A letter to our members... NATM has been committed to trailer safety for more than 30 years. While NATM has long worked with trailer manufacturers and industry suppliers and service providers, trailer safety can only be improved through dealer interaction and consumer education. That’s why NATM is excited to announce the launch of the NATM Dealer Affiliation on June 1, 2019. It is NATM’s mission to “promote trailer safety and the success of the trailer manufacturing industry through education and advocacy” and we are confident that including trailer dealers in our work will strengthen the industry and improve roadway safety. Dealers can aide NATM in its efforts to close the communication gap between trailer dealers and end-users all while generating awareness about the importance of NATM Compliant trailers. While NATM is excited to launch the Dealer Affiliation program, we recognize that our NATM members might have questions or concerns. That’s why we’re inviting all members to submit their questions and concerns via the button below. In addition to gathering member questions, NATM invites you to participate in the Dealer Affiliation Q&A on Facebook Live. We’ll be going live on NATM's Facebook page Thursday, May 30th at 3pm CST to discuss what the Dealer Affiliation will look like as well as answer any member questions. NATM members who wish to notify their dealer contacts are encouraged to utilized the Dealer Outreach Marketing Kit by clicking the button below. This kit includes several pre-crafted social media posts, social media graphics, and a Dealer Invitation. NATM fully believes that the launch of the NATM Dealer Affiliation is an opportunity to unify the trailer industry in an effort to improve trailer safety. While NATM remains committed to trailer manufacturers, the Association has long looked at how to better bring in dealers as key stakeholders for trailer safety and this program offers an exciting opportunity to support dealers and help them educate end-users as well as better raise awareness about the NATM Compliance Verification Program. 
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As NATM previously reported, on May 10 Section 301 List 3 tariffs escalated from 10% to 25%. On May 21st the US Trade Representative announced in a Federal Register notice that the exclusion process for List 3 was to be implemented on or around June 30, 2019. The notice includes the form to be used for making an exclusion request. It is important to note that for List 1 and List 2, requests received early in the process have been decided on more quickly.
As a result of the List 3 escalation, on Monday, May 13 China announced retaliatory tariffs ranging from 5% to 25% on $60 billion of U.S. exports to take effect beginning June 1. The announcement from China noted that the increase of List 3 tariffs was an “an escalation of Sino-US economic and trade frictions, contrary to the consensus between China and the United States on resolving trade differences through consultations, jeopardizing the interests of both sides and not meeting the general expectations of the international community.” As anticipated, the United States Trade Representative released a List 4 late in the day on May 13. List 4 includes a vast array of $300 billion worth of goods, from books to housewares, shoes, and sporting goods and much more. The proposed tariff rate is 25%. Along with the release of List 4 comes a timeline for hearings and comments from the public. Although no firm date has yet been set, implementation of List 4 is currently not expected before late June. NATM will keep members apprised as the List 3 exclusion process is released and as List 4 moves forward. With the Trump Administration announced rolling back Section 232 aluminum and steel tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and media sources are reporting that no quotas will be placed on either country. However, it is likely there will be additional requirements regarding transshipment of steel and aluminum products that will remain subject to the action. There is additional opportunity for re-imposition of these tariffs should imports begin to surge. As of this writing, there have been no indications of retroactive relief. As more details become available, NATM will notify its members.
 NATM is excited to announce the 2020 Sponsorship Brochure! Marketing Opportunities Include:
General Sponsorship Opportunities Include:
2020 sponsors will receive priority 2021 Trade Show exhibit space selection for Nashville, TN! For more information on how to sponsor, please contact NATM Membership & Events Director Kelli Maydew at kelli.maydew@natm.com or (785) 272-4433.   On March 25th the U.S. Court of International Trade released its opinion rejecting the challenge of the American Institute for International Steel Inc. (AIIS) vs. United States that alleged the enforcement of the President’s tariffs on certain steel imports under Section 232 was an improper delegation of legislative authority in violation of the Constitution. The US Court of International Trade found it was bound by precedent and as such, found in favor of the United States in the delegation of such authority.
AIIS not only immediately filed a notice of appeal with the Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit, but also filed papers requesting that the U.S. Supreme Court allow them to bypass the Appeals Court. AIIS notes in their request it would be a waste of resources to go through the year-long process knowing the Appeals Court is bound by the same precedent. They also argued that the matter is urgent as the President is considering launching another round of Section 232 tariffs on imported automobiles. It is rare for the Supreme Court to honor such a request and it will take four out of nine Justices to agree to hear the case for it to proceed.  Option 1: Easy as 1-2-3.
