NATDA Extends Free Trade Show Offer
I had a dealer call me last week to tell me he was shutting down his operation. He said sales have slowed and they just can’t turn a profit. They were relying on only trailer sales to support the entire operation. If you don’t run multiple profit centers in your dealership you will not survive. We have brought the first ever Trade Show for Trailer Dealers. We have made it FREE for you to attend. We are bringing you professional education that will bring new profit centers to your operation. MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW TO ATTEND!!! Go to www.natda.org to register, or call us at 727-360-0304. This is THE SHOW to attend. You cannot afford not to go, the future of your dealership may depend on it.
We have assembled a trade show that is filled with fantastic product and service companies all there to earn your business. Times in the trailer industry are very trying today. You must adapt and change to stay productive and profitable. We have the tools, the products and we will be providing you the education to make the changes necessary to adapt, and change to build a stronger business, and it’s all there for you. This event will forever change the trailer industry, and you have a chance to be a part of it.
Trade Show:
Looking to change lines of trailers for your dealership? We have assembled thirty two trailer brands for you to choose from. All under one roof. Utility, Cargo, Horse, Dump, Livestock, Flatbed, Race Car, and two Tractor companies. Looking for a UTV line to sell? Montana Tractor will be introducing their new side by side utility vehicle. We have banks, service providers, insurance, warranty companies, and software all for trailer dealers. We have assembled some of the coolest products that you would ever think to sell at your dealership, but you have to be there to see them.
Education:
We have a full day of spectacular speakers lined up, and we are producing a program that will be educational dynamic, and something that you absolutely don’t want to miss. We are producing an education workbook for you to take back to your dealership to implement to your staff. Dealers have never had this education available to them, and it is free for all attendee’s. Seating is limited, don’t miss out. This education will make a huge difference in your dealerships income!
Truck Give Away:
Drive home in a brand new truck. NATDA will be giving away a new truck to a dealer that is in attendance at the show. You must be present to win. Where else can you go and have a chance to win a new truck for FREE?
Special Events:
We have a dealer breakfast on Wednesday morning, and a Texas Margarita Party sponsored by Sheffield Financial on Wednesday evening, and all kinds of receptions and parties in between.. Come to the show and socialize and meet other dealers from across the country. We are bringing this all to you through NATDA. This is your association, and the only way to ensure its continuing success is to come to the show.
Andy Ackerman
President / Co-Founder
North American Trailer Dealers Association
www.natda.org
phone: (727) 360-0304
fax: (727) 231-8356
cell: (727) 902-6282
An interview with Universal Trailer Investor and Board Member Paul Zepf
CINCINNATI, Ohio/May 30, 2008
In February 2008, Universal Trailer Corporation President and CEO Tom Frey announced that Corporate Partners II [CP] had invested $45 million in newly issued equity of Universal Trailer Corporation [UTC], thereby becoming UTC’s largest shareholder. UTC is the largest specialty trailer manufacturer in North America. The Company manufactures a wide selection of trailer and motorcoach products. Its brands are Haulmark, Haulmark Motorcoach, Featherlite, Exiss, Sooner and Miley. Paul Zepf, a Managing Principal of CP, talks about his firm’s recent investment in UTC. Mark Wicks of GateHouse Media Inc. is the interviewer. Below is a summary of Paul Zepf’s remarks (edited for clarity).
GateHouse Media: How do you view Corporate Partners II’s [CP] relatively new status as majority shareholder of Universal Trailer Corporation [UTC]?
Paul Zepf: After its first hundred days as UTC’s largest shareholder, Corporate Partners II has seen a unique strength emerge through the alliance of a large investment firm and the leading American specialty trailer company. From a number of perspectives, including capital resources, having an investment fund the size of Corporate Partners’ in support of Universal Trailer is unique in the industry.
GateHouse Media: What attracted CP to an investment in this trailer company?
Paul Zepf: We were attracted to UTC based on the strength of the company’s products and management, and its leading market positions.
GateHouse Media: The overall economy being what it is, how has UTC performed?
Paul Zepf: Despite a difficult economy and high commodity prices since we first made our investment, UTC is performing in‐line with our expectations, largely the result of the steps management has taken to adjust to the current environment.
GateHouse Media: What stands out since CP entered into the relationship?
Paul Zepf: In the past four months UTC has showcased new product innovations at each of four dealer conventions, launched national retail promotions and brought greater efficiencies to its manufacturing facilities in seven states.
GateHouse Media: How does CP function managerially with UTC?
Paul Zepf: We made the investment in UTC to support the company and the management teams at each of the [divisions]. We bring to the table substantial capital resources and management counsel, and provide assistance in strategic development, both internally and through potential acquisitions. Going forward, these additional
resources should position Universal Trailer well ahead of others in the competitive marketplace.
GateHouse Media: What do you see looking forward?
Paul Zepf: The first four months held few surprises. We did a lot of work and spent months researching the industry and Universal Trailer Corporation before investing. From this effort, I believe we developed a good understanding of the industry, the market environment and each of the UTC subsidiaries. The current market is challenging and metal prices have spiked upwards, but UTC management has made adjustments to operate profitably in this environment. Corporate Partners II expects to continue to work with UTC to build on its existing strengths. This relationship can effect higher performance in the current environment as well as in the coming upturn. Our efforts will continue to enhance our important relationships with our distribution partners and end customers.
