Global Trailer May 2019

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INNOVATION

BUSINESS

NEWS

Bauma 2019 Overview Axles & Suspensions EU CIMC On Intelligent Manufacturing Megatrends: Robotic Automation

Canadian OEM Icon: Manac Market Report: New Zealand Transport 2019 Review Illuminating Aspรถck Systems

Acquisitions and Expansions Trailer Builder and OEM Updates VALX Weight-Optimised Landing Legs Industry Events

Visualization coming into Reality Modular and Digital design

CIMC Vehicle’s modular and digital design beyond the existing design language allows customers to be unprecedentedly autonomous. Customers can be free to choose the configuration and appearance according to their needs and preferences.

www.cimcvehiclesgroup.com

COVER STORY

20

COMMITTED TO THE COURSE Almost four years after delisting from the Toronto Stock Exchange, Manac has evolved from big fish in a small pond to one of the most progressive players in North American transport equipment design.

28

“WE COMPETE ON ALL FRONTS – BOTH WITH THE LARGEST PLAYERS ON VANS AND STANDARD FLATBEDS AND WITH THE MICRO MANUFACTURERS IN THE NICHE SEGMENTS – BUT THE HIGHMARGIN AREAS CERTAINLY FORM THE FOUNDATION EVERYTHING ELSE IS BUILT-UPON.”

IN THIS ISSUE

Charles Dutil

BUSINESS

FEATURES

24 MARKET REPORT

28 BAUMA 2019

New Zealand is making some major changes at government and industry levels to compete with the rest of the world.

60 LIGHTING

Aspöck Systems has invested in new facilities and technology to harness its passion for innovative lighting in the interests of improving road safety for vehicle operators.

62 FACTORY TOUR

As the world’s top trailer builder in terms of combined vehicle output, CIMC Vehicles is turning to intelligent manufacturing to transition away from the ‘Made in China’ stigma associated with its mass production achievements.

66 EVENT REVIEW

The Messe Center in the midDanish town of Herning hosted the Transport Show 2019, attracting a number of visitors and ehibitors from all over the Scandinavian part of Europe.

Manac

Trailer builders and equipment specialists from all across Europe gathered at this year’s Bauma trade show to demonstrate innovations that support the construction, mining and agriculture industries.

30 SHOW OVERVIEW

Manufacturers and innovators from around the world attended one of the biggest trade events in Munich, Germany, to celebrate progress in the construction and mining industries. Global Trailer takes a closer look at what was on show at Bauma 2019.

44 AXLES & SUSPENSIONS EU

REGULARS 4 EDITOR’S LETTER 6 NEWS

See the latest developments in axles and suspension systems being used throughout Europe.

70 MEGATRENDS

Four million robots will be installed in over 50,000 warehouses by 2025 – a significant rise in uptake from the estimated 4,000 robotic warehouses in 2018 – according to a recent study.

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68 EVENTS

EDITOR’S NOTE

PUBLISHER

John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Luke Applebee luke.applebee@primecreative.com.au

DESIGN PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au

ART DIRECTOR Blake Storey

OVERLAND TRADE TO FLOW

DESIGN Kerry Pert, Madeline McCarty

INTERNATIONAL SALES

CHINA CONTINUES TO UNLEASH trade potential as additional border points open in accordance with the multilateral treaty, TIR. In March, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) said that border points will play a pivotal role in connecting China to Central Asia, West Asia, Russia and Europe.

The four crossing points with Kazakhstan designated to start TIR operations from 25 March 2019 are Maikapchagai – Jimunai, Dostyk – Alashankou, Kolzhat – Dulata and Bakhty – Baketu. Together with Khorgos, which opened in May 2018, this move means that all five China-Kazakhstan border crossings will be fully TIR operational.

Meanwhile, global supply chain business, CEVA Logistics, has further extended its highway to the west road service between China and Europe following its first ever TIR truck to Poland at the end of last year.

CEVA recently marked a new milestone with its first ever truck from China arriving safely in Spain. Just 16 days after setting off, the 70 cubic metres load of 7,000kg of garments destined for a Spanish retailer successfully completed the door-to-door delivery. Departing from South China, the truck travelled via Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany and France.

No inspection was required during transit following the customs sealing at Khorgos on the China-Kazakstan

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border and it being unsealed in Spain.

The total distance covered was more than 13,600km.

“This was the last official trial for our new China-Europe trucking service before we begin a regular service this month,” said CEVA Logistics Executive Vice President – North Asia, Torben Bengtsson.

“Together with our partner Alblas International Logistics, we will further extend our trucking footprint through this unique service. The TIR trucking will change our customer’s logistics flow significantly,” he said.

CEVA Logistics Director of Road & Rail – North Asia, Kelvin Tang said the newly developed trucking service has broad prospects in the marketplace.

“It’s a very cost sensitive alternative to air and rail transport,” he said. “Compared to air transport, the cost is more than 40 per cent lower. And it’s at least 10 days faster than rail transport.”

The CEVA China-Europe trucking service will, according to CEVA, be operated as a round trip twice a week, with exact departure and destination being handled flexible according to customers’ needs. In addition to Full Container Load (FCL), CEVA Logistics North Asia will also launch Less than Container Load (LCL) service this June.

Ashley Blachford ashley.blachford@primecreative.com.au

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER

Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au

CONTRIBUTORS Sebastian Grote Tim de Jong

HEAD OFFICE

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ARTICLES

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

COPYRIGHT

Global Trailer is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy. All material in Global Trailer is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

The opinions expressed in Global Trailer are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL ASIA CHINA Chinese e-commerce business, Tmall Global, has unveiled two key initiatives that further Alibaba’s plans to bring more than €170 billion worth of international goods into China over the next five years and help businesses of all sizes enter the China market.

The initiatives – the ‘Centralized Import Procurement’ (CIP) and ‘Tmall Overseas Fulfillment’ (TOF) – are import solutions offered by Tmall Global to help international brands accelerate their entry into China and capitalise on hot demand for highquality products.

As the biggest cross-border platform in China, Tmall Global not only helps brand open up flagship stores on the platform, but also offers direct import services that can help bring international goods, from companies of all sizes sell into the Chinese market, benefiting Chinese consumers with an expanded choice of imported products.

“These new initiatives on Tmall Global, supported by the entire Alibaba ecosystem and benefiting both current and future partners, are needed enhancements as we strive to meet the rising demand of Chinese consumers for highquality international products,” said Alvin Liu, General Manager of Tmall Import-Export, at the Tmall Global 2019 Global Partners Summit.

At the China International Import Expo in November last year, Alibaba pledged to bring €170-plus billion worth of international goods into China over the next five years through its platforms.

Alibaba unveiled the CIP program in March as a key part of Alibaba’s new retail business. By leveraging the six 6 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 4 6

procurement centres Alibaba has set up across the globe, the program sources imported goods for all the online and offline outlets within the Alibaba ecosystem, including technology-driven grocery chain Freshippo (also known as ‘Hema’ in Chinese), Tmall Supermarket and Intime Department Store. The program is a quick and low-risk way for international brands to enter China, allowing them to reach the nearly 700 million active users on Alibaba platforms.

TOF is a consignment solution that allows brands to place a small batch of products at one of the TOF centers to be sold on the Tmall Global platform. This gives businesses around the world a chance to try out and fine tune their product assortment before making a full entry into China. TOF centres are currently available in Japan, South Korea and the US, with plans to expand into Europe later this year.

