When managing an unprecedented, prolonged upswing in the market is the biggest challenge members of the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association are facing, chances are the TTMA Annual Convention will be a memorably upbeat occasion. The 76th edition, held April 18-21 at the Hyatt Tamaya Resort and Spa north of Albuquerque, was a sunny and hopeful event indeed.
With nearly 500 registrants and 73 first timers—representing 20 trailer manufacturers, nine tank manufacturers, and 100 associate companies—the traditional schedule of business meetings and general sessions, golf and tennis events, the poolside games, and even Southwestern jewelry making and bread baking classes all drew capacity crowds. And, of course, the Welcome Reception near the banks of Rio Grande, the Western-themed Associates’ Reception and Dinner, and the Closing Banquet—featuring a welcome from new Chairman Gary Smith and farewell remarks from outgoing Chairman Rick Mullininx—all lived up to everyone’s high expectations.
Coverage in the following pages includes a rundown of the market, with Stifel’s John Larkin and Michael Baudendistel providing their respective takes on macro indicators and trailer-specific trends. The opening general session provided a trio of compelling views on critical issues to the industry: Rick Smith of Fast Radius outlined the technological ‘disruptors’ and challenges that could make or break a business; Bruce Tulgan of RainmakerThinking gave a high-energy and humorous presentation on managing a multigenerational workforce; and Vigillo’s Steve Bryan offered a sobering look the potential downsides to big data, ‘quantum computing,’ and artificial intelligence.
And, during both general sessions, associate members took to the stage for 4 minutes apiece to tout the latest and greatest in goods and services to benefit trailer manufacturers.
The TTMA 77th Annual Convention is set for April 24-27 at the Florida’s Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa—and, if the economic forecasts are correct, attendees can expect another time discussing how great the trailer industry is.
2018-2019 Officers:
Chairman of the Board:
Gary Smith
Kentucky Trailer
Vice Chairman of the Board:
Bob Wahlin
Stoughton Trailers, LLC
President:
Jeffrey Sims
TTMA
Treasurer:
Menno Eby
M.H. Eby, Inc.
Chairman Policy Committee:
Dale Jones
Timpte, Inc.
Vice Chairman
Policy Committee:
Rick Mullininx
Great Dane Trailers
Vice Chairman, TTMA Convention Committee,
New 2nd Vice Chair:
John Cannon
Wabash National Tank Division
2018-2019 Tank Conference:
Chairman of the Tank Executive Conference:
Peter Weis
Polar Tank Trailer LLC -
Vice Chairman of the Tank Executive Conference:
Cory Kirk
Tremcar
2018-2019 Board of Directors:
Dave de Poincy, East Manufacturing Corporation
Terry Elias, Lode-King Industries
Frank Flowers, General Engines Company, Inc.
Gary Gaussion, Silver Eagle Manufacturing
Jan Hoover, Strick Trailers, LLC
Jay Kulyk, Rogers Brothers Corporation
Everett Merritt, Merritt Trailers, Inc.
Bill Persinger, Wilson Trailer Company
John Rust, Trail King Industries, Inc.
Brent Yeagy, Wabash National Corporation
Members:
Gary Christen, E.D. Etnyre & Company
Zach Coley, Heil Trailer International
Mike Keenen, MAC LTT