​Rates are going to increase in 2020 with carriers FedEx and UPS. NATM members need to stay informed of the changes in order to keep costs low. Here are the top takeaways you need to know:

• FedEx and UPS small package rates are increasing an average of 4.9% - effective January 6, 2020 and December 29, 2019 respectively.
• Your actual costs will vary. Depending on the service you use and your package characteristics, you could see increases above or below the average.
• Many common surcharges are also increasing. On top of the base rates, you need to be aware of the charges that apply to your shipments and how they’ll affect your total costs.

PartnerShip®, the endorsed shipping provider for NATM, has sorted through the rate charts and put together a complete guide for members. Download the free white paper for key details about the new rates and how they may impact your business.

NATM members have exclusive access to discounts on select FedEx® services to help offset these increases. Enroll today to start saving.

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 2019 edition of the Guidelines. This massive document takes the guesswork out of meeting federal requirements governing the manufacture of trailers under 26,000 lbs GVWR and is a benefit of NATM membership.

Building trailers to meet the standards 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. The Guidelines is updated annually by industry experts that stay abreast of changing regulations and vet the addition of recommendations and best practices.

This year through the annual revision process, the 2019 version of the NATM Guidelines received several updates. As part of the effort to help members achieve success, the NATM Compliance Team heavily updated the Compliance Quick Guide, which features a succinct synopsis of compliance requirements. This quick, to the point resource helps members get the information they need to make the change and move on to the next task.

Members report substantial time savings by utilizing the Guidelines, particularly on the topics of lighting and reflectors, VIN and data plates, calculating gross vehicle weight ratings, and state brake requirements. While the Guidelines focus on U.S. regulations, many may have an interest in Canadian compliance. For more information, visit Transport Canada’s website at www.tc.gc.ca/en/transport-canada.html

In recent years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has increased its enforcement activity concerning the compliance of motor vehicle manufacturers – including trailer manufacturers. NHTSA has placed particular concern on meeting Defect Investigations and Record Retention Requirements. 49 CFR 579.5, which requires manufacturers to submit to NHTSA copies of communications such as notices and technical service bulletins to dealers, owners or purchasers of their vehicles, 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, third-party audit of the trailer manufacturing process and uses the 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. While participation in the NATM Compliance Verification Program is an additional, voluntary cost for manufacturers, there are economic benefits of participation.

“The first-year sales saw a 20 percent boost and blew past the forecast over three years for the sales improvements for revenue targets for the existing trailer product. We will continue to use up the [NATM] labels we have in stock, and then order more,” said Pete Dixon, Engineer at Karcher North America, Inc. regarding the benefit of being a member of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers.

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. 

​Membership renewals for 2020 have been mailed, and the main contact for your company has received an email notice as well. If you would like to confirm who your main contact is, please contact NATM Membership Services Coordinator Kathy Johnson at Kathy.johnson@natm.com or call NATM at (785) 272-4433. You can also log into the Members Only portal of www.NATM.com and select the “Profile Update” link to make edits instantly to this information. 

In addition to paying your membership dues by check or over the phone by credit card, you are also able to pay online using the Members Only portal at www.NATM.com. Once you are logged in using your company’s login credentials, select “Pay My Bills.” If you need your credentials, or have any questions during this process, please contact Kathy Johnson.

For trade show exhibitors, it is important to note that NATM DUES MUST BE PAID BY December 31, 2019 to maintain the member rate for your booth at the February 2020 trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada.  
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NATM is committed to improving the compliance program, delivering safety education and information, increasing consumer awareness about the importance of buying compliant trailers, providing opportunities for member input, and continuing to develop relationships with key decision makers on Capitol Hill and in federal agencies to advocate for industry needs.  
 
NATM, the Board of Directors, committees, and staff are working diligently to provide more value to members, and we look forward to working with you in 2020. We sincerely hope that you will allow us to continue to serve your needs and provide value to your organization. 

