufacture of light- and medium-duty trailers, including pneumatic tires; various components of iron, steel, or aluminum; jacks and hoists; lighting
To date, more than 6,000 companies have filed suit arguing that the Trump administration’s imposition of the China 301 tariffs on products on Lists 3 and 4A was unlawful because, among other things, these tariffs were not tied to USTR’s original findings that U.S. damages related to China’s discriminatory practices amounted to $50 billion annually.
On Aug. 1, 2022, pursuant to court order, USTR filed its explanation regarding the justification that the agency gave for imposing the original China 301 tariffs on List 3 and List 4A Chinese goods. In September 2022, plaintiffs filed their comments on the USTR remand, and later in November 2022, the U.S. government filed its rebuttal to the plaintiffs’ comments. Plaintiffs’ reply was due by Dec. 5, 2022.
The Court of International Trade is expected to issue its decision by early 2023, but given the likelihood of the losing side pursuing an appeal, a final court decision is unlikely before the end 2023. If the plaintiffs ultimately prevail, they would be entitled to a refund of duties paid on their List 3 and 4A entries. It is unclear at this time whether importers that are not plaintiffs in the litigation would also be able to seek a refund of duties paid. ■
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (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 before 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 calendar year 2023,
please complete the prior approval agreement online using the QR code on this page.
Since its inception, 54 individuals have contributed to the PAC raising more than $151,000 and those dollars have contributed to 78 incumbent campaign committees on both sides of the aisle. 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 PAC Treasurer Alex Stowe at Alex.Stowe@natm.com. ■
By Samantha Darling LaCount, NATM Tracks Editor
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) member Miller Electric Mfg. Co. hosted a WeldHer Workshop in July 2022.
The all-female workshop was led by Athena Alexander, Miller Electric Regional Process Trainer, and WeldHer Workshop founders, Rachel Miller and Letty Rodriguez. The workshop, held at the Miller Electric training center in Atlanta, had 10 attendees, the youngest being just 11.
“Her brain creativity was far beyond mine,” Alexander said. “(She) made this really cute dog planter. She made a little dog bowl out of metal for it and it looked like it had dog food in it.”
It was exactly what they had all hoped they could provide - the space and tools to be creative.
The workshop's youngest participant made a planter shaped like a dog, complete with kibble made of scrap metal.
Photo submitted by Athena Alexander
“This is a judgment-free zone,” Alexander said. “It does not matter if you’ve never even heard of welding before. We are here for you to learn, to create something fun, and have a good memory spent in this industry.”
Welding is an industry that doesn’t see a lot of female participation. That comes with its own unique set of challenges.
“We wanted them to feel comfortable with an all-women team
with equipment that was actually going to fit them,” Alexander said. “Typically speaking, we’re having women having to weld in XL jackets, in these really big gloves, and it’s really not a good experience for them. So I made sure to have things that were in their sizes.”
Rodriguez and Miller are full-time welders based in Arizona. Alexander originally connected with them on social media. They got to meet in person when Alexander held a training class in Arizona. That’s when Rodriguez and Miller told her more about WeldHer.
“I threw out the idea that, if you ever wanted to take this on the road, I have a training center in Atlanta, and I’d love to host one of these,” Alexander said. “Rachel and Letty flew out here and we did one of their WeldHer Workshops here at the Miller (Electric) training center. ”
“We were so honored and so excited because that whole welding lab is just top-notch,” Miller said. “It was so cool because they have all the cool welding machines and they had all their own gear so we didn’t
have to bring anything except for ourselves.”
RIGHT: (Left to right) Rachel Miller, Athena Alexander, and Letty Rodriguez pose with the WeldHer banner. Alexander attended a WeldHer Workshop in Phoenix while she was in town for work.
Photo submitted by Rachel Miller.
BELOW: A WeldHer Workshop participant works on cutting out elements for her nameplate.
Photo submitted by Athena Alexander
Alexander and Miller Electric were so happy with how the workshop went they’re planning to host more.
“I think we’ll do this here annually in Atlanta,” Alexander said. “I told (Miller and Rodriguez) we can do it in our other training centers as well. Miller (Electric) has training centers kind of all over the place.”
“Rachel and I, we’ve been super lucky to be traveling more with the workshops,” Rodriguez said.
Miller and Rodriguez have momentum behind WeldHer now, but it didn’t start that way.
“We noticed that we were getting a lot of messages on different social media platforms from girls wondering how they could get started in welding,” Rodriguez said.
“We’d always have girls message us, ‘How did you get into welding? How do you start? Where can I try? How do I learn?’” Miller said, and the two thought, “It would be really cool if we had a place where we could hold classes to teach all these girls who are interested.”
Necessity is the mother of invention, they say. But there were obstacles when it came time to start working on the logistics of holding the workshop.
“We were going to different trade schools and welding shops to see a good fit for someone to host us,” Rodriguez said. “A lot of these places didn’t have the same vision as us.”
This was early 2020. While still hunting for a venue, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Plans to get the workshop going stalled.
“When things started opening back up, we got a call back from one of the welding shops in town," Rodriguez
said. “They wanted to revisit the idea. Everything was just aligning for us to host those classes.”
The women hosted the first WeldHer Workshop in September of 2021 and haven’t looked back. Miller and Rodriguez just celebrated one year of WeldHer.
“It’s been amazing. The support is there. The interest is there,” Miller said. “It's just so rewarding how well it’s been going.”
“It's been incredible seeing the women - all ages, no experience - or some girls are in different trades and want to try welding,” Rodriguez said. “It's so rewarding seeing these women try something new.”
It’s caught the attention of participants and companies alike.
“I told them I wish I could have done what they did,” Alexander said of starting the all-female classes.
For Alexander, getting started was the hardest part.
“It’s very intimidating as a woman to go to college for welding,” Alexander said. “My first day in school, the instructor said, ‘Cosmetology is down the hall.’ It’s just little things like that that can make it very intimidating.”
Alexander was introduced to welding in high school. She says, signing up for welding to her meant getting out of class 30 minutes early. It wasn’t on her radar when it came time for college.
“My major was going to originally be sports medicine. I wanted to be a sports trainer,” Alexander said. “The school I was at actually canceled their athletic program after my first year. I was at a pivoting point at that time. I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.”
A welding instructor there knew her from her high school and told her to check out the program.
“I ended up changing my major to welding and I got a job my first semester,” Alexander said. “ I worked full time and went to school full time - lots of welding. I got involved in August, it’s a very hot humid month, so welding all day was mentally and physically exhausting. I hated it for a time being. ”
“I guess I had this idea that I would always be under a welding hood but welding definitely has a lot of avenues that you can take that I've got to experience along the way,” she said. “I love the career path it opened for me.”
As a regional process trainer for Miller Electric, Alexander now trains other welders on the company’s machines and can oversee testing and inspections.
“I didn’t know back when I first started that the role I have now was even a possibility,” Alexander said.
Getting started wasn’t a straight shot for Miller either. She got her degree in social work. After three or four years, she felt burnt out and was looking for something else.
“My dad and my brother are in the trades,” Miller said. “They had the welder, a Miller (Electric) welder actually, out in the garage. And I was like, ‘Oh, I want to try.’”
Her dad and brother were skeptical at first, but they showed her how. Miller laid her first bead and was hooked. She began looking at schooling and jobs in welding.
“Welders get paid a lot better than social workers,” Miller said. “Trades jobs are very in demand. Even more so now than they were eight years ago when I was looking.”
She signed up for classes at a local trade school. The same trade school Rodriguez would attend, though her route there was much more direct.
“I was getting ready to graduate high school, and there's a lot of pressure from teachers that you have to go to university to be successful, and I just didn't see that for me,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to skip that and work with my hands.”
“I actually have a huge automotive background. My parents started a low-rider car club in the early ’90s. I literally grew up around cars my entire life. I went to car shows every weekend for years and years,” Rodriguez said. “I was a super tomboy. I loved getting dirty and working with my hands.”
The two knew of each other in school. They were two of a handful of females in the whole program but didn’t interact much. They connected on social media after graduation. Miller posted that the company she was working for at the time was hiring. Rodriguez answered the call. She was brought on, and that was that.
“We’ve worked at three different companies together,” Rodriguez said. “Rachel and I, we’re work wives.”
“We’re a package deal now,” Miller said.
All three women have had different paths but have faced a lot of the same struggles. Some of them have to do with the physical nature of the work.
“It’s really just challenging in certain things. I’m not as strong as a lot of the men in this industry,” Alexander said.
“I’m a super petite woman, so when I first got into the industry, I did not have the muscle behind the work. Years have passed with working out and developing the muscle,” Rodriguez said. “People doubting that I couldn't push something around or lift something because I'm small. Maybe when I first got into the industry I couldn't, but definitely, now I'm more than capable. There’s a million different ways to do something. How you do it might be a lot different from how I do it. I have to do it in a way that’s going to be safe for me.”
Some of the hurdles stem from expectations they put on themselves.
“I think that women are very hard on themselves,” Alexander said. “I like to be a perfectionist in a lot of things. I want things done a certain way and if things don’t go my way, it’s my fault. There are certain things I’ve done in my career that I’m like, oh man, I don’t know why I was so hard on myself. That’s so normal.”
“I think a lot of females in this industry doubt themselves a lot because there is that underlying feeling of ‘this is a man’s world,’” Miller said. “We have to prove ourselves twice as hard to try to make it in this world, so I would always discredit myself or doubt myself. And then I would see other peoples’ welds or work, and mine was better, and I'm like, ‘Why am I being so hard on myself?’”
Overcoming those negative thoughts and turning them into action was another obstacle to overcome.
