The fourth annual Trailblazer Award, powered by Successful Dealer, will be crowned later this week at the National Trailer Dealer Association’s (NTDA) Convention in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Sponsored by Hendrickson and Procede, the Trailblazer Award highlights North America’s most accomplished trailer dealers and their importance in the industry. It recognizes dealers based on business excellence, customer service, employee support, community engagement and more.
[RELATED: Stoops wins Trailblazer Award at NTDA]
Trailer Equipment
Started in 1982 with a few trailers, a mechanic and a salesperson, Trailer Equipment now has 135 employees, two locations and a rental fleet that has quadrupled in size. It’s also a three-time finalist for the Trailblazer Award, a feat the company chalks up to how it treats its customers. And with a new Hyundai Translead trailer plant soon coming to Illinois, it has big plans for growth.
Read more about Trailer Equipment.
North American Trailer
North American Trailer, Blaine Brothers’ trailer arm, is a two-time nominee for the Trailblazer Award. The company prides itself on doing anything to make customers happy and that starts with happy employees. It has 21 people who have been with the company more than 10 years and three who have been there more than 30. The longevity can be tied to its employee investment. North American Trailer offers leadership training, succession training and planning sessions with a quarterly, off-site retreat.
Read more about North American Trailer.
Great Dane of Utah
Great Dane of Utah is a two-time finalist for the Trailblazer Award. Behind it all is the Nehmer family, including founder and father Bill Nehmer, 66, who still does the occasional route as a delivery driver. Jared, his son, is the company’s sales manager, and he says unforgettable customer service — like helping an owner-operator finalize his purchase of trailer in just 13 minutes to get him back on the road — is part of makes the company unique.
Read more about Great Dane of Utah.
Atlantic Great Dane
Partnership is the name of the game at Atlantic Great Dane. Owner Gene Masteller says the dealership is a partner to their customer and, in many cases, also a friend or even family. The company is a first-time finalist for the Trailblazer Award. Gene’s sons, Justin and Tylor, work at the dealership and both say someone doesn’t have the Masteller name to be family. They count many of their employees as family too.
Read more about Atlantic Great Dane.
Total Trailers
First-time finalist Total Trailers says just being nominated for the award is an honor. Brothers Jason and Jonathan Jones run the company. They’re the sons and grandsons of founders J.W. Jones and Steve Jones. The brothers grew up in the shop and say it’s ingrained into their life, along with the company’s employees. They say their employees often spend more time at the dealership than they do at home, so it better be a great place to be.
Read more about Total Trailers.
