Are You Ready for Automation? This Forum Has The Answers
Picture this: your production floor is running full tilt, orders are piling up, and your team is stretched thin. Someone says, “Maybe it’s time to automate.” But then the questions start swirling. “How do we know if we’re really ready? Will automation put people out of work? Isn’t this going to cost a fortune?”
These are the doubts and debates that echo across shop floors and boardrooms in the industry. Trailer manufacturers want to work smarter, not just harder, but the leap into automation can feel overwhelming.
That’s why the National Association of Trailer Mnaufacturers (NATM) Technical, Compliance, and Technology Committees zeroed in on automation as one of the most critical conversations for the 2026 Convention & Trade Show.
At Technical Forum 1: Driving Efficiency in Trailer Manufacturing – The Case for Automation, you’ll get straight answers, backed by data and real-world examples. This 90-minute session will show how automation can solve bottlenecks, boost safety, and deliver measurable ROI, while empowering your workforce instead of replacing it.
Breaking Down the Automation Myth
Automation isn't just for massive manufacturing plants. It’s a powerful, scalable tool for companies of all sizes. This session is designed to show how automation can help reclaim lost time, eliminate bottlenecks, and raise quality standards, even in custom-shop environments. Through data-driven insights and peer-proven examples, you'll learn exactly how to spot when your shop is ready for transformation (floor assembly, riveting, welding, or bending tasks, etc.).
Why Acieta Is Leading the Conversation
Acieta isn’t just an expert in automation, they're part of the NATM community. As an NATM Member, Acieta understands the unique challenges trailer manufacturers face. With more than four decades of experience and over 10,000 robotic systems successfully deployed across North America, their team has seen first-hand how automation can transform operations of every size. Their deep expertise makes them the ideal presenters for Technical Forum 1.
What You'll Walk Away With
This session goes beyond theory, offering practical, actionable insights into how automation can transform your production floor. Attendees will explore:
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Recognizing When It’s Time to Automate
Learn to spot the production bottlenecks and quality issues that signal it’s time to introduce automation.
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Innovative Assembly Solutions
Discover automation technologies for floor assembly, riveting, welding, and bending that improve efficiency while preserving the flexibility needed for custom trailer design.
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Making the ROI Case
Gain strategies for justifying automation investments and communicating value to company stakeholders.
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Safety & Compliance Benefits
Understand how automation not only boosts productivity but also enhances workplace safety and ensures compliance with industry standards.
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Training for Success
Explore training approaches that prepare your team to confidently adopt and leverage new technologies.
Why This Matters Now
NATM’s Technical Forums are designed to address the issues that matter most to manufacturers, and this one is no exception. The goal is to send you home with actionable ideas so you can start conversations in your facility about where automation can deliver the biggest impact.
Whether you’re just beginning to consider automation or you’ve already dipped your toes in and want to expand your efforts, this session will give you a clearer picture of what’s next.
Bring Your Team, Bring Your Vision
If you’re serious about driving efficiency in 2026 and beyond, don’t come alone. Bring your operations managers, engineers, and production leads with you to Fort Worth. Together, you’ll leave this session with a roadmap to guide your company’s automation journey and a vision for a more productive, competitive future.
Snapshot: Technical Forum 1
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Topic: Driving Efficiency in Trailer Manufacturing – The Case for Automation
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Speaker: Tim Hildebrandt - Director of Sales and Chris Poole - Regional Automation Manager
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When: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, 9:30–11:00 a.m.
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Where: Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas
Whether you’re still wondering “Are we ready for automation?” or already planning an advanced automated system, this is the session for you. Let Acieta’s proven expertise show you a path forward; one where efficiency, quality, and innovation drive your competitive edge.
To view the complete agenda and register for the 2026 Convention & Trade Show, visit www.NATM.com/Convention.
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