In this episode of 10 Minute Takes, FTR CEO Jonathan Starks sat down with Michael Heineman of Hempel USA to get a firsthand perspective from someone navigating today’s volatile market environment.
Michael brings a unique lens, balancing both the new car market and the maintenance/repair side—and he didn’t shy away from sharing the realities his company is facing.
Here are a few highlights from the discussion:
- Challenging visibility in maintenance markets: Strong first-quarter activity quickly tapered off, surprising expectations and underscoring the difficulty of forecasting demand.
- Tariffs and cost impacts: From raw materials sourced across Europe, Asia, India, and North America, fluctuating tariff discussions create ripple effects that make long-term planning difficult.
- Efficiency initiatives: Hempel is focused on smarter plant processes—larger batch sizes, new equipment, and tighter supplier agreements—to offset rising costs.
- The value of information: Michael emphasized the importance of economic updates and market data to make better decisions and ask smarter questions when engaging with shippers, leasing companies, and builders.
👉 His message was clear: in a time when input costs and policies shift week-to-week, success comes down to staying informed, agile, and focused on execution.
This conversation is a must-watch if you want an inside look at how industry leaders are adapting to uncertainty and preparing for the years ahead.
Thanks for watching! We’ve really enjoyed these conversations with industry leaders and attendees throughout the conference. To catch all of the 10 Minute Takes podcasts from the event, visit www.ftrintel.com/connection.