|
North American
Trailer Dealers Association finally gives industry some pull
The North American
Trailer Dealers Association (www.natda.org)
hopes to enlist the estimated
7,500 dealers that sell light and medium duty trailers including cargo,
utility, horse, livestock, race cars, toy haulers and various other
trailers. The auto industry has NADA (National Auto Dealers
Association) and the RV folks have the RVDA (Recreational
Vehicle Dealers Association). Now the trailer dealers have us and each other."
Said Amy Rubenstein NATDA Vice President and Co-Founder.
The NATDA is built
around “20 Groups”, clusters of 20
trailer dealers that meet to discuss the industry on a
regular basis and provide input and suggestions for the
direction of the association. The “Core 20” is who we rely on to help steer the
association.
"Working through our
“Core 20 Group” accomplishes a couple
of things," Rubenstein said. "It saves time because many
good ideas are held in common, but at the same time, some
members of a core group may develop a unique idea or initiative that can
be quickly shared with other members of the group and,
ultimately, the entire association."
We went into this
with a plan designed to make business better for
trailer dealers and we've already done that by developing a
commercial insurance program designed specifically for
trailer dealers. That's something many
thought would never be done. And now we're working on a
unique trailer rental insurance program to give dealers
coverage in another lucrative area of their businesses," Rubenstein said.
"There was nobody to
speak for the trailer dealers to
address concerns like commercial insurance. “We have dealers purchasing insurance
packages for their dealerships that are designed for the automobile
industry, and in most cases paying for coverage that is not tailored
to the trailer dealership. ”Insurance companies had not wanted to
develop trailer specific programs until we established the
North American Trailer Dealers Association," said NATDA
President and Co-Founder Andy Ackerman. "And already we're proving our
worth."
In addition to
developing insurance programs for trailer dealers,we are developing risk management services that dealers
can use to improve their payroll processing and human
resources, especially hiring and firing procedures, so
dealers' exposure to loss and litigation is minimized. We have health insurance and
employee benefits including 401K programs, and a whole slew of
other services, so that the dealers can now offer the same type
of programs as large corporations, without having to employ human
resource personal.” Ackerman said.
The NATDA is also
developing retail financing programs, to
increase profits and sales; specially designed warranty
products to safeguard customers and generate more profits
for dealers; and floor-plan programs to help dealers more
effectively show off their merchandise. "We're pushing for
product and service vendors to provide discounts to NATDA members,
and encourage our members to do business with
other members," Ackerman said.
The NATDA also plans
to offer discounted shipping
programs, credit card processing, a bulletin board and member forum
to help NATDA
dealers keep in touch and share ideas. The NATDA is also
working on two major industry wide
projects: its first annual trade show, set to be held in
2008, and a Trailer Appraisal Guide Book (TAG Book) that
will essentially become the standard for the trailer
industry.
"If we're going to
be recognized as a separate, viable,
profitable industry, the North American Trailer Dealers
Association needs its members to speak the same language
and read from the same book, if you will,"
Ackerman said. "By standardizing the appraisal process, we
can building stronger relationships with lenders and also
better understand the products we sell. Customers need to
know that the value they find for their dollar in Los
Angeles is the same that it is in Miami or New York if our
dealers are to have credibility."
Dealers can learn
more about the North American Trailer
Dealers Association, including how to join and get a
comprehensive list of member benefits, at
www.natda.org.
CONTACT:
Andy Ackerman or Amy Rubenstein
info@natda.org or calling 727-360-0304.
Merhow Industries
Joins NATDA as a Manufacturer Member
(SOUTH PASADENA,
FL).—Merhow
Industries of Bristol, IN announced that they have joined NATDA, thus
becoming the first manufacturer member of the NATDA. Merhow has been
manufacturing quality all-aluminum and aluminum over steel horse
trailers for over 50 years. Take a look at what the folks at Merhow
Industries have to say about being the first Trailer Manufacturer to
join the dealer association.
“The NATDA is
raising the level of education and professionalism in the trailer
industry by giving the trailer dealers something that has been needed
for a very long time…an association that is geared toward their specific
needs. There are great benefit programs being offered to the dealers as
well as an opportunity for the dealers to communicate about issues that
are unique to them. As a trailer manufacturer we want our dealers to
have all of the tools to help them succeed. NATDA is bringing those
tools to our industry” said Dave Elchert, President of Merhow
Industries. “Our job is to build quality trailers and to support our
dealers in any way possible. Over 50 years of experience as a trailer
manufacturer tells us that if the dealers are successful then the
industry as a whole will be successful. The NATDA has the tools
available to help our dealers achieve a higher level of success in
operating their dealerships. We encourage all of our dealers to join
NATDA and we are even offering to take care of the first $100 toward
their 2007-2008 membership, said Elchert. The North American
Trailer Dealers Association (www.natda.org)
hopes to enlist the estimated 7,500 dealers that sell light and medium
duty trailers including cargo, utility, horse, livestock, race cars, toy
haulers and various other trailers.
NATDA Vice President
and Co-Founder Amy Rubenstein said, “Merhow is one of the oldest and
most respected manufacturers in the trailer industry and we are very
excited to have them as a member. I have had many conversations with
Blaine Eddy, the Director of New Dealer Sales for Merhow Industries and
his commitment to the industry and to the success of the dealers is
really impressive. Blaine believes in taking an active part in this
association and has offered to assist us in our growth”. NATDA
President and Co-Founder Andy Ackerman says, “Naturally, we were
thrilled when Merhow contacted us in May. They have an excellent
reputation as a quality manufacturer and they are well respected and
well liked. Merhow has also been very popular with their dealers and
that speaks volumes about their reputation as a manufacturer. It makes
us happy that Merhow wanted to be our first Manufacturer Member and also
that they wanted to take an active role in working with the NATDA
dealers.”
Merhow Industries
was founded in 1955 and has been in continuous operation as a trailer
manufacturer since that time. At this time the Merhow Trailer lines
available are the Equistar, the Verylite and the Alumastar. If you
would like to become an authorized Merhow dealer, please call Blaine
Eddy or Lamar Wright at (800) 860-9198.
The NATDA offers
member benefits such as: commercial insurance, group health insurance,
discounted shipping programs, credit card processing, and has a bulletin
board and member forum to help NATDA dealers keep in touch and share
ideas and concerns. The NATDA is also working on two major industry
wide projects: its first annual trade show, set to be held in 2008, and
a Trailer Appraisal Guide Book (TAG Book) that will essentially become
the first comprehensive trailer appraisal book for the industry.
Dealers can learn more about the North American Trailer Dealers
Association, including how to join and get a comprehensive list of
member benefits, at
www.natda.org
or call (727) 360-0304. |
Roadside Assistance for Equestrians.