“Sticking up for yourself - that is another big one,” Rodriguez said.
“I would say that’s really the challenging part, just really having a backbone to speak up for yourself,” Alexander said. “I’ve learned that my opinion matters. People ask for my opinion now, whereas I used to think that no one cares what I say.”
Some of the challenges come directly from being females in a traditionally male-dominated field. Rodriguez and Miller, working at the same company, had a bad experience with a supervisor.
“When I first got into the industry I was timid and I didn't know how to respond to some of the harassment,” Rodriguez said.
“There are still men out there who don’t want to get their toes stepped on by a woman in a 'man’s world,'” Miller said. “We were pretty new in our welding career, and it's like, how do I navigate this type of harassment or challenge? We didn't have the backbone we do now.”
It has been the one blight they’ve experienced. They faced
that challenge and continued onward and upward.
“Now if someone came at me that way, I'd know exactly what to say,” Rodriguez said.
“Luckily now, the more experience we gain, the more confidence we have too,” Miller said. “I've had more positive experiences than negative. For the most part, most of the guys across all my jobs have been super respectful.”
They’ve never been dissuaded from encouraging more women into the field.
“We’re all about women empowerment and getting women introduced into the trades. Our numbers are so low in this industry,” Rodriguez said. “I would go into it openminded. Yes, there is a very tiny amount who think women shouldn't be in the industry, but 99% of the guys I've met have been so supportive and helpful. My two mentors are guys, and they’ve helped me a tremendous amount.”
“Girls who don't think they can do it or are scared to start, I would just tell them it's going to be okay,” Miller said. “You’re probably going to surprise yourself with how well things will go.”
If fact, all three women expressed that being a woman is not a hindrance at all but an asset.
“On your resume, you always want to stand out from everyone else and that’s how you're remembered,” Alexander said. “I think as a woman you’re remembered a little bit easier because there are not as many women typically applying for roles.”
“Women, I think, make better welders in general,” Rodriguez said. “We’re just more detail-oriented. From what I've seen training other women on jobs: you tell them, you show them, and they pick it up so much quicker than guys.”
“A lot of females make great welders. We’re more steady with our hands. We’re more open to receiving feedback and criticism and applying to make changes when necessary,” Miller said. “I see it a lot in the WeldHer Workshop classes. Hair stylists or nail technicians or artists come to our classes, and they are phenomenal welders because they’re already so great working with their hands.”
While they’ve faced challenges, it’s an industry they all love.
“I wish I would have known I wanted to weld right off the bat,” Miller said. “Welding beats sitting at a desk any day for me. I really feel like my true, authentic self when I'm welding.”
“What I love about my job is the teaching element,” Alexander said. “My classes are predominantly men, but this year, in particular, I’ve had the most women in my classes.”
One milestone she’s seen this year is having an unprecedented four women in one class.
“I love seeing that,” Alexander said. “They’re just like, ‘Oh I can’t believe we actually had a woman instructor. That never happens.’ It’s kind of a full circle to see that more women are getting into this industry.”
The next steps for WeldHer Workshops? They all hope to see it grow. WeldHer has been invited to a facility in California and they are looking at hosting workshops in New York.
“I’m hoping they’re going to branch out more and do it in various different places,” Alexander said.
“If we could take WeldHer out and about and travel the United States for it, that would be phenomenal,” Rodriguez said. “Represent ourselves from Arizona and get these girls interested in the trades.”
Introducing more people to the trades is something WeldHer and Miller Electric both strive for.
“Of course, it’s marketed more towards men, but females make up half the population,” Miller said. “If you even gave them a chance to just test it to even see if they like it or not, that's half the battle.”
“There's a lot of older men that are retiring right now, and there's such a deficit of trade workers. It would be phenomenal
to see a more diverse group, especially more diverse women,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve had a few women of color join our classes. It's few and far between, and it's sad really. I’m Latina, and I'd love to see more of me in some of these girls. I feel like if there was a more diverse group in the trade industry, these younger girls would look at these construction workers and be like, ‘Hey, this girl looks like me. I could do that too.’”
“Honestly, right now it’s a challenge to get people into this trade. That’s something that Miller (Electric) is trying to help with: attracting this next generation,” Alexander said. “It’s a big challenge and it’s something a lot of companies are focusing on right now. We’re putting a bigger emphasis on education right now, because if we can get to them earlier then maybe they can see that this is even an option.”
Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has been a member of NATM since 2007. For more information about the company, visit www.millerwelds.com.
For more information on WeldHer Workshops, contact Rachel Miller and Letty Rodriguez on Instagram, @weldher_ workshop, or by emailing weldherworkshop@gmail.com.
To submit article ideas or your own membership stories, contact Tracks Editor Samantha Darling LaCount at Samantha.Darling@natm.com. ■
Membership renewal forms were emailed to National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) members in November. To avoid a membership lapse, 2023 dues are to be paid by Jan. 31, 2023. Any dues not received by Jan. 31, 2023, will be considered delinquent and all membership benefits will be terminated until paid per the NATM Bylaws.
Membership dues have again gone unchanged in 2023. Rates are $860 for Associate (Supplier) members and Tow Vehicle OEMs; $150 for Associate Branch members, $995 for Regular and International Regular members (Trailer Manufacturer); and $150 for Trailer Dealer Affiliates. If you joined between February and October of 2022, your 2023 dues are prorated accordingly.
NATM greatly values your membership, and 2023 promises to be another fantastic year to be a NATM member. You can pay by check, over the phone, or online on www.NATM.com using the NATM Member Compass section at any time.
If you have questions, contact NATM Membership & Events Coordinator Catie Rutkowski at (785) 2724433 or Catie.Rutkowksi@natm.com. ■
Jeff Jones, national trailer sales manager for Statistical Surveys, Inc., gave National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) members an in-depth look at trailer sales on Sept. 21, 2022, during a free NATM webinar.
The overall market hit its lowest point, dropping from just over one million trailer registrations in 2007 to under 700,000 in 2010. The market saw a steady recovery from there. In 2017, registrations hit their 2007 benchmark and were again just over one million. In the latest full-year data, 2021 was recorded at close to 1,300,000 trailer registrations. 2021 was the best year the industry had seen in 14 years, Jones said.
The boat trailer segment closely followed the overall bell curve. It started with over 200,000 registrations in 2007, hit its lowest in 2011 with just over 100,000, and rebounded to its 2007 high in 2020 when it was again over 200,000. However, boat segments saw a slight dip in 2021.
Enclosed trailer registrations started at over 200,000, hit their lowest in 2009 at under 150,000, and recovered in 2017. The registrations have continued to climb from there. 2020 and 2021 saw over 225,000 registrations.
Livestock trailers registrations were right at 14,000 in 2007 and dropped to just over 8,000 in 2009. They rebounded to their 2007 numbers in 2015 and hit a peak in 2017 at just under 15,000. Livestock trailer registrations saw a slight drop in 2019. 2020 and 2021 registrations came in at under 14,000.
The open trailer segment saw over 500,000 registrations in 2007 and hit its low in 2009 with under 400,000. The open trailer segment climbed back to its 2007 benchmark the earliest of all the segments, in 2014, and has continued to grow. 2021 marked a 14-year high with just under 800,000 registrations.
Horse trailers are the one segment that hasn’t seen a return to pre-recession numbers. In 2007, horse trailer registrations were at 32,000. They dipped to under 15,000 in 2010. The highest they’ve been since was around 17,000 in 2015. In fact, registrations dipped lower in 2019 and 2020 and were again under 15,000. 2021 saw growth and registration numbers were marked at just over 15,000.
“(Registrations) dropped off a little in 2020 and I think we all understand why,” Jones said. “Because of the pandemic, a lot of states were closed down … Then there was a shortage of inventory at the dealer level. So sales were down and restorations were down
in 2020. Which made the first six months of 2021 look really good.”
2021 rebounded with a 14-year high of over 700,000 registrations. All five trailer segments followed the same curve: Numbers dropped in 2020, spiked in 2021, and dropped back down in 2022.
“It bounced back really strong in 2021,” Jones said. “2022 has fallen off, but it is still above 2020.”
January to June of 2021 saw industry growth of 33.88% from the previous year with 729,853 units sold. The breakdown of this by segments is:
› Boat 15.82% 130,148 units
› Enclosed 33.51% 132,788 units
› Horse 42.64% 8,801 units
› Livestock 22.32% 5,610 units
› Open 40.56% 443,457 units
July through December of 2021 saw negative growth of -15.79% compared to the same sixmonth period of 2020, with 547,641 units sold.
› Boat -22.91% 83,047 units
› Enclosed -24.17% 100,451 units
› Horse -11.77% 7,176 units
› Livestock -12.72% 6,459 units
› Open -11.15% 344,302 units
“When you look at it overall for the year, again, sales were up 6.86%,” Jones said of the 2021 numbers. “There was 1,277,494 units registered. It was the best year in the trailer industry.”
The 2021 full-year numbers as compared to 2020 show growth. Only the boat segment was down overall.
› Boat -15.82% 231,195 units
› Enclosed 0.57% 233,239 units
› Horse 11.70% 15,977 units
› Livestock 2.8% 13,655 units
› Open 12.06% 789,759 units
When looking at data from January to June of 2022, the industry is down -21.69% and 569,558 units from January to June of 2021.
› Boat -20.08% 104,012 units
› Enclosed -22.13% 100,855 units
› Horse -15.42% 7,444 units
› Livestock -22.04% 5,610 units
› Open -22.13% 345,330 units
“As we saw in 2021, the industry was up the first six months by 33%. The last six months, it was down 15%, so the
year ended just over 6% up,” Jones said. “It’s going to be interesting to see what the next six months bring.”