To support these new initiatives, Alibaba’s smart logistics network, Cainiao, will continue to expand its network of bonded warehouses in China, with an aim to triple its total size to three million square meters in three years.

“Over the years, Tmall Global has added a full suite of innovative and value-added services to help overseas brands succeed in the China market, including plugging them in to the entire Alibaba economy. The consumer insight from our ecosystem provides Tmall Global partners a complete view of their customers’ engagements even if they do not have operations in China. These market entry and inmarket expansion programs are our key differentiators and have created

unique benefits for international brands,” said Liu. Tmall Global data shows China’s demands for imported goods is gaining strong traction across age groups, regions and categories.

Those born after 2000, or ‘Generation Z’, is the fastest-growing consumer group on the platform. The platform is attracting more shoppers in less developed regions, and Tmall Global has successfully propelled the growth of three categories: anti-hair loss products, beauty-fromwithin products such as collagen drinks and trendy footwear in 2018.

China’s ‘Generation Z’ is also fuelling demand for pet products and beauty devices. In 2018, the number of pet-related brands on Tmall Global doubled from the previous year, and sales of beauty devices on the platform also quadrupled from a year earlier.

According to Chinese data-analytics firm Analysys, Tmall Global is the biggest cross-border platform in China. The platform offers Chinese consumers over 20,000 overseas brands and over 4,000 product categories from 77 countries and regions.

HONG KONG German logistics company, Arvato SCM Solutions, has opened a distribution centre in Hong Kong for a key high-tech client.

The new site complements the company’s existing network of facilities in Kentucky (US), Ontario (California, US) and Venlo (Netherlands), and was designed and implemented within 18 months across three continents.

The logistics area of the new site is 100,000 square feet (9,290

NEWS

ASIA worldwide. Using the latest digital technology, Arvato SCM develops, operates and optimises complex global supply chains and e-commerce platforms, as the strategic growth partner for its customers.

Arvato SCM Solutions expands in Hong Kong.

square metres), with an office space of 4,500 square feet (418 square metres), and is Arvato’s second facility that has opened in Hong Kong in the past four years.

“By building this powerful network, we have set a benchmark that is unparalleled in the industry,” said Arvato SCM Solutions Head of Asia, Raoul Kuetemeier.

“We operate all four sites with the same standards, processes, interfaces, all running the same IT setup based on a full end-to-end SAP solution.

“The extensive logistics and fulfillment services that Arvato is responsible for include inbound, storage including temperaturecontrolled products, outbound, carrier management of truck, sea and air freight transports, customs brokerage (IOR / EOR) services and numerous value-added services such as country-specific labeling, transformation, bundling, rework and returns dispositioning. Arvato also manages break bulk shipments for cross-border e-commerce.

“From our new site in Hong Kong we serve more than a dozen markets in Asia and are close to the major manufacturing hub in South China,” he said.

For warehouse operations and the smooth flow of goods, the distribution centre is said to be equipped with 12 dedicated loading docks, 3,000 pallet locations in high racking, 500 shelve bins, 100 pallet locations in temperature-controlled storage and two production lines, including heat shrink wrap capability.

Four in- and outbound gates are also RFID-enabled.

The implementation of this major high-tech customer is, however, only a first step towards further growth, acccording to Arvato SCM Solutions Senior Director of Hong Kong, Andreas Podwojewski.

“Hong Kong as a freeport with highly efficient import and export processes is ideal for global and regional distribution centres with fast turnover,” he said. “That’s why we have decided to invest in additional space so that the site will become a multi-user facility in 2019 for hightech customers.”

Arvato SCM Solutions is an innovative and international service provider in the field of supply chain management and e-commerce.

More than 14,000 employees work together to provide practical and relevant solutions and services

MALAYSIA United Parcel Service (UPS) has implemented service and capacity enhancements in Malaysia in anticipation of a robust economic and trading environment in 2019.

This move follows government-led growth initiatives supporting SMEs and the Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ), which aims to boost crossborder e-commerce.

In 2018, Malaysia’s strong export performance helped to drive total trade to RM1.876 trillion. This was bolstered by a 9.1 per cent increase in manufacturing exports, as well as overall growth in exports to China, ASEAN, the US and EU among others.

“The Malaysian economy is experiencing an evolution as SMEs, manufacturing and e-commerce take more central roles in driving growth,” said Lim Tze Hsien, Managing Director of UPS Singapore and Malaysia. “It is with these factors in mind that we have bolstered our offerings in Malaysia, with network and service enhancements designed to reduce time-in-transit and turnaround times, give local recipients greater control over their shipments, and extend our geographical reach so that businesses across the peninsula can have access to the same highquality logistics services available to businesses in major metropolitan and industrial areas.”

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ASIA Recent UPS enhancements in Malaysia include: Faster delivery and extended pick-up times for export shipments from Malacca to Europe and within Asia Pacific, and from Kuantan to the US, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Speedier receipt of import shipments from the US, Europe and Asia Pacific to businesses located in Klang Valley, Southern Kuala Lumpur and Malacca.

Increased retail access points to help Malaysia sellers streamline fulfillment and shipping services to consumers in the US and Canada.

The introduction of UPS eFulfillment

to help Malaysia sellers streamline services to consumers in the US and Canada, along with other products including UPS My Choice and UPS Worldwide Express Freight Midday.

The company also recently appointed 26-year UPS veteran Michelle Ho to the position of President, South Asia District, UPS Asia Pacific, to drive strategic growth for UPS’ express operations in over 28 emerging and mature markets across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, based out of Singapore.

“We’ve made considerable progress in improving transit times for shipments in and out of Asia; with

many intra-Asia shipments being delivered the next day— continuing to build on these improvements will be one of my key goals in heading up our South Asia District,” said Ho. “In the last quarter of 2018 alone, UPS saw an average of 10 percent export volume growth year-on-year across Southeast Asia. As Malaysia continues to bolster its SMEs, fast, efficient logistics will be fundamental in importing complex components for high-tech products, ensuring international retailers have sufficient stock of Malaysia-made products, and driving increased satisfaction for online shoppers.”

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NEWS

EUROPE Palfinger has actioned a new strategy to focus on innovation and sustainability.

AUSTRIA Austrian load handling specialist, Palfinger, held its Annual General Meeting in Lengau on 20 March 2019, reporting €1.6 billion in sales and growth of 9.8 per cent for FY’18.

Palfinger has attributed this growth in operational profitability to its process and structure alignment strategy – Global Palfinger Organisation (GPO) – which it tackled when Andreas Klauser assumed the role of CEO in June 2018.

The new GPO structure, according to Palfinger, positions the load handling specialist to find new technologies from around the world and use better approaches to develop new solutions and services.

One example of this is Strucinspect, a digital inspection solution that reportedly uses “the latest data collection technology, 3D data processing, AI-assisted data analysis and targeted planning of measures to revolutionise maintenance in bridge construction, while also in its capacity as a promising joint venture, demonstrate added value that smart partnerships and comprehensive

networks can generate for Palfinger customers”.

Palfinger is focused on digital transformation, namely fleet management with Fleet Monitor; and Smart Eye, data glasses, with Augmented Reality capabilities, for service technicians to connect with Palfinger specialists.

The Palfinger Group aims for 75 per cent of its electricity generation to be sourced from renewable sources by 2022.

BELGIUM Technology company, Wabco Holdings, has announced a new CFO, following the resignation of Roberto Fioroni.