ABOUT UNIVERSAL TRAILER CORPORATION
UTC is the largest specialty trailer manufacturer in North America. The Company manufactures a wide selection of cargo, horse, livestock, motorsports, snowmobile, ATV, motorcycle, utility, vending and custom specialty trailers. Its brands—Haulmark, Haulmark Motorcoach, Featherlite, Exiss, Sooner and Miley are “Signposts on the Road to Value.” UTC has eight manufacturing operations across the United States. For more information, visit www.universaltrailer.com or call 513/671‐3880.
ABOUT CORPORATE PARTNERS
Corporate Partners is a leading private equity group targeting significant investments in established public and private companies. In 2005, Corporate Partners closed its most recent fund, CP II, with capital commitments of $1.1 billion. Corporate Partners Invests in Solutions® by providing equity and equity‐related capital to support companies where there is a value‐added use of proceeds such as a strategic acquisition, the pursuit of a growth initiative, strengthening the balance sheet, increasing shareholder stability and other important corporate needs. Corporate Partners is a business unit of Lazard Alternative Investments. For more information on Corporate Partners, go to www.corporatepartnersllc.com.
NATDA Tradeshow Filling Up Fast
With the addition of C&C Trailers late on Friday, and Integrity Trailers yesterday, the manufacturers spaces are now SOLD OUT. This gives us twenty eight trailer manufacturers that have committed to show space at the 2008 NATDA Trade Show and Convention. This is incredible and we thank each and every manufacturer for their support of the NATDA. We are pleased to have assembled a great mix of trailer manufacturers that represent horse, livestock, cargo, race car, motorcycle, dump, and utility trailers. Read more
Wells Cargo Gives Their Dealers NATDA Memberships
Wells Cargo Becomes The First Trailer Manufacturer To Give Their Dealers NATDA Memberships
(ST PETERSBURG, FL).—Wells Cargo, a leading manufacturer of enclosed cargo trailers, announced today that they will be the first manufacturer to supply their dealer network with a one year North American Trailer Dealers Association membership. Wells Cargo is well known in the industry for their dealer support and this announcement is no exception. Wells Cargo is paying for their entire dealer network to become NATDA members for one full year with the hopes that their dealers will benefit greatly from the programs, benefits and education that are available through NATDA. Read more
Shadow Trailers Inc. introduces the ‘Stablemate’ Gooseneck
Shadow Trailers Inc. introduces its new model, the ‘Stablemate’ Gooseneck. Based on the immensely popular ‘Stablemate’ bumper-pull, the ‘Stablemate’ Gooseneck continues its focus as a user-friendly, value-added trailer available in 2 and 3 horse slant and straight-load models. Read more
NATDA Launches Tire/Wheel & LQ Tech Support For Trailers
(St. Petersburg, Fla.–) NATDA is very excited to have partnered
with Nation Safe Drivers (NSD) to launch a new program for the
trailer industry. “Nation Safe Drivers (NSD) is excited to work with
the NATDA as part of our expanding commitment to the Trailer
industry. said Alex Drogan of NSD. This commitment has been
demonstrated in the strength NSD’s dispatch network as well as
the development of an Trailer Technical Assistance program to
help Trailer dealers with sales, increased customer service and
enhancing the consumer’s enjoyment of the trailer lifestyle. Read more
GOWELD, Repairing Your Trailer on the Road
By H. Kent Sundling MrTruck.net
We welded on a horse trailer on the side of the road to test GOWELD. Worked better with 100% argon gas verses 25% we tried first. We did break the wire a few times while we got the settings dialed in. We used separate batteries, but you could use the batteries in your truck. You just need to disconnect the truck cables and attach cables to GOWELD in series not parallel. Comes with several tips.
Read more
NATDA OFFICIAL TRAILER PARTS DISTRIBUTOR ANNOUNCED
Redneck Trailer Supplies will be The Only NATDA Authorized
Parts Distributor.
(SOUTH PASADENA, Florida) – Redneck Trailer Supplies
has been announced as the Official Trailer Parts
Distributor for the North American Trailer Dealers
Association (NATDA). Redneck has made a three-year
commitment to the organization as an Official
Sponsor of the NATDA. Read more
Leonard Truck & Trailer, Inc. announces consolidated dealerships and a new “MEGASTORE” philosophy.
North Jackson, OH – January 28, 2008 - “We’ve always strived to be the one-stop shop for ALL of our customers’ trailer needs. We’re now on target to be the trailer megastore we envisioned,” says Clint Leonard, President of Leonard Truck & Trailer, Inc. After consolidating four dealerships into two over the past month, LTT announces its two megastores: LTT Megastore East in North Jackson, Ohio and LTT Megastore West in Oklahoma City, OK. With over 1000 trailers in stock year round, the Leonard Truck & Trailer Megastores have arguably the largest trailer inventory in the nation. Read more
Welcome to the NFR 2007
See a gallery of photos from the NFR.