This data covers only new trailers purchased at dealerships.
Jeff Jones is the national trailer sales manager with Statistical Surveys, Inc. Statistical Surveys is a premier provider of market share solutions for trailers, RVs, marine, manufactured housing, and power sports founded in 1958. If there are any questions, or if Statistical Surveys can help, please contact Jeff Jones at (254) 715-1314 or jjones@statisticalsurveys.com.
To see the schedule of upcoming webinars and other NATM events, visit www.natm.com/events.
To see past webinars, visit NATM’s Resource Library at www.natmshop.com/member-shop. ■
Registration for the light- and medium-duty trailer industry was down 14.1% in August 2022. Below are the details of the market’s performance for the five trailer segments as reported by Statistical Surveys:
Trailer Type Industry Open Enclosed Livestock Horse Boat
Aug. 2022 -14.1% -16.7% -12.5% -22.5% -17.9% -4.1%
Jan. - Aug. 2022 -20.1% -20.7% -21.9% -21.8% -15.2% -16.6%
The following are the top five states in sales growth for all trailer segments in the first eight months of 2022.
Ranking 1 2 3 4 5
State Tennessee Colorado Utah Montana South Carolina
74.4% -9.55% -9.6% -10.4% -11.3%
Industry registrations for the first eight months in 2022 are down 20.1% over 2021.
If there are any questions, or if Statistical Surveys can help, please contact Jeff Jones at (254) 715-1314 or jjones@statisticalsurveys.com. ■
Grand Rapids MI 49508 (616) 281-9898
Earlier this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an important warning regarding compliant trailers to consumers, importers, and trailer manufacturers. According to the official NHTSA statement, “… noncompliant trailers that may pose a safety risk are increasingly marketed and sold to small businesses throughout the United States … Trailers that do not comply with Federal regulations may not be safe and are not allowed to enter the United States.”
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has long recognized the importance of building safe, compliant trailers as demonstrated by the Compliance Verification Program (CVP). NATM has compiled the applicable federal regulations and industry best practices, and every two years, NATM Compliance Consultants visit member facilities to ensure they have the manufacturing processes in place to build trailers in accordance with these standards.
Through the CVP, it is the mission of NATM to educate member manufacturers on those requirements set forth by governing bodies. With this free flow of information and open lines of communication, NATM members are provided with access to resources and information that can often be time-consuming and difficult to compile on their own.
The consumer warning further cautioned trailer purchasers to, “Please be aware that trailers must comply with Federal standards to ensure that they are equipped with appropriate critical safety components, such as lighting, tires and wheels … use caution when shopping for these trailers, especially if you are considering online listings for trailers that must be imported into the United States.”
As a consumer, it is nearly impossible to fully understand the hundreds of safety-related regulations NHTSA refers to in its statement. NATM has made it easier for consumers by creating the NATM Decal. Trailers featuring this decal are built by manufacturers who have verified compliance through NATM’s CVP. Participation in this program is MANDATORY for all NATM trailer manufacturing members and only NATM members who have successfully completed the CVP are allowed to place NATM Decals on their trailers. To learn more about the program, please visit www.natm.com/cvp.
Consumers interested in purchasing from a NATMcompliant manufacturer can visit www.natm.com/trailermanufacturer-directory to find a local manufacturer.
Read the full NHTSA Statement here: www.nhtsa.gov/ press-releases/trailers-federal-safety-regulations ■
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) hosted Andrew Cottrell, a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management advisor, for a webinar in September to provide members with economic insight in these unsure times.
There are eight business cycle indicators Cottrell and Merrill Lynch look at when assessing if the economy is headed toward a recession: inflation, labor market, yield curve, U.S. consumer, business conditions, housing market, credit conditions, and equity market. In December 2007, all eight categories were indicating a recession was on the way. Whereas, July 2022 was more of a mixed bag.
Cottrell's data showed 73% of the economy is driven by consumers. And while consumer savings has increased by $2.5 trillion since the COVID-19 pandemic started, they aren’t spending that money. Consumers are feeling it at the pump. They’re feeling it at the grocery store, and that sentiment is causing consumers to pull back.
Charts from the Fed Bank of St. Louis, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and Atlanta Fed all showed an expected higher level of inflation for the next several years. This could lead to lending drying up and interest rates continuing to rise.
Supply chain disruptions also have put a strain on consumers as well as businesses. At the start of the pandemic, the country shut down. Once things opened back up, there was a sharp hike in demand across the board. Companies struggled to rush to get production up to meet the need, stalled by continued shutdowns and health protocols changing all over the country. When you turn the economy off like a light, it doesn’t turn back on as fast, the presentation summarized.
After companies fought to kick up production to meet the sky-high demand, it plateaued and cooled off. Even large companies are struggling with the ups and down. Apple reportedly slashed iPhone production after lackluster demand, and Walmart made headlines with photos of surplus inventory pilled high in stockrooms and aisles.
Businesses, like consumers, are flush with cash. Six trillion dollars was printed and pumped into the economy over the pandemic. It’s whether or not companies continue to spend that cash or not that will determine future economic growth, the webinar explained. Businesses too are struggling with bruised consumer confidence. Prices are high and geopolitical uncertainty is slowing global growth.
Inflation and the geopolitical climate are hurting consumer and business confidence alike, but it’s not all dark skies ahead. While the country has seen a technical recession, there are indicators that it won’t reach 2008 depths. Some key economic
indicators look drastically different from then to now.
Home purchases are still high - a notable difference from the 2008 housing market crash. Data from the webinar also showed that wages are rising, as opposed to them falling in 2008. And we are continuing to see low unemployment, which is a contrast to the unemployment spike of 2008.
The webinar discussed that the main difference from then to now is generational. One of the largest factors of an economy is the number of 28- to 44-year-olds in a given country.
From 2000 to 2010, 72 million U.S. baby boomers left this age bracket and handed off the economy to the 54 million of Generation X. Now, those 54 million Gen Xers handing off the economy to the country’s largest generation to date: 110 million millennials.
While this population spike is part of the reason for inflation, it is also why the labor and housing markets are so strong. Adults ages 28 to 44 are in their peak economic years. This is the time in most adults’ lives when they hit peak earnings and peak consumption - think childcare costs and home purchases.
Advice given to business owners was to ride this demographic tailwind. The economy has had negative growth as of late, but it is estimated that the overheated economy will right itself over the next 12-24 months.
The webinar discussed how 2020 was an economic anomaly year. Recovery from the pandemic shutdowns led to historically high demand. And while growth has since slowed, it was expressed that the worst of the cycle appears to be behind us. It is expected that the economy will grow with the millennials in the coming decade.
Businesses may feel the country is in a deep recession. Growth far exceeded what was expected for 2020, and now it’s down, and that is challenging. Economic growth is likely to be flat for the next year or two. But the hope is that companies feel some strain because they had such good pandemic recovery years. It was expressed that if companies can keep tight margins and ride out the storm there are more good economic years on the horizon.
To see the schedule of upcoming webinars and other NATM events, visit www.natm.com/events.
To see past webinars, visit NATM’s Resource Library at www.natmshop.com/member-shop. ■
Trailer Safety Week 2023 will take place June 4-10, 2023. The mission of Trailer Safety Week (TSW) is to improve the safety of the nation’s roadways by increasing trailer safety awareness through education of end-users, dealers, and manufacturers on safe trailering practices. While the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) prides itself on promoting trailer safety 365 days a year, TSW offers a unique opportunity for the trailer industry to come together and make the nation’s roadways safer one trailer at a time.
Held the first week of June every year, TSW has reached hundreds of thousands of people. It is the first nationwide traffic safety initiative aimed at addressing safe towing practices for light- and medium-duty trailers. NATM has developed content and resources in furtherance of this mission, all available through www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com.
about safe trailering practices. This digital kit includes precrafted social media posts, downloadable TSW graphics, a blog post, and more. Promoting the company’s involvement with Trailer Safety Week is a breeze with this jam-packed kit. The content can even be customized to include content specific to each Ally’s products and services that promote trailer safety.
Becoming a TSW Ally shows potential customers that your company prides itself on making safe products. Visit www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com for more information.
For the awareness campaign to expand its reach and effectively improve roadway safety, Trailer Safety Week depends on extraordinary supporters who go above and beyond to reach their industry contacts and end users. Further, to continue expanding the educational resources available to end users, NATM is looking to partner with experts and other key stakeholders in towing and traffic safety.
As the Association is committed to expansion, two programs were created for industry organizations that would like to join NATM and its TSW Allies in improving trailer safety: TSW Champions and TSW Partnerships.
NATM created the Trailer Safety Week Champion program to highlight companies whose support of TSW exceeds that of a TSW Ally. As such, the company will earn greater promotional opportunities. While TSW includes Allies across the country, TSW Champions are those who fulfill the following requirements and receive the benefits listed on the TSW website here: https://www.trailersafetyweek.com/interest.
Convinced your company should be celebrating Trailer Safety Week? NATM is encouraging its members to participate in this campaign to reach end users and dealers as either Trailer Safety Allies, Champions, or Partners.
Becoming an official TSW Ally is a wonderful opportunity for companies who want to be involved in the safety movement but don't have significant time to invest. NATM provides Allies with the official Trailer Safety Communications Kit to promote their involvement in TSW and to share information
The next level of involvement is TSW Partnerships. The Trailer Safety Week Partnership program was established to recognize companies, groups, and agencies who support the mission of TSW through content development and resource sharing. Partnerships require a more significant commitment to educational content creation and sharing content and must conform to specific standards and requirements. For more information on what it takes to become a TSW Partner, contact the Trailer Safety Week team at TrailerSafetyWeek@natm.com.
