ACT Research’s latest State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report has shown supply chain constraints continue to affect trailer orders during January.
ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report provides a monthly review of the current United States trailer market statistics, as well as trailer OEM build plans and market indicators divided by all major trailer types.
Reflecting a lower build rate, January’s backlog-to-build ratio increased to 9.9 months after averaging eight months since August of 2021.
With four more build days in January relative to December, build was four per cent higher month-over-month.
“That said, build per day decreased from the previous month’s unit-per-day rate,” said ACT Research Director CV Market Research & Publications, Jennifer McNealy.
At 24,300 units, 2023’s first month of net orders was nearly 58 per cent below December’s intake surge, but only nine per cent lower than what was received in January of 2o22.
The report found lower orders of both van types, as well as flatbeds, was offset somewhat by increased placement for lowbeds and tanks, with orders for dumps virtually unchanged.
“Demand overall remains strong, and cancellations are low, but we are hearing that some orders are being made to replenish dealer stock, rather than going directly to fleet customers,” McNealy said.
“OEM conversations continue to suggest supply-chain constraints, including labor, are likely to remain a limiting factor to production in 2023.”