NATM Honors Eli Hernandez with Ed Freel Membership Award
[Fort Worth, TX] — The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is proud to announce that Eli Hernandez, the CEO of Texline Trailers, is one of two recipients of the prestigious Ed Freel Membership Award. This honor recognizes Eli's unwavering dedication to the association and his significant contributions to the trailer manufacturing industry.
Eli Hernandez, the CEO of Texline Trailers, is a family-owned manufacturer with more than four decades in the trailer industry and is currently transitioning into its third generation with his family.
Since joining NATM, Eli has been on a deliberate quest to build a strong internal culture while helping raise standards across the industry as a whole. He is widely respected for his attention to detail, collaborative leadership style, and belief that production volume should never dictate the level of quality a product is built under. His work reflects a long-term commitment to craftsmanship, accountability, and elevating expectations for manufacturers, dealers, and customers alike.
Eli aims to avoid pitfalls by focusing on durability, integrity, and affordability with practical improvements. His relationship-driven approach prioritizes genuine partnerships with dealers and OEMs, fostering collaboration, trust, and support. Eli exemplifies the future of manufacturing leadership through his principled, innovative, and relationship-oriented methods.
The award was presented at the 2026 NATM Bacon & Brilliance: Association Update and Awards Brunch. Join us in congratulating Eli Hernandez on this well-deserved recognition. His dedication to NATM and the trailer manufacturing community is truly commendable.
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About NATM
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has been dedicated to improving trailer safety and performance for nearly 40 years. The Association represents manufacturers that produce light- and medium-duty trailers, supplier and service providers, trailer dealers, and tow vehicle OEMs to the industry.
NATM seeks to promote safety awareness and provide a voice for trailer manufacturers and their suppliers when issues of trailer safety and regulation are considered by Congress and relevant government agencies. Founded in 1987, the Association has grown to represent more than 1,100 companies belonging to the trailer industry. Currently, NATM members manufacture an estimated 77% of new trailers on the nation’s roadways each year.
NATM is dedicated to improving trailer safety. One way this is accomplished is through the mandatory Compliance Verification Program, requiring all trailer manufacturers verify they have the manufacturing processes in place to build trailers that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and industry best practices.