Sean Deason has assumed the Chief Financial Officer role. He replaces Fioroni who has since accepted a role outside Wabco with UK-based business, GKN Automotive.

Deason joined Wabco in June 2015 and has served as Vice President, Investor Relations and Controller.

Prior to joining Wabco, Deason spent four years with Evraz N.A., where he was Vice President, Financial

Planning & Analysis. Prior to that, he spent 12 years with Lear Corporation where he served as Director, Finance, Corporate Business Planning & Analysis, Director, Finance, Asia Pacific Operations, Assistant Treasurer, as well as holding other positions of increasing responsibility from August 1999.

“I am pleased to announce Sean as Wabco’s new Chief Financial Officer following Roberto’s brief tenure here,” said Wabco Chairman and CEO, Jacques Esculier. “In addition to his broad accounting and finance background, Sean’s extensive experience with Wabco’s investor community will be valuable given our recent merger announcement with ZF Friedrichshafen AG. I’d like to also thank Roberto for accompanying us to this important milestone for Wabco, and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Deason holds a Masters of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and is a Certified Management Accountant.

EU Tyre and rubber company, Bridgestone Europe – a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation in EMEA – has acquired TomTom Telematics for €910 million.

First announced on 22 January 2019, the acquisition has now passed the relevant regulatory stages, had full approval from TomTom’s shareholders and received a positive response from TomTom’s works council.

The acquisition builds on previous work at Bridgestone to strengthen its digital capabilities. TomTom Telematics fits Bridgestone strategically and gives it a reinforced W W W. G LO B A LT R A I L E R M AG . C O M / G L O B A L T R A I L E R / 9

NEWS

EUROPE footprint in mobility solutions that make fleet operations more effective and efficient.

TomTom Telematics will operate within Bridgestone as a standalone business while taking advantage of the strong brand equity, large customer base, global reach and retail network of Bridgestone. Its management team remains unchanged as a result of the deal and will draw on Bridgestone’s investments and capabilities to accelerate the current growth plans in Europe and other regions around the world where Telematics is present.

“The closing of this transaction is a significant milestone on Bridgestone’s transformation journey from tyre producer to mobility solutions leader,” said Paolo Ferrari, CEO and President of Bridgestone EMEA, Executive Vice President of Bridgestone Corporation.

“With demand for fleet-based mobility growing year-on-year, fleet managers need more than ever before a reliable and innovative partner to help them maximise their effectiveness and efficiency through increased productivity and minimised total cost of ownership.

“Now, together, Bridgestone and TomTom Telematics have the tools, insights and experience to fulfil those demands. We are marking the creation of a fleet solutions powerhouse that will lead our industry into the future of mobility,” he said.

“We’re delighted that Bridgestone recognises the talent and skills in TomTom Telematics, and intends to grow the business to its full potential,” said TomTom Telematics CEO, Harold Goddijn.

“I’d like to wish all our colleagues in Telematics a successful future with Bridgestone.”

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ZF Friedrichshafen HQ.

GERMANY German transmission specialist, ZF Friedrichshafen, is merging with technology company, Wabco, as part of €7 billion deal.

Under the agreement, ZF will acquire all outstanding shares of Wabco for $136.50 per share in an all-cash transaction for an equity value of over €7 billion.

The acquisition price represents a 13 per cent premium to the closing stock price of $120.75 on 26 February 2019, the date prior to media reports and Wabco’s confirmation that ZF had approached the company.

The transaction will bring together two global technology leaders serving OEMs and fleets in the automotive and commercial vehicle industry, combining Wabco’s capabilities in commercial vehicle safety and efficiency, including technologies involved in vehicle dynamics control, active air suspension systems, and fleet management systems with ZF’s leading position in driveline and chassis technologies for cars and commercial vehicles.

“This is the right combination at the right price at the right time for

Wabco,” said Wabco CEO and Chairman, Jacques Esculier.

“We have a history of successful collaboration with ZF, including prototyping industry-first technologies, and the strategic fit between our two companies is compelling. After a thorough review, we are very pleased to announce a definitive agreement that we believe is in the best interest of Wabco shareholders.

“We are proud of Wabco’s track record since becoming a stand-alone public company nearly 12 years ago, and we believe our early anticipation of industry dynamics and ongoing ability to innovate technology ahead of others are key contributors to our sustained differentiation and success.

We are therefore highly attuned to long-range competitive forces and their potential implications as the sector contemplates a future of autonomous, electric and connected vehicles,” he said.

“We see great opportunities ahead, but they will be more challenging to realise,” Esculier added.

“It has become increasingly apparent that our industry will face a new level of strategic complexity and will attract

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NEWS

EUROPE new competition, including new entrants from outside the sector, able to bring unprecedented resources to the table. This demands Wabco make critical choices in the role it will play in the future industry value chain. Furthermore, it is anticipated that significant in house investment and new alliances will be necessary to address the full scope of required technologies for these new domains.

“Considering these factors, we strongly believe this is the appropriate moment to be joining forces with ZF, providing access to critical technology and the global size and scale to de-risk the return on investment required as the industry transforms. And as a result it will realize certainty of value and liquidity for our shareholders,” he said.

The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by Wabco’s Board of Directors, is expected to close in early 2020. It is subject to approval by Wabco’s shareholders, customary closing conditions, and regulatory approvals.

ZF CEO, Wolf-Henning Scheider, believes that together with Wabco, the business can form the world’s leading integrated systems provider for commercial vehicle technology to create long-term value and security for its customers, employees and owners.

“For ZF the acquisition of a specialist and leader for commercial vehicle braking systems means adding a stable and growing business segment and enables our existing commercial vehicle division to expand its expertise in vehicle dynamics control,” he said.

“This will create the foundation for ZF to offer comprehensive systems for safe and automated mobility solutions for passengers and goods to our

customers. This is also in the best interest of our owners, the Zeppelin Foundation and the Dr. Jürgen and Irmgard Ulderup Foundation, as the transaction will result in a sustainable strengthening of ZF.” GERMANY Equipment service provider, TIP Trailer Services, upgraded one of its sites in Germany to facilitate better services for commercial vehicle owners.

TIP moved to Jagenbergstraße 4c in Neuss on 1 February 2019. The site features a workshop that is equipped to provide transport companies and commercial vehicle owners vehicle comprehensive maintenance and repair services.

“On four bays (of which three are passable) and an additional repair shop for vehicles up to 3.5-tonne, we will now be able to really accelerate and repair and service the commercial vehicles of our customers as fast as possible and with the highest quality standards,” said TIP Workshop Manager – Neuss, Marco Servas.

At the new workshop location, trailers and swap bodies of every type are maintained and repaired. The offered services include: technical

inspections, such as B-services and the preparation and demonstration of the semitrailer for main inspection (MOT). The TIP workshop is also equipped for bodywork and minor paint work, as well roller brake tests for cars and trucks. Mobile workshop vehicles for on-site maintenance and repair will continue to operate as part of TIP’s service offering.

“We are currently servicing more than 22,000 customer-owned vehicles in Europe and will be happy to extend this through further business deals in the coming months,” said TIP Regional Operations Leader, Peter Marquardt.

“The relocation and expansion of the workshop in Neuss should help us meet the high customer requirements and meet the growing demand for services. This will enable us to increase the productivity and availability of our own and external fleets,” he said.

GERMANY German trailer builder, Schmitz Cargobull, has established a new foaming press for the manufacture of its Ferroplast insulation system at a plant in Lithuania, boosting production capacity from 10 to 30

TIP Trailer Services supports transportation and logistics operators throughout Europe.