This pre-departure checklist is a great tool for your customers. Before towing a trailer, make sure the tow vehicle and trailer maintenance is current. This is very important because towing puts additional stress on the tow vehicle.

• Check and correct tire pressure on the tow vehicle and trailer.
• Make sure the wheel lug nuts/bolts on the tow vehicle and trailer are tightened to the correct torque.
• Be sure the hitch, coupler, chains, ball mount and other equipment that connect the trailer and the tow vehicle are properly secured and adjusted.
• Make sure the safety chains are properly criss-crossed and connected with enough slack to make turns.
• Check that the wiring is properly connected; not touching the road, but loose enough to make turns without disconnecting or damaging the wires.
• Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.
• Verify that the brakes on the tow vehicle and trailer are operating correctly.
• Ensure the breakaway system lanyard is connected to the tow vehicle frame or hitch, but not to the safety chains or ball mount.
• Check that the load is secured and will not move during transit.
• Be sure the trailer jack, tongue support and any attached stabilizers are raised and locked in place.
• Check load distribution to make sure the tow vehicle and trailer are properly distributed front-to-back and side to side.
• Check side- and rear-view mirrors to make sure you have good visibility.
• Check routes and restrictions on bridges and tunnels.
• Make sure you have wheel chocks and jack stands.

For more information about safe towing practices, visit www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com. This pre-departure checklist is included in the Safely Towing a Trailer brochure which is available for purchase. For more information about purchasing NATM products, click here.
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​NATM will be offering a FREE webinar for NATM members and dealer affiliates!
 
DATE: Friday, December 6, 2019
 
TIME: 2:00 PM CST
 
EMERGING TRENDS - TOPICS TO INCLUDE (but not limited to):
U.S. DOT Safety Statistics
Electric and Autonomous Vehicles
Electricity Statistics
2020 Rivian Electric Pick-Up Truck
Robots in Trailer Manufacturing
Trailer GVWR Analysis
Camera Systems on Trailers
OEM Tow Vehicle Camera Systems
Aftermarket Camera Systems
Trailer Antilock Brake Systems (ABS)
Tire Pressure & Heat Monitoring Systems
Cargo Loading Software
Cellular Connectivity
 
PRESENTER: NATM Technical Director, Colin Holthaus
 
REGISTER HERE
 
Questions? Please contact NATM Membership & Events Director Kelli Maydew
at (785) 272-4433 or Kelli.Maydew@natm.com.

Membership renewal forms were mailed and emailed to NATM members this November. In order to avoid a membership lapse, 2020 dues are to be paid by January 31, 2020. Per NATM Bylaws, all membership benefits will be suspended beginning Feb. 1 for any member with unpaid dues.

For Trade Show Exhibitors, it is important to note that NATM DUES MUST BE PAID BY DECEMBER 31st, 2019 to maintain the member rate for booths at the February 2020 Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV.

Membership dues will again go unchanged in 2020. Rates are $795 for Associate (Supplier) members, $135 for Associate Branch members, $925 for Regular and International Regular (Trailer Manufacturer) members and $300 for Regular Branch members. If you joined between February and October of 2019, your 2020 dues are prorated accordingly.

NATM greatly values your membership and 2020 promises to be another fantastic year to be a NATM member. You can pay by check, over the phone, or online. The NATM website has a “Members Only” section where members are able to sign in and pay dues at any time.
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If you have questions, including username and password information for the “Members Only” site, please contact NATM Member Services Coordinator Kathy Johnson at (785) 272-4433 or Kathy.Johnson@natm.com. 

Members of NATM are cordially invited to attend the annual NATM Membership Meeting during the 2020 Convention & Trade Show on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 10:15-11:15 a.m. No ticket is required for entry.

During the membership meeting, NATM will report on the many exciting achievements that took place over 2019, will give an update on the status of the 2019-2021 Strategic Plan, and will communicate about anticipated changes to the Association in the future. The NATM Executive Committee will be in attendance to answer questions. NATM Board Members will be dispersed throughout the room for one-on-one discussions as well.

