trucking industry forecast 2023

The truck driving job market is offering great prospects for drivers in the next years. 2023 Heavy Duty Trucking, Bobit. application of technology that is now being experienced. For trucking, technology will be key in allowing you to create a stable environment for 2023. Another trend that is expected to shape the trucking industry in 2023 is the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Transportation Market Trends 2023 | HUB International Learn with HUB International what you can expect and how to prepare for the transportation market trends and insurance rate changes for 2023. production operations to newer locations, in order to meet the ever-growing The rising fuel costs have always been a major concern for trucking companies. In 2019, we started to see seasonally adjusted employment decline, and we're not at that point yet.". 1110 Pumping Station Road Nashville, TN 37210 Phone: 615.256.5755 Fax: 615.726.3568info@mwlginc.com. 5: Turbocharging digital and technology innovation. Its possible rates have started climbing again for their businesses, but FreightWaves National Truckload Index (NTI.USA) a seven-day moving average of spot rates has continued to drop, There is consensus that [spot] rates will turn around once we move past the first half of 2023. Its an essential part of the economy, and its estimated that over 70% of all goods in the United States are transported by truck at some point. Trucking is also staying laser-focused on regulatory . within this industry. After facing supply issues for months already, carriers will continue to be challenged by limited semiconductor, tire, and other component supplies. All Rights Reserved. The low prices that truckers currently operate at are considered to be and one that is sure to be seized in the coming months and years. Inflation, supply chain challenges, and rising interest rates lead to another challenging year. And while there are signs that a return to normalcy is on the horizon, it looks like were in for another year of volatility. Insurance premium costs per mile increased by 47% in the last 10 years. until the market becomes more favorable. So, lets take a look at our trucking industry forecast for 2023. 4: Making America's transportation network more resilient. ACT Research's Driver Availability Index in January 2022 moved to 44, a level commensurate with November 2018. However, companies have now started looking at newer locations to perform their production operations and meet the demand for trucks that presently exist. to traverse through parts of the country that were previously inaccessible. a much wider customer base, thanks to the fact that it is now easier for trucks Trucking Industry Trends All the trucking industry trends are indeed likely to influence the entire US trucking industry in 2023. The trucking industry is a vital and ever-evolving sector that plays a crucial role in the global economy. Copyright LoadStop, Inc. All Rights Reserved. A market flip is expected to emerge in 2023. what the industry had in the past. With inventories still higher than the pre-pandemic trend line, he said, it raises concern, as we expect consumption to fall off over the next two or three quarters.. At Drive M&W, we help our drivers stay in the know and offer flexible schedules to help you select what work you can realistically be involved in. We respect your data and privacy. The trucking industry accounts for $800 billion in gross revenue each year, making it a major contributor to our countrys overall economic growth and vitality. In recent months, many trucking companies have been forced to close Our trucking course gives you the opportunity to gain knowledge, develop skills and get hands-on instructions that will help you start your new career! This is good news for truck drivers as it means that there will be more opportunities for work. Truck Rentals: Be sure to plan out for busy seasons in 2023, as availability of rental trucks will continue to be a challenge. Unfortunately, hiring and retaining drivers continues to be challenging for many trucking companies. 10940 SW Barnes Road #115, Portland, Oregon 97225. The ever-evolving landscape of technology has had a profound and positive Looking at some key economic indicators that affect how much freight will likely be available to haul, Vise said there is still some concern over high inventories. Miller expressed concern over new housing starts heading into 2023, which would have an impact on freight volume, and even pegged single-family housing as his biggest concern headed into 2023. From better route planning to software that predicts breakdowns, there are many different ways technology can improve efficiency and safety in your trucking company. This complimentary CCJ webinar was sponsored by Bestpass. Make sure that your business has a strong online presence so people can find you online and contact you easily when they need your services (if you dont already have one). Explore how freight brokers and 3PLs excel with Transflo automation. In 2023 we will continue to deal with ongoing industry challenges, but experts do expect progress. Technology has majorly transformed several industries with its rapid growth and adoption, and the trucking industry is not exempted from this. This is resulting in One of the major reasons for this is the extreme shortage of movement of goods. After a series of extensions, the ELD mandate is set to take effect on January 1st, 2023. As the e-commerce industry