NATM History
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is the trade association for manufacturers of trailers less than 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and suppliers of products and services to the trailer industry.

In 1987 a small coalition of horse and livestock trailer manufacturers formed the National Association of Livestock Trailer Manufacturers (NALTM) in Oklahoma City with the original purpose to aid in obtaining product liability insurance, a challenge for many manufacturers. That purpose has evolved and the NATM's primary purpose now is to confirm the safety standards of the trailer industry.

In 1990 NALTM was formally incorporated in Austin, Texas. In 1992, "livestock" was dropped from its name as the association needed to represent a broader constituency.

In 1998, the board of directors moved its headquarters to Topeka, Kansas. After only a few months, it became apparent that NATM needed to augment its staff, so it hired an executive director. Membership grew from 156 companies in 1997, to 570 by the end of 2002. With this growth, the board increased the NATM staff to four full-time employees and a part-time receptionist.

Compliance Decals and Safety Labels
In May 2002, the NATM released its distinctive red, white and blue compliance decal. The purpose of the designation is to provide some level of assurance that trailers carrying the NATM Compliance Decal adhere to NATM safety standards. Available only to NATM members, the decal recognizes members who have met the standards of the NATM compliance program, which is designed to evaluate members who voluntarily undergo an NATM inspection. Of particular concern are the safety related items and the regulations that govern them. While this program is strictly voluntary, the number of NATM members who undergo the inspection process continues to increase.

NATM funded the creation of standardized warning labels for trailers. These patented labels have been tested according to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and are available only through licensed NATM-members. Interstate Insurance Services is also endorsed by NATM and provides product liability insurance, specializing in placement of insurance contracts that provide manufacturers the best protection available.

The NATM Mission