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EUROPE reefers, M.KO truck box bodies for 12-tonne trucks and vans as well as Z.KO central axle box trailers and A.KO box trailers at the Lithuanian factory.

The additional capacity from the new foaming system will reportedly be used for the further expansion of the OEM’s box body and trailer product range.

The trucks with the M.KO body are used mainly for the inner-city distribution of goods as well as for local transport. It is for these vehicle bodies in particular that the new foaming system provides better insulation properties, according to

Schmitz Cargobull.

“The bolted subframe ensures compatibility with all the leading truck manufacturers,” Schmitz Cargobull said in a statement. “The finely-adjusted hole patterns in the subframe permit the body to be forcefitted to the manufacturer-specific and vehicle-specific attachment points.

Depending on the task at hand and the customer’s requirements, the body can also be adjusted to meet various lengths and load requirements. Schmitz Cargobull is continuously developing its transport solutions in close cooperation with the customers.”

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trailers per day.

“Whether in the transport of fresh or frozen foods or of sensitive pharmaceutical products, this capacity expansion has a positive effect for customers,” said Schmitz Cargobull Chief Technical Officer, Roland Klement.

“They benefit not only from higher flexibility, which results, among other things, in shorter delivery times, but also from more trailer variants, which we can manufacture in a more country-specific manner with the new equipment,” he said.

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More Information: www.cargobull.com

NEWS

NORTH AMERICA

Great Dane expands flatbed distribution capabilities.

US US-based trailer builder, Great Dane, has announced the establishment of three new flatbed trailer distribution centres.

The new locations include Trudell Trailers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Northeast Great Dane in Florida, New York; and Crossroads Trailer in Denver, Colorado.

“We are excited to welcome these three new locations to our roster of distribution centres, so that we can provide even better and faster service in these key areas of the country,” said Great Dane Director of Flatbed Product Sales, Keith Monroe.

“With the increase in US oil production and construction spending over the past few years, the demand for flatbed trailers has increased exponentially. In order to meet that need, we expanded our flatbed stock program and are continuing to add more distribution centers across the country,” he said.

In addition to the three new locations, Great Dane also has five other distribution centres. These include Crossroads Trailer in Albert Lea, Minnesota; Great Dane’s flatbed manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Tennessee; and Great Dane’s corporate-owned branches in Dallas, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; and Atlanta,

Georgia.

Great Dane’s stock flatbed program features Freedom flatbed trailers constructed of steel, aluminium or a combination of both in various configurations, including: Freedom SE all-steel flatbeds available in 48- or 53-foot models with extendable options to 80- or 90-feet.

Freedom LT steel-aluminium combination flatbeds available in 48- or 53-foot, straight or drop deck models.

Freedom XP all-aluminium flatbeds available in 48- or 53-foot models and backed by the industry’s only 10year warranty.

A range of additional specifications are also available to choose from, including toolboxes, tire inflation systems, coil packages, cargo restraints.

Great Dane spreads its stock throughout its branches, dealerships and distribution centres. The company also has the unique ability to pull stock from any location across its nationwide network in order to meet a customer’s specific needs.

“In the flatbed world, customers want to be able to see, touch and purchase trailers right on the lot, so having stock on the ground is a top priority for Great Dane,” said Monroe.

US US company, Meritor, has announced a strategic investment in an electrification technology innovator for large commercial vehicles, Transpower.

“This investment will allow us to advance the development of transformative electrification technologies for the commercial vehicle industry,” said Meritor CEO and President, Jay Craig.

“Our collaboration with TransPower has proved successful in the early phase of our electrification strategy and we believe it will continue to create a winning formula as we look ahead to low-volume production in the future,” he said.

Meritor’s investment will fund continued improvements in the development of controls for its eAxle and commercialisation of electric vehicle system solutions from both companies. Through various programs with major OEMs, almost 100 vehicles are planned to be equipped with Meritor and TransPower electrification systems between 2019 and 2020.

Meritor’s eCarrier platform integrates an electric motor into the axle, freeing up space for batteries and other components. This flexible design is the foundation for various drivetrain configurations, including full electric, hybrid, and single or tandem axles with various options based on product application for vehicle Classes 5 through 8.

California-based TransPower supplies integrated drive systems, full electric truck solutions and energy-storage subsystems to major manufacturers of trucks, school buses, refuse vehicles and terminal tractors. The company has been focused exclusively on developing electrical drive solutions for more than seven years.

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trailer axles

Challenging themes are our motivation:

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NEWS

NORTH AMERICA US US-based truckload shipping company, Celadon Group, announced today it has disposed of its A&S Kinard and Buckler Transport subsidiaries in an all cash transaction.

The company has also entered into a Fifteenth Amendment to its credit facility. The amendment, among other changes, reportedly provided for the following: consent framework for the A&S/Buckler disposition as well as an additional contemplated disposition that is expected to occur by 15 April; reduction of the previous pay down requirement and extension of the pay down rate from 31 March to 15 April to align the credit agreement terms with the expected net proceeds and timing of the A&S/Buckler disposition and the other contemplated disposition; reset of the maximum borrowing amount and maximum outstanding amount available under the credit facility to align with the revised pay down requirement and timing; additional funds for liquidity and revised financial covenants through 24 May. “We appreciate the contributions of A&S/Buckler team over the several years they were part of our Celadon family of companies,” said Celadon Group CEO, Paul Svindland.

“They have outstanding businesses and will find a strong fit and home at Day & Ross, which is building a leading dedicated truckload business in North America. We expect that all A&S/Buckler stakeholders – drivers and other employees, customers, and vendors – will experience a smooth transition and a bright future.

“Over the past several quarters, we have been diligently focused on streamlining our business, improving the results of our core North American truckload operations, improving our

capital structure, and resolving the accounting, litigation, and regulatory issues that had arisen under prior management.

The sale of A&S/Buckler marks another material milestone toward executing our plan. We anticipate additional announcements in the near term as we focus on positioning the Company to pay down additional debt, refresh our tractor fleet, complete our financial restatement and audits and solidify our capital structure,” he said.

Celadon Group provides long haul, regional, local, dedicated, intermodal, temperature-protect and expedited freight services across us US, Canada and Mexico.

Rytle’s e-bike, MovR with modular box.

US German joint venture, Rytle, and US-based OEM, Silver Eagle Manufacturing, have collaborated on an urban logistics innovation with its e-bike, MovR, and modular box.

The modular design of having a separate three-wheeled cargo bike called a MovR and pre-loadable wheeled boxes gives great flexibility in how best to serve a location, according to Rytle.

MovR and the modular box were part of Rytle’s showcase at the 2019 TMC Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month.

Silver Eagle President, Gary Gaussoin, said the cooperation is has established with Rytle will bring German engineering and domestic manufacturing together to supply the smartest urban logistics technology in North America.

“Sustainability, alternative mobility concepts, efficiency and speed paired with lower costs play an increasingly important role in city logistics,” he said.

Rytle co-founder and Managing Director, Dr Arne Kruse, explained that operators and fleets can choose from different solution levels on how to best serve dense urban environments.

“We are more than happy that we have found professional partners for bringing the Rytle logistic solution to North America,” said Rytle co-founder and Managing Director, Ingo Luebs.

“As a trusted specialist in the market Silver Eagle will proudly produce the equipment and help in sales operations.

With UPS as our leading customer and testing partner in Germany and Europe, we will do the next steps of implementing the e-bike technology in the US,” he said.

