Finalists Chosen for Trailer Dealer Award

Sept. 1, 2000
Top Dealers to be Recognized at NTDA Annual Convention FOUR TRAILER dealers have been selected as finalists for the industry's first National Trailer

Top Dealers to be Recognized at NTDA Annual Convention FOUR TRAILER dealers have been selected as finalists for the industry's first National Trailer Dealer of the Year Award.

The finalists are: Thomas Crowder of CRTS Inc, Garner, North Carolina; Joe Helmsing of Craftsmen Industries, St Charles, Missouri; Scott Lamb of Atlantic Great Dane, Portland, Maine; and Stan Zeamer of Utility/Keystone Trailer Sales, Manheim, Pennsylvania.

The winner of the first annual National Trailer Dealer of the Year award will be announced at the National Trailer Dealers Association (NTDA) Annual Convention, November 3, in Ponte Vedra, Florida.

Associates First Capital Corporation and the NTDA announced the prestigious new award to recognize the nation's outstanding heavy-duty trailer dealers in May. This award, the first of its kind for this industry, will recognize the trailer dealers whose leadership, professionalism, and integrity have most enhanced their companies, industry, and communities.

About the four finalists: - CRTS Inc President Thomas Crowder used strong relationship-building skills with customers and suppliers to expand the business to include seven offices in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

- Craftsmen Industries, recently recognized as Manufacturing Employer of the Year by the city of St Charles, Missouri, has grown from ten employees in 1982 to more than 180 today. Joe Helmsing is president.

- Atlantic Great Dane President Scott Lamb developed a process for personalized service that identifies customer needs and presents information and costs effectively. This has helped the dealership win all of Great Dane's top dealer honors: Dealer of the Year, President's Award and Parts & Service Award.

- Utility/Keystone Trailer Sales President Stan Zeamer began the family-owned business in 1978 and has used participatory management techniques to grow the business to include three locations and 60 employees.

The finalists were selected from 48 nominations by a panel of industry executives: Richard Bowling, president of Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association; David Kolman, executive editor for Newport Publications; Tom Moore, executive editor and director of industry relations for Randall Publishing; Bruce Sauer, editor of Trailer/Body Builders; and Alan Sims, vice-president of ITS Management.

NTDA was founded in 1990 to represent trailer dealers. The association is an active promoter of the trailer dealers and the trailer industry, including high standards of service and conduct, safety on public highways, and provides information and education on matters affecting the trailer equipment industry.

The Associates is one of the nation's largest independent providers of finance and leasing services for trucks and trailers. The company provides financing and leasing services to more than 100,000 dealers, fleets, and owner-operators in the trucking industry.

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