In addition, we look to you as members for feedback and input on any topics and issues important to you that you would like to see NATM and its Board of Directors address. To submit comments regarding the Membership Meeting, please contact natmhq@natm.com.
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Those that are not NATM Members in good standing are unable to attend the event but may attend the Awards Luncheon with a ticket following the Membership Meeting.

​In the trailer manufacturing industry, a successful business is dependent upon an educated, highly skilled workforce. Does your company have the necessary tools to keep up with the demanding job market? The answer lies in workforce development – a necessity for both employees and businesses to remain competitive, particularly in today’s economy. ​

Gold: 1- 2 Trailer Manufacturing Companies Referred

• Free quarter-page ad in Tracks magazine
• One free social media mention
• Listing in Tracks article as supporter of the Convention
• For Suppliers - Early booth selection for next year’s Trade Show
• For Trailer Manufacturers - One free Trailer Manufacturer Trade Show Only registration at next year’s Convention.

 
Platinum: 3-5 Trailer Manufacturing Companies Referred

• Free quarter-page ad in Tracks
• One free social media mention
• Free company or product profile in Tracks and eNews
• For Suppliers –
  • Early booth selection for next year’s Annual Trade Show (earlier than Gold Tier)
  • One free complimentary booth worker or one free upgrade booth worker at next year’s convention. 
• For Trailer Manufacturers - One free Trailer Manufacturer Full registration at next year’s Convention.

 
Diamond: 6 or more Trailer Manufacturing Companies Referred

• Free full-page ad in Tracks
• Two free social media mentions
• Free company or product profile in Tracks and eNews
• For Suppliers –
  • Early booth selection for next year’s Annual Trade Show (earlier than Platinum Tier)
  • Two free complimentary booth workers or two free upgraded booth workers at next year’s convention
• For Trailer Manufacturers - Two free Trailer Manufacturer Full registrations at next year’s Convention.
• Special ribbon on badge at Convention

 
Companies must inform NATM of their referral at the time of registration in the space provided on the form for a referral to be counted. For more information, contact NATM Membership & Events Director Kelli Maydew at Kelli.Maydew@natm.com.
 
*Please note, all incentives are available for 12 months following the convention or the following year’s convention. Any incentives not used will expire. 

The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has been committed to trailer safety for more than 30 years. While NATM has long
worked with trailer manufacturers, industry suppliers and service providers, trailer safety can only be improved through dealer interaction and consumer education. The launch of the NATM Dealer Affiliation is an opportunity to unify the trailer industry in an effort to improve trailer safety.
 
NAT​M Dealer Affiliates will experience a host of benefits, with an emphasis on education and resource access.

NATM is collecting the contact information for trailer dealers across the country in order to distribute safe trailering resources. For every 50 dealer contacts that your company sends to NATM, you can receive a $100 discount on advertising with NATM! 
 
To learn more, please visit our Dealer Affiliate page. 
​
 Tier 1: 1- 4 Companies Referred 

• Buy one get one free Convention Registration (limit 3)
• One free half page ad in Tracks magazine

 
Tier 2: 5-9 Companies Referred

• One free full page ad in Tracks magazine

• 1 complimentary Convention registration
• 1 complimentary Dealer Summit Registration

 
Tier 3: 10+ Companies Referred

• Two free full page ads in Tracks magazine

• 1 complimentary Convention registration
• 1 complimentary Dealer Summit Registration
• Company entered into raffle for a 1-year complimentary NATM membership

 
Companies must inform NATM of their referral on the Dealer Affiliate Application in the space provided on the form for a referral to be counted. For more information, contact NATM Membership & Events Director Kelli Maydew at Kelli.Maydew@natm.com.
 
*Please note, all incentives are available for 12 months following the convention or the following year’s convention. Any incentives not used will expire.