Edition 7 - June 2009

 

 
























 

 








050-1100 6mm Single Rotor Latch

This new automotive style single rotor latch is designed for medium to heavy-duty applications for on or off-highway compartments and access panels. It features a modular case design that provides for multiple latch actuation direction and locations for application flexibility. Other product details include:

  • Compact size and shape allows for maximum use of door space and minimizes visibility issues
  • Dual position rotary latching function provides for vertical clearance of strike for door sag, misalignment and ease of installation
  • Use with 6mm diameter striker loop

System kits are available and include handles, latches and accessories to provide a comprehensive access solution.


060-1300 Flush Mount Security Lock


This new product is a redesign of our 060-0300 Flush Mount Security Lock for Recreational Vehicle entrance doors including Motor Homes and Travel Trailers. Providing additional security in a remote mounted lock, it features true deadbolt functioning and is adaptable to power lock actuation. Other product details include:

  • The KeyOne Plus locking system allows the operation of multiple onboard locking hardware with a single key or the option to key differently
  • Easy to install, the universal design is non-handed and the gasket is pre-applied.

System kits are available and include handles, latches and accessories to provide a comprehensive access solution.

For more information go to www.trimarkcorp.com/en/productnew.aspx.



 

 








TriMark Corporation's 2009 and 2010 tradeshow schedule is listed below. Please plan on visiting our exhibit booth if you are attending any of the following events.


The 47th Annual National RV Trade Show will be held December 1 ?3, 2009 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, KY.

With the recent success of The Work Truck Show )0 2009, including a 19% increase in attendance from the year before (the second highest attendance in the show's history!), The Work Truck Show 2010 promises to be a Don't Miss event!



 

National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show is a Big Success

 



By any measure, the 45th Annual NTEA Convention and The Work Truck Show 2009 held in Chicago during the first week in March was a huge success. Surely, no trade show's success should be based on attendance alone. But the crowd of 8,450 was outstanding given current economic conditions. It was the second highest turnout recorded at a Work Truck Show (the largest of more than 9,100 was in Indianapolis in 2007).

The mood of the show was buoyant and positive. There was a buzz in the hallways, restaurants, seminars and people were anxious to talk about how and when business will improve. By and large, exhibitors reported having a great show. They were pleased (and to some extent surprised) with booth traffic. Many exhibitors commented on the quality of the visitors as well.

Speaking of exhibitors, the show was a sellout with 492 companies, including TriMark, using every square foot (more than 500,000square feet) of exhibit space, many of them displaying new product offerings. Adding to the usual truck equipment industry offerings, the Green Truck Pavilion was the center of green technologies that are available today and will power work trucks for future generations.

Dave Root is TriMark's Account Manager for Specialty Vehicle Markets and his observations were consistent with many of the exhibitors and attendees. "We saw some very positive things come from the show in terms of new programs being presented by manufacturers. While there is obvious pressure on pricing, we had a tremendous amount of interest shown in one of TriMark's feature products ?the application of electronics to the mix of available truck body features. The convenience of being able to use a single controller to lock/unlock all of the truck body access points, as well as the security benefit, generated some very positive feedback. Electronics is a big growth area."


 

Account Manager Update

 

TriMark is pleased to announce the following change to our Account Management team:

Tom Neessen started work at TriMark earlier this year as the Account Manager for the Ag and Off Road Markets and he was recently promoted to Global Account Manager. His responsibilities include the continuation of managing the Ag and Off Road markets as well as leading the effort in strengthening TriMark's presence in large Global Accounts. Tom is a native of Cedar Falls, Iowa and attended the University of Northern Iowa. He brings to TriMark extensive experience (20+ years) in the precision factory automation and stampings industry with DT Industries and Doerfer Companies and is familiar with many of our customers in the Ag and Construction industries. His positions have included National Accounts Manager, Sales Manager, New Business Manager and Large Engineering Program Manager.

His accomplishments include:

  • Responsible for development/ restructuring sales organization - direct sale people and hiring a representative network totaling 15 professionals
  • Managing the sales effort in new business development in specific markets and accounts
  • Developed detailed plans to execute on all sales and marketing strategies for the organization
  • Effectively implemented new sales and business strategies for National and Global Accounts.

Please join us in welcoming Tom to the TriMark Sales Team


 

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to send a copy of this e-newsletter to a friend, colleague or associate, the Send to a Friend link at the bottom of this newsletter is a convenient method for providing them with their own personal copy.


