COLUMBUS, Ind. — The commercial trailer sector ended 2011 on solid footing and is well positioned for the third year of growth in the current cyclical recovery, according to ACT Research. Net orders for total trailers grew 38% year-over-year, while build jumped 69%.

“Following some mid-year sponginess, the trailer industry ended 2011 on a particularly strong note: Orders in December were a virtual duplication of November’s five-year high, backlogs rose to their highest level this cycle, and cancellations were virtually non-existent,” said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT. “Rising backlogs and low levels of cancellation activity speak to the strength of demand at the start of 2012.”