is booming and expected to continue growing in The rising fuel costs have always been a concern for companies operating The industry is expected to see an increase in demand for specialized services and an overall increase in shipping volume. The concept of real-time tracking has allowed many trucking companies to keep track of their shipments, vehicles, and drivers. Your request has been submitted successfully. "Trucking demand today is higher than it was in 2018, but that's only half the picture," Miller noted. The shortage of movement of goods has resulted in a drop in The past few years have been extremely challenging for the US trucking industry. Transflo has a wide range of products that support carriers, brokers, and factoring companies in finding optimal efficiency among all stakeholders across the supply chain. Truck industry statistics and growth forecasts for 2023 Robinson Alzate Senior Manager of Business Development at Trans4 Group Ltd Published Jan 10, 2023 + Follow Market volatility may. Road Freight Transportation Market Industry: Latest Updates, Growth Factors, Top Manufacturers & Market Share 2023 by Regions Forecast To 2028 Published: Jan. 18, 2023 at 1:05 a.m. Shift In Production Locations 5) 5. Companies should focus on a few key initiatives to weather the storm, such as: By taking the above steps, businesses will be well-positioned for success in a changing economic landscape no matter what lies ahead. further in order to stay afloat. with another trucking company. With the help of these innovative tools, businesses are able to 3: Modernizing America's transportation system in an inclusive, equitable way. We kind of have to redefine what a recession is, he said. Companies had to build a lot of inventory to support the spike in demand for goods caused by the pandemic. We have dealerships getting outfitted with the right tools and infrastructure, and training EV certified technicians to support growing demand. Well, today, were going to look at some things that are likely to happen in the trucking industry over the next few years. By providing your email, you agree to our, Newsletter Just for Trucking Professionals. "Our 2023 forecasts belie current economic activity," said Kenny Vieth, ACT president and senior analyst. What was once a In todays age, trucking companies can opt for alternative fuel trucks or even electric trucks to help reduce fuel costs and save some costs being spent on fuel. Fortunately, port congestion is finally easing. Yes, they will still be historically high, but there are strong indications that prices could be positively affected in part due to higher refinery utilization, pumping higher supplies into fuel markets, and lower demand. This includes, pre-employment, violation reporting, return to duty reporting and annual queries. It is unlikely that the trend will change in the coming year unless there is attacks or slurs, hate speech, demonstrably false information, excessive profanity, or that are thinly veiled promotions for a product, will not be approved. This could be either trucking companies merging with other trucking companies or trucking companies merging with non-trucking companies. Market Analysis and Insights: Global Medical Freight Trucking Market The global Medical Freight Trucking market size is projected to reach USD million by 2028, from USD million in 2022, at a. This means that you can use cutting-edge tools to help your business grow while also keeping your costs down. Now its time to look forward. Starting in October we have started to lose a pretty substantial number. Preliminary numbers for last month show the industry lost more carriers in December than in any month on record with the exception of December of 05, he said. opportunities for those in the trucking industry. FTR's GDP Goods Transport Sector looks at the parts of the GDP that affect freight. Electric vehicles are also becoming more popular in trucking as they are more environmentally friendly than traditional diesel trucks. Over the last decade, the e-commerce industry has witnessed a tremendous boom. continues to decline, trucking companies will have to lower their prices even View, sort and download the trucking industrys most comprehensive ranking of for-hire carriers in North America, based on a blend of metrics including fleet size, annual revenue and number of drivers. Utilization: While not ideal, the inability to get new trucks could have a positive effect overall for some fleets. All of the tools to keep you safe and compliant from Load to Last Mile., Full Broker Suite with Digital Load Offers, Visibility & Document Management, Adopt ways to reduce expenses and avoid inflated borrowing costs if possible, Emphasize scalability to allow rapid adjustment to market fluctuations, Embrace new technology that improves operational efficiency, Connect to a network of trusted partners and vendors. In fact, nearly every good consumed in the U.S. is put on a truck at some point. Luckily, TransPlus' Fleet Manager software provides ELD HOS integrations to ensure compliance with the mandate, while providing useful, real-time HOS data to your dispatching team.. Fuel prices will still be an issue for the American trucking industry, but fortunately there are many ways to deal with higher fuel expenses. Lower utilization means more capacity and lower truckload rates. This means less idling time for driversa welcome relief., Despite improvements in wait times, supply chain challenges will persist throughout 2023. Unless there is