Beat the rush: Wabash opens 2027 order books
Wabash is now accepting 2027 production orders for its 2028 model year DuraPlate Dry Van and DuraPlate HD Dry Van trailers, advancing the 2027 production order cycle ahead of its traditional fall opening, the company recently reported.
"The trailer buying cycle has moved. Our customers are planning their 2027 fleet acquisitions right now, not in October, and they need us on their timeline," said Wabash President and CEO Brent Yeagy. "Fleets that plan early should be rewarded with better visibility, better certainty, and better availability in a manner that supports their business needs."
The decision follows months of direct conversations with fleet customers whose 2027 acquisition planning is already underway, the Wabash statement noted. Customers have consistently asked for earlier access to configurations, delivery windows, and pricing so they can align trailer procurement with capex approvals, tractor orders, and route planning cycles.
"Accepting orders for 2027 production van trailers now gives customers clarity on configurations and delivery windows, so that they can manage most effectively their total cost of ownership and ability to generate revenue, in one conversation," said Drew Schwartzhoff, chief commercial officer of Wabash. “Independent industry data supports the shift. Trailer order activity in early 2026 came in ahead of typical seasonal patterns, and analysts have noted a broader pull-forward in fleet planning as operators work to secure capacity and manage cost volatility in an improving freight environment.”
Preparing for the rebound
Similarly, on July 16 Wabash COO Donald Winston posted on LinkedIn that “readiness is earned long before the market recovers.”
“Market downturns reveal priorities,” Winston writes. “Some businesses pull back and wait for demand to return. Others use these periods as an opportunity to strengthen how they serve customers. We’ve taken the latter approach.”
He cited examples such as investments in current Wabash U.S. production facilities, building long-term supplier relationships, and expanding the company’s parts and service footprint.
“We’ve also strengthened our commercial organization, aligning sales leadership more closely with our operating businesses, so we’re better positioned to understand customer needs and respond faster across our portfolio,” Winston writes. “Those investments weren't made in anticipation of the next market cycle. They were made so we're prepared for it today.”
After hitting a 52-week-low closing price of $6.80 on May 18, Wabash stock (NYSE: WNC) more than doubled in less than six weeks, climbing to a 52-week high of $14.05 June 26. WNC closed Friday, July 15 at $13.44.
The company reports its second quarter earnings July 29.
See the August print edition of TBB for more coverage.
About the Author
Kevin Jones
Editor
Kevin has served as editor-in-chief of Trailer/Body Builders magazine since 2017—just the third editor in the magazine’s 60 years. He is also editorial director for Endeavor Business Media’s Commercial Vehicle group, which includes FleetOwner, Bulk Transporter, Refrigerated Transporter, American Trucker, and Fleet Maintenance magazines and websites.
Working from Beaufort, S.C., Kevin has covered trucking and manufacturing for nearly 20 years. His writing and commentary about the trucking industry and, previously, business and government, has been recognized with numerous state, regional, and national journalism awards.