The trailer industry has changed dramatically over the years. Not

only have there been many federal mandates established to improve safety, but new trailer manufacturing procedures and components are being used to help prolong the life of a trailer. With proper care and maintenance, trailers manufactured today have an average life span of 12-15 years for normal over-the-road trucking. The majority after that time frame are sold or traded and used as local cartage or storage trailers.

Is Renting Right for You? When you rent, you enjoy the freedom of not having any specific or

equipment obligations. Your rental allows you to ramp up for seasonal or unexpected peak volume and ends when you return the trailer. How long you need the trailer is an important consideration. On average, customers utilizing equipment for their seasonal peak volume rent the trailers for one to six months.

To Rent or Buy: How to Decide What’s Best for You By Steve Blum, Senior Account Manager, Omaha

hen the company that

would eventually become AT&S opened for business, growth was tracked in ledger books. Now, we use sophisticated software to track everything from inventory to mileage.

I’m undeniably impressed with how these changes have streamlined our business, but as AT&S celebrates 20 years of service, I understand how essential the right team and the right attitude are for success.

When we opened our doors in 1994, we had only a few trailers. What we didn’t have was an office, equipment or any customers. Within a few years, all that changed. We became the first Hyundai semi-trailer dealer in the United States, established a sizable inventory of storage trailers and opened operations in St. Louis and Omaha.

Celebrating 20 Years of BusinessOpportunity Often Comes Disguised as a ChallengeBy Rick Honan, President

Inside Driver Goes Extra Mile for Customers . . . .2Mail-Order Meals In Time for the Holidays . .3

fall 2014

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Rick Honan

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aTandSonline.com « 888-765-7771

As the industry became more competitive we obtained our own delivery fleet and ERP system. More important than any of this, we had – and continue to have – employees who truly care about our customers and the work they can do for them.

I’m reminded of a customer who needed 400 trailers in the middle of a hard winter and they needed those trailers in a very short amount of time. The team moved into high gear and pulled in trailers from all over the Midwest. The trailers were delivered on time, without difficulties. We were all proud of a job done well. It’s how we approach every assignment that crosses our desks and dashboards. Big or complicated jobs aren’t seen as a challenge – they’re recognized as an opportunity.

Business trends may come and go, devices will go out of date, and the services we offer will expand and diversify. There’s one thing that will never change: Our customers will always work with people who take pride in their work. Thank you for 20 years of opportunity.

Celebrating 20 Years of Business

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2 The Box « american Trailer & Storage

To Rent or Buy: How to Decide What’s Best for You

Some additional benefits of renting are: u Renting trailers frees up capital that

may be needed to help bolster other areas of your business.

u Renting trailers allows you to react quickly to new or growing business opportunities.

u Renting gives you time to evaluate new business and determine whether or not you can justify purchasing new trailers.

If you have a requirement to cover a short-term load or a seasonal need, renting provides you with maximum flexibility to meet your company’s needs.

Should You Try to Buy?When deciding to purchase a new trailer

(or several of them), you must first decide whether you want to lease or finance the new equipment. Both are considered long-term investments, unlike renting. At many dealerships, including AT&S, there are many different financing options. It’s important to seek out connections with various financial institutions to meet any type of finance/lease package you are looking for.

Whether you finance your new equipment or do a lease/purchase somewhat depends

on your tax situation. A straight finance usually requires a down payment of 10 to 20 percent. This type of loan reduces available credit lines and may have a negative impact on your balance sheet. However, you’re allowed to keep the depreciation under this situation. If you have cash available for a down payment and you would like to take advantage of the depreciation, financing makes sense.

The TRAC lease probably is the most common lease purchase option available today. With a lease purchase there is no down payment; however, there is a residual at the end of the lease, which is usually 10 to 20 percent. These can also be an operating lease on your financial statements and can be considered off-balance sheet financing. Lastly, TRAC lease payments can be completely expensed.

Still Debating?Figuring out what’s best for our customers

is the first priority. No matter what size job you need, we can accommodate you and your company. Talk to an AT&S sales associate at any of our three Midwest locations for more information or visit our website to get an online quote. «

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For nearly 15 years, Justin Carril has been on the road, and it’s a job he enjoys. “I like my work and I like

doing the work well – it’s important to me,” said Carril. The nature of the work requires that drivers be accountable to themselves, their company and the customers they serve.

“Justin is a very skilled driver and can drop equipment in customer locations that might be difficult for a less competent driver,” said Operations Manager Dan Svetina. “We have received numerous phone calls from our

customers telling us how professional and skilled he is when he picks up and drops off equipment.”

