Truckable Economic Activity

As we had anticipated, TEA®, Truckable Economic Activity, slowed further in the second quarter of 2019 as the effects of the trade war and other headwinds took a toll on exports, imports and capital spending.

The pace of TEA growth had been accelerating steadily from the fourth quarter of 2016 through the third quarter of 2018 under the combined effects of pickup in business and consumer confidence and the changes in the tax laws in 2017 and 2018.

The announcement of a tariff on Chinese steel in March of 2018 was the opening salvo in what has turned out to be an escalating conflict that has had ramifications across the trucking economy. The chart below helps to explain just how much conditions have changed over the past four quarters.

In our latest quarterly TEA® newsletter, we fully explain why the trucking economy is doing less well today than it was a year ago. More importantly, we examine where the trucking economy might be a year from now.

Please contact John Blodgett for more information on how you can subscribe to this report and keep up to date on all that relates to Truckable Economic Activity.

Here’s more detail on TEA®.

Service Study and E-Commerce (2019 Studies)

These two studies have launched and are slated to be completed by the end of the year.

The Service Study, our in-depth analysis of the service side of the business, is conducted every four years. This year, our survey took a deep dive into telematics/fleet management software, technicians (current and future concerns), warranty service work as well as an analysis on over 25 component-specific service activities. With five previous studies, trends and shifts will be identified and explored. In addition to obtaining fleet data, we survey service providers on their current service offerings, bay capacity, hours of operation and mobile service capabilities. Our Service Study gives you a 360-degree assessment of the service side of the business.

Our E-Commerce Parts Purchasing Study re-examines this ever-changing landscape. Our first study, conducted two years ago, provided a solid foundation of data and analysis. This year’s study will both compare and highlight changes and new facets to this fast growing business model. More specifically, we will dive into why fleets are purchasing online, what parts are being purchased online, what other online activities are completed in conjunction with parts purchasing. Additionally, we are examining online parts sources - website attributes that fleets find most important, desired payment types and return policies.

These studies cover two of the hottest topics in our industry today . . . don’t miss the opportunity to gather detailed data on fleets’ current service practices and their E-Commerce parts purchasing needs and expectations.

Contact John Blodgett for more information.

Gen Alpha

Within the past month, MacKay & Company announced a strategic partnership with GenAlpha. GenAlpha provides eCommerce, eCatalog and customer portal solutions to assist manufacturing organizations with maximizing aftermarket profits and deploying E-Commerce strategies. Potentially one of the largest challenges facing OEMs is ensuring a strong E-Commerce strategy and the partnership of MacKay & Company and GenAlpha brings both expertise and creative solutions to meet this challenge.

To learn more about Gen Alpha, please contact John Blodgett.

DataMac® Australia

Looking beyond North America and Brazil, our DataMac® services are potentially headed for the land down under. Driven by interest among our client base, we are looking to offer this inaugural DataMac® study, examining aftermarket parts demand in Australia. Is this a market that interests your company? Given that we are in the beginning stages of this service, we are interested in your input.

Please contact John Blodgett to express your interest and obtain more information.