Net orders for trailers in January increased a robust 28% year-over-year. This information was included in the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co.

“Seven of the ten trailer categories had year-over-year 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 year-over-year and month-over-month. 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,” he added.

Maly mentioned that build had been affected by the bitter weather that swept the country in January, falling 10% year-over-year.