Carril lives in Marine, Illinois, with his wife and son. In his free time, Carril is a long-time member of the

Shriners organization and has been a volunteer firefighter in his community for more than seven years. «

Driver Justin Carril Goes Extra Mile for Customers

Justin Carril

3aTandSonline.com « 888-765-7771

for the past three years, Brad Graham, the inventory logistics manager at Omaha

Steaks, has depended on AT&S for storage and trailer needs during the company’s busiest time of the year. “In November and December, we’re doing a lot of business. AT&S helps us keep up with holiday orders.”

Seasonal usage works to Omaha Steaks’ advantage. Using rental trailers allows the gourmet meals provider to move supplies and product from various plants in the region to its distribution centers. From there, orders are filled and shipped to customers in time for Thanksgiving meals and Christmas dinners.

Omaha Steaks moves a total of about 4 million packages a

year and is the largest small-parcel direct shipper of gourmet foods in the United States. With this kind of volume, dependable

product transportation isn’t a question. “More than once we’ve needed more trailers than we initially ordered and AT&S took care of us,” said Graham, “and they did so quickly, too.”

Asked if he would recommend AT&S, Graham was quick to say yes, adding, “They’re always willing to help us out and adjust to our needs accordingly.” «

Mail-Order Meals In Time for the HolidaysOmaha Steaks Arrive On Time With AT&S

The Kansas City AT&S office recently applied for and received a Foreign

Trade Zone (FTZ) designation from the United States Department of Commerce Foreign-Trade Zones Board. The zone plan has been approved through 2017.

These zones give companies that ship their products internationally a place to hold or store their goods and products without incurring import duties or customs taxes. “The designation gives us the opportunity to offer both current and potential customers more flexibility in short-term storage without the extra burden of additional taxes,” said AT&S President Rick Honan. “For seasonal items, like holiday decorations, FTZs help businesses keep moving forward.”

Kansas City has long been a major hub for transportation. With the river, railways, major interstate junctions and, more recently, the new intermodal facility in Edgerton, Kansas, the area has been gaining more traction for global transportation needs. The costs associated with transportation weigh heavily in many companies’ decision process, making the Midwest an attractive location for new or relocating businesses.

“The FTZ designation gives Midwestern organizations the ability to move their goods from shipping containers to storage containers and keep them in a secure environment while deferring the duty until the items ultimately reach the fee owner and get processed,” said Al Figuly, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Foreign Trade Zone. “It’s crucially important for third parties and beneficial owners and holders to have a local intermediary step, and that’s what FTZs provide.”

aT&S Granted foreign Trade Zone Designation in Kansas City

The Box is a publication of American Trailer &

Storage, Inc. AT&S is a privately held, Kansas

City-based company. The strong Midwestern

work ethic is the foundation of our service. No

customer is too big or too small for us.

To learn more about how we can help your

business grow or to get a quote on equipment,

go to our website, www.atandsonline.com.

Questions or Comments?

Phone: 888-765-7771

Email: sales@atandsonline.com

Follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook!

© 2014 Trozzolo.com

American Trailer & Storage6900 East 39th StreetKansas City, MO 64129

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liThO-GRAPhicS

Getting On BoardLocal and National Associations Strengthen Business and Community

In almost every industry, there’s a group or an association created to give a voice to its members. Years ago, the portable storage industry didn’t have

one. AT&S Founder Dick Honan took action and helped create the National Portable Storage Association (NPSA) in 2002. The association strives to develop products and services that help members increase business and reduce expenses, while also dedicating efforts to advancing regulatory and workforce measures. As of 2014, the NPSA has more than 500 members in 48 states and 35 countries.

Dale Martens, AT&S vice president of sales, has been on the board of the National Trailer Dealers Association for the past three years. “It’s a great way to stay on the leading edge of industry news and developments while networking with industry professionals,” he said. Martens is also a member of the Technology, Maintenance and Safety Council with the Missouri Trucking Association.

Locally, AT&S employees have served on the boards of the Kansas City Transportation Association (KCTA) and Blue Valley Industrial Association (BViA). Both of these Kansas City organizations were created to form a network

of support and advocacy for businesses in the area. BViA in particular has a long-established history in East Kansas City and the association puts special focus on workforce education and industrial retention and development.

“It’s a honor to be involved with these associations,” said Rick Honan, AT&S and BViA president and 2008-2009 president of KCTA. “It’s been my experience that you get what you give when you get involved. The associations have given me the chance to know and work with some fantastic people who are always willing to lend their expertise and advice.” «

“ The associations have given me the chance to know and work with some fantastic people who are always willing to lend their expertise and advice.”

– Rick Honan, AT&S