Originally published at: Double whammy for Wabash: 2 key agencies cut debt rating on trailer builder - FreightWaves
The two leading ratings agencies have cut their ratings on trailer builder Wabash National.
With Trump’s tariffs; why is Wabash not in a better position? Wabash has always done a good job using “made in USA” materials, such as its trailer walls “Duraplate” walls (that all other OEM"s have copied / stolen the IT over the years). Same for the high base rail. Wabash designed it; all others copied it. Are they paying Wabash for design use? Wabash has also published long term deals with US steel suppliers for many other components. WHY is Wabash not thriving then, with Trump’s tariffs vs “made in China” which many other OEM’s get their parts from, such as Vanguard (CIMC)? If I were Wabash, I’d ask gov’t for dumping investigation. Make sure Vanguard, Stoughton, Great Dane, Hyundai, etc are not undervaluing the imports (which can be done by saying "the value is mostly in the IT; not the actual imported mfg). Bullshit. The value is in subsidized, underpriced, imports . Please ask Wabash to have Trump team take a look at Wabash competitors declared value of all their imported parts shit. IF cheating? CRUSHING tariffs & antidumping duties. Don’t worry about offending customers; if they don’t value “made in USA” ignore the traitors.
James Bauman dba Kirplopus MC 895097. Sure, orders are down due to cap-ex of legacy fleets; but they still exist. Legacy knows these OEM’s need to survive .