Annual report
30 Years of the national association of trailer manufacturers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTINUOUSLY ADVANCING TRAILER SAFETY 2420 SW 17TH STREET, TOPEKA, KS 66604
785.272.4433 WWW.NATM.COM
07 10 11
LETTER FROM NATM PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NATM FINANCIALS
MEMBERSHIP
18 22 24 ADVOCACY
STRATEGIC PLAN
CONVENTION
30 years ofNATM Over the last thirty years, NATM has seen both growth, and due to the economic downturn, contraction. But, the staff has grown and is the strongest staff-to-date, participation in the Annual Convention & Trade Show is increasing, and numerous programs have been added over the years. With a robust Strategic Plan in place, a visionary board of directors, dedicated committee volunteers, loyal members and an enthusiastic staff, the Association is poised to continue to grow and thrive over the next 30 years.
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1990
1987
On Sept. 22, 1987, five trailer manufacturers established the National Association of Livestock Trailer Manufacturers (NALTM) in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
In 1990, the first “Mark of Excellence� gold decals were sold to members for one dollar per decal. The purpose of the decal was to promote pride in membership and to raise revenue for the Association.
In 1992, the Association changed its name to the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM).
2001
1992
A 02 245678
In 2001, the serialized compliance decal was adopted and sold to members that successfully completed the compliance verification process for 75 cents each. Decal sales were used to underwrite the cost of the program.
2011
In 2015, after seven years of advocating on behalf of doubles towaway legislation, language was included in The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act that was adopted by Congress.
In 2011, the membership unanimously approved a bylaws amendment making participation in the Compliance Verification Program (CVP) a requirement of membership for all trailer manufacturers.
2017
2008 2015
In 2008, a proactive government affairs program was established and K&L Gates was engaged to represent NATM.
In June of this year NATM sold its eight millionth compliance decal. That means eight million decals are affixed to trailers traversing the nation’s roadways – a sure sign of improvement in trailer safety!
30 yearsin the making In 2017, NATM members, volunteers, and staff worked together to create a year 30 years in the making. NATM capitalized on the hard work and efforts of those who came before us, and took the next great leaps to propel the industry into the future.
NATM’s Successes in 2017: • Defeated legislation in Texas that would have negatively affected manufacturer-dealer relationships, increased costs for trailer manufacturers, and stymied opportunities for business within the state. • Increased educational opportunities for members including two Regional Educational Workshops, one webinar, and more articles in Tracks than ever before. • Added a member benefit for International Regular Members-acting as a US Agent of Record. While crucial to becoming an NATM Compliant trailer manufacturer, this role was very challenging to fill. NATM’s offer to serve as US Agent made compliance possible. • Sold the 8 millionth NATM decal. Today, more than 8 million decals are affixed to trailers traversing the nation’s roadways. • NATM membership exceeded 900 members and the NATM Convention & Trade Show attendance exceeded 1,000 for the first time since the economic recession in 2008. • Developed a Technology Committee to facilitate conversations between the industry and tow vehicle manufacturers to aid in a synergistic tow experience for consumers in a future of expanding vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology.
Kendra Ansley Executive Director
Pat Jennissen President
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2017 Natm board President
Vice president
Treasurer
Past president
Pat Jennissen
Owen Shelton
Marty Lorick, Jr.
Greg Snyder
Felling Trailers
BoatMate Trailers, Inc.
Triple Crown Trailers, Inc.
CAR MATE Trailers, Inc.
2015-2018
2016-2019
2017-2020
Les Eaves Delta Manufacturing
Josh Johnson
Jim Berry
Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing
Dexter Axle
Marcus Hester
Rick Coffey
Marco Garcia
Optronics International
The Carlstar Group
U-Haul International, Inc.
Nathan Long
Chris Steinman
Jake Morrison
Tracker Marine Group
MGS, Incorporated
Lucas Landis
Chris Pokornowski
Aluminum Trailer Company
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Directors
Towmaster, Inc.
