NATDA Magazine Nov/Dec 2021 | Page 31

the trailer by using a wireless remote or switch located inside the toolbox storage system .
We believe these unique design attributes , combined with our superior construction quality , make our equipment trailers a popular choice for customers in a wide variety of applications .
NATDA : What should dealers know about Timpte Inc ., its products and its staff ?
Hunt : As a Midwestern-based company , our over 450 employees embrace traditional Midwestern values . In fact , Timpte ’ s Mission Statement is “ To develop our culture around our core values .” These core values include Customer Responsiveness , Uncompromising Ethics , Quality Focus and Continuous Improvement .
Our goal is for our distribution partners to experience Timpte as “ easy to do business with .” In practice , that means we conduct our day-to-day business with dealers with the underlying philosophy that we are , in fact , ‘ business partners .’ Policies and procedures are built upon a foundation of ‘ long-term mutual success .’ Rather than strict rules and regulations designed to protect the OEM , Timpte earns confidence and trust of new dealers by listening to their concerns and adopting fair and balanced business relationships . Examples of how this reveals itself in our commercial transactions include our “ Pick-up or Delivery ” option and our refusal to incorporate minimum order quantities .
We also look forward to hearing our dealers ’ recommendations as it relates to New Product Development . While we are excited to introduce our current portfolio of 8 new models , we will be launching additional models in the very near future and look forward to doing so with input from our valued distribution partners . understand our delivery processes , meet our Marketing Team to discuss product promotion , and meet our Leadership team to discuss how , together , we can achieve long-term mutual success .
Ultimately , Timpte wants our training programs to be very collaborative . We understand that Dealers have tremendous knowledge of our valued end customers and their local competitive landscape . By sharing information , we hope to continuously improve our ability to provide the best transportation solutions possible .
NATDA : Do you have a MAP Policy ? If so , how you police this ? What about a warranty / transferrable warranty ?
Hunt : We do not have a MAP Policy . As I stated earlier , Timpte ’ s policies and procedures are built upon a foundation of ‘ long-term mutual success ’. Regarding pricing policy , our goal is to ensure that both Timpte and our Dealers achieve a reasonable rate-ofreturn when selling our trailers . We believe our highly differentiated product-line should enable our dealers to sell them at competitive prices that encourage inventory replenishment as soon as possible . Neither party benefits from having to advertise trailers at prices that compromise our joint business objectives .
The same aftermarket parts supply and warranty support that enabled Timpte to become the # 1 selling dry-bulk commodity trailer in North America is utilized to support our equipment trailer business . Timpte ’ s Central Parts Warehouse can quickly process parts orders to ensure timely delivery to our dealers ’ facilities and our experienced Warranty Team work closely with dealers to diagnose problems and quickly implement the necessary repairs . The current warranty is three years for the first purchaser and is not transferable .
NATDA : Do you provide any product training ? If so , how often ?
Hunt : Absolutely . Dealers have 2 options for taking advantage of Timpte ’ s training programs .
First , we can do so directly at the dealer ’ s location . Timpte ’ s Dealer Sales Representatives have in-depth knowledge and experience that equips them to train Dealer personnel regarding all aspects of our products . Since our Dealer Sales Reps often pull our trailers during their Dealer visits , they can fully demonstrate exactly how to differentiate our trailers vs competitive models and how to operate and maintain the trailers . They can also discuss the many options and accessories available to customize our unique equipment trailers to each customers ’ specific application requirements .
Secondly , dealers are also welcome to visit our David City Headquarters . This more immersive and in-depth training experience would include touring the manufacturing facility to witness firsthand our quality standards , visiting with our Research & Development and New Product Engineering teams to see how our trailers are rigorously tested , meet our Customer Service personnel to
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