TRAILER manufacturers are on a roll here lately, and if the 72nd Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association convention is any indication, the industry should keep on rolling.
With business going great back home, trailer manufacturers convened for a few days at the J W Marriott Starr Pass to network, work on committees, and learn from a series of speakers.
The mood this year was in stark contrast to what it was when TTMA held its 67th at the same location in 2009. At that convention, trailer shipments were their lowest in a generation, a panel of trailer customers announced that they were drastically cutting trailer purchases, and the forecast for the year called for continued weak demand in the near term.
Not so now. Trailer shipments are at historically high levels and are expected to stay there, according to Steve Tam with ACT Research. And according to a presentation on demographics, the U S will remain a strong environment where trucks and trailers can thrive. Maybe some ups and downs here and there, but generally positive news.
Much like trailer shipments themselves, attendance at this year’s event was high—390 total attendees—which is roughly the same as last year.
The convention marked Andy Tanner’s term as chairman of the board. For 2014-2015, the association’s leadership team will consist of:
TTMA Officers 2O14 - 2O15
Chairman of the Board:
Dick Giromini
Wabash National
West Lafayette, Indiana
Vice-Chairman of the Board:
Dan Giles
Fontaine Military Products
Jasper, Alabama
Treasurer:
Menno Eby
M H Eby
Blue Ball, Pennsylvania
President:
Jeff Sims
TTMA
Gainesville, Virginia
Chairman, Policy Committee:
Grant Smith
West-Mark
Ceres, California
Vice-Chairman Policy Committee:
Andy Tanner
Talbert Manufacturing
Rensselaer, Indiana
Chairman Tank Conference:
John Cannon
The Walker Group
New Lisbon, Wisconsin
Vice Chairman Tank Conference:
Tom Anderson
LBT
Omaha, Nebraska
Chairman for Associates:
Jay Davenport
Maxxima
Hauppauge, New York
Vice-Chairman for Associates:
Joe Langemeier
AZZ Galvanizing Services
Fort Worth, Texas
Immediate Past Chairman Associates:
Julius Chambers
Bridgestone Commercial Solutions
Nashville, Tennessee
Chairman Convention Committee:
Dan Giles
Fontaine Military Products
Jasper, Alabama
Vice Chairman Convention Committee:
Dale Jones
Timpte Inc
David City, Nebraska
Directors
Tom Anderson
LBT Inc
John Cannon
The Walker Group
Zack Coley
Heil Trailer International
David de Poincy
East Manufacturing Corporation
Lloyd Elias
Lode-King Industries
Steve Fairbanks
XL Specialized Trailers
Frank Flowers
General Engines Company Inc.
Dan Giles
Fontaine Military Products
Dick Giromini
Wabash National Corporation
Dale Jones
Timpte, Inc.
Jay Kulyk
Rogers Brothers Corporation
Everett Merritt
Merritt Equipment Company
Rick Mullinix
Great Dane Trailers
Bill Persinger
Wilson Trailer Company
Lynn Reinbolt
Road Systems, Inc.
John Rust
Trail King Industries, Inc.
Dave Shannon
MAC LTT
Gary Smith
Kentucky Trailer
Andy Tanner
Talbert Manufacturing, Inc.
Daniel Tremblay
Tremcar, Inc
Bob Wahlin
Stoughton Trailer LLC