The implemented Rytle IT-System can reportedly be used to handle users’ authorisation or request pickup and delivery services. Sustainability, alternative mobility concepts, efficiency and speed paired with lower costs play an increasingly important role in international city logistics, according to Rytle.

“Products like the e-bike MovR represent the perfect combination of fast, safe, environmentally friendly transportation,” said Rytle. “With the comprehensive logistics software, it is also possible to use micro-depots or trailers with interchangeable boxes and to link all participants digitally in real time.”

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OCEANIA NEW ZEALAND Australian trailer builder, MaxiTRANS, has announced the sale and leaseback of the Takanini, Auckland, manufacturing and service facility in New Zealand.

The sale and leaseback of the Auckland facility is part of the ongoing capital allocation review being undertaken by MaxiTRANS to support the group’s strategic agenda.

Property for Industry Limited (PFI) will reportedly purchase the property for a net purchase price of NZD$17.2 million (approx. €10.4 million), at a rental rate which represents a lease capitalisation rate of 5.35 per cent.

MaxiTRANS will enter into a 12-year lease on settlement and the lease contains an opportunity for PFI and MaxiTRANS to work together to further develop the site.

The sale and leaseback, together with the development option, provides MaxiTRANS with the potential to grow the Auckland service business and further improve the efficiencies of the manufacturing operation.

In the short term, the proceeds from the sale of the Auckland facility will be used to reduce debt.

The group has also executed a contract for the sale and leaseback of its Richlands manufacturing facility in Queensland, Australia.

The MaxiTRANS Queensland manufacturing facility will be relocated

Performance-Based Standards (PBS) approved B-quad combination.

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following the development of a new purpose-built, more efficient, leased facility over the next 12 to 18 months.

Each property has been sold for a price above its carrying value, according to MaxiTRANS. In line with MaxiTRANS’ group accounting policies, the properties will be revalued to reflect their sale value.

Accordingly, there will be no profit on sale reflected in the FY19 results, although costs associated with the transactions will be classified in nonunderlying expenses.

In other news, earlier this month, MaxiTRANS announced the appointment of Tim Bradfield as its new Chief Financial Officer.

In February, MaxiTRANS reported financial results for the half year ended 31 December 2018.

According to MaxiTRANS, the split of underlying net profit before tax between the first half and the second half of FY2019 as compared to the prior corresponding period has been impacted by the Coles contract delivery in FY2019 as well as the planned slowdown associated with the deployment of the enterprise resource planning system (Project TRANSform) in the first half of FY2019.

The trailer builder said in a statement that FY2019 is a year of substantive review of the group’s capital allocation, and reported net profit after

tax for the first half will be impacted by the following items (subject to finalisation of the auditor’s review): Loss on sale of MTC of about €1 million (inclusive of costs), with the funds released from this sale subsequently allowing the group to fund the acquisition of 80 per cent of Australasian Machinery Sales Pty Ltd (Trout River Australia) in December; Enterprise resource planning system implementation costs that cannot be capitalised, of €652,745 – the ERP system went live in all Australian manufacturing sites in October and the rollout is continuing in the MaxiPARTS and service businesses; transaction costs associated with with Trout River Australia acquisition and assessing other strategic opportunities, as well as disposal costs for the sale and leaseback of the Queensland manufacturing facility at Richlands.

AUSTRALIA Australian vegetable grower, Rocky Lamattina & Sons, is reaping the rewards of its ultra-efficient Performance-Based Standards (PBS) B-quad combination.

“We obviously went into this expecting a good outcome in terms of enhanced operational efficiencies compared to the B-triples we’d been using, but the B-quad has well and truly exceeded our expectations, making all the hard

NEWS

OCEANIA work to get it over the line well worth it,” said Angello Lamattina, Director of Rocky Lamattina & Sons.

“I’d like to acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved with making this happen, including the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), for their vision and foresight in enabling us to get this highly efficient combination up and running.”

In describing the situation, Lamattina suggested that while the benefits of a B-triple over a B-double are reasonable, moving to the B-quad has enabled the company to reach a critical mass in that it now has the means to haul virtually the equivalent

of two B-double loads with vastly reduced running costs compared to operating two individual B-doubles.

“With our haulage work from Victoria to Queensland we couldn’t get enough weight on the B-doubles so we got permits to run B-triples which gave us an extra 15 to 20 tonnes of payload,” said Lamattina.

“However, the extra weight meant we had to use a different route which adds 150 kilometres to the leg and somewhat negates the benefit of running a B-triple compared with a B-double.

“The B-quad allows us an extra 30 to 35 tonnes of payload over a standard

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B-double which more than justifies the extra 150km added to the loaded leg due to the different route.”

Lamattina clarified that because the B-quad travels one way fully loaded with bins of carrots at a gross combination mass (GCM) of close to 104.5 tonnes and returns with just the weight of the empty bins, the company has been able to secure different permits for each leg, enabling a shorter journey on the unladen leg.

With the B-quad concept having proven a huge success, Lamattina is in the process of securing more additional trailer combinations approved for high producitivty.

COMMITTED TO

THE COUR

ALMOST FOUR YEARS AFTER DELISTING FROM THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE, MANAC HAS EVOLVED FROM BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND TO ONE OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE PLAYERS IN NORTH AMERICAN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT DESIGN. [ Story by Sebastian Grote. ]

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f it were up to Charles Dutil, second-generation CEO of Canadian trailer manufacturing icon, Manac, the captivating story of the company’s initial public offering in 2013 and subsequent delisting in late 2015 will go down as a mere sidenote in the company’s long and proud history.

Back then, the Québéc-based OEM raised some $40 million in gross proceeds before alleged interest by foreign buyers raised concerns about the longevity of the company’s local manufacturing base – in turn prompting the founding Dutil family to summon a group of investors and reprivatise the organisation.

While the French-Canadian Chief Executive, who helmed the business both under private and public ownership, is still humbled by the success of the family’s equally bold and patriotic move, he says what’s truly important are neither equity ownership nor personal sentiment. Instead, it’s Manac’s long-standing value proposition to “represent Canadian manufacturing excellence in an industry far dominated by American corporations,” as he puts it. “That’s our legacy, not some short-lived IPO.” Founded by Charles’s father, Marcel Dutil, Manac is best known for specialist trailers such as forestry equipment and flatbeds, and has established itself as one of the largest niche manufacturers in North America – a “big fish in a series of small ponds,” as it was once called on the trading floor in Toronto.

“We compete on all fronts – both with the largest players on vans and standard flatbeds and with the micro manufacturers in the niche segments – but the highmargin areas certainly form the foundation everything else is built-upon,” Dutil explains. “Since we took the company off the stock exchange, strengthening that foundation has been our first priority.”

But that’s not all that happened since the Dutil family took charge again. Behind the scenes, Manac proactively scouted the market for investment opportunities that would add to the group’s overall innovation base – both to add scale and to disrupt hitherto untapped markets.

In 2017, the company acquired a minority stake in Canada’s ABS Remorques, for example, a leading name in conveyor-style trailers that has the potential

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COVER STORY

Quarter frame aluminium end-dump.

RSE

Manac’s Remorques ABS live bottom trailer.

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to give the company’s forestry division a distinct edge, Dutil reveals. But that’s not all. “Like with every technology, what’s really interesting is not necessarily what you’ve already accomplished, but where you can take it – and I believe ABS still has a lot of potential in that regard.”

