In a normal year, Gordon Trucking Inc. might replace 20% of its fleet of 1,500 big rigs with new trucks. But given the bleak outlook for the freight business, the Pacific, Wash., hauler doesn't intend to buy a single new truck next year.A common theme these days - reduced capital spending - and in this case a reduction from 300 trucks annually to zero for this trucking company.
"We're settling in for nuclear winter in the first half of 2009," says Steve Gordon, operating chief for the company ...
In most industries it is the capital equipment companies that really get hit in a business downturn. For freight, it is manufacturers of tractor trailers, rail cars and ships.