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It’s tough to keep product prices in line when your raw material costs rise. Just ask execs at Wabash National Corp.

Struggling to cope with price hikes from its steel, aluminum and wood suppliers, the truck-trailer manufacturer announced March 9 that it had increased new-trailer prices by 4.5 percent to 6 percent, effective immediately.

"The amount of cost increases we are currently experiencing requires us to pass through these increases to our customers," said Wabash National President and Chief Executive Officer William Greubel in a prepared statement. "While there may be a brief lag effect in the near term in recovering these cost increases, we expect to be able to pass a substantial portion, if not all, of the increases through. The trucking industry has become very adept at managing their cost increases, including fuel, with their customers. Unfortunately, Wabash National is now facing similar circumstances."

Wabash National designs, manufactures and markets standard and customized truck trailers under the Wabash™ brand. A wholly owned subsidiary — Wabash National Trailer Centers — serves as a retail distributor of new and used trailers and aftermarket parts in the United States and Canada.