NATDA Magazine Mar/Apr 2015 | Page 7

Any dealer who is offering service and repair knows that our industry has a measurable gap between trailer sales and the number of technicians who are employed to fix them. The question we are left with – how does the industry fix it? Over the last few years, NATDA continues to come up with ways to fill that gap. Last year, we offered Elite Technical Workshops (sponsored by Redneck Trailer Supplies) specifically to assist with shortcuts and tricks that will ultimately support dealers in their service department. B&W assisted with the “installation tricks of the trade” on their top selling products, Tekonsha highlighted “troubleshooting tips” for brake control installation and Dexter Axle provided “technical tips” and expert information on genuine Dexter axle and brake parts. This year at the 2015 NATDA Trade Show & Convention our team is brainstorming ideas on ways we can continue to educate, certify and retain technicians in the trailer industry. We want to raise the bar from previous years’. Also, we would like to thank those dealers who currently support their local technical schools and colleges and who continue to offer training at their dealerships. NATDA is exploring ways we can continue to move forward with its technical training program at our upcoming trade show. The association will work on rallying suppliers and manufacturers to help defray the training costs to dealers. With the positive outlook on trailer sales – dealers are continuing to spend money on educating their employees’ results in better quality work and increase profits – it seems like the perfect time to raise the bar! Thanks for all your support and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on these issues! This article is based on state registration data compiled by Statistical Surveys, Inc., which is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Statistical Surveys, Inc. (SSI) currently produces national retail sales statistics for the Recreational Vehicle, Marine, Manufactured Housing, and Trailer Industries. Due to data problems Maine, Minnesota and Tennessee are NOT included in the data or in the National Totals. Historical comparisons do not include these states. Sales for the month of October were up 11.9 percent. For the year, 2014, sales are up 5.9 percent thru October. The chart below shows the breakout by trailer type. Statistical Surveys October 2014 Trailer Type All Trailers Boat Enclosed Horse Livestock Open Oct 2014 YTD Oct 2014 11.9 % 5.9% 17.5 % 4.9 % 6.1 % 3.7 % 16.5 % 5.0 % 31.3 % 7.7 % 10.5 % 5.7 % Here are the reporting states with the best overall sales increases for All Trailers for calendar year 2014 ending in October. 1. Michigan 2. Oregon 3. Idaho 4. Utah 5. Florida +21.5% +19.7% +19.2% +18.5% +16.4% )=