Tracks NATM Celebrates 30 Years of Advocacy, Education and Growth By Pam Trusdale, Executive Director

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NATM Celebrates 3 Years of Advocacy, Education and Growth By Pam Trusdale, Executive Director Sept. 22, 217 will mark the 3th Anniversary of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM).

Bill Bernhardt, President of Sooner Trailer, was elected as the first President of this new association.

1 NATM Celebrates 3 Years of Advocacy, Education and Growth By Pam Trusdale, Executive Director Sept. 22, 217 will mark the 3th Anniversary of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM). The following are highlights from the last 3 years: Five trailer manufacturers established the National Association of Livestock Trailer Manufacturers (NALTM) in Chickasha, Okla. Bill Bernhardt, President of Sooner Trailer, was elected as the first President of this new association. The group originally came together in an effort to get better rates for product liability insurance. Those in attendance decided to establish an association, and selected Professional Association Management (PAM) of Oklahoma City to manage the Association for 7 percent of its total income. The first Annual Membership Meeting was held in Kansas City, Mo. with 25 members in attendance. The initial nine-member Board of Directors was elected and dues were set at $4 for Regular Members (trailer manufacturers) and $5 for Associate Members (suppliers). Management of the Association was moved to Association & Society Management, Inc., Austin, Texas for 4 percent of annual income plus office expenses. The Association was incorporated in Texas as the National Association of Livestock Trailer Manufacturers (NALTM). The first NATM Mark of Excellence Decals were sold to members for one dollar per decal (below). The purpose of the decal was to promote pride in membership and to raise revenue for the Association. The first NATM Mark of Excellence Decals were sold in Work started on manufacturing guidelines for livestock trailer manufacturers initially published as The Guidelines for Recommended Minimum Manufacturing Practices for Trailers Under 26, lbs. GVWR. NALTM's black and white 1992 Revised Articles of newsletter published in 199. Incorporation were filed in Texas changing the name of the Association to the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM). The Board of Directors determined that the issues they were facing were not specific to livestock trailer manufacturers and that the industry would be better served if all light- and medium-duty trailer manufacturers were unified in one association Membership grew to 81 members and the annual meeting was held in Dallas, Texas Membership reported at 117 with an annual budget of $85,8. Convention revenue was 3 percent of the anticipated annual revenue. Dues were $4 for both Regular and Associate members Membership reported at 125 members. The convention was held in New Orleans, La. and discussion topics included compliance issues, business liabilities and the fluctuation in the steel and aluminum markets Reports for the year noted improvements in The Guidelines and, and completion of a trailer industry survey. Dick Klein, P.E., was hired as NATM s Consulting Engineer to assist members with technical questions. Membership totaled 147 and the annual budget was $14, May/June 217

1997 1998 1999 Accomplishments for this year were reported as addition of Dick Klein s Engineers Corner for each issue of. NATM headquarters was moved to Topeka, Kan.

2 Accomplishments for this year were reported as addition of Dick Klein s Engineers Corner for each issue of. NATM headquarters was moved to Topeka, Kan. under the management of Association Services Corporation. A dedicated Executive Director, Pam Trusdale, was hired to manage the NATM account. The NATM Bylaws were rewritten and adopted by the Board of Directors. The Awards Program was established and the first Outstanding Member Award was presented to founding member and first President, Bill Bernhardt Members volunteered for third party inspections by T.R. Arnold to pave the way for establishing a compliance program. Membership exceeded 3. The first NATM Compliance Director, Greg Soden, was hired to conduct consultations free of charge to member volunteers. 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. In 22, the NATM Decal was serialized. 22 NATM withdrew from the management company to become a self-managed association with four employees, three of which have been with NATM until this year. The Association also developed ANSI tested warning labels for use by trailer manufacturers and revamped The Guidelines to make it a more userfriendly resource for members. 1 NATM Total Membership Numbers May/June

23 The Bylaws were revised to recognize the compliance program. 24 The first issue of magazine was published in December 24. Total revenue for the Association exceeded $1.