For more information about becoming a Trailer Safety Ally, Champion, or Partner, visit www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com. NATM looks forward to working with its members to improve the safety of the light- and medium-duty trailer industry! ■
5
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM), known as the resource for safety and compliance for the light- and medium-duty trailer industry, has published the 2022 edition of Guidelines. This massive document takes the guesswork out of meeting federal requirements governing the manufacturing of trailers under 26,000 lbs. GVWR and is a benefit of NATM membership.
Building trailers to meet the federal regulations outlined in the NATM Guidelines is not optional. It is required by law and enforced by law enforcement every day on the nation’s roadways. But it can be very time-intensive for trailer manufacturers to research the numerous federal rules, regulations, standards, and accepted industry practices that govern trailer construction.
NATM addresses this by compiling the Guidelines for Recommended Manufacturing Practices for Light- and Medium-Duty Trailers. The document consists of over 400 pages of laws, regulations, rules, standards, and industry best practices. This information is gathered from resources such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, the Traffic Safety Administration, the Maintenance Council, and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, amongst others. Guidelines is updated annually by industry experts that stay abreast of changing regulations and who vet the addition of recommendations and best practices.
Members report substantial time savings by utilizing Guidelines, particularly on the topics of lighting and reflectors, VIN and data plates, gross vehicle weight ratings, and state brake requirements.
While Guidelines' focus is on U.S. regulations, many may have an interest in Canadian compliance. For more information, visit Transport Canada’s website at www.TV.GC.ca/en/transport-canada.html.
In recent years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has increased its
NHTSA has placed particular concern on meeting tire recordkeeping requirements, which includes both manufacturer records as well as the provision of TIN cards to dealers, distributors, and purchasers. This is only one of the many requirements outlined in NATM’s Guidelines
NATM assists its trailer manufacturing members in avoiding costly fines and decreasing liability related to trailer compliance through the NATM Compliance Verification Program (CVP). The NATM CVP is an unbiased, thirdparty audit of the trailer manufacturing process and uses Guidelines as the backbone for the program. The CVP provides biennial on-site consultations to trailer manufacturers and technical assistance throughout the entire process to ensure companies are manufacturing trailers consistent with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and other industry best practices.
Once a trailer manufacturer has successfully passed the Compliance Verification Program, the company is able to purchase NATM Decals and market their company’s dedication to fulfilling their safety requirements by participating in an unbiased, third-party audit of their trailers.
For more information about how the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers can assist your trailer manufacturing company, visit www.NATM.com, email NATMHQ@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433. ■
By Scott Simons, NATM Membership Outreach Specialist
It is no secret that trailer dealers serve a very important role in the sales process for many of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) members. As they sit on the front lines of the sales process and serve as the main point of contact for most end-users, they also serve another vital role. Trailer dealers play a key role in the fight to improve trailer safety on the nation’s roadways. It is always in their best interest for their customers to purchase a trailer built by a NATM-compliant manufacturer. In short, a manufacturer that has been verified through the NATM Compliance Verification Program (CVP) has various
processes in place to build compliant trailers, therefore, giving the customer confidence in their purchase.
As trailer safety remains our number one priority at NATM, we are looking to grow our footprint with trailer dealers all across the country. As we increase the number of dealers in NATM’s Dealer Affiliate Program, we are simultaneously increasing end-user awareness of the importance of NATM and the CVP, ultimately leading to an increase in compliant trailer sales and a safer roadway for everyone. In order to accomplish our goal, trailer dealers
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is pleased to announce that Sherry Palmeroni joined the staff as bookkeeper and office manager in October. She oversees billing, accounts payable and receivable, and reconciliations.
Sherry attended Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas. She got her start in accounting at 20 years old and has never looked back. She brings years of accounting and customer service experience to the NATM team.
“I’m here to make a difference and be a good member of the team,” Sherry said. “This isn’t a field I’ve been a part of before, so I’m looking forward to learning something new.”
Sherry is the point of contact for Association members for invoicing and billing questions.
“Sherry has been a great addition to the NATM team,” said Alex Stowe, NATM Interim Executive Director. “Her knowledge, willingness to learn, and prior experience has already started to pay dividends for the Association. I am excited to continue working with Sherry and see how she can continue to advance our bookkeeping processes.”
In her spare time, Sherry enjoys spending time with her kids and the rest of her family and watching her first and second favorite NFL teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Welcome Sherry to the Association by phone at (785) 272-4433 or by email, Sherry.Palmeroni@natm.com. ■
Bludot designs and builds the highest quality, pre-packaged brake line systems and kits for OEM trailer manufacturing assembly lines and maintenance facilities. When performance counts, Bludot delivers. And we deliver fast – Most of the time within 48-hours.
Order Bludot brake systems ready for the assembly line, pre-designed to your specifications, pre-packaged to your request, and delivered to your facility when you need them. Save time and money consolidating your brake line parts and kits with Bludot brake systems.
From hydraulic brake lines and kits, air/hydraulic, straight air, or flexible line kits, ABS and non-ABS system parts, along with a variety of controllers and components. Bludot is your brake line manufacturing, distribution or replacement source.
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is pleased to announce that Samantha Darling LaCount joined the staff as the Tracks Magazine Editor in September. She oversees the magazine and works closely with the Association’s marketing team for advertising.
Samantha graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in journalism and English. She spent the past four years in the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) Office of Civil Rights Compliance, where she conducted interviews with contractors, business owners, and employees, and was heavily involved in KDOT’s community outreach efforts. Prior to that, she was a copy editor and layout designer for the St. Joseph News-Press in St. Joseph, Missouri, and The Durango Herald in Durango, Colorado. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband, Paul, and their two cocker spaniels.
As Tracks Editor, Samantha oversees the content, design, and layout of the magazine. She is excited to present relevant technical information as well as industry-related human-interest stories to Association members.
“I love print media and am so excited for the opportunity to be a part of it again,” said Samantha. “Getting back to design and storytelling feels like coming home.”
Samantha is also the point of contact for members looking to advertise in Tracks magazine, the NATM Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide, the NATM website, and eNewsletters. She is new to advertising but looks forward to getting to know members and their needs and helping them utilize NATM’s resources to expand their advertising reach.
“NATM is very excited to have such a talented new member as Samantha join our team,” said Meghan Ryan, NATM Assistant Director. “Samantha brings an enthusiasm and wealth of experience for print publications, which will serve her well in this role. She hit the ground running and has already proven her aptitude with editing, organization, and storytelling through her writing. We are very excited to utilize her many skills and see Tracks magazine continue to improve under her keen eye for detail.”
Welcome Samantha to the Association by phone at (785) 272-4433 or by email, Samantha. Darling@natm.com. ■
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has surpassed all historical booth sales records for the 2023 sold out show. Everything is bigger in Texas, including the exhibition hall with over 300 booths sold - up over 30% from last year. Suppliers are expanding their booth sizes to bring in exciting equipment for demonstrations and additional product lines. The NATM Convention & Trade Show is a one-stop-shop for trailer manufacturers and dealers, and 2023 will not disappoint.
As an industry hub, Texas is a popular location for NATM’s Convention & Trade Show, especially for drive-in attendees in the region. The last convention hosted in Fort Worth saw a record-breaking number of trailer manufacturers in attendance, and NATM is looking forward to welcoming Trailer Dealer Affiliates to the full show this year. The show is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.
Attendees can register online at www.NATM.com/convention. Onsite registration is available, but the earlier you register, the more you save! All ticket prices will increase $50 to register onsite. Save money and cut down on waiting time by registering at NATM.com. To register online, simply scan the QR code below, or visit www.natm.com.
Trailer manufacturer members and NATM Dealer Affiliates that haven’t previously attended the Convention & Trade Show are eligible for the New Attendee Promotion. The New Attendee Promotion provides two complimentary full convention registrations and two spouse registrations. For more information about applying for the New Attendee Promotion, contact Catie Rutkowksi at Catie.Rutkowski@natm.com.
Exhibiting suppliers will receive two complimentary booths per 10’x10’ booth purchased. Additional booth workers can be added for $185 or upgrade to a full registration for $210. Onsite registration in Fort Worth will increase $50 per ticket, so sign up early!
Tee-Off Top Golf is back by popular demand! Sponsored by PPG and hosted at the Fort Worth Top Golf on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, this networking opportunity brings together the membership for food, fun, and golf - no experience necessary! Kenda/ Americana Tire & Wheel Corporation will once again sponsor the $10,000 Hole-In-One competition, so start practicing now!
Top Golf tickets are available for $80 per person and includes transportation, two drinks, food, and Top Golf fun. NATM encourages everyone to register as soon as possible to guarantee a spot. This is typically a sold out event! Preregistration cut off is Jan. 10. Attendees can show up and register on Jan. 13, but it is first come, first served, and spaces are limited. Attendees will meet at the 12th Street Entrance of the Fort Worth Convention Center to check in and load buses 4:00-5:15 p.m. and buses will depart at 5:30 p.m.
The Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel will host NATM’s largest room block for the 2023 NATM Convention & Trade Show.
NATM recommends booking hotels prior to Jan. 10, 2023, to ensure the room block rate.
Full registration for trailer manufacturers is $370 online. Trade Show Only registration is $160 for trailer manufacturers. The Association is excited to welcome back NATM Trailer Dealer Affiliates for FREE. Dealers that are not affiliates of NATM can attend for $350.
Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel
1701 Commerce St. Fort Worth, TX 76102 $169 per night
Additionally, NATM will have smaller room blocks available at the following hotels:
Hilton Fort Worth
815 Main St. Fort Worth, TX 76102 $204 per night
Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Worth Downtown Convention Center
1010 Houston St. Fort Worth, TX 76102 $209 per night
Lead retrieval is easier than ever for NATM Convention & Trade Show attendees! Attendees’ contact information can be found on the official NATM Events app—featured
wherever apps are sold. Official NATM attendees get exclusive access to the list of attendees housed on the app. Simply open the attendee list on the NATM Events app and either scroll to or search for the business contact you’re looking for. From there, contact information can be added directly to your phone by pressing and holding on the attendee’s listed information. Additionally, attendees can call or email contacts within the app by tapping on the preferred contact method.
For the latest convention news and updates, visit www. NATM.com or find NATM on Facebook. Never miss an event at the NATM Convention & Trade Show when you use the NATM Mobile App sponsored by H-I-S Industrial Coatings! Setup alarms, notifications, notes, and more all on your smartphone or tablet. Download the NATM Mobile App via the App Store or Google Play.
For more information, contact Catie Rutkowksi at Catie. Rutkowski@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433. ■
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Convention Tee Off - Top Golf
8:30 am - 7:00 pm
Registration
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Workshop Session 1: How to Handle Accelerated Inflation Price Increases by Jim Pancero
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Technical Forum Session 1: What’s New in Paint Pretreatment with Atotech USA LLC
11:15 am - 1:30 pm
Awards Lunch & Keynote Speaker Stephen Drum, Retired NAVY SEAL Master Chief, Co-Creator of the U.S. Navy Warrior Toughness Program
Noon - 6:00 pm
Exhibitor Move In 2:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Workshop Session 2: From Turnover to Retention: Keeping Top Talent from Becoming Someone Else's with Jim Pancero
2:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Technical Forum Session 2: Unlocking the Hidden Cost of Welding by Airgas 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm
NATM PAC Reception***
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Newcomer Orientation
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Newcomer Reception
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
President's Reception
***The PAC Reception may only be attended by NATM's "Restricted Class," which includes certain NATM employees, individual and other noncorporate NATM Members, and certain employees of corporate members with preapproval.
7:00 am - 4:30 pm
Registration
7:30 am - 11:00 am Exhibitor Move In 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Workshop Session 3: Hedging and Risk Management for Metal Commodities by Ryerson
8:00 am - 9:30 am
Technical Forum Session 3: Trailer Stability, Load Line Placement and Design Considerations by U-Haul International, Inc.
9:30 am - 10:00 am Coffee Break
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Workshop Session 4: Government Affairs Update with K&L Gates 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Technical Forum Session 4: Emerging Trends in Trailering; NATM Compliance Program Overview 11:30 am - 5:00 pm Trade Show
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Lunch with the Exhibitors 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Trade Show Reception
9:00 am - Noon
Registration
9:00 am - Noon Trade Show
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Coffee & Compliance Noon - 5:00 pm
Exhibitor Move Out
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is excited to welcome new members and NATM Trailer Dealer Affiliates to the 2023 NATM Convention & Trade Show in Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. 14-16, 2023!
The 2023 sold out show will be the largest in NATM history. Everything is bigger in Texas, including the 2023 exhibitor booths this year! Booth sales are up over 30% over 2022, and suppliers are maximizing the space on the larger trade show floor. Make sure to take advantage of the promotion and hit up this one-stop-shop for suppliers and service providers.
NATM trailer manufacturer members and Dealer Affiliates who have never attended the NATM Convention & Trade Show, or who have not attended in the last five years, are eligible for two complimentary full registrations and two complimentary spouse/partner registrations per company as part of the New Attendee
Promotion. Full registration includes access to all events (excluding Top Golf) outlined in the show schedule.
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.
New in 2023, dealers are welcome during all hours of the trade show to shop for components, materials, and service providers. There will be no trailers on exhibit. Dealers will be invited to attend all regular workshops and technical forums, as well as the awards reception on Tuesday.
To take advantage of the New Attendee Promotion, contact NATM Membership & Events Coordinator Catie Rutkowski at Catie.Rutkowski@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433. ■
“Aluma just did something pretty awesome for us. We serve combat veterans, and if you folks want to go ahead and brag about your member, you might want to give me a call,” Ken Korkow said in a voicemail left at the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers’ (NATM) headquarters last fall.
Korkow is the executive director of The Ranch Ministries, a faith-based organization that uses outdoor activities to help veterans with PTSD. Korkow knows firsthand that wide-open space is the perfect place for healing. Located on 540 acres of prairie, about 20 miles southeast of Pierre, South Dakota, The Ranch is just the place.
“Our location is situated in an area known as the best in the world for pheasant hunting. Our ministry uses pheasant hunting as a keystone for helping veterans and for our fundraising. During the pheasant season, we host pheasant hunts for veterans, including
those who are wheelchair-bound or have suffered other severe physical and mental injury,” The Ranch’s website reads.
Five hundred and forty acres is a lot to cover for those with injuries, in wheelchairs, or for older participants. That’s where trailers come in. The Ranch uses them to transport hunting groups and their gear across its acreage so anyone can participate, and helps eliminate the barrier to participation.
In January 2022, Lonnie Hamm, the Aluma territory representative that encompasses South Dakota, received Korkow’s request for a new trailer. Hamm didn’t realize it until later, but he had a personal connection to The Ranch.
“Unknown to me or anybody else, I’d been to that ranch hunting before,” Hamm said. “His brothers own a hunting refuge up by Pierre, South Dakota, I hadn't met Ken. I wasn’t aware that they had The Ranch Ministries, but I was aware that they had a private pheasant hunting.”
Hamm and Korkow ended up chatting for two to three hours the day he received the request, Hamm says. They quickly found common ground.
“Ken’s story really touched me personally, being a Vietnam vet myself and knowing what he went through,” Hamm said.
Korkow is a Vietnam veteran who served as a mortar section leader in Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. He was seriously wounded and was medically discharged. He received a Navy Cross and a Purple Heart.
“He’s quite a gentleman,” said Hamm of Korkow. “It’s exciting to be in his presence. The veteran that he is and the service that he’s given to the country.”
One day after receiving the request and speaking with Korkow, Aluma President and NATM Past President Mike Lloyd authorized a sponsorship for The Ranch Ministries. The Ranch was gifted a 6 1/2-foot by 12-foot utility trailer that was delivered just four weeks later - well ahead of the six-month waiting period that was typical during the component and material shortage amidst the pandemic.
“Ranch Ministries is an outstanding organization and we are very proud to be able to donate to them,” Lloyd said. “We understand and appreciate the impact that Ken and The Ranch Ministries have on people, mostly veterans, who come to him for assistance and guidance or just to relax. We especially like the fact that this is a Christian-based retreat and it gives its visitors a chance to settle their minds with a spiritual approach. We are so glad that we are able to show our gratitude to Ken and his staff by our trailer donation. It is the very least we can do to support our veterans as they give the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It’s our way of
showing them the thanks and respect that they all deserve.”
Aluma has a history of supporting veterans. They have sponsored trailers for Bell of Honor as well as other veterans organizations.
“We didn’t bat an eye over giving a trailer away as a sponsorship,” Hamm said.
When Korkow discovered that Aluma is a member of NATM, he called headquarters to share his story.
“The trailer has been such a Godsend,” Korkow said. “The world is full of rotten news, and I just wanted to
Lloyd expressed that they were happy to be able to help and says giving back is part of the company’s culture.
“Aluma believes in contributing to our community, whether it’s in Bancroft (Iowa), Emmetsburg (Iowa), or the towns of our dealers and sales reps who live all over the U.S.,” Lloyd said. “Giving back is great for employee and customer morale. It also helps the organization that we are donating to and the people it serves. Helping others is just really good for the soul.”
Aluma has been a member of NATM since 1997. For more information about the company, visit www.alumaklm.com.
For more information on The Ranch Ministries, visit www.theranchministries.com.
To submit article ideas or your own membership stories, contact Tracks Editor Samantha Darling LaCount at Samantha.Darling@natm.com. ■
share some good news for a change.”The Ranch Ministries Executive Director Ken Korkow (left) and Lonnie Hamm, the Aluma territory representative for Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota meet in person for the hand off of The Ranch's donated Aluma trailer.
EnhancEd cargo Floor & Wall panEl paKtite® is a moisture-resistant, performance engineered oriented strand board floor and ramp panel with greatly enhanced physical properties.