H&H Trailers by Novae Corp.
Brian Wise BWise Manufacturing, LLC
Ron Yarnell PPG Industries, Inc.
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financial$ As a result of the 2008 recession, the NATM Board of Directors adopted a reserves policy to ensure the organization had adequate reserves to not only sustain the work of the Association during hardships, but also to ensure funds are available for special projects outside of the annual budget. The policy states that reserves are to be maintained at 50% to 100% of annual budgeted expenses. In 2017, NATM used funding from these reserves to address the Texas dealer legislation that threatened the industry. For more information about NATM’s government affairs initiatives to tackle this issue, turn to page 18. Today, NATM’s reserves stand at 84%. The Association is in sound financial condition and is well situated to support the needs of its members.
advertising
Convention 20%
Advertisng 8% 8% Other 3%
convention 20%
other overhead
27%
Compliance 27%
Convention convention 28% 28%
revenue
publications Publications
prof. services Prof. Services 2%
2%
10
Dues
31% 31%
38%
expenses
compliance
dues
3%
Overhead 38%
4% 4%
Gov. Affairs 9%
Gov. affairs 9%
Decals decals 30% 30%
30 yearsof membership 825
550
275
7
5
20 1
3
20 1
1
20 1
9
20 1
7
20 0
5
20 0
3
20 0
1
20 0
9
20 0
7
19 9
5
19 9
3
19 9
1
19 9
19 9
9
0 7
NATM now has 930 member companies across the United States and internationally in Canada, China, Mexico, and five other countries.
1,100
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Over the years, NATM expanded membership to include Regular members (trailer manufacturers), Branch Regular members (branch locations of trailer manufacturing members), International Regular members, Associate Members (supplier or service providing members), and Associate Branch Members (branch locations of Associate Member companies).
Membership numbers Throughout the Years
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The National Association of Livestock Trailer Manufacturers (NALTM) was founded Sept. 22, 1987 in Chickasha, OK with only five horse and livestock trailer manufacturers as members.
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12
Compliance over the years Compliance consultations Throughout the Years 300
225
150
75
05 20 06 20 07 20 08 20 09 20 10 20 11 20 12 20 13 20 14 20 15 20 16 20 17
20
04
20
20
03
0
13
Small decal
Big meaning
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NATM Sells 8 Millionth decal In June of this year, NATM sold its eight millionth compliance decal. That means eight million decals are affixed to trailers traversing the nation’s roadways – a sure sign of improvement in trailer safety! The NATM decal is an outward symbol of a commitment to safety and further signifies the successful completion of the NATM Compliance Verification Program (CVP). This program is a third party verification that a trailer manufacturer has the processes in place to build trailers in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and industry best practices. Participation in the program and sales of decals grew steadily until the recession hit the industry in 2008. By 2010, members had begun to recover and again participation and sales began to grow. Membership numbers began to rise and in 2012 the program became mandatory. Total sales from the inception of the program exceeded two million in 2008, five million in 2013 and in June of 2017, NATM sold its eight millionth decal to Carry-On in Lavonia, GA. Carry-On Trailer has been a participant in the compliance verification program since the program was voluntary and a strong supporter of decal use. Rick Russell, Carry-On Trailer, Inc. Vice President of Marketing, states, “We value the NATM Compliance Verification Program because it establishes confidence with our dealers and owners. The decal is the symbol of our commitment to promoting trailer safety.” Photo: Carry-On Trailer employee carefully places the 8 millionth decal in June 2017.
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Decal sales over the years natm decal sales over the years 895,000
671,250
447,500
223,750
20
02 20 03 20 04 20 05 20 06 20 07 20 08 20 09 20 10 20 11 20 12 20 13 20 14 20 15 20 16 20 17
0
16
For every dollar spent on natm decals $0.16
Cost of supplying decals to members
$0.04
Guidelines upkeep
Running of the Compliance Verification Program
$0.67 $0.10
Government affairs & general counsel representation
$0.03
Marketing of compliance verification program
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30 yearsOf advocacy
2002: The TREAD Act establishes Early Warning Reporting (EWR) requirements for all vehicle manufacturers that made more than
500 vehicles per year.