Get fast, reliable shipping. And add on savings and rewards. *includes a bonus 5% online processing discount. Full details available at https://www.partnership.com/micro-site/small-package/44natm?utm_source=association&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=PS(7981. **The $10 gift card offer is only valid for 7 days after signing up for My FedEx Rewards. Offer valid for a limited time. For customers to earn the gift card for My FedEx Rewards, they must ship with and invoice back to the FedEx shipping account number registered for this program. Eligible shipments include: FedEx International First®, FedEx International Priority®, FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution®, FedEx International Priority Plus®, FedEx International Economy®, FedEx International MailService®, FedEx First Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, FedEx Standard Overnight®, FedEx 2Day® A.M., FedEx 2Day®, FedEx Express Saver®, FedEx 1Day® Freight, FedEx 2Day® Freight, FedEx 3Day® Freight, FedEx International Priority® Freight, FedEx International Economy® Freight, FedEx Ground®, FedEx Ground Multiweight®, FedEx Home Delivery®, FedEx International Ground®, FedEx International Ground® Distribution. My FedEx Rewards may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. Only qualifying transactions count toward program rewards. For more details, please read My FedEx Rewards Terms and Conditions. Option 2: Enjoy a $10 gift card and so much more! First, join the NATM Shipping Program, managed by PartnerShip®. You can receive FedEx discounts of up to 29% for your small package shipping. Or, call 800-599-2902. Once you have your discounts, enroll in My FedEx Rewards® and when you ship, you can earn gift cards of your choice. It’s easy and free to join both programs. You’ll earn your $10 gift card when you make your first qualifying shipment. Terms apply.  The NATM Board of Directors submitted a series of changes to the Bylaws to those of the NATM membership that hold voting rights as outlined in the Bylaws for approval. Some of the changes reflect the evolution of NATM since its inception and better clarifies practices. Other changes reflect changes in policy that need to be made before action can be taken.
The window for voting has closed and the membership has approved the changes as submitted. While many of the changes have little impact on the membership directly, these changes have helped the NATM staff and Executive Committee work more efficiently. These changes include:
However, the membership can expect to see one significant change with the renewal process. Beginning with 2020 renewals, NATM members failing to pay their dues by the Jan. 31 deadline will have all membership benefits suspended until outstanding dues payments are made. NATM will continue to give members until May 1 to pay their dues without cancelling their membership as outlined in the Bylaws, however the Association will no longer provide the member benefits such as compliance consultations, technical support, advertising opportunities, educational content such as Tracks magazine, and the like during the time of their delinquency. If you have questions about these changes or would like a copy of the NATM Bylaws, please contact NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley.  NATM’s second annual national Trailer Safety Week is just around the corner, June 2-8, 2019. This year, the Trailer Safety Week team is excited to announce an expansion in programming to include an educational webinar for trailer manufacturers and dealers for those who are unable to attend an event in person. The webinar will be Tuesday, June 4th at 1 pm central. Webinar participants will learn more about Trailer Safety Week, general safe towing practices, resources available for dealers and manufacturers to distribute to their end-users and about NATM and its Compliance Verification Program. The presentation will also focus on tire recordkeeping and the role of dealers and end-users in the process as well as provide a government affairs update and more. June is prime time for hauling trailers, which makes it the perfect month for this awareness campaign, but can also make it difficult for dealers and trailer manufacturers to get away from their businesses. This presentation, about an hour in length, is a perfect opportunity to learn more about trailer safety and resources that can be passed along to consumers without leaving the office. Sign up today and NATM will send you a reminder and webinar credentials closer to June 4th. Interested in hosting an event or becoming a Trailer Safety Ally by participating in the safety movement online? Visit www.trailersafetyweek.com/interest to sign up today!
Updated Company Information Needed by May 31! The annual NATM Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide will be mailed to all members in August. In order to have current and accurate company information printed in the Guide, members should login to their NATM account to verify that all information is correct.