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API 133 S Monroe St Butler, PA 16001
• Adhesives/Tapes, Cleaners/ Chemicals, Consulting, Fasteners, Hardware, Paints/Coatings/ Galvanizing, Safety Devices, Sales/ Marketing, Welding Equipment
Deutsche Hydrapro LLC
999 Corporate Dr, Ste 100 Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 www.hydraprousa.com
• Electric Brake Controls, Brakes, Hydraulics
Diversified Global Products Inc 26 Lincoln Dr Palo, IA 52324 www.diversifiedglobalproducts.com
• Aluminum-Extrusions, AluminumSheet, Automotive OEM, Axles/Hubs/ Springs, Batteries/Accessories, Brakes, Caps, Cargo Control, Castings, Chains, Computer Software, Couplers, Doors/ Ramps, Fabricated Parts, Fasteners, Fenders, Flooring, Gaskets/Seals, Hardware, Hitches, Hoists, Hydraulics, Jacks/Landing Gear, Locks, Metal Stamping, Metal/Plywood Laminates, Mud Flaps/Splash Guards, Plastic Components, Rubber Products, Scrap Metal Recycling, Suspensions, Tires, Towing Accessories, Wheels/Rims
HI-Performance Designs, Inc 803 E Reynolds St Plant City, FL 33563 www.hpdwheels.com
• Wheels/Rims
Hometowne Capital 32 Weatherford Sq Jackson, TN 38305 www.hometownecapital.com
• Financing
JAMNA AUTO INDUSTRIES LTD 13123 Buccaneer Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 www.jaispring.com
• Suspensions
Lock N Roll Trailer Hitches 2141 S Spaulding Ave Chicago, IL 60623
• Hitches
Maven Rentals 3262 Westheimer Rd, Ste 324 Houston, TX 77098 www.newfoundrentals.com
• Financing
MR Software Solutions LLC 8014 Cumming Highway, Suite 403-344 Canton, GA 30115 www.mrsoftwaresolutions.com
• Computer Software
Napoleon/Lynx 111 Weires Dr Archbold, OH 43502 www.lynx-nsw.com
• Doors/Ramps, Hardware
National Coatings & Supplies 8141 Gateway Dr Ste 210 Argyle, TX 76226
• Adhesives/Tapes, Cleaners/Chemicals, Paints/Coatings/Galvanizing
Orrco International 1548 N Main St Joshua, TX 76058
• Tires, Wheels/Rims
PANORAMIC SOLUTIONS INC 20160 Paseo Del Prado Ste 1 Walnut, CA 91789
• Steel-Structural, Tools/Equipment, Tow Vehicle, Towing Accessories
Protex Fasteners Limited 34 Benton Pl St Louis, MO 63104 www.protex.com
• Fasteners, Hardware
Roberlo USA 8501 NW 17th St Doral, FL 33126
• Adhesives/Tapes, Cleaners/Chemicals, Paints/Coatings/Galvanizing, Sealants
Robert Weed Corp 705 Maple St Bristol, IN 46507 www.robertweedcorp.com
• Composite Panels, Metal/ Plywood Laminates
Specialty Bolt & Screw 235 Bowles Rd Agawam, MA 1001 www.specialtybolt.com
• Fabricated Parts, Fasteners, Gaskets/ Seals, Hardware, Metal Stamping
The NOCO Company 30339 Diamond Pkwy, #102 Glenwillow, OH 44139 www.no.co
• Batteries/Accessories, Cleaners/ Chemicals, Electrical
Tramec Sloan 534 E 48th St Holland, MI 49423 www.tramecsloan.com
• Cargo Control, Doors/Ramps, Engineering, Fasteners, Fenders, Hardware, Jacks/Landing Gear, Metal Stamping, Mud Flaps/Splash Guards, Plastic Components, Roll Forming
Trojan Tarps, LLC 521 Industrial Blvd Wills Point, TX 75169 www.trojantarps.com
• Cargo Control, Fabricated Parts, Hardware, Safety Devices
Unique Fastener 2020 LLC 12510 Cardinal Meadow Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.uniquefasteners.com
• Aluminum-Extrusions, Axles/ Hubs/Springs, Cargo Control, Castings, Chains, Composite Panels, Couplers, Doors/Ramps, Electric Brake Controls, Fabricated Parts, Fasteners, Hitches, Jacks/Landing Gear, Steel-Structural, Steel-Tube
Willbanks Metals Inc 1155 NE 28th Street Fort Worth, TX 76106 www.willbanksmetals.com
• Fabricated Parts, Steel-Sheet, Steel-Structural, Steel-Tube
Wire Wizard Welding Products 5750 Marathon Dr Jackson, MI 49201 www.wire-wizard.com
• Welding Equipment
Worldwide Trailer Components, LLC 101 W Palmetto St, Bldg B Arcadia, FL 34266
• Axles/Hubs/Springs, Brakes, Chains, Couplers, Fenders, Gaskets/Seals, Hardware, Jacks/Landing Gear, Lighting, Suspensions, Tires, Wheels/Rims
Hull & Hitch LLC
11032 D'Iberville Blvd D'Iberville, MS 39540
• Trailer Sales, Trailer Service/Repair
JW Trailer Sales LLC 26730 Royalton Rd Columbia Station, OH 44028
• Trailer Sales, Trailer Service/Repair
Marx Truck Trailer Sales, Inc 2411 3rd St Sioux City, IA 51101 www.marxtrailer.com
• Trailer Sales, Trailer Service/Repair
Ozark Trailer MFG and Sales 6016 US 65 Harrison, AR 72601 www.ozarktrailersales.com
• Trailer Sales, Trailer Service/Repair
S and K Trailers 2709 212th St Blairsburg, IA 50034 www.sandktrailers.com
• Trailer Service/Repair, Trailer Sales
Speedway Trailers 6792 Wellington Rd 34 Cambridge, ON 0, Canada www.speedwaytrailers.com
• Trailer Sales
The Trailer Guys of Florida 1901 Avocado Ave Melbourne, FL 32935
• Trailer Sales, Trailer Service/Repair
Affordable Food Cart Rentals
PO Box 42 25446 S. Cass St. Canby, OR 97013
• Concession, Enclosed Cargo, Specialty
Andrew Lillibridge
743 28th Street Springfield, OR 97477
• Specialty
BEAVERFIT NORTH AMERICA LLC
120 Woodland Ave Ste D Reno, NV 89523
• Custom Design, Enclosed Cargo, Equipment, Portable Equipment, Specialty
Canadian Load Divider Dollies Inc. 37 Cottonwood Crescent Fort Saskatchewan, AB 0, Canada www.cldd.ca
• Custom Design, Specialty
Caztek
628 North Pine Street Saint Paul, MN 55130
• Portable Equipment
CTS Custom Trailers 4200 Hwy 61 Muscatine, IA 52761
• Boat
DUN-RITE MANUFACTURING LLC 11845 E 124th Ave Unit B Henderson, CO 80640
• Agricultural/Farm, Concession, Custom Design, Landscape
Grandview Sales 11945 S IH 35W Grandview, TX 76050
• Auto Hauler, Cargo, Concession, Custom Design, Dog, Equipment, Gooseneck, Utility/Flatbed
Harmony Trailers Manufacturing 406 Navigation Blvd Corpus Christi, TX 78408
• Auto Hauler, Equipment, Gooseneck, Landscape, Mobile BBQ/Smoker
HT TRAILERS LLC 17573 FM 38 N Honey Grove, TX 75446
• Dump, Equipment, Gooseneck, Landscape, Specialty, Utility/Flatbed
I-Load, LLC 170 Parkway W Ste 140 Duncan, SC 29334
• Auto Hauler, Dump, Equipment, Landscape, Motorcycle, Snowmobile/ATV, Utility/Flatbed
Innovative Specialties 140 Business Ct Pittsfield, ME 4967 www.nitrotrailers.com
• Aluminum, Auto Hauler, Cargo, Concession, Custom Design, Dump, Enclosed Cargo, Equipment, Landscape, Motorcycle, Snowmobile/ATV, Utility/Flatbed
Lanford Welding & Fabricating 4421 E Louisiana Ave Soperton, GA 30457
• Agricultural/Farm, Aluminum, Auto Hauler, Boat, Custom Design, Dog, Dump, Equipment, Gooseneck, Livestock, Living Quarters, Motorcycle, Portable Equipment, Specialty, Tow Dolly, Utility/ Flatbed, Trailer Service/Repair
Lucia Innovations
717 S Riverside Dr Unit 505 Memphis, TN 38103
• Aluminum, Cargo, Custom Design, Specialty
Makaira Boats
24A Klinac Ln Waipapa, Northland 0295, New Zealand www.makairaboats.com
• Aluminum, Boat
Performance Assembly Solutions 28190 Plymouth Road Livonia, MI 48150 www.performanceas.com
• Custom Design
Peterson Manufacturing, LLC 2600 Commercial Ave Anson, TX 79501
• Agricultural/Farm, Cargo, Horse, Livestock, Utility/Flatbed
Roto-Fab Inc 1030 Ayrshire Ln Millbank, ON 0, Canada
• Utility/Flatbed
Round House Industries 704 W 5th St Dixon, MO 65459
• Agricultural/Farm, Dump, Equipment, Gooseneck, Livestock, Utility/Flatbed
Scaf-Pak Trailers, LLC 1 Good Pl Portersville, PA 16051
• Custom Design, Specialty, Utility/Flatbed
TerraRover Overland Co. 1155 Old Hwy 109 N Gallatin, TN 37066 www.terrarover.com
• Specialty
SAUK CENTRE, Minn. – Felling Trailers, Inc. conducted its tenth annual online auction of an FT-3 drop deck utility trailer to benefit a nonprofit organization: Eagle’s Healing Nest. A winning bid of $7,752.00 won the auction that ended at noon on August 27. The bid winner was Joe Welch of Caledonia, Minnesota.
Joe, an equipment dealer, has followed Felling Trailers’ Trailer for a Cause auctions for a few years. “This was the first auction I was able to catch before it closed. When I saw the cause, I really wanted to help support the Eagle's Nest’s ‘Promises Made, Promises Kept’ mantra. This is an exceptionally important mission they are undertaking that not only affects the people getting assistance by the entire community and the community of volunteers that assist in their cause,” said Joe. With just six minutes left in the auction, Joe placed his bid of $7,752.00, winning the bid at the close of the auction.
