Edition 5 - November 2008


 






















 
 







060-1200 RV Screen Door Latch

This product is designed to secure the screen door on recreational vehicle entrance doors including motor homes and travel trailers. It features sturdy aluminum die cast construction and a low profile design that works with a variety of doors.
Other product details include:
  • Dual function - Latch secures the screen door to the exterior door as well as the door jamb
  • Door strike and keepers are included for a total system solution

610-0100 Ignition Switch

TriMark's 610-0100 Ignition Switches satisfy the toughest customers in the roughest environments with superior performance and reliability. Further enhancement is now available by offering a heavy duty ignition switch for on or off-highway applications with KeyOne Plus modular locking system providing "One Key – One Vehicle" convenience. Other product details include:
  • Standard positions/functions: Accessory, Off, On (Ignition/Accessory) and Start
  • Rugged and durable construction is environmentally sealed for long life
  • Contact rating: 50 Amp @12 VDC continuous
  • Standard 1.00 in. mounting hole, retrofits with other standard panel mount ignition switches
System kits are available and include handles, latches and accessories to provide a comprehensive access solution.

 
 







TriMark Corporation has an ambitious tradeshow schedule planned for 2008 and 2009. Our tradeshow schedule is listed below. Please plan on visiting our exhibit booth if you are attending any of the following events in 2008 or 2009.

The largest and most important industry platform for the rapidly growing construction machinery sector in China and eastern Asia is bauma China 2008 in Shanghai, which will open its gates for the fourth time from 25 – 28 November 2008. bauma China 2008 allows manufacturers to showcase their products in a professional setting, acquire new customers and make optimum use of business opportunities.

The recreation vehicle (RV) industry's shipments will total approximately 303,100 units in 2009 nearly identical to the projected total for 2008. The 46th Annual RV Tradeshow highlights the RV industry at its 2008 event in Louisville, KY, December 2-4, 2008.

The Association of the United States Army's Institute of Land Warfare presents the 2009 Winter Symposium and Exposition February 25-27, 2009. A central focus of the symposium is the Army's progression towards transforming while conducting combat operations. Special emphasis will be devoted to the indispensable role that our industry partners provide to the United States Army. Guest presentations and panel discussions will provide a myriad of information as regards the direction and progress of balancing our resources, equipment, personnel, doctrine and training to provide the essential protective umbrella that our nation deserves.

The 21st Annual Convention and Trade Show for the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers will be held in Charleston, South Carolina February 24 through February 28, 2009.

The Work Truck Show® 2009 and 45th Annual NTEA Convention attracts attendees involved in buying, selling or using work trucks and equipment. The 2009 event is being held March 2009 at McCormick Place in Chicago.


The world's leading agricultural machinery exhibition, Agritechnica '09, will be an event characterized by innovation. The 2009 event is set for November 10-14, 2009 in Hannover, Germany.

More than 700 exhibiting companies from the construction industry will take advantage of the global solutions offered at CONEXPO Asia November 16-19, 2009. The 2009 edition is expecting to break all records by bringing the highest quality equipment buyers from around the world. You can expect:
  • 60,000 visitors from 115 countries
  • Major decision makers and industry leaders
  • First class customer service
Check the tradeshow listings page at the TriMark website to link to the show websites for all these trade events.
 
Survey Response and a New Question
 
In the last issue of this newsletter we asked you to give us your insights into the single biggest economic challenge facing your business today. A majority of you who answered the question listed challenges such as increasing materials costs and surcharges.

As you are no doubt aware there have been big changes in the economy since out last newsletter back in September. We've seen the stock market take a real tumble as well as massive layoffs being announced by companies large and small. We are even starting to hear the use of one of the dreaded "D" words – deflation. So for this issue's question we would like you to look into the crystal ball and give us your "yes" or "no" answer to the following question:

Will the U.S. economy be in better shape by the end of 2009 than it is right now?
No
Yes
Use this link if the form above doesn't work


 

TriMark Future Remains Strong
 
It's very difficult to avoid the continuing bad economic news which seems to have become a part of the everyday message we get from the mass media outlets. And it appears, based on some very credible predictions, we will continue to face uncertain and volatile economic fluctuations well into 2009.