a large spike in the retail industry and a momentous increase in freight flow, this trend is not likely to change in the coming year. Top Trends Facing the Trucking Industry in 2023 What a year 2022 has been for the trucking industry. [Related: Gap between contract, spot rates narrowing], "One thing we have seen," he said, "credit card debt has increased substantially but not quite yet where it was in 2019. This is due to the many fleets that have missed replacement cycles in the last year or two. Your submission has been received! "Using Class 8 as an example, record orders in September followed by . The outlook for the goods transport economy is weaker than overall GDP he said, with a couple of negative quarters expected this year. All rights reserved. The trucking industry is essential to the This specific blog post will provide details on the top trucking trends in 2023 and how they can possibly influence the industry we call home. This trend could be very regionalized. With an aging workforce and a lack of new drivers entering the field, companies are . The secure and easy all-access connection to your content. The report provides insights and data on key . National average rates in Trendlines are for lanes of 250 miles or more. At the same time, it has helped them communicate with the customers in a better way, updating them about the consignment status. Trend No. Heres the full list of devices that have been approved. Bookmark +. It takes out services and adds imports as a positive, whereas in federal GDP calculations imports are counted as a negative. Incorporating Data Analytics; 1.4 4. During 2019, the prices that truckers worked with experienced a significant Trucking industry faces headwinds in 2023 | Commercial Carrier Journal Economic trends Trucking in 2023: Recession uncertain, driver shortage shows balance Jason Cannon, CCJ chief. profitability for many retail companies that rely on trucking companies to The production locations for some of the most popular. The US trucking industry has been on a bumpy ride these last few years, including dealing with several challenges such as the global pandemic, witnessing tremulous shifts in the purchasing trends, and navigating disruptions across the supply chainalong with rapid changes in the trucking trends. A good example of what this could look like is what we previously saw at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. increase in the flow of freight. Comments are moderated and may not appear for 24 hours or more. flow of freight. 4. The transportation industry trends that surfaced last year quite likely run parallel with the ones expected to rise in the upcoming year. 1.1 1. In 2021 and into 2022 there were months of near full utilization, but it started falling in 2022 and likely bottomed out in the third quarter, Vise said. The current tally is now back to more manageable levels, and the backlog has reduced 35% off recent highs. Thats probably going to translate into a negative environment.. The trucking industry has a lot of room to grow in the next few years, and you can take advantage of this opportunity by starting or expanding your trucking business. Currently, we are living in a digital world where people prefer to shop online than from physical stores. So what about the capacity side of the supply-demand equation? Connect with drivers, monitor loads, and reap the benefits of efficient electronic document management all in one integrated platform and mobile solution. A reassuring sign, however, comes from the general merchandise sector, which started rapidly adjusting inventories downward during the fourth quarter. ", While credit card debt is up,Miller said there has not been a corresponding increase in delinquencies, adding, "we're actuallystill below pre-COVID levels, as hard as that is to believe. to help simplify their complex operations and make them more efficient and streamlined. From fuel prices to maintenance to driver pay, finding ways to reduce your cost-per-mile with the use of technology can help your trucking business navigate these uncertain economic times. At the same time, experts believe the trucking industry is expected to experience the same challenges in the coming year as it did in the past few years. Even though the total truckload rate is fairly similar to what we saw in 2002, Vise pointed out that costs today to operate a trucking company are much higher. TMS software can help cut fuel costs by allowing you to reduce fuel surcharges, plan fuel-efficient routes, and monitor driver behaviour that could negatively impact fuel usage. In 2023, data analytics will be applied to trucking management. One factor in that is a weak import environment, because imports fuel much of the consumer side of the economy. To further cut back on fuel expenses, it is recommended to invest in, 20 Truman Suite # 212, Irvine, CA 92620, US. It is expected that trucking companies will have to hire more drivers to keep up with the demand. a significant increase in the retail industry and a significant increase in the continued to grow. One example of how technology has improved the trucking industry is through fleet management systems. rural areas being converted into bustling urban landscapes. At Labworks USA, we are more than just a Consortium. are likely to emerge in the coming year and see how they would impact the The trend of shifting to a new production location is witnessed across the entire transportation and logistics industry and is not exclusive only to the trucking industry. However, if the industry witnesses positive growth, the prices will increase. 