In the current economic environment this project brings the punishment of Sisyphus to mind
Truck trailer production was expected to be down in 2008, but not down 31% on top of a 22% decline the previous year. The net effect is a 46% drop in output during the two-year period of the current recession. That is what a survey of the leading trailer manufacturers shows.
During 2008 the 30 largest trailer manufacturers produced 151,641 complete truck trailers, compared to 218,422 in 2007 and 282,750 in 2006. While the whole group was down 31% in 2008, individual manufacturers were down as much as 50% and 52% in unit numbers.
Rail data signals U.S. output stabilizing
Rail freight data from the United States show the first signs manufacturing activity may have stabilized and even be increasing slightly, albeit from a depressed base, Reuters reports.
In particular, the number of intermodal containers hauled on U.S. railroads in the week ending July 25 (162,799) was the highest since early January, according to data published by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
Multi-modal containers are extensively used for shipping manufactured items (as well as some agricultural produce); haulage data is the best real-time proxy for activity in the manufacturing sector.
While container movements show strong seasonal patterns, and typically reach a peak in the weeks following the July 4 holiday, the rebound this year has been stronger than in either July 2008 or July 2007, which may be an early indication that manufacturing activity levels have started to stabilize or perhaps even increase.
http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/e...ertraffic.html
Bulk freight shippers such as Genco and Dryships were paying millions just to cancel orders for new ships that were being built for their companies
Intermodal is the biggest game in town
Bulk freight is the start of the chain, the first indicator
..........well, I hope the EKO-rock is almost at the top of the summit then.! ............Maybe this time it won't fall back down.
