THE National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) hit paydirt in Vegas.
The NATM Convention & Trade Show February 9-12 at South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa experienced a 35% increase in trailer manufacturing attendees over 2015. There were 983 attendees, 250 booths, and 191 exhibitors.
In addition, NATM introduced a Speed Networking event which gave exhibitors and trailer manufacturers a chance to meet one-on-one.
Some awards from the 2016 show:
• Young Professional Award: Brandon Ikola of Fabform Industries, Roseburg, Oregon. Ikola has been involved with Fabform since his father founded the company in 1992. He was officially hired in 2001 when he turned 16, working in every position in the manufacturing plant. Fabform invested in a new fabrication facility in 2013 after he assumed the leadership role of general manager and vice president from his father, Rob. Fabform has adjusted its management structure and integrated team leaders into the production environment, implementing and sustaining a culture focused on building and delivering “safe quality built trailers at a competitive price.”
• Outstanding Associate Member Award: Rick Coffey, regional sales manager, The Carlstar Group. Coffey was first elected to the NATM Board of Directors in 2005 and was re-elected in 2008. After a two-year absence, he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board and was just re-elected to another term. As chairman of the Convention Committee, he made numerous trips to assist NATM staff in selecting sites for conventions. In his role as the membership committee chair he, along with his committee, calls every new member to welcome them to NATM and answer any questions they might have.
• Green Manufacturing Award: CAM Superline, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. CAM Superline manufactures dump trailers for the construction and excavating industries. The award was presented to company president Sandy Poffenberger. The Green Manufacturing Award honors the NATM member with the year’s best solution or innovation that has a positive impact on the environment. CAM Superline earned the 2016 award by adopting several green technologies and practices that reduced the impact on the environment and helped lower costs.
• Outstanding Member Award: Mike Lloyd, president of Aluma. This award is presented annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to NATM and the trailer manufacturing industry. Lloyd has been a member of the Board of Directors, an officer, an active committee volunteer and a leading advocate for building a strong relationship with trailer dealers.
NATM will take the Convention & Trade Show back to Orlando next year and host it at Disney’s Coronado Springs February 15-17, 2017.