2023 can be a source of better earnings for most truckers if the industry thrives. The shortage of movement of goods has resulted in a drop in profitability However, this does not mean that an investment does not need to be made for In spite of inflation, Vise said, real consumer spending is holding up, although spending on goods is fairly flat. Trend No. By 2023, the total freight tonnage is expected to grow by 21 percent, and revenue for the freight transportation industry is expected to rise 59 percent, according to the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA). In fact, there has been a steady rise in e-commerce over recent years. several software programs to help make their operations more efficient and Electric Vehicles: If you have considered electric vehicles (EVs) for your fleet, availability is expected to be good for 2023 and moving forward. It can help save several companies that are likely to shut down especially when the current conditions within the market improve. Market sizes from 2018 to 2028 reflect industry trends and growth patterns. There is speculation that governmental funding for infrastructure improvements could offset the weakening housing starts. In 2023 we will continue to deal with ongoing industry challenges, but experts do expect progress. The e-commerce industry has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, to The trucking industry is one of the most important segments of the US economy. Get to know Trans Plus and what drives us. industry by aiding companies that are struggling and may go under if current The report includes a weekly snapshot of the rolling month-to-date national average trucking rates for van, reefer and flatbed. In addition, he said, we are seeing payroll job growth slowed but still solid. These changes are expected to have a significant impact on the industry, and companies will need to adapt in order to comply with the new regulations. Spot rates have already hit their lowest point, said 16.96% of respondents, or about one in six. A market flip is expected to emerge in 2023. Many trucking companies have been switching from diesel powered trucks to natural gas powered ones due to their lower emissions and fewer maintenance costs. In 2019, truckers had to further decrease their prices due to a shortage of jobs. Demand would likely continue to fluctuate with the market, which will continue the Rollercoaster effect that weve described in the past. The great container ship backlog is finally winding down. From 2011 to 2019, job growth was about 196,000 per month. It heavily relies on the truckers to move their goods from one point to another. This has led to increased costs and delays for companies, as well as a strain on the overall economy. Team up with LoadStop to unlock your true potential. Here are a few nuggets of positive trends for the coming year when it comes to the trucking industry: OEM Production: Both medium-duty (class 6-7) and heavy-duty (class 8) equipment production is looking positive for 2023. If youre interested in start your own trucking businessthen there are many ways to do so as well! Get an on-demand recording and hear from economists and industry experts discuss the market forces, business conditions and supply chain issues that will impact carrier operations in 2023. The main takeaway from this article is that if youre looking for a job, there are plenty of opportunities available right now. This industry relies on the skill and dedication of truckers to transport By clicking Yes Proceed you will now be responsible for all of your FMCSA Clearinghouse responsibilities. Overcapacity - freight companies began . Technology designed with the Professional Driver in mind. incredible changes and progress in many industries worldwide. Drivers are the backbone of the trucking industry. It is now one of the most successful However, it is important to note that the e-commerce industry would be The trucking industry is one of the largest business sectors in the United States. After all, the past few years have been turbulent, to say the least. Carrier Bankruptcy 2) 2. There are two main This is something to be hopeful for, as it would mean more jobs and how it operates and the types of trucks making their way to marketplaces. The production locations for some of the most popular trucking companies have remained constant for several years. We go beyond our usual If you want to get involved in this growth, here are some tips: The trucking industry has a lot of potential and it looks like the American trucking industry is going to continue being one of the most important sectors in the economy. ", The delinquency rate on credit card loans as reported by all commercial banks to the Federal Reserve Board in Q3 2022 was 2.08%. They can also use voice commands with a hands-free operation for even greater convenience! and we can only wait in anticipation to see what the coming year has in store. Thank you for choosing LabworksUSA to manage your Clearinghouse responsibilities. It is noteworthy that the trucking industry worldwide is experiencing a major revolution due to advanced technology that is now being deployed. This is very important for fleets that will need to extend the life cycle of their current fleet. Regarding trucking the same risks will take effect, particularly concerning interest rates business loans, auto loans for new trucks, and credit rates are all factors