In August 2018, Manac continued with the acquisition of Alutrec, a fellow niche OEM specialising in the design and manufacture of aluminium semi-trailers. Again, Dutil sensed a classic “one plus one equals three” scenario, where enabling technology exchange is the true Return of Investment. “The combination of Alutrec’s technical expertise in the aluminium flatbed market and Manac’s dominant position in the transport equipment industry has enormous potential,” he says.

“We have well and truly arrived in the age of lightweight materials – even in an industry as conservative as trucking – so it’s a timely move.”

Having an “edge” in the aluminium space could not only prove beneficial in the flatbed market, he adds, but across multiple segments. “The Manac brand has and will always be known for pushing the envelope on the innovation front,” he says. “By adding these nimble, highly innovative names to our portfolio, we believe we not only strengthen our standing in the specialty equipment market, but also invest in a more complex knowledge base; a breeding ground for what’s Manac CEO, Charles Dutil.

Peerless lowbed with two axles jeep and two axle boosters.

to come down the line.”

In an exclusive Global Trailer interview, the ambitious CEO not only reveals what such a future could look like, but also reflects on the company’s historic homecoming and what it taught him about life, leadership – and letting go.

Q: When we last spoke in late 2015, Manac had just been delisted from the Toronto stock exchange and re-privatised under leadership of the founding Dutil family. Do you often think back to that milestone moment?

A: No, I don’t. There is simply no time, and arguably also no point in thinking about past events. Our mission statement is to provide customer-specific tailer solutions,and we do this in an industry far dominated by American businesses.

We feel it is important for Canadian manufacturing to have a local equipment supplier able to meet their specific needs. So despite the ownership transactions, we remained the same company focused on the same long-term clients – Canadian mid- and small-size carriers throughout North America. That’s our true legacy, not some short-lived IPO. Sometimes you need to let these things go.

Q: Still, are there any key lessons learned during that time that still serve you well today? Is there anything you would do differently?

A: Lessons are learned every day. So yes, we did learn a few during that period – most of them positive. As for what would we do differently, we would most likely not take the company public in the first place.

Q: Speaking of going public – it’s annual report season in North America, and early signs indicate 2018 was as an exceptionally good year for the local trailer manufacturing market. According to industry sources, the top 25 manufacturers saw a collective production plus of more than 15 per cent. How did Manac fare during that time?

A: Like many manufacturers in our region, 2018 was a record-breaking year for Manac, too. Every plant and product segment saw solid improvements when compared to 2017.

Q: Which product lines performed best – and why?

A: I wouldn’t isolate one product line. With a solid economy and favourable level in the US/Canada exchange rate, 2018 was just an overall good year for us. Due to a solid backlog, that will likely also be the case in 2019 as well, but growth will not be as sharp this year.

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COVER STORY

Q: With that in mind, were there any unexpected developments on the production level? In our last interview in 2015, you started to notice bottlenecks in material availability and cost, as well as labour – have these issues since materialised?

A: Yes, but these are on-going challenges and they are not limited to our sector of the economy. The labour challenges are more pronounced in eastern Canada, but we find ways to compensate. We now have over 70 of our employees in our main plant that are from Central America.

Q: Trailer manufacturing has historically been a distinctly cyclic industry and loosely followed GDP growth. With US media now reporting a fourth consecutive year of production figures north of 300,000 units, would you say it might be time to announce the end of that era?

A: No. I think it would be a mistake for someone to think trailer manufacturing is less cyclical than before. The last downturn was much deeper, and this positive cycle is certainly longer. If we do not see a slowdown in the next 24 months, I might change my opinion, not before that.

Q: Do you think Manac is well placed to weather a downturn? Back in our 2015 interview, you specifically mentioned that going private would allow you to manage economic volatility more easily…

A: I think we are. We have solid shareholders with a long-term view and loyal business partners. Going through a severe downturn is never easy and hard decisions need to be taken. Doing this with a long-term view is indeed somewhat easier.

Q: Especially in an evolving marketplace, where rising output from Mexican OEMs or those with manufacturing facilities in Mexico is shaking up traditional dynamics. How does Manac experience this development?

A: It affects every manufacturer, directly or indirectly. I think when tariffs are imposed on key components like steel and aluminium while no tariffs are imposed on trailers, it is a side effect that could be expected – but we

are looking at ways to minimise this.

Q: And that is only the beginning. There were several attempts from European and Asian companies to push into the North American market recently, some also in categories you serve, such as heavy haulage. Did that make an impact on you at all?

A: From units made overseas and sold here, no, we do not see this. From Asian companies shipping parts and assemblies here, or to Mexico for final assembly, yes, there is a noticeable impact.

Q: Beyond that “geopolitical” dimension, which technology trends do you think will shape the industry in the years to come – and where does Manac see potential to continue innovating?

A: Every year the speed of change increases, every year it affects our products.

Our R&D team does a good job of staying ahead of the curve. Connectivity and data management to improve unit efficiencies are the main trends in our view.

Q: And from a volume perspective? In which industry segments do you see the most potential for growth for the years to come?

A: Our product offering is most likely the widest in North America, so our plate is full as is. That also means our focus will remain firmly on North America – we have no plans to directly cover other regions at this point.

Manac 55-tonne lowbed.

Q: Does that mean we won’t see a Manac truck body any time soon? After all, the so-called ‘final mile’ market is gaining massive momentum all around the world. Does it fit into the portfolio at all?

A: As I said, our portfolio is incredibly broad, so you might be surprised – there are many things we do that we do not share with the media. We actually delivered to the truck body segment in 2018, and many other, similar projects are in process as we speak.

Q: Final question – let’s fast forward to 2026 for a moment: Where do you see Manac in the North American OEM ranking when you celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary?

A: Our goal is to be the partner of choice to our clients. We do not aim to be the number two or three in any volume-based ranking. What we want is to be number one in the “who is your trailer manufacturer of choice” ranking. www.manac.com

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EMBRACING

TRANSFO

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MARKET REPORT

RMATION THE THRIVING SOVEREIGN ISLAND COUNTRY IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN, NEW ZEALAND, IS MAKING SOME MAJOR CHANGES AT GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY LEVELS TO COMPETE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.

Editorial credit: / Shutterstock.com

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ew Zealand’s Minister for Economic Development, David Parker, presented a manufacturing sector report last year that celebrated the emergence of new and inventive manufacturers, in light of a hard slog following the Global Financial Crisis.

According to his opening statements in Beyond Commodities: Manufacturing into the future, the manufacturing sector is a diverse, innovative and vitally important part of New Zealand – at the time making up 12 per cent of the economy, and directly employing more than 240,000 people and accounts for over half of its total exports.

He explained that manufacturing is a key contributor to New Zealand’s regional economies, bringing employment and investment. “Manufacturing has one of the highest proportions of spending on research and development (R&D) in the private sector.

We can build from this strong position and do more to encourage additional R&D spending.

This will foster innovations that make us more productive and competitive internationally.”

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As a relatively small economy, distant from international markets, manufacturing in New Zealand faces challenges. According to Parker, it is not generally possible for New Zealand manufacturers to compete on price with the industrial powerhouses of the world, which have advantages of scale and proximity to key markets. He contended that New Zealand firms compete through the high quality and reliability of their products, the innovation and creativity in their design, the excellence of their service offering and the intelligent targeting of valuable niche markets.