25 The first facilitated strategic planning session was held to review the mission and vision of the Association and to establish a strategic plan to outline the key objectives of the Association

26 NATM staff grew to eight and the Board of Directors decided to purchase a building to house NATM Headquarters.

3 23 The Bylaws were revised to recognize the compliance program. 24 The first issue of magazine was published in December 24. Total revenue for the Association exceeded $1. million, with decal sales exceeding 3,. 25 The first facilitated strategic planning session was held to review the mission and vision of the Association and to establish a strategic plan to outline the key objectives of the Association moving forward. Attendance at the Annual Convention & Trade Show in Orlando exceeded 1,. Membership exceeded NATM staff grew to eight and the Board of Directors decided to purchase a building to house NATM Headquarters. Cash reserves had grown and the Board of Directors approved the cash purchase of the headquarters building at 132 Topeka Blvd. in the Topeka, Kan. A second compliance consultant was hired to assist with the growing number of compliance consultations. The first fully colored NATM magazine published Dec. 24. NATM Compliance Decals Sales Annual NATM Compliance Decal Sales 1,, 9, 9, 8, 8, 7, 7, 6, 6, 5, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, The current NATM Compliance Decal features a serial number and QR code. 1, 1, May/June

4 27 NATM first began to advocate allowing for the tandem towing of unladen trailers. Board members met with Featherlite legal counsel and four Congressional staff members to discuss a uniform law to allow tandem delivery of trailers in all 5 states. NATM began negotiations with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to allow NATM compliance consultants to conduct NMMA certification inspections for boat trailer manufacturers. 28 Dick Klein retired as NATM s Consulting Engineer. NATM hired a full-time Technical Director to oversee the technical program and assist with member s technical questions. A strategic planning After seven years of advocating on behalf of doubles towaway legislation, the language was included in The Fixing America s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act that was adopted by Congress in 215. session was held to review the progress on the 25 Strategic Plan and make revisions as necessary for future goals and objectives. A proactive government affairs program was established and K&L Gates was engaged to represent NATM. 212 Implementation of mandatory participation in the Compliance Verification Program took place, and the Association worked with RVIA and NMMA to revise an FMVSS 11 requirement that was threatening to 29 A governance plan was created to establish policies halt the export of trailers to Canada. and ensure continuity with an ever-changing volunteer 213 Due to a growing staff size, NATM headquarters leadership. moved to its current location at 242 SW 17th Street 21 NATM developed generic owner s manuals so that in Topeka, Kan. NATM took over the leadership all NATM members could afford to provide a manual role in planning the Trailer Regulatory Roundup and with their trailers. The Association worked to defeat Capitol Hill Visits in Washington, D.C. in conjunction proposed legislation that would have cost trailer with the Boat Trailer Manufacturers Association manufacturers over $9 million dollars in taxes annually. (BTMA), an annual event. NATM exceeded the five NATM Political Action Committee (NATM PAC) was million mark in compliance decal sales since the established. inception of the program in 22, and added a QR code to its compliance decals. 211 The membership unanimously approved a Bylaws amendment making participation in the Compliance 214 NATM worked with a coalition to successfully Verification Program (CVP) a requirement of exclude Specialty Trailer (ST) tires from a Department membership for all trailer manufacturers beginning of Commerce Anti-dumping and Countervailing Jan. 1, 212. Investigation of imports of certain passenger vehicle and light-truck tires from China, saving trailer manufacturers millions of dollars in potential tariffs. NATM created safety videos and introduced a mobile app for the Convention & Trade Show. May/June

5 215 NATM was awarded its certification of accreditation for ISO 172:212 by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB). 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. The FAST Act language allowed tandem delivery of trailers with a total length of up to 82 on all federal highways. A strategic planning session was held and the NATM mission and vision statements were revised. The Strategic Plan was developed. 216 NATM began to implement the new strategic plan including hosting the first Regional Educational workshop in Elkhart, Ind., with over 8 members in attendance. In order to meet the needs of the growing membership, NATM hired an additional compliance consultant and a membership director focused solely on membership. The Safely Towing a Trailer booklet was published to enhance consumer awareness and promote trailer safety. Today The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers now stands at 888 members with an annual budget of $2,,. The 217 Convention & Trade Show had record attendance and sponsorships, and magazine has its largest circulation of subscribers and advertisers. 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 3 years. NATM Financial History $2,5, Revenue Expense Net $2,, $1,5, $1,, $5, $ -$5, 18 May/June 217

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