SMART SUSPENSION PARTS Frauenthal Automotive GmbH produces suspension and air-braking system components at nine production sites in seven European countries for all leading European commercial vehicle manufacturers. Marco Siebel spoke with the market intelligence director, Bertrand Boivert, about the company’s energy-saving product innovations and market expectations.
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rauenthal Automotive is Europe’s market leader in all of its product groups: leaf springs, stabilisers, u-bolts and air tanks. Headquartered in Vienna, Frauenthal Automotive is one of two divisions of Frauenthal Holding AG. The group has ten production sites in Europe. Frauenthal Automotive employs over 1800 people. Frauenthal Automotive offers springs ranging from 7kg to 400kg from parabolic springs to air suspension springs. From mono-leaf and multi-leaf springs to customised spring solutions, from the lightest LCV
to the heaviest-load truck. with a maximum spring thickness up to 80mm and maximum length of 2400mm.
Less weight means higher payload Every kilo counts in this business. By utilising increased stress-levels, a reduction of steel mass and the number of leaves, customers using Frauenthal Automotive leaf springs can save up to 100kg per truckload. Bertrand Boivert said, “Starting in the 1890s with production, we have constantly been building our expertise in spring production and Industry Europe 37