To put the country’s economy into perspective: New Zealand’s trade surplus narrowed to $12 million (€7.2 million) in February 2019 from $188 million (€113.5 million) in the same month of the previous year and compared to market expectations of a $109 million (€65.8 million) deficit. Trading Economics reported that imports rose 12.9 per cent year-on-year and exports increased at a softer 8.3 per cent. The 12-month trade balance recorded a $6.62 billion gap (€3.9 billion) as opposed to a $3.06 billion (€1.8 billion) shortfall the year earlier).

Exports from New Zealand advanced 8.3 per cent year-on-year to $4.82 billion (€2.9 billion) in February 2019, after declining 3.9 per cent in December. Exports were mostly boosted by higher sales of milk powder, butter and cheese, which jumped 12.3 per cent, with milk fats and milk powder rising 18 per cent and 16 per cent respectively. Also, sales of logs and wood climbed 13.2 per cent. Meanwhile, exports of meat and edible offal decreased 9.6 per cent. By destination, exports when up to China (9.7 per cent) and the US (4.0 per cent) while it fell in Australia (-13.1 per cent), the EU (-12.3 per cent) and Japan (-2.8 per cent).

Parker recognises the importance of actively encouraging investment in both human and financial capital into innovative, high-value industries, which is why continued growth of ‘high-value’ manufactured exports will help to diversify New Zealand’s economy.

Andrew Carpenter, Managing Director of TR Group, says that the overall uptake of heavy vehicle equipment in New Zealand is increasing, in line with global trends.

“TR Group specialise in the rental and lease

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New Zealand has a mixed economy as well as sizeable manufacturing and service sectors complementing a highly efficient agricultural sector.

of trucks and trailers,” he says.

“We have a fleet size of 5,300 vehicles, with around 7,000 vehicles under our management all told.

“On the trailer front we have 1,600 trailers, around 600 rentals and 1,000 leased. These cover virtually every category in the market: general freight curtainsider and flat decks, container skels and swinglifts, refrigerated, alloy and steel tipping trailers, transporters, food grade and petroleum tankers, logging, livestock and various miscellaneous.”

Carpenter explains that there have been significant changes to the industry over the past 10 years, as fleet operators have invested in higher productivity vehicles.

“The new norm has become 23-metre, nine-axle truck and trailer combinations running at 50 tonnes,” he says. “We also have seen refrigerated semi-trailer dimensions and axle configurations change, with what is likely to be the final change coming through last year when the overall width was increased to allow pallets to be loaded side by side.”

The New Zealand Government announced in April that it has shared a commitment with industry leaders to transform the island country’s construction sector.

Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, said in a statement that the Construction Sector Accord was a new way for Government and industry to work together to create lasting, positive change in the sector.

“The wellbeing of New Zealanders is intrinsically linked to safe, durable and affordable homes, buildings and infrastructure,” she said. “To meet the future needs of New Zealand, both Government and industry recognise that we need to work differently.”

Politician, Jenny Salesa, elaborated that the Construction Sector Accord sets out an agreed vision, including better procurement practices, improved Government construction pipeline management and stronger building regulations.

“Strengthening the partnership between industry and Government will help us make that step change towards a more productive, innovative and resilient construction sector,” she said.

As the New Zealand Government aims to work harder with industry, time will tell how these ambitious plans flourish and how that may directly impact the local trailer market in terms of increasing demand for specialised equipment spec’d for construction and infrastructure works. www.globaltrailermag.com

B A U M A S H O W S T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F

CONSTRUCTION

TRAILER BUILDERS AND EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS FROM ALL ACROSS EUROPE GATHERED AT THIS YEAR’S BAUMA TRADE SHOW TO DEMONSTRATE INNOVATIONS THAT SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION, MINING AND AGRICULTURE INDUSTRIES. [ Story by Tim de Jong. ]

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ost of the European trailer builders represented at the gigantic Bauma show in Munich, which was held in April. Schmitz Cargobull was the only one with a stand in one of the many halls, while the others were grouped at the Freigelände Nord part of the open exhibition area.

In Germany, tippers are often used to complement road work activities. This is a big market when you consider that the government invests billions in improving its road freight arterial networks. Following this infrastructure spend, it makes sense that countless trucks and trailers are requisitioned to complete necessary road works.

This market trend has influenced Germany’s trailer builders, where just about every local OEM has their own tipper design spec’d for bulk haulage freight tasks. This year, the Germans expect a record of 538 roadworks sites all at the same time on their motorway network alone.

So, when Boris Billich, Sales Director of Schmitz Cargobull, told Global Trailer that Bauma is one of the most important venues for the brand to meet with customers, we think that we understand his point.

“Construction is one of the four pillars for Schmitz Cargobull,” Billich says.

“The other three are reefers, curtainsiders and box trailers as well as box-bodies for rigids.”

He estimates the production of tipper trailers at 20 per cent of the total of Schmitz Cargobull. The tippers on display in Munich are all built at a specialised site in Gotha, in the east of Germany.

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“In the past three years, this market grew by 10-to-15 per cent a year,” Billich says.

“It’s very dynamic. With an estimated market share of 20 per cent, we are clearly number one. We are growing in a growing market.”

He concedes that this success has a downside with regards to delivery timeframes. “We are executing changes and we are investing further in our plant in Gotha to reduce delivery times.

Also, we look to optimise deliveries of parts in order to smooth production and to speed it up while we are maintaining the same, proven quality standards.”

Schmitz Cargobull’s goals are obvious for 2019: Increase sales and decrease delivery timeframes.

Schmitz Cargobull has developed an inner protection layer when light aluminium box bodies are being used. According to the OEM: “Corroded and worn body finishes make unloading more time-consuming, complex and, last but not least, more

BAUMA 2019

dangerous, as the load can only really start sliding properly at extreme tipping angles.

Plastic body cladding ensures that the load slides from the loading surface more quickly and without leaving significant residue. The new OKULEN coating prevents bulk goods from adhering to the floor of the body and optimises the tipping process.”

Schmitz Cargobull is also keen to communicate the possibility of equipping the tippers with its telematics systems.

Aside from Schmitz Cargobull, other manufacturers offering tippers are Langendorf, Fliegl, Schwarzmüller from Austria, Kögel and Kempf. Another well-known brand is Kässbohrer, which was present in Munich with an impressive salesforce.

According Çetin Sarvan, trailing equipment deliveries at Kässbohrer are running smoothly.

“For instance for the body, we work with Turkey’s best known aluminium company.

They have ensured us proper delivery of sufficient bodies,” Sarvan says.

“We made a bottom out of several parts. In case of damaging the bottom of the aluminium body, we can easily replace separate parts. This drives possible operating costs further down.

And technically, our tipper trailer weighs no more than 4.9 tonnes. This includes a Smart Board and a tarpaulin to protect cargo from flying out.”

Sarvan also sees the Russian market performing well with success in Kässbohrer’s low-bed product range.

“We were succesfull in Germany and we are confident that it stays that way,” he says.

“There seems to be some kind of psychological border in the year 2020, but there’s no reason to worry, frankly.”

Sarvan explains that Kässbohrer has found a way in dealing with its wide range of trailers very effectively. “We call our plant a campus. It is divided in several sectors. This is necessary, to take decisions quickly and to respond to market changes in an effective way, in whatever part of the market they take place.”

Sarvan says that this is important, because sales have nearly doubled every year since the 2014-15 period. “We organised our salesteam to stay close to the customer. This implies that behind our salesforce, we have an aftersales team making sure that our client wishes

Schmitz Cargobull tipper on display at Bauma 2019.

come through, also after trailers have been bought.” Sarvan sees no reason why Kässbohrer wouldn’t be doubling sales again this year.