2005: NATM establishes its first Government Affairs Committee. 2008: NATM hires government affairs firm K&L Gates to represent the Association in Washington, D.C. 2008: NATM successfully has trailers classified as a part of the Term Asset-Backed Lending Facilities (TALF) program in response to
the constriction of credit in the industry.
2009: NATM and the Boat Trailer Manufacturers Association (BTMA) hosts its first joint Regulatory Roundup in Washington, D.C. 2010: NATM is successful in exempting trailers from the $9 tax per vehicle applied by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010. 2011: NATM works with Transport Canada due to difficulties exporting trailers as a result of FMVSS 110 requirements for rapid tire
deflation testing for trailers (49 CFR § 571.110 S4.4.1).
2013: NHTSA publishes a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking exempting light- and medium-duty trailers from rapid tire deflation testing
requirements as a results of NATM’s, NMMA’s, and RVIA’s efforts.
2014: NATM successfully works to exclude special trailer (ST) tires, which are not produced domestically, from tariffs imposed by the
U.S. Department of Commerce.
2015: Language for the doubles towaway legislation was included in the FAST Act of December 2015. After years of advocating, this
federal law allows CDL-holders to tow two unladen trailers in tandem from manufacturer to dealer.
2016: NATM, with the support of NMMA and RVIA, successfully advocates for the finalization of the rule exempting light- and
medium-duty trailers from rapid tire deflation testing requirements.
2017: NATM defeats legislation in a Texas House Committee Hearing that would have placed burdensome and costly restrictions on
dealer- trailer manufacturer agreements in the state which could have been modeled in other states.
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Regulatory roundup The 2017 Regulatory Roundup and Capitol Hill visits were held Oct. 18, 2017 in Washington, D.C. NATM members and staff had a total of 35 meetings, with 15 of those being face-to-face conversations with members of Congress. This event has become one of NATM’s most important events of the year, and gives members an opportunity to educate their Senators and Representatives about the light- and medium-duty trailer industry and its impact on their state and individual districts. During the Regulatory Roundup, members heard from experts from the National Association of Manufacturers and officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Catie Kawcheck, Director of Infrastructure, Innovation and HR Policy for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) discussed the current climate of manufacturing in the United States and the efforts taking place in Washington, D.C. NATM is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers, and Kawcheck discussed NAM’s efforts in supporting infrastructure funding and addressing the workforce shortage. Bruce York, Division Chief, Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Division Office of Defects Investigation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, spoke to the attendees about NHTSA Defect Investigations and record retention requirements.
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Senator joni ernst at aluma, Ltd.
Plant visits
Every year, NATM members across the country extend invitations to their local representatives in order to discuss the issues and challenges facing the trailer manufacturing industry.
Congressman lloyd smucker at MGS incorporated
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Texas dealer legislation This year, Texas had legislation pending that would have placed burdensome and costly restrictions on dealer-trailer manufacturer agreements in the state. NATM quickly surveyed its members and according to survey responses, it was determined the legislation would have a significant negative impact on any NATM members selling trailers in the state of Texas. It was also determined that additional risk would exist to NATM’s membership as this likely could have become model legislation for enactment in other states. This model legislation concept has been frequently utilized in recent years, particularly in cases where changes are made by a large state such as Texas in which a significant amount of a given product, in this case cargo and livestock trailers, are manufactured, bought and sold. NATM responded quickly and engaged Jack Erskine, K&L Gates and Eric Wright, Eric Wright & Associates, to help defeat this legislation. Texas-based NATM members assisted by writing letters to their legislators and NATM members Jeff Jones and Lynn Beal testified in a Committee Hearing on behalf of NATM. The legislation was defeated swiftly and the likelihood of it being reintroduced in the future is small.