For those who do not know their company’s login credentials: usernames and passwords can be re-sent to the main contact’s email by clicking this link. Additionally, the main contact for your company has already received an email with editable PDF documents if changes are needed. These documents can be sent back to kelli.maydew@natm.com. All changes must be received by May 31 end of day in order to be published in the Guide. Please contact Kelli Maydew at kelli.maydew@natm.com or (785) 272-4433 if you have questions or concerns.
NATM 2019 Convention & Trade Show Recipients NATM hosted its 31st annual Convention & Trade Show in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Feb. 19-21. In addition to educational workshops, networking receptions and the trade show, the Association presented multiple awards including the Associate Member of the Year, Green Manufacturing Award, Young Professional of the Year, and the Outstanding Member Award at the Membership Luncheon. Delta Manufacturing, Inc. was awarded the NATM Green Manufacturing Award to recognize their innovative solutions of trailer manufacturing with reduced impact on the environment. PPG, Optronics International, The Carlstar Group, LaVanture Products Company, and Kenda/Americana Tire & Wheel sponsored this award bringing the total donation to $6,750. Ron Yarnell, OEM Sales Manager of PPG, assisted NATM President Patrick Jennissen with the presentation of the award and check to Delta who generously selected St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to receive the $6,750 contribution. NATM presented the Regular Member NATM Outstanding Young Professional Award to Daniel Luby of BoatMateTrailers. This award is given to recognize the accomplishments of an individual 40-years old or younger who have been innovative and successful in the trailer manufacturing industry. In 2012, Luby started with BoatMate as Project Engineer and during his time there, he served as a liaison with engineers from OEM boat companies, helped develop a dealer direct sales network throughout the US and Canada, designed the heavy-duty pontoon trailer line brought to market in 2016. Daniel took on the role of Production Manager in 2018 along with his project engineering duties and he is an active participant in NATM’s Convention and Technology Committees. NATM presented the Associate (Supplier) Member NATM Outstanding Young Professional Award to Stacey Miller of Dexter. Miller serves as the Brand and Communications Director at Dexter and has been increasingly involved with NATM, serving as the point of contact for most Dexter companies and participating on the NATM Convention Committee. She will be serving as the NATM Chairperson for the Marketing Committee in 2019. The Outstanding Associate Member Award is presented each year to an individual from a supplier member company who has made a significant contribution to the trailer manufacturing industry. This year’s recipient, Bernie Goettker of UPF, has been in the trailer industry for nearly 40 years. He developed dozens of new products in the trailer industry and has been awarded 18 patents. Bernie has been active in both NATM, joining in 2001, and NMMA for several decades and has served on several committees, including the NATM Technical Committee as well as on educational panels sharing his expertise. He has been a regular supporter of the NATM Convention both through sponsorship and exhibition. The Outstanding Regular Member Award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to NATM and the trailer manufacturing industry. This year’s recipient, Chris Steinman of MGS Incorporated, has been involved in the trailer industry for more than 25 years and he has been on the NATM Board of Directors since 2011. He chaired the NATM Technical Committee multiple times and later served as a member of the same committee. His thoughtful approach, strict adherence to the mission of trailer safety, and strong understanding of federal regulations and engineering practices made him an invaluable member of both his committee and the Board. About the 2019 NATM Convention & Trade Show
The beautiful sunny weather in Florida was on NATM’s side this year with a total of 1027 in attendance. The trade show also included more trailer manufacturing companies than 2017 and the sold-out trade show included 43 new exhibitors giving all attendees plenty of opportunities to do business. One 2019 exhibitor said, “The NATM show is a great opportunity to meet with a group of our existing customers in one place. Well worth our time and expense. We will be back next year.” NATM educational workshops also boasted high attendance numbers as members enjoyed topics such as Recruiting & Retention Strategies, Trailer Brakes and Suspensions, an update on NATM’s proposed Association Health Plan, and Arc Welding Robotics to list a few. The Keynote Speaker Vince Poscente was powerful yet hilarious and engaging to help kick off a successful week. Attendees also enjoyed fireworks and great food during the Closing Celebration hosted at Disney’s Epcot. The show literally ended with a bang! Thank you to the attendees, exhibitors and especially to NATM’s sponsors. The NATM Convention & Trade Show would not be possible without the support of its generous sponsors. We appreciate you! Mark those calendars for Feb. 11-13, 2020. NATM looks forward to seeing you next year! Viva Las Vegas! For more information about the Convention & Trade Show, contact NATM Events Coordinator Lane McNeil at Lane.McNeil@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433. |
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