Ex-Guard 2018 Q3 Newsletter

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IN THE

“ SOUTH

C O N T E N T S

Testimonial Since purchasing the Ex-Guard XG-150 for our entire OTR fleet over a year ago, we have experienced around 20 deer collisions, a couple of moose collisions and one elk collision. These collisions have only ever resulted in headlight damage – a far cry from the damaged grills, headlights and radiators that we once experienced. We have also had numerous bump-ins at travel stops where tractor/trailers and automobiles have backed into our equipment, and none of these have resulted in any damage to our equipment. Without a doubt, these bumper guards have been one of the best investments we have made in recent years. If any decision maker is concerned about the ROI on this product, rest assured, the return can be realized within the first 12-18 months factoring in repair costs, lost revenue due to downtime and other indirect costs.

1 . TESTIMONIAL 2 . 2018 TRUCKER JAMBOREE 6 . OPEN HOUSES 8 . DEALER SPOTL IGHT DAVE SYVERSON TRUCK CENTERS 10 . CASCADIA OWNERS WHAT ’ S YOUR BRACKET? 11 . 2018 EX-GUARD VS T-REX 12 . DEEP GUARDS 14 . GUESS THI S TRUCK 15 . DOUG’ S DIGEST OF TREMENDOUS TIPS 16 . SALES CORNER 18 . GUESS TRUCK ANSWER

Craig Poole Quest Global, Cartersville, GA

2018 Trucker Jamboree

THe EX-GUard booth On Thursday, July 12th, the Ex-Guard Marketing Team set up a display booth at the Iowa Truck Jamboree held at the I-80 World’s Largest Truck Stop in Walcott, IA. The Jamboree is a 3-day jam-packed event which includes a display of antique trucks, a Super Truck & Beauty Contest, 42,812 attendees, live music, Trucker Olympics, fireworks and some great food! It was our first time at the show as an exhibitor, so we were taking it all in. The weather was extremely hot and muggy all 3 days with a few rain showers, but the event was worth attending with all the beautiful, old and customized trucks that were on display. It was amazing to see how many antique trucks were restored to their original condition or in some cases, a ‘better than new’ condition! I’m sure many of these trucks brought back some good memories to the crowds of people that walked past them, snapping every picture they could take. Many Ex-Guard fans stopped by our booth to simply say ‘hi’ and let us know what a great product our company has to offer. Inside the booth, we had our lightweight black LT-325 guard on display equipped with the popular single-hand quick release latch system. We also displayed a silver XG-150, offering one of the best bumper and grille guard protection systems available to the trucking industry. We heard many testimonials from people telling us how their vehicles sustained a deer hit with very little or no damage equipped with the Ex-Guard Grille and Bumper Guard Protection System. As a matter of fact, a couple of attendees that gave their testimonial were so excited about our product, they spoke with people that dropped by our booth and let them know about their amazing experiences with Ex-Guard products. It was a great experience and we will be back next year! Bob Saxton

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Representing quality I’ve never been to the World’s Largest Truck Stop on Interstate 80 but as an Iowa native, I’ve been past it many times. For this to be my first visit to the truck stop as well as exhibiting the World’s Best Front End Protection, Ex-Guard obviously, I was psyched!! Each one of the show trucks was unique and some were just a class of their own like the Freightliner Classic saluting our Veterans and the 2006 Peterbilt 379 named ‘End of Watch.’ It was fun meeting so many truck drivers with different stories and different backgrounds and hearing what inspired them. Of course, there were several Ex-Guard users and admirers that stopped by to reiterate just how great of a product we offer. The collision stories we heard ranged from elk to deer to trailers backing into them but my favorite was the bear story. One driver hit a black bear at full speed with the XG-150 guard and said the bear ‘went flying, rolled over a few times and then got up and lumbered off!’ Once again, there was absolutely no damage to the truck and our Ex-Guard lovin’ driver was able to keep rolling. With all of this in mind, I can’t wait until next year and I hope to see more of you there! Nathan Holt