A week after the auction had finished, Joe and his father Jerry, an Army veteran who served from 1955-1957, made the close to four-hour drive from Jerry's home in Gilbert, Minnesota, to Sauk Centre to pick up the Patriot Blue, FT-3 Trailer for a Cause. Once at Felling Trailers, they met with Felling Trailers’ owners: Brenda Jennissen and Bonnie Radjenovich, along with Chris Senger, Felling Trailers’ Senior Material Handler, who is also on Eagle’s Healing Nest’s Advisory Board and a volunteer. Chris shared with Joe and his father how Eagle’s Healing Nest came to be nine years ago. “The Nest is run by veterans and volunteers. Many of the vets who have moved on from the Nest still come back to visit and help. We currently have two to three new vets coming to the Nest each week needing to heal, with over 100 vets calling the nest home,” said Senger. Joe shared with the Felling team that he had a proxy bid set of $10,000 and that he would be writing an additional check for $2,000 to be donated to Eagle’s Healing Nest. "This was the right trailer, the right cause. Our veterans are very important. We need to take care of them,” said Joe. "A very big thank you to you, the Felling family, and team members for all they do to help support their community. It's organizations and people like you that go beyond what is expected and give back to our communities, helping them grow and prosper. I am very glad I could be a small part of this cause.”
Joe will be using the trailer for a little bit of fun hauling his side by side, but primarily for his business, Joe Welch Equipment, selling used farm and industrial equipment. "I am looking forward to people asking what the promises made, promises kept means!" said Joe. Along with his father, Jerry, Joe's brother,
Bill, served in the National Guard, and a very good friend Bob Hosch served in WWII. "It's important that we take care of our veterans however we can. Each person that steps up to volunteer and to help makes such a difference," said Welch.
The 2022 Trailer for a Cause FT-3 utility trailer was painted a custom metallic “Patriot Blue” with chrome pinstriping and bared the Eagle’s Healing Nest’s emblem along with its credo “Promises Made, Promises Kept.” Several Felling Trailers' suppliers joined to support Eagle’s Healing Nest by sponsoring the trailer build, from lighting to tires to decking. The 2022 Trailer for a Cause sponsors were Trans-Texas, PPG, Dexter, Sealco, Peterson, Industrial Wood (Blackwood), Demco, Pacific Rim, and Metal Crafters/Flexco. Felling Trailers wanted to generate awareness about the invisible wounds of war that our veterans carry and how Eagle’s Healing Nest helps them restore their honor, dignity, pride, and purpose. The online auction ran for six days, from Monday, August 22nd at 7 am through Saturday, August 27th (during Eagle’s Healing Nest’s Annual Nest Fest), at noon CST, ending with Welch’s winning bid of $7,752. One hundred percent of the $7,752, plus Welch's additional proxy bid for a total of $9,752, will benefit Eagle’s Healing Nest! ■
Eagle's Healing Nest - Healing Veterans, Soldiers, and Families from invisible wounds of war from the inside out! A promise to one and a need of many was what created the vision of "Eagle's Healing Nest." The "Eagle" represents the past, present, and future military strength, independence, pride, and honor. The "Nest" is full of meaning, such as home, family, brotherhood, safety, and security. The "Hands" cradling the Nest represents the many that will wrap their support and give services to the veterans and military members to help reintegrate them back to their families and into their communities.
It is the vision and hope to never have those who served in our military to live in darkness but to bring them into the light to soar and fly free. To help restore the honor, dignity, pride, and purpose each deserves.
Founder Melony Butler created the Nest to be a place of peace and healing for veterans struggling with a host of issues ranging from depression, anxiety, PTSD, decades of homelessness, to addictions of many sorts. Veterans come to the Nest to heal with honor from the invisible wounds of war and time of service. Eagle's Healing Nest is located in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, on 124 acres with 24 buildings. Originally Minnesota Home School for Girls, a veterans' healing center came to life out of an old dormitory. Melony opened the Eagle’s Healing Nest in 2012 with two functional buildings. She stated, "We will build the Nest one branch at a time until it is complete! A place to call home and a place to Heal with Honor!" Since that
time, with donations from various organizations, veterans, and volunteers contributing what they can, they have been able to renovate 21 of the 24 buildings on site. When the last of the buildings is complete, the Nest will be able to house 180-200 veterans, service members, and their families.
For additional information about the Eagle’s Healing Nest, visit www.eagleshealingnest.org.
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 349,000 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 cuttingedge 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 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. Follow them on Twitter (@FellingTrailers), Facebook (Felling Trailers, Inc.), and Instagram.
SAUK CENTRE, Minn. – The Felling Trailers’ drop-deck Pan Tilt model has undergone design modifications to increase operator ease of use and safety. The Pan Tilt is a gravity tilt trailer, using gravity and a center pivot point for tilting the trailer bed. Felling’s engineering team recently reviewed the Pan Tilt’s design looking for ways to improve operator ease of use along with production efficiencies. Modifications have been made to the Pan Tilt's locking mechanism, lighting, license plate mount position, and location.
The tilt locking mechanism is the most notable of the modifications improving the production process, flexibility to function with optional features, and most importantly, operator ease of use. The previous locking mechanism was a purchased part that required modification and multiple latches dependent upon a trailer build's selected features, power up/down, or a toolbox, as it was mounted on the front of the trailer. "The goal was not to have a longer hitch length if they (the end-user) optioned cylinders (power up/down) or an extra latch for a toolbox, making the base design more modular, streamlining the manufacturing process,” said Felling Trailers’ Engineering Team Lead, Cathy Voge. The new locking mechanism is located on the front roadside of the trailer, operating as a lever that releases a lock bar located under the front deck frame. All the components for this locking system are sourced internally, improving fit and function.
Modifications completed with an emphasis on production efficiencies were lighting and the license plate mount. Lighting modifications reduced the number of weld components needed, replacing the front marker lights and mounting plate with bullet lights that mount into the hitch
channel. The bullet light mounted into the hitch channel also provides better wiring protection. The license plate mount on the pan tilts is utilized across other Felling tilt deck lines. This style mount prominently displays the license plate without obstruction from the taillights or cargo being transported, promoting operator and towing safety.
To learn more about the Pan “Gravity” Tilt model line or other Felling Trailer solutions, visit www. felling.com or call (800) 245-2809. ■
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 349,000 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 tangible products. 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 Certified Quality Management System Company, WBENC-Certified WBE, 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. Follow them on Twitter (@FellingTrailers), Facebook (Felling Trailers, Inc.), and Instagram.
above is the FT-7 T-1
SAUK CENTRE, Minn. – The Felling Trailers’ Utility Cable Reel “R” series model lines have undergone design modifications to increase operator safety and ease of use. The most significant update to the model design is the auto-locking reel bar system. The auto-locking reel bar system eliminates the use of pins and brackets; it now utilizes a locking plate system. The new reel design with the auto-locking system debuted to the Utility/Telecom industry at the 2021 Utility Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. The R series product line offers payload capacities ranging from 1,740 lbs. to 13,520 lbs. All models have the capability to load up to a 120” diameter reel.
Enhanced operator and transport safety, the auto-locking reel bar system's locking plates automatically open when lowering the reel to the ground for unloading. As the reel is loaded and raised, the locking plates automatically close to contain the reel bar. Once the reel is raised to transport position, spring-loaded pins automatically lock the slides into place. When the pins lock, they provide visual validation to the operator that the reel is properly locked for transport. A green marker on the spring-loaded pins is only visible when the reel bar is properly secured. The green indicators can be viewed from the rear-view mirrors of the tow vehicle, making transporting conduit, fiber optic cable, inner duct, and many other reel-mounted materials a safe and secure experience for any operator.
The new R series design was released into production in fall 2022 and will reach full production by the first quarter of 2023. Solid and reliable, Felling’s R series continues to offer a
broad selection of options and features to ensure the trailer is built to the spec that utilities/municipalities need for their applications. “These are quality-built trailers that provide the versatility and functionality that utility workers need for transporting, deploying, and retrieving material," said Felling Trailers Utility & Telecom Product Specialist Mark Rapp.
To learn more about the Utility Reel model line or other Felling Trailer solutions, visit www.felling.com or call (800) 245-2809. ■
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 349,000 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 tangible products. 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 Certified Quality Management System Company, WBENC-Certified WBE, 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. Follow them on Twitter (@FellingTrailers), Facebook (Felling Trailers, Inc.), and Instagram.
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Started in 2006 in Bloomington, Minnesota, Coin, Inc. d.b.a Stillwell Jacks began offering its flagship Atlas hydraulic trailer jack. Since then, Stillwell has grown its product offerings to better serve the trailer manufacturing and dealer community. In accordance with its growth, Stillwell Jacks reincorporated under Stillwell, Inc. in January 2021.
To align with the company’s diversification, Stillwell removed the “Jacks” from its name. The re-branding project began in 2021 and is working its way through both physical products and company publications.
Today, Stillwell operates as a multinational corporation with domestic and international manufacturing. In addition to hydraulic jacks, Stillwell offers a full hydraulic suite including cylinders (welded, tie-rod, telescoping), hoses, adapters, and manifolds. The company’s facilities include:
› Burnsville, Minnesota – Hydraulic cylinder and jack manufacturing
› Fort Worth, Texas – final assembly and distribution
› Cleburne, Texas – steel fabrication and dump trailer hoists ■
Stillwell, Inc. is a family owned and operated hydraulic and steel solution manufacturer. Started in a garage with one man and an idea, the company has grown to 3 manufacturing facilities in multiple states. Stillwell’s brand value comes from its relentless passion for innovation; always seeking to improve products and processes, Stillwell releases new products yearly.
For more information contact us at: sales@stillwellinc.com or (612) 248-1110 Or visit us at: https://stillwellinc.com.
CLEBURNE, Texas – For the last three years, Stillwell has been manufacturing dump trailers hoists in Peoria, Illinois. To better service their customer base, the company relocated its hoist operations to Cleburne, Texas. This allows for quicker transit times to the large volume of trailer manufacturers located in the states of Texas and Oklahoma. Started in December of 2021, the move was made official when the property was acquired in June of 2022.
