In Person at 2023 ExpoTransporte
John Blodgett is planning to attend 2023 ExpoTransporte in Guadalajara next week - November 15-17. John would be happy to meet you to further discuss DataMac Truck & Bus Mexico, MacKay & Company’s comprehensive look at the aftermarket in Mexico for medium and heavy trucks, trailers, coach and transit buses, as well as our other services.
If you are also planning to be there and wish to connect with John, please reach out and let him know.
Contact John Blodgett or call 630-916-6110.
The wheels fell off at Yellow. Are we done?
Commentary by Stu MacKay
September isn’t usually considered a “cruel” month, like January, but it certainly turned cruel for Yellow Freight (aka YellowRoadway, YRC, etc.).
Far too many fingers are pointing in far too many directions to definitively assess the real blame for Yellow’s collapse. The laundry list includes the Teamsters, previous acquisitions, past and current management, financial mismanagement, competitive environment, cheap freight — and maybe even the weather.
There’s probably enough blame to spread around each of these causal factors and still have some left over for things we’ve left off the list.
It wasn’t always this way. Scroll back with us to 1980, the year that deregulation of the trucking industry (and other industries) was put in place. Yellow Freight System was the fourth largest for-hire Class 1 carrier in operation, trailing only UPS, Roadway and Consolidated Freightways. Yellow grossed $716 million in 1980, well behind UPS’ $3.9 billion and Roadway’s $1.1 billion but not far behind CF’s $936 million.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that Yellow lost $14 million in 1980; all the other top four companies were profitable. Yellow was not alone; 50 of the top 100 for-hire carriers lost money that year. In their defense, it was a recession year with serious inflation. However, UPS managed to pocket $160 million, Roadway $42 million and CF $14 million. Did Yellow’s troubles go all the way back to 1980?
Of the top 100 for-hire carriers operating in 1980, only 10 are with us today; 90 are either completely gone or have morphed into something quite different from what they were in 1980. Some have catapulted from way down the list in 1980 to near the top today:
CRST was No. 100 in 1980; today they are No. 24.
Old Dominion was No. 81; today they are No. 2 on the LTL list.
Schneider was No. 32 in 1980 and is now fifth on the truckload carrier list.
J.B. Hunt wasn’t even in the top 100!
So, are we done? None of us know for sure. But if history is any predictor of the future, we are probably not done.
With companies like Walmart and Amazon running fleets as large or larger than the biggest carriers in 1980, the truck freight business continues to change. Somebody else, however, may have to report on what it looks like 10 years from now!
Reprinted from TPS Newsletter, Nov 6,2023
HDAD 2024
HDAD 2024 is around the corner!
Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for a full day dedicated to the Aftermarket. From the “Talk from the Top” with Macks Trucks’ President, Jonathan Randall, to perspective on the Aftermarket in 2035-2050 to “Distributor CEO Viewpoints” to the Fleet panel discussion AND MORE! This day is filled with fast-paced panel discussions providing you with insights and the latest happenings in the medium and heavy truck industry.
Several discounts and specials are available upon registration. To check out the HDAD2024 Agenda and to register for the event, please visit HDAD2024.
For more information, please contact John Blodgett or call 630-916-6110.
In the Changing Service Equation, What Challenges Lie Ahead?
On an annual basis, MacKay & Company’s DataMac Truck product provides an in-depth look at both the parts and service of medium and heavy duty trucks and trailers. Every five years, we take an even closer examination of the service side of this equation for both power units and trailers — from both fleets’ and service providers’ perspectives. What is it that fleets are looking for AND what are service providers doing to meet these needs?
MacKay & Company’s 2024 Truck & Trailer Service Study will take a look at a number of service-related topics:
What does the service opportunity look like today?
What are fleets looking for in a service provider?
What are fleets’ trailer service needs?
How has technology impacted fleets’ service decisions?
What can component suppliers do to support the service channels?
...and many more!
Are there service-related topics that you and your team are interested in learning more about? This Study will also address topics that are specific to Study participants. By committing to the Study early on, you and your team will have the opportunity to include topics that you wish to explore.
A detailed prospectus is available. Reach out and we will be happy to send it along for your review.
Contact John Blodgett or call 630-916-6110 for more information.
DataMac Truck & Trailer Canada Webinar
If you are a DataMac Canada subscriber, mark your calendars for Thursday, November 30th at 11:00 CST.
MacKay & Company will be reviewing the latest 2023 DataMac Truck Canada Report that was released earlier this fall including the Canadian economic news, the Canadian aftermarket and the forecast for the coming year.
Look for your invitation to arrive this week and register to attend.
For more information, contact John Blodgett or Molly MacKay Zacker or call 630-916-6110.
DataMac Ag Lube
Our annual DataMac Ag Lube report and application will be released before year’s end. DataMac Ag Lube explores current and projected replacement lubricant consumption for tractors (6 HP sizes) and combines by hours of use and acreage. At 84 million gallons, nearly 3% more lubricants and fluids were consumed throughout 2022 by farm vehicles in operation when compared to 2021.
Interested in the latest detailed data on six lubricant types: engine oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, DEF, gear oil and oil additive? Subscribers to DataMac Ag Lube have online access to data on all lubricant types with analysis shown in both dollars and units.
For more information, contact John Blodgett or Molly MacKay Zacker or call 630-916-6110.