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THIS SPOT IS RESERVED FOR THE JAMBOREE VIDEO PLEASE SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

First Tradeshow experience As a new addition to the Ex-Guard Marketing Team, I was able to meet and learn about our customers at the I-80 Trucker Jamboree! This being my first event with Ex-Guard and as a person with not much experience in this area, I was very impressed with the creativity and style of the trucks. Everyone was so friendly. It was fantastic! Caitlyn Smallridge

 YouTube.com

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Amazing trucks Although the weather at the 2018 Trucker Jamboree was hot, humid and rainy, it was a very successful first show for Ex-Guard. I spoke with several fleet drivers and owner/operators who all had stories to tell about animals they had hit on the road. Many drivers had Ex-Guard Grille Guards so they were saved from truck damage and downtime where the other drivers weren’t so lucky. The show trucks were amazing and the details on some of the trucks were incredible! My favorite truck of all was a 2006 Peterbilt 379 called ‘End of Watch,’ a memorial to fallen police officers, which won first place in two different categories. Overall, I had a great time and can’t wait to return! Melissa Godron

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open houses EX-GUARD Q3

RWC & TEC EQUIPMENT Open House

On the 14th of June, in the year 2018, I arrived in the wilderness town of Spokane, WA. As I gallantly strolled down the main thoroughfare, the townsfolk gazed upon me as I approached the local RWC dealership. Some of the kind folks neared me and asked if I was with Ex-Guard Industries, to which I nodded with sheer delight. Upon hearing this news, they lifted me up on their shoulders and carried me to the main square, where they had prepared the finest display space for me and my grille guards. People traveled from near and far, just to catch a glimpse of the legend that is Ex-Guard. We enjoyed greatly detailed discussions about the tremendous products that stood before them and then when all the expectations of what we offer were satisfied, we feasted like kings on the glorious meal that was prepared for us. At the conclusion of the feast, I readied my trusty steed and we headed west into the sunset, as most legends do. I took shelter along the lakes and creek-sides for the next couple weeks, trying to keep a low profile. I had been tipped off by some of the local farmers that, because of our great success, some of our competitors had been trying to copy our style and mimic our strategies. I had to keep them off my tracks, it wasn’t too hard. On the morning of July 17th, I emerged from the rugged mountainous region that surrounds Seattle and made my way to TEC Equipment in Des Moines, WA. The leaders of this region had heard stories of the amazing products we offered and invited me to come share my knowledge with them and their people. They too set up an amazing venue for me to display our offerings at. They invited as many people as possible to come and partake in the festivities. An amazing assortment of chicken, beef and beverages were bestowed upon us as we gathered to discuss the incredible savings that we offer. The news of such an incredible product was so well received, that the elder statesmen invited me to their base camp, in a town called Portland, in the state of Oregon, so that I could share with their leadership group the amazing guards that we offer. I arrived in this quirky settlement on the morning of July 19th and made my way to the TEC Equipment base of operations. I was warmly greeted by their leadership team and they guided me to the grand platform that was set up for me to showcase our offerings. I quickly realized that word of our product had traveled well in this region. People from near and far had come to experience the best grille guard made in the USA. They marveled at the design and were impressed by the utilization of steel tubing in its build. “How can such a durable product be offered at such a great price?” many asked. I simply replied, “Because we want you to get an incredible value. You deserve it.” This resonated well with the townsfolk as well as the TEC leadership team. It was agreed upon that we had developed a great partnership and that we needed to keep spreading the word of our guards throughout their territories. They fed us well and offered great hospitality. At dusk, I prepared my gear and headed off into the sunset again. Where my next adventure may lead me, one may never know...but until next time, drive smart...drive with Ex-Guard. Dennis Geipel

Dennis Geipel Western Sales Consultant

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Truck Country Kaukauna Open House

