Trailer orders reach near high in December

Freight analyst FTR says trucking companies seek to build capacity in anticipation of strong freight environment in 2015.    Orders for truck trailers reached 45,500 in December, the second highest month ever recorded, according to the freight analyst FTR Associates.
   The number of orders was 1.5 percent below October 2014, the highest month on record. Trailer orders for 2014 totaled more than 360,000, by far the best order year ever, FTR said.
   “Dry van orders set an all-time record, as original equipment manufacturers aggressively sought orders to book into the third and fourth quarters,” FTR said. “Refrigerated van orders were also at an impressive pace.”
   “The trailer market is blazing hot as fleets continue to lock-up future build slots in anticipation of a strong freight environment this year,” said Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles, in a statement. “Fleets are placing orders for vans and flatbeds out through the end of the year. Manufacturing capacity is still tight, however several OEMs have plans to increase build rates during the year.”
   FTR tracks the trucking, rail, and intermodal industries.