 

 

TriMark Future Remains Strong - Update

 

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Well, we are starting to see a flicker but the tunnel is still one that is long and there may be some unanticipated twists and turns along the way. I shared with you in the last issue of the newsletter that we were issuing a cautious note of optimism and that observation has not changed. We continue to see increased activity in our core business sectors from current customers as well as new customers who recognize TriMark as a potential long-term partner.

One area we use as a sort of barometer is our project portfolio. If TriMark engineers are busy with the development of customer access solutions and products then it tends to bode well for additional manufacturing activity. From Product Engineering to product validation to the tool room, TriMark is extremely busy right now, so we see this as a positive signal but one we still view with caution.

One area which has seen no real decline in activity during this economic downturn is TriMark's Service and Replacement division. It's difficult to put a specific reason on why the business has not seen any fall off. It has been our observation that perhaps TriMark customers are using "downtime" to conduct maintenance and service that may be overdue.

We can never say enough how much we appreciate our good and loyal customers. Without your continued support and trust TriMark's future would not be nearly as bright as it is today. Thank you for your continued business and support.
Patti Knowlton
General Manager



 

New Product Development - Worldwide Collaboration

 

Earthmoving Hydraulic Excavators are very popular in China and the market for this equipment is growing quickly with many OEM's developing their own brand for market. When TriMark was first established in China it was fast revealed that a cab door handle suited especially for hydraulic excavator equipment was critical to long term success. Engineering teams in the U.S. and Europe were too busy to take on another development project and time was of the essence.

Local engineering talent was recruited for TriMark China to undertake the project. Wang Jing (Design Engineer), under the direction of Yang Weimin (Director of Technology), were assigned to design the product using a combination of features from other proven TriMark products along with some innovative ideas to reduce part count and manufacturing cost. Miss Wang took responsibility of the project from the very beginning and has added a great deal of value to TriMark in the process.

Her talents as an engineer were tested in developing a product that would fit in current applications without modification. Miss Wang diligently went to work studying the features of TriMark products and in the process learned the methods and practices of Engineering Changes in a global organization.

TriMark also wanted to incorporate design features that were shared with other products and proven to add strength and reliability. Using Pro/ENGINEER?and Windchill?the TriMark China engineering team worked with the engineers in the U.S. to review designs, exchange inputs and advice, and review features that would make the 030-2300 Excavator Paddle Handle a World Class product. Learning how to work within Windchill? and a totally new work culture proved to be an exciting byproduct of the collaborative engineering process.

Yang Weimin, TMX Director of Technology commented on the development project "The support I received from the US engineering teams are HUGE; the project team, product team, test team, R&D team, machine/assembly department, purchasing team, PIC?I appreciate that they helped me with everything without question."

There has been outstanding personal growth in TriMark's China engineering team as well. Miss Wang is now involved in application engineering for customers, working with corporate engineers in managing engineering changes and providing suppliers engineering input on products in development.

The 030-2300 is the result of the joint TriMark teamwork in both engineering design and learning the challenges and rewards of working on a team that is spread around the world. Tooling for this product is nearly complete and production is expected to begin within the next several months with several interested OEMs.

It is expected that this will be the first of many new projects that will utilize simultaneous engineering and global collaboration to allow TriMark to design faster, while maximizing innovation and quality and to ultimately create exceptional products for the benefit of its global customers.



 

TriMark continuously strives for Excellence and to exceed Customer Satisfaction

 

At TriMark, one of the key reasons we continue to experience a high level of positive customer relationship feedback is because we always strive to meet and exceed a customer's requirements regarding supplier quality. We really do put our reputation on the line every time an order is placed for one of our high-quality products.

TriMark's USA facility has been ISO 9001:2000 Certified since 1995. However, in March of 2009 TriMark became ISO/TS 16949:2002 (with product design). Our United Kingdom facility has been ISO 9001:2000 Certified for warehouse, sales and distribution since 1995. In January of 2009 the UK facility became ISO 9001:2000 Certified for manufacturing and assembly of plastic injection molded products. In addition, this facility is certified per ISO 14001:2004 for Environmental Management.

In December of 2008 we were notified that both the TriMark USA and United Kingdom facilities achieved Caterpillar Supplier Excellence Process Certification for MQ1105 Standard-Bronze Level. Click here to view Caterpillar notification.



