NEWS
WWW.EXPORTANDFREIGHT.COM
Minister Of State Welcomes Schmitz Cargobull’s Investment In Ireland Trailer manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull has established a new company, Schmitz Cargobull Ireland, in support of the country’s rapidly expanding haulage market, in a move welcomed by Minister of State Damien English TD. The new company will give operators easier access to the latest trailer technology – vital when, according to the Central Statistics Office, the total tonnage transported by Irish hauliers has increased by more than 10 per cent in the last year. Operators will also be able to
handle all elements of their trailer acquisition, including invoicing and payment, in Ireland. The company was launched at an official event attended by Schmitz Cargobull Chief Sales Officer Boris Billich. Minister English says: “The open nature of the Irish economy, with
high levels of international trade combined with our geographical peripheral location, means that achieving excellence in freight transport continues to be vital for our competitiveness. It is very welcome therefore that Schmitz Cargobull is investing in Ireland to service the local
operators in this growing sector. “The Irish government has worked hard to ensure that we have the best possible conditions in place to encourage investments like this and I am delighted to see Schmitz Cargobull recognising this through their expansion here.” The new country office will be run by experienced Schmitz Cargobull Sales Manager Paul Ò Ceallaigh, providing a direct contact point for sourcing advanced smart trailers equipped with the company’s own refrigeration unit and telematics system, leading to lower lifetime operating costs. Boris Billich, Chief Sales Officer, Schmitz Cargobull, says: “We have worked closely with Irish hauliers for many years, so we are delighted to now launch Schmitz Cargobull Ireland, and provide our customers with direct representation in their own market.” Bolstering the manufacturer’s presence in Ireland are six Service Partners, located in Dublin, Wexford, Cork, Ashbourne, Belfast and Dungannon, providing dedicated parts distribution. While out on the road, operators will also be able to call on the support of Schmitz Cargobull’s wider pan-European network of more than 1,700 Service Partners across 40 countries.
Pictured here (L-R) are Alan Hunt, MD, Schmitz Cargobull Ireland; Damien English TD, Minister of State; Boris Billich, Chief Sales Officer, Schmitz Cargobull AG; Gregor Rein, North-West Europe Director, Schmitz Cargobull AG; Paul Ò Ceallaigh, Sales Manager, Schmitz Cargobull Ireland.
Passengers Make Ireland’s First Journey On A Biogas Bus Bus travellers in Cork were the first passengers to ride a ‘green bus’ in Ireland recently. With zero carbon emissions, the biomethane-powered bus is a viable alternative for Ireland’s public bus fleet, and the biogas bus has been part of national trials looking at green bus performance, air quality impacts and CO2 emissions, among other criteria. Biomethane is a clean, renewable gas that is 98% methane. Also known as green gas, it can be used interchangeably with conventional fossil-fuel natural gas, meaning it can be added to the existing gas grid. The majority of European capital cities now run their buses on gas, resulting in lower carbon emissions and better air quality in cities. “Energy Cork has been advocating the
benefits of adopting compressed natural gas and biomethane for our public bus fleet in Cork for a number of years, so we are delighted to be making a journey on Ireland’s first zero carbon emissions bus. “Never has the demand for public transport been greater in Cork with the city centre expecting an additional 10,000 jobs in the next 5 years. We have the opportunity now to shape
Alan Hunt, Managing Director, Schmitz Cargobull Ireland, says: “The Irish market is a crucial part of our business. By establishing a dedicated presence in Ireland for the very first time, we are making it easy for hauliers to source the latest equipment, reduce their operating costs and help their businesses to grow.”
how we grow and be proactive in adopting technologies that work for the City and which protect our environment and air quality. This technology is tried and tested with examples of biomethane bus fleets in Stockholm, Lille and Nottingham to name just a few cities. We are very keen to see this technology supported by the National Transport Authority and hope to see these buses rolled out in Cork in the not too distant future,” said Michelle O’Sullivan, Energy Cork spokesperson and Cork Chamber Public Affairs Senior Executive. Faced with EU deadlines to reduce harmful greenhouse gases, and following Budget 2018, Ireland will no longer be able to purchase diesel buses for public transport as of 1st July 2019. The Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport has been carrying out technology trials of hybrid diesel, fully electric, electric hybrid, compressed natural gas (CNG) and biomethane powered buses in Cork and Dublin in recent months to review performance. Find us on
4
EXPORT&FREIGHT