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Strategic plan 2017 highlights Goal #1
Goal #2
Compliance and Safety Education
Membership growth & engagement
• Hosted two Regional Educational Workshops – Oklahoma City and Douglas, GA • More technical articles in Tracks than ever before
Goal #3
Industry voice • Engaged membership at large in Texas dealer legislation including two members testifying in Committee • Met with the Small Business Administration to address member issues such as Electronic Logging Devices • Created the NATM Technology Committee to work with automotive OEMs on industry challenges and new technologies including autonomous vehicles • Visited the offices of 35 members of Congress and their staff during Capitol Hill Visits 22
• Membership exceeded 900 members • Membership survey completed and education curated to meet member needs • Created the NATM Educational Committee to expand educational programming and resources for membership
Goal #4 Consumer awareness • Began developing Trailer Safety Week and engaging members in support • Attended four trade shows to discuss compliance and trailer safety • Sold eight millionth NATM Decal
The NATM Board, committees, and staff have made great strides in implementing the 2016-2018 Strategic Plan. Due to the combined efforts of these groups, the Association was able to make significant progress on or complete 90% of the goals in the entire Strategic Plan this year, and NATM will continue to make progress in 2018.
breakdown of the status of completed 2016-2018 strategic plan goals
15% Significant progress
75% Complete
10% some progress
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30 yearsof conventions Convention Locations 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
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Kansas City, MO Chicago, IL Atlantic City, NJ New Orleans, LA Las Vegas, NV Dallas, TX Orlando, FL New Orleans, la las vegas, nv New Orleans, LA Las Vegas, NV Dallas, TX Las Vegas, NV San Antonio, TX Las Vegas, NV Orlando, FL
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Las Vegas, NV Orlando, FL Las Vegas, NV Orlando, FL Las Vegas, NV Charleston, SC Reno, NV Albuquerque, NM Fort Worth, TX Charleston, SC Las Vegas, NV New Orleans, LA Las Vegas, NV Orlando, FL Fort Worth, TX
2017 award recipients Green Manufacturing Award:
Alum-Line Trailers of Cresco, Iowa L-R: Sydney Gooder and Gary Gooder of Alum-Line Trailers
Outstanding Associate Member Award: John Kerr, Marsh & McLennan Agency L-R: NATM President Greg Snyder, John Kerr
Outstanding Member Award:
Lynn Beal, Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing Inc., Mount Pleasant, Texas L-R: NATM President Greg Snyder, Lynn Beal
Outstanding Regular Member Young Professional Award: Joel Bauer, President of Midsota Manufacturing, Inc. L-R: NATM President Greg Snyder, Joel Bauer
Outstanding Associate Member Young Professional Award: Marcus Hester, Vice President of Optronics International L-R: NATM President Greg Snyder, Marcus Hester
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Noteworthy moments of 2017 Regional educational Workshop - April The first Regional Educational Workshop was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Topics included early warning reporting, towing technology trends, and best practices for hiring and retaining employees.
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29th Annual NATM Convention & Trade Show
Guidelines committee onsite meeting
Attendance exceeded 1,000 for the first time since the economic recession.
For the first time, the NATM Guidelines Committee gathered in person to review the 2017 edition of this 500 page document.
Technical committee onsite meeting
NATM acts as us agent for international trailer manufactuerers NATM’s offer to serve as US Agent makes compliance possible for international companies.
Regional educational Workshop - September
This workshop was held in Douglas, GA. The focus was on early warning reporting requirements.
Members of the Technical Committee met in Texas to discuss industry-related topics. The committee toured two member facilities: AZZ Galvanizing & Interstate Trailers.
RSM Webinar NATM partnered with RSM US LLP to present the Trailer Manufacturinig Webcast which inlcuded the state of the industry and a discussion on then current tax proposals.
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