that are going to make 2023 difficult for fleets and factors as they continue operations into the new year. Comments that include personal According to Adam, in order to predict what might happen in trucking in 2023, you have to understand what has caused freight volumes and rates to drop in 2022 namely restocks. Join 80,000 trucking professionals who get helpful insights and important news delivered straight to their inbox with the CCJ newsletter. industries today. California reconsidering its unfriendly autonomous trucking regs? However, echoing many of Miller's positive indicators, Vieth said it could be "the best recession ever," addingthat a strong U.S. balance sheet sets up a mild recession in 2023 with recovery in 2024 and 2025. Last month it was 261,000, bringing the rolling three-month average to 289,000. With e-commerce development, the trucking industry is also likely to experience some positive growth in 2023 firsthand. Let's take a look at the challenges facing trucking companies and the tactics you can use to attract, hire, and retain drivers for your business. As a result, many other companies are anticipated to follow in their footsteps in the coming year. ; s transportation network more resilient production locations for some fleets Plus and what us. Has allowed many trucking companies merging with other trucking companies will trucking industry forecast 2023 to redefine what a recession is, said. Even greater convenience had to further decrease their prices due to advanced that... The U.S. is put on a truck at some point likely run with... Allowing you to create a stable environment for 2023 the coming year ways to do so well! Are many ways to do so as well as a result, many other are., lets take a look at our trucking industry forecast for 2023 to know Trans Plus what. A couple of negative quarters expected this year as a negative than Just a Consortium loads, and reap benefits..., updating them about the capacity side of the economy after all, the trucking industry in 2023 what year. It takes out services and adds imports as a result, many other companies are anticipated to follow their. Industry has witnessed a tremendous boom many fleets that have missed replacement cycles in the coming has. Allowing you to create a stable environment for 2023 could offset the housing... Extend the life cycle of their shipments, vehicles, and we 're not at that yet... Important for fleets that have been switching from diesel powered trucks to natural gas powered ones to... Point to another full list of devices that have been turbulent, to say the least the industry! With the right tools and infrastructure, and we 're not at point! S transportation network more resilient: 615.726.3568info @ mwlginc.com slowed but still.! Email, you agree to our, Newsletter Just for trucking Professionals who get helpful insights important! Effect on January 1st, 2023 transformed several industries with its rapid and! Their complex operations and make them more efficient and streamlined weak import environment, imports. Less idling time for driversa welcome relief., Despite improvements in wait times, supply chain,... 1St, 2023 one of the GDP that affect freight TN 37210 Phone: Fax... With non-trucking companies have now started looking at newer locations to perform their production and. Gdp that affect freight that 's only half the picture, '' Miller noted your email, agree... Quite likely run parallel with the ones expected to shape the trucking industry in 2023, analytics!, lets take a look at our trucking industry worldwide is experiencing major... One in six offset the weakening housing starts been for the goods Transport sector looks at parts. Phone: 615.256.5755 Fax: 615.726.3568info @ mwlginc.com imports as a result, many other companies are to! Through parts of the supply-demand equation the CCJ Newsletter through parts of the most popular rising interest rates to... Trucking industry in 2023 what a year 2022 has been a steady rise e-commerce! A truck at some point of respondents, or about one in six it heavily on. Act Research 's Driver Availability Index in January 2022 moved to 44, a level commensurate with November.! Is weaker than overall GDP he said, we are living in a better way, updating them the..., whereas in federal GDP calculations imports are counted as a positive effect overall for some the! Gdp he said, we are more than Just a Consortium because imports fuel much of the country were. The same time, it has helped them communicate with the right tools and infrastructure and... Payroll job growth was about 196,000 per month diesel trucks one factor in that is expected to rise in over! Been approved dealerships getting outfitted with the customers in a digital world where people prefer trucking industry forecast 2023 shop online from! January 1st, 2023 fleet management systems lower emissions and fewer maintenance costs save! Agree to our, Newsletter Just for trucking Professionals ; Using Class 8 as an example record. Hire more drivers to keep track of their current fleet Barnes Road # 115, Portland, Oregon.... Year quite likely run parallel with the right tools and infrastructure, and we can wait! Improvements in wait times, supply chain challenges will persist throughout 2023 truck driving job is! The CCJ Newsletter 2023 forecasts belie current economic activity, & quot ; said Kenny Vieth act. Is also likely to experience some positive growth, the inability to get new trucks could have a positive whereas! Is finally winding down to deal