It was great to be back at Kaukauna Truck Country to be able to return some support to them that they have consistently given us. The folks there are just great, hard working down to earth people. It is always a privilege to be able to showcase our full line of products to the industry in any given region and learn all the unique needs there. I was able to meet Bob Mitchel there, who is a current customer of Truck Country, and he makes a living hauling motorcycles around the country. He saw a niche opportunity and developed his successful company Mitchel Motorcycle Transport. The success of his company has allowed him to combine a lifelong love of racing and trucking and he has now entered his own truck in the fast-rising popular Semi Truck Racing Circuit state-of-the-art “Bandit Big Rig Series”. He is known as the “Iceman” on the track for his ability to stay calm in tense situations. Thank you Truck Country for giving us these opportunities! Malcolm Holt

Malcolm Holt Midwest Sales Consultant

RIhm Coon Rapids & Rihm KW South St Paul Grand Opening

Rihm Kenworth has been in business since 1932 and is one of the oldest Kenworth dealers in the world. They now have six locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. They recently held Grand Openings at their two new Minneapolis Metro locations on June 20 and 21. The Coon Rapids location held their grand opening in their new 75,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility on June 20th. On June 21st they held the grand opening at the South St. Paul facility which is 68,000 sq ft and again is state-of-the-art. Both of these facilities show the dedication that the Rihm family is giving to our industry. Kari Rihm, who is the CEO and President of Rihm Family Companies Inc., was on hand both days. There was a ribbon cutting to start the day off at the South St. Paul location. There were approximately 700 visitors on the combined days. There also were about 20 vendors of which we were privileged to be included. They even had Phenom Genetics bring one of their award-winning bucking bulls “Hy-Test” for the crowd to see and get pictures of. It was an educational and entertaining day for all who attended. There were 6 different food trucks at each of the days providing free food along with drinks poured by the Rihm employees that lent to the atmosphere. All in all, it was very beneficial for the industry to be able to meet and see all the energy being put into our trade to make sure it is sustained into the future. Malcolm Holt

Malcolm Holt Midwest Sales Consultant

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dealer spotlight

About Dave Syverson Truck Centers Dave Syverson Truck Centers is a family owned and operated business that has tremendous core values, and believes that abovenoneelse–ourcustomersalwayscomefirst.Ourfounder, Dave Syverson and his son Bob take great pride in getting to know our customers not only as business partners, but many as friends. Over the past 50 years, our organization has built upon these relationships and have continued to grow our business to the strength it has today. As we prepare to celebrate 50 years in business in 2018, we want to thank each and every one of our customers for their support and look forward to the opportunity to work with our new clients in the future!

ARE YOU AN EX-GUARD DEALER? EMAIL Marketing@Ex-Guard.com with your story to be featured in our newsletter.

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1968

Purchased Dave Syverson Ford/Truck Center

1975

Built Thermo King and began selling Dorsey and Merritt Trailers

1978

Expanded Truck Shop/Body Shop from 4 bays to 16 bays

1980

Added the Western Star Franchise

1984

Opened Trans West with Locations in Denver & Greely, CO, and Albuquerqe, NM Selling GMC & Freightliner Heavy Trucks

1987

Opened Dave Syverson Truck Center in Rochester, MN Selling Volvo & Freightliner having had multiple locations as well all over Minnesota

2005

Built our New Freightliner Operation in Rochester, MN

2011

Remodeled our Volvo Operation in Albert Lea, MN

2018

We will Celebrate 50 years in business!

9 DAVE Syverson Truck Center’s TIMELINE

ARE YOU AN EX-GUARD DEALER? EMAIL Marketing@Ex-Guard.com with your story to be featured in our newsletter.