I wanted to communicate to you as TriMark customers and friends that TriMark continues to be a strong and viable company. While it is more difficult to gauge and anticipate what will happen in the long term, in the near term we will continue to monitor the situation very closely so that we can keep our operations in sync with the economy. We recently announced an extended holiday shutdown schedule in an effort to balance workforce deployment with the anticipated workload. While there is little pleasure in making these kinds of decisions, as an employee-owned company we have an obligation to protect company viability for current and future owners. Thank you for your continued business and support.

Patti Knowlton – General Manager
 
TriMark Launches Campaign to Raise Visibility and Awareness of China Operation
 
As you are reading this e-newsletter, members of TriMark's management team will be meeting with key editors from China's leading construction publications at bauma China 2008 being held in Shanghai, China. The bauma event is the most important trade fair for the construction and building materials industries in Asia with an expected attendance of over 80,000 trade fair visitors from every continent and all regions of China. "While TriMark Xuzhou has been operational for several months, we wanted to make sure we had all of the other pieces in place," states Ric Marzolf, TriMark's VP of Research and Development. "For example, the Chinese market is quickly becoming as electronically oriented as the rest of the world which meant that we had to have our website up and running ( www.trimarkcn.com) before we could really make this push. And, the timing could not have worked out better with bauma China 2008."

After attending the last bauma China event in 2006, TriMark determined that there was a real opportunity for the company if they had a manufacturing presence in China. The OEM market for TriMark's products was growing and, after receiving some encouragement from several of their long-time customers, the decision was made to explore locations.

In January 2007 TriMark selected the Xuzhou Economic Development Zone as the site for its China operation after having visited twelve potential development areas. Xuzhou offers TriMark a unique location close to current customers with a high concentration of potential customers within a short distance. Additionally, transportation is made easier by the favorable location of modern roads, railway and a local customs station. Even though there were critical factors in choosing Xuzhou, the final determining factor was the friendly and skilled people.

Ron Priestley is the General Manager of TriMark Xuzhou and he states, "Moving forward, TriMark Xuzhou is rapidly expanding, and in the near future, we hope to employ additional professionals in both engineering and manufacturing. In terms of technological innovation, TriMark brings the same global standards of door system hardware to China as we have in the U.S. and Europe, including QTM (Quick Turn Manufacturing)."

Recognizing that in today's modern world speed is of the essence, QTM focuses on getting products into customer hands 8 to 10 times faster than traditional methods. This enables TriMark to better serve customers in China and all over the world. Look for a more complete rundown on TriMark's innovative QTM program in the next issue of this e-newsletter.

There are many real life examples of cooperation between TriMark's United States and China teams. Valued customers often have design changes at the last minute and Caterpillar found themselves in this very situation. TriMark's engineering team assessed Caterpillar's needs and made changes to the models. Changes in the drawings were assigned to the team in Xuzhou and the next day production drawings were ready to go. Part models had already been furnished to manufacturing where the new parts were already in the process of being built. Components were built and verified, product assembled and the new parts were on their way to Caterpillar for installation. Total time taken due to close cooperation and teamwork between the TriMark Xuzhou and Iowa based teams: two days!

We will give you a full report on the bauma China 2008 Trade Fair in the next issue of this e-newsletter.
 
TriMark to Debut a New Look and New Products at RVIA
 
The RV Industry's 46th Annual National RV Tradeshow being held December 2 – 4, 2008 in Louisville, KY, will be the venue for TriMark's introduction of a new product system logo and several new products developed for the RV industry.

KeyOne Plus - TriMark's single-key locking solution for the operation of multiple locking products on a single unit has a new look. Based on the proven KeyOne design plus 10 years of OEM experience, the patented KeyOne Plus approach features a modular lock cylinder design that allows for a single key system that can be installed as the last step by the final stage OE manufacturer.

New Ignition Switch for OEMs Offers "One-Key – One Vehicle" Convenience – TriMark's 610-0100 Ignition Switches (see New Products in left column) satisfies the toughest customers in the roughest environments with superior performance and reliability. Further enhancement is now available by offering a heavy-duty ignition switch for on or off-highway applications with a KeyOne Plus modular locking system.

