Net orders for trailers in January increased 28% over the same period a year ago, according to the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers, published by ACT Research Co.
“Seven of the ten trailer categories had y/y growth in January,” said Frank Maly, Director – CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT. “Particular strength came from reefer vans, which rose 80% from year-ago levels, tank trailers, which saw triple-digit gains from cancellation depleted results in early 2013, and heavy lowbeds which posted high double-digit gains y/y and m/m.
“The industry is in the midst of its annual ‘order season’ and January’s orders helped backlog open the year with a solid 8% m/m gain.”
Maly mentioned that build had been affected by the bitter weather that swept the country in January, falling 10% y/y.