Trailer Industry Strong in 2011; Good Forecast for 2012
The commercial trailer sector finished 2011 on solid footing and is well-situated for the third year of growth in the current cyclical recovery
The commercial trailer sector finished 2011 on solid footing and is well-situated for the third year of growth in the current cyclical recovery.
Net orders for total trailers grew 38% year-over-year, while build jumped 69%, according to State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research.
"Following some mid-year sponginess, the trailer industry ended 2011 on a particularly strong note," says Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT. "Orders in December were a virtual duplication of November's five-year high, backlogs rose to their highest level this cycle, and cancellations were virtually non-existent.
Vieth added, "Rising backlogs and low levels of cancellation activity speak to the strength of demand at the start of 2012."
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