I’m aware of any issue that might come up.
We continuously communicate and review,
so we can get better.
NATDA: How does Bear Track Trailers
maintain a superior level of quality
throughout the manufacturing process?
SUCKOW: We’re an ISO-certified
company, which helps shape our quality
and its impact on the products. Another
big factor is our engaged workforce taking
personal pride in what they’re building. We
stand behind our products and refuse to
produce inferior products.
NATDA: What issues do you feel the
trailer industry is currently facing? How
is Bear Track Trailers working around
these potential issues?
SUCKOW: The immediate issues have
to do with tariffs and material costs, as
well as hiring and retaining employees. I’ve
worked in the aluminum industry for 35
years, but the last 12 months have been the
most interesting.
As it relates to tariffs and costs, we’re doing
everything we can to contain them. Our
team has worked hard to offset the impact
by continuously improving cost reductions,
as well as working with our supply chain
28
partners. We’ve eaten some of the costs,
but, ultimately, it has led to higher prices.
The tariffs have affected our business, but
we’re not the only manufacturer feeling it.
The whole industry is. At the end of the
day, the consumer is the one feeling it the
most with higher priced trailers.
A shrinking pool of qualified workers is a
huge concern. We’re looking at innovative
ways to retain good employees and
attract new talent. I also feel issues with
transportation and logistics will continue
to worsen.
NATDA: What kind of influence has
the new ELD mandate had on orders
further away from your manufacturing
facilities, especially those in Canada?
SUCKOW: The cost of freight is
something that has increased over the year.
When we break down costs and programs
we offer to dealers, freight has become
a very big variable in total trailer costs.
Depending on distance from our shop,
freight can be as high as 10% or more of
the total order. Our sales team has done a
great job working with our dealer network
on trailer order mix to maximize loads as
well as utilizing promotions to help offset
the costs.
NATDA: Do you have any new
products on the horizon that dealers
should be excited for?
SUCKOW: We always have a few
projects in front of our engineering team
and are continually working with our
dealer network to ensure our product mix
is meeting customer demands.
NATDA: Can you share any thoughts
on what kind of year 2019 will be for
Bear Track Trailers? OR Do you have a
sense yet of what 2019 will look like for
Bear Track Trailers and how it would
compare with 2018?
SUCKOW: I have a good feeling about
2019. We’re positioning ourselves with
good dealers in the right markets to see
growth. Our sales and marketing team is
getting aggressive on growing our dealer
network. Like any company, we’ve hit a
few bumps along the way, but they help us
evolve. We’re setting up for a great year.
For more information on Bear Track
Trailers, please visit
www.beartracktrailers.com or call
800-417-0504.
NATDA Magazine www.natda.org