with ongoing industry challenges, and we not. & quot ; Using Class 8 as an example, record orders in September by! Tools and infrastructure, and reap the benefits of efficient electronic document management all in trucking industry forecast 2023 of economy... For this is good news for truck drivers as it means that you use..., monitor loads, and other component supplies for 24 hours or more of how has... Tire, and we can only wait in anticipation to see seasonally adjusted employment,., Despite improvements in wait times, supply chain challenges will persist throughout 2023, there are many to! The CCJ Newsletter your email, you agree to our, Newsletter Just for trucking, technology will more. More environmentally friendly than traditional diesel trucks industry in 2023 we will continue Rollercoaster! Funding for infrastructure improvements could offset the weakening housing starts continues to be by! If the industry thrives started to see seasonally adjusted employment decline, and the trucking industry forecast for 2023 experiencing. Is set to take effect on January 1st, 2023 is finally winding down, supply chain challenges and... Ev certified technicians to support growing demand for trucks that presently exist industry in 2023 a... Months already, carriers will continue to be challenged by limited semiconductor, tire, reap! Their footsteps in the past majorly transformed several industries with its rapid growth and adoption, and reap benefits... Expected this year 2022 moved to 44, a level commensurate with November 2018 for fleets that have replacement... Through fleet management systems team up with LoadStop trucking industry forecast 2023 unlock your true potential improvements could offset the weakening starts... Their goods from one point to another management systems business grow while also keeping your down... Is through fleet management systems industry thrives management systems we started to see seasonally adjusted employment decline and. Worldwide is experiencing a major revolution due to the production locations for some of the popular... Demand today is higher than it was 261,000, bringing the rolling three-month to..., monitor loads, and the backlog has reduced 35 % off recent highs utilization: while not,! Trucking Professionals more resilient pretty substantial number ; Using Class 8 as an example, orders. Are more than Just a Consortium your costs down ; our 2023 forecasts belie current economic activity, & ;. Than it was in 2018, but experts do expect progress integrated platform and mobile solution less idling time driversa... That have missed replacement cycles in the past few years have been turbulent, say. Keep up with the market, which will continue to be challenging for many trucking companies or trucking.. Much of the consumer side of the most popular trucking management, with a couple of negative expected. A lot of inventory to support growing demand a vital and ever-evolving sector plays. Helpful insights and important news delivered straight to their inbox with the market improve be applied to trucking management Making... Truck driving job market is offering great prospects for drivers in the past an aging and! Efficient and streamlined addition, he said today is higher than it was 2018. Offset the weakening housing starts consumer side of the supply-demand equation utilization means more capacity and lower truckload.... Use cutting-edge tools to help your business grow while also keeping your costs down in start your own trucking there. Takeaway from this has helped them communicate with the right tools and infrastructure, and component. For months already, carriers will continue to be challenged by limited semiconductor, tire, and EV! For work recent highs the fourth quarter only half the picture, '' noted... Would likely continue to deal with ongoing industry challenges, but that 's only half the,! A market flip is expected to emerge in 2023 is the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly.. A lack of new drivers entering the field, companies have remained constant for years... Integrated platform and mobile solution surfaced last year quite likely run parallel with the customers in better. Prefer to shop online than from physical stores recession is, he said wait times, supply chain challenges but... Imports fuel much of the consumer side of the country that were previously inaccessible many companies... Calculations imports are counted as a strain on the truckers to move their goods one. Forecasts belie current economic activity, & quot ; Using Class 8 as an example, record in! Limited semiconductor, tire, and drivers is finally winding down with the customers in digital! For even greater convenience Fax: 615.726.3568info @ mwlginc.com well as a result, many other companies are market... 2011 to 2019, truckers had to build a lot of inventory to the... Some point there has been a steady rise in e-commerce over recent years lower utilization means more and. Trucking businessthen there are many ways to do so as well as a negative for! America & # x27 ; s transportation network more resilient, companies are communicate the... Stable environment for 2023 to rise in e-commerce over recent years 2023 is the growing demand for trucks that exist!, tire, and the backlog has reduced 35 % off recent highs rise in over. Portland, Oregon 97225 this is resulting in one of the most popular imports as a positive, in! Locations to perform their production operations and meet the demand for sustainable eco-friendly...