National Association of Trailer Manufacturers

What National Association of Trailer Manufacturers does

The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is a member-governed nonprofit trade association founded in 1987 and headquartered in Topeka, Kansas. It serves light-and-medium-duty trailer manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and tow vehicle OEMs in the United States, with a stated mission to promote trailer safety and the success of the trailer manufacturing industry through education and advocacy.

NATM's core offering is the Compliance Verification Program (CVP), a mandatory third-party inspection regime through which member trailer manufacturers verify adherence to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and NATM's recommended minimum manufacturing guidelines (published annually since 1992). Surrounding the CVP, NATM operates the annual Convention & Trade Show (over 1,000 attendees, 200+ exhibitors, 298 booths), the Dealer Affiliate Program, NATM Academy coursework, Tracks magazine, the Dealer Compendium, and the Trailer Safety Week national awareness campaign, which reaches more than 60,000 individuals annually.

NATM generates revenue through tiered annual membership dues ($925 for Regular/International Regular trailer manufacturers; $795 for Associate suppliers; $300 for Regular Branch; $150 for Dealer Affiliates), Convention & Trade Show booth and registration fees ($1,224–$2,856 per 10×10 booth for members, $300/$600 full registration), sales through NATMSHOP.com of guidelines, decals, and educational materials, and 2026 trade show sponsorships from a roster that includes Vitracoat, Dexter, Optronics International, and Champion Hoist & Equipment.

Name

National Association of Trailer Manufacturers

Legal name

National Association of Trailer Manufacturers

Website

https://natm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NATM is a member-governed nonprofit trade association, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, that serves U.S. light-and-medium-duty trailer manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and tow vehicle OEMs through mandatory compliance verification, annual conventions, advocacy, and safety education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

SIC

Truck Trailers (3715)

akta.pro primary industry

Container/Chassis Inspection, Certification & Compliance Services (CSC, IICL, DOT/FMCSA) (TLAKACAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Trade Compliance Management (Denied Party Screening, Licensing, Restricted Goods) (TLAEAOAB)

Keywords

• Trailer manufacturing association
• Compliance verification program
• Trailer safety advocacy
• Industry trade standards
• Membership certification services

Headquarters

HQ city

Topeka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NATM generates primary revenue through annual membership dues from trailer manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers. Membership categories include Regular (Trailer Manufacturer), Associate (Supplier), Associate Branch, Regular Branch, and International Regular members. The association also offers a Dealer Affiliate Program for trailer dealers.
2. Convention & Trade Show: Revenue generated from booth sales, registrations, sponsorships, and exhibitor fees at the annual NATM Convention & Trade Show.
3. Dealer Affiliate Program: Dealer affiliates pay $150 annual fee to join and gain access to NATM resources, publications, and dealer-specific benefits including the Dealer Compendium.
4. Product Sales: Sales of NATM Guidelines, Decals, educational materials, posters, owner's manuals, and other safety products through the NATM Online Store (NATMSHOP.com).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NATM is a member-governed trade association that serves light-and-medium-duty trailer manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and tow vehicle OEMs. Its core offering is the mandatory Compliance Verification Program (CVP), which provides third-party inspection to verify that member-manufactured trailers meet federal regulations and industry standards. The association also delivers annual events (Convention & Trade Show, Dealer Summit, Regulatory Roundup), educational programming through NATM Academy, industry publications, advocacy, and consumer-facing safety campaigns such as Trailer Safety Week.

Product overview

The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is a membership-based trade association serving the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. The organization offers a suite of products and programs centered around safety compliance, education, and industry advocacy. The core offering is the Compliance Verification Program (CVP), a mandatory certification program for member manufacturers. Associated products include NATM Guidelines (annual manufacturing standards), NATM Decals (compliance verification markers), and the NATM Online Store for purchasing these materials. The association also operates major events including the annual NATM Convention & Trade Show, NATM Dealer Summit, and Trailer Safety Week awareness campaign. Educational offerings include NATM Academy, Tracks Magazine publication, and the NATM Dealer Compendium resource guide. Additional programs include the Dealer Affiliate Program, Regulatory Roundup advocacy events, and various directories connecting industry stakeholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NATM Membership (Regular / International Regular / Associate / Associate Branch / Regular Branch)

Quantifiable outcome

• Trailer Safety Week reaches over 60,000 individuals annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Vitracoat Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor providing coating solutions for the trailer industry.
• DexterminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor offering axle and trailer components.
• Aluminum Line Products Co.minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor supplying aluminum products.
• Coe Press EquipmentminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor providing press equipment solutions.
• Parker Engineering of America Co. Ltd. DBA Parker IonicsminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor offering engineering and ionization solutions.
• ALM Positioners, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor providing positioning equipment.
• UFP ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor offering construction solutions.
• Laclede Chain Mfg. Co.minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor supplying chain manufacturing products.
• KampCo Services of Georgia, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor providing services in Georgia.
• Optronics InternationalminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor offering lighting and harness solutions.
• KampCo Steel Products, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor providing steel products.
• Austin Hardware & Supply, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor supplying industrial hardware solutions.
• Nordec IncorporatedminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor.
• Champion Hoist & EquipmentminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 #NATMSHOW sponsor offering hoist and equipment solutions.
• U.S. Department of TransportationcoreOthersNATM develops content and resources based on guidance from DOT agencies including NHTSA. The association advocates for industry needs with federal transportation officials.
• National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMMA partnered with NATM for joint certification programs for boat trailer manufacturers and collaborative advocacy efforts. Gary Potter was instrumental in bringing NMMA and NATM together to form a coalition.
• Marsh and McLennan Agency (MMA)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with NATM to bring members and dealer affiliates a weekly COVID-19 webinar series during the pandemic.
• IBEX 365minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNATM participated in IBEX 365's webinar addressing supply chain concerns for manufacturers alongside NMMA.
• TMAC (Texas Manufacturing Extension Partnership)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTMAC spoke at NATM's Workforce Development Summit on organizational culture and provides manufacturing extension services to NATM member companies in Texas.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Peers

• National Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA):

Direct peers

• Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA): TTMA is the direct counterpart trade association for heavy-duty trailer manufacturers, paralleling NATM's role but for the heavy-duty segment. Both function as industry advocacy, compliance, and standards bodies serving trailer manufacturers, making TTMA NATM's closest structural peer.
• National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA): NTEA serves the work truck and commercial vehicle equipment industry, including manufacturers of truck bodies, trailers, and related equipment. It provides a comparable mix of compliance resources, educational content, member events, and industry advocacy to a closely overlapping customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/natm_trailers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Association of Trailer Manufacturers