TTMA convention tackles key issues

June 1, 2003
ELEVENTH-HOUR ADVICE on dealing with the TREAD Act and an update on potential changes in truck size and weight regulations were some of the issues on

ELEVENTH-HOUR ADVICE on dealing with the TREAD Act and an update on potential changes in truck size and weight regulations were some of the issues on the agenda of the annual convention of the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association.

Under the TREAD (Transportation Recall Enhancement Accountability and Documentation) Act, many vehicle manufacturers — including those producing trailers and installing commercial truck equipment on chassis — will be required to submit sensitive information such as warranty claims and customer complains to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Those that do not will face potentially stiff fines and possible jail time.

A full report on those presentations can be found on the pages that follow.

The association also elected a new slate of officers. Brian Ling, Reliance Trailer Manufacturing in Cotati, California, completed his second term as chairman of the board following the death last year of TTMA's vice-chairman, Norm Hutchinson. Taking over as chairman this year is Jerry Thomsen, Trail King Industries of Mitchell, South Dakota.

The officers and directors chosen to lead the association during the 2003-2004 term are:

TTMA Officers and Directors

Chairman of the Board
Jerry Thomsen
Trail King Industries
Mitchell, South Dakota

Vice-chairman of the Board
Charles Dutil
Manac
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada

Treasurer
Don Wahlin
Stoughton Trailers Inc
Stoughton, Wisconsin

Chairman, Policy Committee
Kit Hammond
Great Dane Trailers
Savannah, Georgia

Vice-chairman, Policy Committee
Brian Ling
Reliance Trailer Manufacturing
Cotati, California

President
Richard Bowling
TTMA
Alexandria, Virginia

Chairman, Tank Conference
Dave Shannon
Beall Trailers of Montana
Billings, Montana

Vice-chairman, Tank Conference
John Cannon
Brenner Tank LLC
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Chairman for Associates
Dan Wallace
Phillips Industries
Santa Fe Springs, California

Vice-chairman for Associates
Tom Kinnucan
Hoosier Tank & Manufacturing
South Bend, Indiana

Immediate Past Chairman for Associates
Bob Dubsky
Hadley Products
Grandville, Michigan

Chairman, Convention Committee
Charles Dutil
Manac
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada

Vice-chairman, Convention Committee
Menno Eby
M H Eby Inc
Blue Ball, Pennsylvania

TTMA Directors for 2003-2004

Kenney Allred
Timpte Inc
David City, Nebraska

Tom Anderson
LBT Inc
Omaha, Nebraska

Bruce Black
Trailmobile Trailers LLC
Northbrook, Illinois

Menno Eby
M H Eby Inc
Blue Ball, Pennsylvania

Bill Greubel
Wabash National Corporation
Lafayette, Indiana

Larry Hartog
Kentucky Manufacturing Company
Louisville, Kentucky

John Hodson
Barrett Trailers Inc
Purcell, Oklahoma

Rick Odle
Talbert Manufacturing Inc
Rensselaer, Indiana

Robert Ostendorf Jr
Morgan Corporation
Morgantown, Pennsylvania

Bill Persinger
Wilson Trailer Company
Sioux City, Iowa

Jeff Pitts
Pitts Trailers
Pittsview, Alabama

Ray Schaffer
Weld-It Company
Los Angeles, California

Scott Semlinger
Lufkin Trailers
Lufkin, Texas

Grant Smith
West-Mark
Ceres, California

Densil Williams
Strick Corporation
Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania