Author Archive: Jay Oakman

At ABC Companies, we’ve always prioritized long-term partnerships and proactive planning. As recent discussions surrounding reciprocal tariffs have developed, our leadership team has remained focused on executing a strategy designed well before these headlines surfaced, ensuring stability for our customers and partners amid a shifting global trade environment. 

As part of that strategy, ABC CEO Roman Cornell recently traveled to North Macedonia, where he met with the Prime Minister alongside leadership from VDL Groep. The meeting was both productive and encouraging, reaffirming mutual support and the strength of our international manufacturing partnership. 

In addition to the meeting with the Prime Minister, Roman and the VDL team also met with the Economic/Commercial Officer from the U.S. Embassy and the Netherlands Ambassador to North Macedonia, further emphasizing the importance of international collaboration at this critical time. 

While full details of the discussions will be shared in the coming days, the message was clear: North Macedonia values its [...]

At ABC Companies, we’re committed to keeping our customers and partners informed as we navigate evolving policy changes that could impact the industries we serve. In light of recent announcements around potential tariff adjustments, our leadership team is actively reviewing the developments and assessing what they may mean for our business, our customers, and the broader market. 

We are working diligently with trusted legal advisors, trade experts, and lobbying partners to gain clarity, advocate for our industry, and ensure that the voices of our customers are represented in ongoing policy discussions. Advocating on behalf of our customers and industry has always been central to ABC’s mission, and that commitment continues to guide our actions today. 

We are prioritizing transparency and will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, we encourage industry professionals to explore helpful resources from the American Bus Association through their ABA Tariff Resource Hub. 

We will continue [...]