Automotive-style Handle for OEM's Adapts for Power Locking and Remote Installation – TriMark's new 020-1100 Remote Pull Handle is designed for entrance doors on RV and specialty vehicles where it is desirable to have the exterior handle remotely mounted from the inside release and rotary latch. Click here for more information.

New Latch More Durable and Versatile – TriMark's new 060-1200 RV Screen Door Latch (see New Products in left column) is designed to secure the screen door on recreational vehicle entrance doors including motor home and travel trailers. The product features sturdy aluminum die cast construction and a low profile design that works with a variety of doors.

If you are planning to attend RVIA in Louisville please plan to stop at the TriMark booth to see these new products as well as the full-line of products available to the RV market.
 
Six Sigma - Excellence Through Strategic Discipline - Part 2
 
A Closer Look at How TriMark Applies Lean and Six Sigma as Part of the Six Sigma Excellence Program


In the last issue of the newsletter we introduced you to TriMark's Continuous Improvement culture and how this program blends the complementary approaches of Lean and Six Sigma because it is possible to reap the benefits of more than one CI methodology and not lose sight of the ultimate objective of the overall program.

As a quick review, TriMark's Continuous Improvement culture combines two complementary approaches - Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing. Continuous Improvement efforts focus on eliminating non-value added activities, reducing variation in all processes, and increasing the ability to meet internal and external customer requirements. TriMark's focus continues to strive towards being a competitive supplier to customers in all markets served.

Albert Einstein said, "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." This is a secret that TriMark and a long list of other successful companies share is their use of the Six Sigma approach. Six Sigma is a rigorous and disciplined methodology that uses data and statistical analysis to measure and improve a company's operational performance by identifying and eliminating "defects" in manufacturing and service-related processes. It is a disciplined, data-driven approach to process improvement aimed at the near-elimination of defects from every product, process, and transaction.

The purpose of Six Sigma is to gain breakthrough knowledge on how to improve processes to do things better, faster, and at lower cost. It can be used to improve every facet of business, including production, human resources, order entry, and technical support. Six Sigma can be used for any activity that is concerned with cost, timeliness, and quality of results--perfect for a producer. Unlike previous quality improvement efforts, Six Sigma is designed to provide tangible business results like savings that are directly traceable to the bottom line.


ALL Six Sigma projects are successful because they result in a process that performs much better than when the project started. Not all Six Sigma projects at TriMark deliver dollar savings but all have produced a change in method/process: some have reduced cycle time, some have reduced scrap, some have eliminated paperwork by making the process web-based, some have reduced cost, some have reduced or eliminated waste, and some have actually created a process where none existed before.


The Six Sigma methodology is used to achieve TriMark cost goals and seek continual process improvements and is based on the following core principles, measurements and participation levels of TriMark employee/owners:

Six Sigma Excellence is the 3M's:
  • A measurement of performance
  • A methodology for improving processes (DMAIC – Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control)
  • A mindset driven by top management that higher quality results in lower costs, increased productivity and enhanced customer satisfaction
Six Sigma Excellence is about success:
  • Relentless quest for meeting customer needs
  • Data-driven, fact-based decision making
  • Focusing on the highest priorities
  • Improving the processes
  • Rigorous alignment of actions with strategy
  • Measuring bottom-line impact
  • Transforming how people work
Six Sigma Excellence Roles:
  • Yellow Belts – all employees are trained on basics of 6 Sigma and contribute to continuous improvement
  • Green Belts – selected employees trained on basics of DMAIC and participate part time on projects
  • Black Belts – full time process improvement project leaders
  • Project Sponsors – those that create project charters and sponsor projects
  • Process Owners – those that maintain improved processes
  • Deployment Champions – high level managers that support Six Sigma and remove roadblocks to continuous improvement efforts
  • Financial Representatives – measure bottom-line impact of Black Belt project success

    Next Issue – Some TriMark Success Stories Resulting From a Positive CI Culture!
 
 
This e-newsletter is a service of TriMark Corp. and is produced by The Bearings Group
 

 





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