 

TriMark's Armored Vehicle Hardware Systems Division Continues to Gain Momentum

 

Since the last issue of this newsletter, TriMark's Armored Vehicle Hardware Systems Division has been very busy recently participating in two large military industry events with the goal of increasing the awareness and relevance of the TriMark brand in this key market.

At the AUSA (Association of the United States Army) 2009 Winter Symposium and Exposition in February, TriMark introduced its latest innovationthe COMMANDoor power assisted door module with a fully functional demonstration door. The COMMANDoor fully integrates mechanical blast locks and a primary FMVSS latch with a power-assist actuation system that is controlled with a single, easy to operate, control handle.

TriMark's Kevin Roths states, "We had a very good exposition and the COMMANDoor product was a real hit. We had the opportunity to speak with all of the prime contractors for armored vehicles, and without exception, their business development, program management and engineering personnel were impressed with the COMMANDoor's simple and safe function, full integration and ease of use. With input from this highly qualified audience, we were able speak to the product's flexibility and the many customizable options available to fit the unique needs of each individual vehicle."

TriMark also participated in the IDGA (Institute for Defense and Government Advancement) 2nd Annual Tactical Vehicles Summit this past April. This event focuses on the challenges ahead for the MRAP and JLTV, including testing needs and future development. The IDGA is an independent entity that caters to all branches of the military and therefore attracts a real cross-section of attendees to its events. As a key sponsor of the event, TriMark had unrestricted and exclusive access to the entire list of speakers--many of whom were high ranking military personnel.

Kevin Roths reports, "We had the COMMANDoor demonstrator on display at this event, too, and once again, there was a great deal of interest in the product and a desire to have vehicle specific application follow-up discussions. Both military and prime contractor personnel were impressed with the operation and simplicity of the COMMANDoor, so we strongly believe this product has a bright future in filling the military's need to simply and safely open and close heavily armored vehicle doors and ramps on any grade or terrain."



 

5S ?One Component of Lean

 

In earlier issues of this newsletter we've discussed TriMark's commitment to Continuous Improvement and how we as a company embarked on our Lean journey back in 2007. This journey has paid many dividends for both TriMark and the customers we serve. In this issue of the newsletter we would like to give you a closer look at one of the key components of Lean ?5S.

TriMark's Lean Steering Committee (LSC) was formed with a focus on laying the foundation of Lean at TriMark. The foundation consists of a 5S System, Visual Factory Management, and Value Stream Mapping. Let's take a closer look at what the 5S component is and how it contributes to an overall Lean approach.

What is 5S?

We consider 5S and Visual Controls to be the organizational tools that provide the necessary groundwork for workplace improvement as well as laying the foundation for Lean Manufacturing systems. The 5S discipline requires clearing out things which are not needed in order to make it easier and faster to obtain the tools, parts and information that are needed.

Companies that practice 5S cite the following benefits:

  • Reduced inventory
  • Reduced machine downtime
  • Office and plant space made available
  • Improved productivity
  • Improved morale
  • Increased levels of product quality
  • Improved delivery
  • Improved safety


The key targets of 5S are workplace morale and efficiency. The concept of 5S is that by assigning everything a location, time is not wasted by looking for things. Additionally, it is quickly obvious when something is missing from its designated location. 5S advocates believe that the benefits of this methodology come from deciding what should be kept, where it should be kept, and how it should be stored. This decision making process should lead to a dialog which can build a clear understanding between employees of how work should be done. It also instills ownership of the process in each employee. As a result, it is often executed in tandem with standard work which standardizes the processes in which the items organized in 5S are used.

What Are the 5Ss?

The 5Ss are Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain.

Click here to take a closer look at each.



 

Survey Response and a New Question

 

In the last issue of this newsletter (February 2009) we asked the following question:

"We've all been living and breathing the "stimulus" package for the past 30 days, and with its signing earlier this week, we'll start to see some of the funds starting to flow. Do you think the "stimulus" package contains enough of an immediate focus on business and the challenges they face in maintaining or creating new jobs?

The verdict is in and 66% of respondents answered a resounding "No" to that question.

It's now been approximately 3 months since we asked that last question so keeping to the same general theme, we invite you to answer this question:

Is the stimulus having any positive impact on your business right now?

( )

Yes

( )

No

[Submit Response]

Use this link if the form above doesn't work

 




 

 

This e-newsletter is a service of TriMark Corp. and is produced by The Bearings Group

 

 

 

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