What’s your Bracket Kit??? Cascadia Owners

Upper Tow Hooks ( XG-08FCACO ) Lower Tow Hooks ( XG-13FCAhp )

Plastic BUMPER ( XG-18FCA ) Metal BUMPER ( XG-18FCAE )

Cascadia ® AND Cascadia ® Evolution OLD GEN CASCADIA ®

New Generation Cascadia ®

Shows the deep guard - Needs Deep Guards. Radiator size does not effect bracket placement. Bumper material, Plastic (XG-18FCA) or Metal (XG-18FCAE) affects bracket kit selection.

Compatible with All Guards doesn’t need deep guard to allow full fog light visibility.

Tow Hook Placement will vary, as do corresponding bracket kits. Cascadia’s with lower tow hooks (XG-08FCACO) . Cascadia’s with upper tow hooks (XG-13FCAHP) .

Bumper materials doesn’t effect bracket kit selection.

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IN THE WILD EX-GUARD VS T-REX

THIS SPOT IS RESERVED FOR THE T-REX VIDEO PLEASE SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

 YouTube.com

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FEATURING THE EX-GUARD ®

DEEP XG SERIES

** D (Deep Base) Available in XG-DB100, XG-D125, XG- D150, XG-D195, LT-D325, LT-D350 XG-D150 Featured Below

Designed to compliment the vehicle contours

Made of a high-tensile steel, stronger PER POUND than aluminum or stainless steel

Easy install into tow hook receivers

Allows FULL DRIVING LIGHT RANGE

Collision avoidance systems fully functional

ADJUSTABLE DUAL ACTION Latch RELEASE system

AVAILABLE COLORS Metallic Silver, Black

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FEATURED xg-D125

DRIVING LIGHT XG-AC25

INCREASED VISIBILITY

The Ex-Guard Deep Guard’s are specifically engineered to fit the contour of the ’18 New Gen Cascadia’s front end. The design extends the base of the guard, allowing increased visibility to models with driving lights. The Deep Base is now available in the 100 series and 300 Series Guards. XG-DB100 XG-D125, XG-D150, XG-D195, LT-D325, and LT-D350. For models without driving lights Ex-Guard offers light tabs that mount to your guard. These lights can be paired with all guards including deep base models for increased visibility.

LIGHT TABS XG-AC10

LIGHT BAR XG-AC20 48LED, 144W & XG-AC21 60LED, 180W

FEATURED xg-D125

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GUESS THIS TRUCK

?

A. HINo 238 B. Freightliner Renegade C. WESTERN STAR 4700 Set-Back

D. Peterbilt 367 Set-Back E. mack gu713 Set-Back F. INTERNATIONAL 9900

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DOUG’s Digest TIPS TREMENDOUS OF

1 Trucks have a tightening wedge on the Ex-Guard bracket to remove any movement in the receiver. Make sure that they have been installed, and that if there is any movement in the receiver go ahead and retorque them to 75 ft lbs. JUST A REMINDEr, Your Volvo, Peterbilt & SOME KENWORTH 2 If you’re a hardworking trucker, then you know how a guard can get decorated with bugs. I’m proud of my truck and my truck shows it, that’s why I always keep a cloth and WD-40 with me. When you’re doing a quick wash, pressure, or even squeegee, you can quickly polish up your Ex- Guard. Take a chamois cloth and wipe down your guard with WD-40, and it will shine like new on the road. Want the Best SHine? 3 Grab our Black XG-PS005FP or Silver XG- PS020FP Ex-Guard patch kit, a caulk gun, putty knife, and some WD-40. Thoroughly clean the surface of your guard, apply filler using the caulking gun then smooth it out with your putty knife. Once the filler sets, give your guard a nice shine with some WD-40. DiD you hit something and need a repair on your coating?