Stillwell has made their name on the innovation of their hydraulic services and has given the same attention to their hoists. Each hoist design is Professional Engineer Stamped, FEA Tested, and all welders are Weld Engineer Certified. While the Cleburne location will primarily manufacture hoists, additional equipment has been purchased to expand Stillwell’s hydraulic cylinder manufacturing to Texas in addition to Minnesota.
In addition to hoists, Stillwell plans to expand its steel manufacturing capabilities to adjacent product lines such as fenders and ramps. “Opening this site is key for our growth. It enables us to not only make more hoists, but it gives us the flexibility to make many other products as well,” Zac Stillwell, Vice President of Operations.
Stillwell has seen year over year growth. From 2018 to 2021, the company has increased 929%. The company’s growth has not only been financial, but Stillwell has grown its employee roster to keep up with manufacturing demands. This same growth will be extended to the greater Cleburne area, as Stillwell has added manufacturing jobs and looks to expand its operations in Texas. ■
About Stillwell
Stillwell, Inc. is a family owned and operated hydraulic and steel solution manufacturer. Started in a garage with one man and an idea, the company has grown to three manufacturing facilities in multiple states. Stillwell’s brand value comes from its relentless passion for innovation; always seeking to improve products and processes, Stillwell releases new products yearly.
For more information contact us at: sales@stillwellinc.com or (612) 248-1110 Or visit us at: https://stillwellinc.com.
Optronics’ new FusionX LED combination stop, tail, turn, backup, and warning lights look like nothing else around and are the first of their kind to enable their brake function to override their warning function while in use
TULSA, Okla.— Optronics International, a leading manufacturer of vehicle harnesses, electronic control systems and LED lighting for the global transportation industry, announced the introduction of its uniquely styled STLW and STL FusionX family of combination stop, tail, turn, backup and warning lights. Featuring a signature “X” LED lighting array in their centers, and available in eight SKUs, the FusionX lamps are the newest members of Optronics’ popular Fusion Series combination lamps.
Before the introduction of Optronics’ Fusion Series LED combination lamps in 2014, vehicles used separate six-inch oval or four-inch round stop, tail, turn lamps, and backup lamps. Each lamp needed its own mounting hole, and these holes were made in the vehicle body panels, frame posts, docking plates, or gussets. Optronics Fusion lamps changed the equation by consolidating multiple lighting functions into a single lamp footprint, reducing complexity and cost, while maintaining structural integrity. The addition of a compliant warning light function in the FusionX was a logical next step in the evolution of the Fusion Series.
Until now, combination lamps with warning light features have not met FMVSS 108 standards, because their flashing warning lights continue to operate even when their brake lights illuminate. The dual illumination patterns of these noncompliant lamps have the potential of confusing others on the road, by presenting them with mixed signals. The issue made these lamps impractical for many vehicles, particularly those in the utility, construction and roadside service sectors.
Optronics’ FusionX LED combination lamps solve this problem by disabling the warning light function as soon as the brake light is illuminated. The warning override feature helps eliminate potential misinterpretations by others on the road or worksite and allows the FusionX to fully meet FMVSS 108 requirements. The lamps also meet the SAE J595 standard for Class 2 and Class 3 directional warning lamps.
“Optronics’ new FusionX gives fleets all of the benefits of a multifunction combination lamp in addition to being DOT compliant in all modes of operation,” said Marcus Hester, chief marketing officer for Optronics International. “Not only is this a highly functional and compliant light, but its stunning x-shaped central LED array is not only stylish, but attention getting.”
With four preprogrammed flash patterns to choose from, the FusionX STLW lamps, with their warning light, have what it takes to meet the task at hand. Their centralized x-shaped LED
array serves as both a white backup light and a white, amber or alternating white and amber warning flasher with two cadences to choose from. Multiple lamps can be wired to operate flashers either asynchronously, or be connected, allowing users to achieve synchronized illumination patterns. STL versions of the lamp are also available without a warning function.
The lamps come in grommet-mount versions, as well as surface/flange-mount versions. The STLW314MSHB is also available in the STLW314MGHB grommet-mount version. The STL316MSHB is also available in the STL316MGHB grommet-mount version. The STL314MGHB is also available in the STL314MSHB surface/flangemount version. The STLW316MGHB is also available in the STLW316MSHB surface/flange-mount version.
The lamps come hardwired and ready to install. As an integrated electrical system solutions provider, Optronics is also able to configure the lamps with industry standard connectors by request. FusionX lamps are available in both bulk and polypack packaging.
The lamp’s lenses are made of tough polycarbonate material that is sonically welded and resistant to dust and moisture and is suitable for harsh operating conditions. The lamps employ a solid-state, surface-mount device (SMD) design that protects their electronics against moisture, shock and vibration. Like all LED products from Optronics, these lamps come with a no-hassle, one-diode lifetime warranty protection that will replace a lamp if even one diode fails.
“The FusionX family of LED lights was designed to be compact, highly functional and exceptionally attractive,” said Hester. “The lights specifically address multiple industry lighting needs that were not being met – and look slick doing it.”
The new STLW and STL FusionX family of combination stop, tail, turn, backup, and warning lights are available in sample form now and are expected to be commercially available for shipping in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Optronics products are available in the U.S. and Canada through the company’s extensive distribution network of more than 30,000 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.optronicsinc.com. ■
The Difference is D urability. The Quality is Hut chens. Visit www.hutchensindustries.com for more information.
The Differenc e is Durabi lity. The Quality is Hutchens.
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 systems 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 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.
GALLATIN, Tenn. – Wil-Ro, Inc., a leading truck body manufacturer based in Gallatin, Tennessee, was busy in the third quarter of 2022, introducing three new products, expanding its Distributor Partner Network, and launching a new adventure trailer brand, TerraRover Overland Company. Wil-Ro’s commitment to innovation and growth is reflected in these strategic moves and sets a solid pace for the remainder of the year.
Wil-Ro Expands Flatbed and Landscape Series Product Lines:
› Liberty Flatbed – combines design features of Wil-Ro’s skirted and utility flatbeds
› United Hotshot – modular-designed cargo and equipment transporter
› Landscape Trailer – towable version of our most popular body
“Our team is excited to have released three new products that are on track to meet our growing customer needs,” said Spencer Cassady, product engineer at Wil-Ro, Inc. “We are enthusiastic about rolling out our first Landscape Trailer, as this will help us target a new market during an uncertain time when chassis are harder to come by.”
Two New Distributors / Dealer Partners – Q3 2022 include:
› Caldwell Outdoor Equipment, Desoto, Missouri
› River City Body Company, Cincinnati
These new partners strengthen Wil-Ro's reach in the Midwest, boasting a vibrant roster in Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Minnesota. Wil-Ro offers financing options to all new Distributor Partners, providing exclusive financing options through a strategic partnership with Northpoint Commercial Finance.
Wil-Ro continues its strong presence at industry trade shows to stay ahead of the curve and offer new Distributor Partners special deals to combat market challenges related to supply chain and tighter budgets.
“Attending the NATDA Trailer Show, NTEA Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit, and other industry events provides Wil-Ro great insight into new changes and how we can best accommodate our customers,” said Cody Dieter, install team lead at Wil-Ro, Inc. “These events keep our team informed and aware of any significant OEM news.”
August 2022 marked a new milestone for Wil-Ro's innovation as the company crossed into new territory, launching an adventure trailer brand, TerraRover Overland Company. Drawing from a half-century of manufacturing excellence,
TerraRover trailers were revealed as part of Wil-Ro’s booth space at the NATDA Trailer Show in Nashville. Turning heads and generating buzz, TerraRover won the award for 2022 Most Innovative New Recreational Trailer, presented by the NATDA’s Dealer Advisory Board.
The TerraRover brand is born out of Wil-Ro's manufacturing heritage, and the company operates independently of Wil- Ro, focusing on 2-wheel towable overland and tent trailers. The TerraRover Team has a busy 2022-2023 schedule, exhibiting at leading events such as Overland Expo Series, SEMA Show, and others, showcasing its high-quality trailers.
“We're thrilled to launch TerraRover, a passion project for Wil-Ro’s leadership, capitalizing on the growing outdoor adventure tourism market. We are eager to establish and grow a Distributor Network with qualified partners ready to Brave the Wild with TerraRover," said Joshua J. Coster, president and owner of Wil-Ro, Inc. and TerraRover Overland Co.
Looking ahead, Wil-Ro remains optimistic for supply chain and chassis shortages to improve later this year into early 2023. Wil-Ro will be a returning exhibitor at NTEA WorkTruckWeek in March 2023 in Indianapolis with an exciting line-up of products. ■
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's premier truck bodies and trailers come in a variety of standard models as well as custom configurations to fit the needs of customers and distributor partners nationwide.
Headquartered in Gallatin, Tennessee, Wil-Ro focuses on craftsmanship and people, fostering time-honored manufacturing processes to build the strongest, longestlasting truck beds and trailers in the industry.
Forged in the fires of the American spirit, Wil-Ro is American made and veteran owned. For more information, please visit wil-ro.com.
Made proudly in Tennessee, TerraRover Overland Co. crafts high-quality and innovative overland and tent-camping trailers for people who love exploring the great outdoors. Our heritage and reputation are rooted in producing the highest quality products. Customers are the foundation of our Tribe—we’re adventure seekers ready to Brave the Wild!
Headquartered in Gallatin, Tennessee, TerraRover is American made and veteran owned. Rewrite Possible and let your journey begin at TerraRover.com.
