Industry Sector Overview 2009
September/October
A Transportation Equipment Dynasty
North America’s Largest Commercial Truck Dealer Weathers the Storm
By Christopher Moraff
Texans have a reputation for telling it like it is. So, when we wanted to get the skinny on how the domestic truck market is faring as the recession begins to wind down, we went to Rusty Rush, president and chief executive officer of Houston-based Rush Enterprises. Rush pulls no punches when describing the trauma the trucking industry, and his own company, have endured over the past two years.
ATA’s Economist Sees Trucking Rebound as ‘Slow Going’
By Gerald F. Parrotto
Publisher Jerry Parrotto recently spent some time with Bob Costello, chief economist of the American Transportation Associations. In an exclusive interview, Costello provided some valuable insights into the state of the trucking industry and explained why it probably won’t rebound as quickly as we would all like. We asked Jerry to sum up what he learned.
In the Face of a Downturn, Construction Equipment Industry Groups Launch Recovery Campaign
By Christian A. Klein
The sharp drop in construction activities and production of construction materials such as asphalt and cement have led to an unprecedented decline in equipment purchases. Just how bad is it for the construction equipment industry? A recent study, conducted by IHS Global Insights for two associations, paints a bleak picture. Now, the AED and AEM have combined forces to launch an aggressive campaign to tell the industry’s story on Capitol Hill.
Capital Equipment Markets; IT Leasing & Finance
Understanding Fixed Investment Spending for IT Equipment & Software
By Joseph Pucciarelli
As organizations worldwide fine-tune their 2010 business plans, one of the most important questions is the size and scope of their investment budget, which are critical for every organization because investments are about creating and affecting change. Whether it is improving a business’s competitive position, its operational efficiency, or the scope of goods and services it can bring to market, business investments shape an organization’s future.
The Agricultural Equipment Industry
A Set of Different Drivers
By Steve Duncan
While agricultural equipment has had a smaller storm to weather than construction equipment, it’s clear that manufacturers face challenges. Members report that credit has been a serious obstacle, and smaller equipment suffers from consumer caution. Larger tractors and combines have benefited from both a strong interest in ethanol, and inescapable population growth. As the recession eases and economies improve, agricultural equipment manufacturing should follow suit.
Financing Rural America: Farm Credit Leasing Has ‘Got it Covered’
By Stuart P. Papavassiliou
For this year’s industry sector overview, we thought it made sense to spend some time with Russ Nelson, president of CoBank’s Farm Credit Leasing. Nelson sheds light on the diverse aspects involved in financing rural America as well as the unique position Farm Credit Leasing occupies in that effort.
Today’s Vendor Market for Brokers
Serving the Underserved
By Linda P. Kester
Many leasing sales professionals are focusing on the negative events of this difficult time. The sales reps who use this time to build and deepen vendor relationships will be the ones who have the biggest book of business when the economy turns around.
Where Bankruptcy & Suretyship Law Collide
Creditors Prevail in the Ninth Circuit
By Lesley Anne Hawes
In a complex case, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has addressed a series of critical issues involving the operation and effect of a prepetition release by a surety and a “revival” provision in a settlement as well as the ability of an unsecured creditor to include in its unsecured claim attorneys’ fees and costs. The decision provides some important guidance for creditors in the drafting and enforcement of revival provisions in a settlement.
An Update on Payment Intangibles & Case Law Regarding a Lessor’s Rights as an Additional Insured
By Kenneth P. Weinberg
This edition of Dispatches from the Trenches covers two areas: 1.) to provide an update regarding the holding of In re Commercial Money Center regarding payment intangibles, and 2.) analyze a recent case that may make you question your reliance on certain certificates of insurance.