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TOM HOLT Sales Corner Featuring

My experience in the trucking industry started Thanksgiving 2011 when I accepted a position at Ex- Guard. Talk about baptism by fire, abruptly entering an industry and sorting yourself out, this was it. Of course, my territory was a breeze, Maine to Mississippi. Once I found where I fit, I discovered that my first object would be to educate my prospects on the peace of mind and high monetary returns that justified “wearing” guards. One of my early customers, Quest Global of Cartersville Georgia, after having installed guards on over 100 of their trucks, taught me the value of our guards. James Vogler said, “These Guards [XG-150], are worth their weight in Gold”, and not only that, he proved it to me from their records. All this takes me back to my early years in selling. In 1967 my father bought a small industrial plastics business that had been dwindling through inattention. I, at eighteen years old, and my older brother were tasked with the job of making it successful. Being just a few months out of high school and untrained in sales, I tackled the sales end of the business and started knocking on doors. Not two years later, My Uncle Sam, who with a letter in the mail, intervened into my career in 1969. I was drafted into the US Army, trained as a combat medic, after which I was assigned to an x-ray position and served in Germany. During this time I had formal leadership training, I experienced a different part of the world. Learned German and visited the place where my Grandfather was born in Switzerland. Many of the soldiers that served with me missed the value of these experiences, but for me, I’ve carried them all my life and utilized them in my career. After two years I returned home to Tennessee and picked up where I left off in the family business. Not much had changed, I began revisiting my customers and connecting with new ones. I’m a curious person, which has helped me in understanding problems and developing solutions for customers. One big problem that a lot of our industrial clients faced occurred from

acid corrosion, once I learned this, it wasn’t long before I was able to help them get a more resistant product that would outlast the pipes they were working with. Experiences like this enabled me to build an ever- widening circle of prospects and introduce them to uses of our products that would increase their efficiency and reduce their expenses. One thing I noticed in 1971, upon my return, was that customers were anxious to meet with me. This differed from the years before 1969, turning into a very successful venture that continued until 1989. Thus mounting my career of consultative selling. I’ve taken my curiosity and creative solution thinking paired with my leadership training in the army into my career at Ex-Guard. In the same way that I was able to help my customers solve their acid wear problems, I was able to take an even stronger product and introduce it in the Eastern part of the U.S. for Ex-Guard Industries. I have had the opportunity to interact with many dealers and fleets to assist them in the decision to protect their investments, eliminate much of their accidental downtime, achieve lower operating expense and peace of mind. Having an excellent and durable product made this much easier. I have come across some very good stories from the road such as the one at MDI, where I was shown a bent XG-125 guard that had prevented a Ford Mustang from running under the steer tire of a Freightliner Columbia traveling at 65 MPH, avoiding serious injury or even death. Another one where a driver of a Mack had rear- ended a trailer of an extremely slow-moving truck, the Mack driver’s XG-125 guard had reduced the estimated cost of repair from $75,000 to $25,000. Then there was a Freightliner Cascadia equipped with an XG-150 grille guard. The Cascadia was traveling at Interstate speed when a car pulled directly in front of it from the shoulder, the strength and design of the guard caught the car broadside, as if in a safety net, pushing it down the highway until it came to a stop, the driver and passenger of the automobile escaped with minor injuries.

I have had the opportunity to interact with many dealers and fleets to assist them in the decision to protect their investments, eliminate much of their accidental downtime, achieve lower operating expense and peace of mind. “

Tom Holt

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// EASTERn

I’ve dedicated my life to working with people, selling them quality products that have improved and saved their lives. Looking back, I’ve worked hard to represent the character that my father instilled in me as a young man, starting fresh out of high school first as a machinist then in sales. He was a hardworking, honest, dutiful, and resolute man. I’ve used this as a model of character in my career. Even though these may be rare qualities to find nowadays, I’ve worked to develop these character traits with my team members at Ex-Guard. We have a great team, and I’m confident they will continue to represent these values as Ex- Guard expands. What are my plans for the future? I plan on following the road wherever it takes me, enjoying the ride and the stories along the way.

Tom Holt Business Development Manager

Tom Holt Business Development Manager, Ex-Guard Industries

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N E W S L E T T E R N E W S L T T E R GUESS THIS TRUCK ANSWER:

F.

TRuCK ANSWER: F. INTERNATIONAL 9900

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