Meanwhile, Langendorf combined it’s stand, not surprisingly, with Wielton. We had an opportunity to meet with Klaus Strautmann, also at the Freigelände. He said that low loaders of the Wielton Group will all be made under the Langendorf brand. Furthermore, he expects Wielton Group to consolidate, after take-overs in the European market and after changes in trailer production in Poland. At Bauma, Strautmann said he’s worried about the structural shortage of staff in the manufacturing world, as well as in the transport business. “We are not only short of drivers, over here and in other parts of Europe, but customers and visitors here are short of craftsmen of any kind. It will hamper economic prosperity in all segments I’m afraid. With regard to that, some cooling down of the market might not be that bad.” bauma.de

Kässbohrer front and centre Caption with a variety of trailers.

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BREAKING NEW MANUFACTURERS AND INNOVATORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ATTENDED ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRADE EVENTS IN MUNICH, GERMANY, TO CELEBRATE PROGRESS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MINING INDUSTRIES. GLOBAL TRAILER TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT WAS ON SHOW AT BAUMA 2019.

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espite the certain uncertainty of Brexit and the economic complications of the USChina trade war, CEO Messe München, Klaus Dittrich, is adamant that the construction and machinery industries around the world are doing very well. He concedes that the most important topics when it comes to facing major challenges is skill shortages and digitalisation.

German Construction Industry Association Chairman, Lüddemann, agrees that the problems of digitalisation and a shortage of skilled labour run parallel. “We face the shortage of skilled workers simply because we try to invest in training because in the course of digitalisation, the working world of employees is also changing. And of course, we also have to take the employees along with them in these changed working conditions.”

According to a recent Messe München study, only four per cent of the respondents said that were among the frontrunners, while 20 per cent did not see a need for action.

Lüddemann suggests that the big challenge is to make the products smarter on all platforms, where appropriate, so that progress in productivity at construction sites can be harnessed to their full potential. “It is of no use to a contractor if three out of 10 machines are networked and the other seven are not,” he said.

Bauma 2019, one of the world’s leading trade fairs celebrating the latest developments

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in construction and mining equipment, took over the Munich Exhibition Center during 8-14 April.

In the lead-up to the trade show, Dittrich said that it was on-track to break records yet again.

“With an area of ​​614,000 square metres, Bauma has grown even bigger this year,” he said, explaining that there are 3,700 exhibitors from around 60 countries demonstrating their innovations in Munich.

He added that the event attracts visitors from over 200 countries.

Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Peter Altmaier, said the fair is a figurehead for Germany, while Bavarian Prime Minister, Markus Söder, shared his enthusiasm for the event.

“Highly innovative and impressive construction machines from all over the world show the progress of the construction industry, the latest machines even work fully electronically and emission-free,” said Söder.

“The construction industry is the indicator of our economic performance.” he said.

As key factors for the future of the industry, Söder described the acceleration of approval procedures, the intelligent construction with the help of digital planning and a reasonable management of land conservation and construction.

Calling all components

In line with this vision for the future, equipment specialists from across Europe are actively engaged in the development and implementation of commercial vehicle and trailing equipment innovations.

Gigant exhibited its suite of products, including self-steering axles, disc brake swing axles as well as its low bed trailer air suspension system. Markus Gehle, Managing Director of Gigant said the improved FB100 suspension features a 100mm wide air spring with a new support plate. Gigant’s GL70T suspension for low bed trailers has an axle capacity of 12 tonnes. “This 70mm wide air spring gives us more space and it reduces the weight even more,” Markus says.

“With this development we can present one of the lightest 12 to axle sets on the market.”

SAF-Holland – supplier of commercial vehicle parts – presented its hydraulically driven SAF INTRA CD TRAK axle as part of a live demonstration.

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GROUND

About 620,000 visitors from over 200 countries attended Bauma 2019 in Munich, Germany, to see the latest innovations in construction, mining and agriculture.

“Our additional drive for semi-trailers, which is activated at the press of a button, is an economically viable alternative to complex driven tractor units, in particular for the construction industry,” according to SAF-Holland Vice President Sales OEM & Aftermarket Europe, Alexandre Charpiot.

The additional power of the hydraulically driven axle primarily benefits tippers and vehicles which operate on-road and off-road at construction sites and landfills. The system is optimised for trailers in the nine-tonne standard range.

SAF-Holland has been manufacturing the proven and technically sophisticated axle as a standard product since the middle of 2018.

Meanwhile, BPW presented a running gear computer with integrated weighing system. The AGRO Hub running gear computer is intended to make it possible for the operator to determine the weight of a load using a new type of sensor that via a hub wirelessly transmits its data from a drawbar trailer axle directly to end devices as well as an ISO bus interface to the truck driver’s cab. According to BPW, this provides drivers and transport companies with full transparency over mileage and transported quantities – and can also bill by weight.

“The BPW Agro Hub is another example of how innovations from high-tech agriculture are increasingly finding their way into the construction sector,” according to Peter Lindner, Head of Agricultural Sales for Germany and the Benelux countries at BPW in Wiehl. “The new weighing system is particularly robust and quickly pays for itself, even for construction companies.”

Tippers, low beds and more

All of the major trailing equipment OEMs showcased their latest trailer builds, with an emphasis on mining and construction applications. France’s SAE-SMB Industries presented its variety of skeletal trailers, tippers, tankers and low beds, while Gorica of the United Arab Emirates unveiled its latest dealings with materials handling specialist, Palfinger, along with trailing equipment spec’d for Oman’s market.

German trailer builder, Schmitz Cargobull, brought its S.KI tipper semitrailer to the show, featuring thermal insulation, and a M.KI truck tipper with an electric sliding tarpaulin. To complement its tippers, the OEM has ‘digital helpers’ in the form of trailer telematics system and the S.KI control app.

The S.KI tipper semi-trailer with an aluminium box body is now available with

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Schmitz Cargobull MKI 55 SR with sliding tarp.

OKULEN plastic body cladding, according to Schmitz Cargobull. Corroded and worn body surfaces make unloading more time-consuming, complex and dangerous, as the load only really starts to move at extreme tipping angles. The body cladding ensures the load slides from the loading surface more quickly, without leaving significant residue. Adhesion of bulk material to the body floor is made more difficult, optimising the unloading process.

This enables the use of a lower tipping angle and reduces the risk of the semi-trailer leaning to one side during the tipping process due to uneven discharging of the bulk material. In addition, there are daily savings due to reduced unloading times and less need for cleaning.

For the S.KI tipper semi-trailer with thermal insulation, Schmitz Cargobull’s engineers have paid special attention to weight reduction. To offer the highest payload possible, the thermal insulation for the round steel body has been optimised once again. The innovative insulation material has a reduced additional weight, starting from about 310 kilograms, providing a robust and payload-

SKI AK thermal body.

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optimised transport solution.

Schmitz Cargobull now also offers the electrically operated sliding tarpaulin as a factory-fitted option for the M.KI truck tipper body. This is said to offer many advantages, especially when it comes to frequent loading and unloading operations. In addition to time savings, an electrical tarpaulin provides extra safety for the driver.

The tarpaulin can be opened or closed easily and quickly by remote control, either from the driver’s cab or the ground. When opening and closing the sliding tarpaulin, the driver no longer has to climb onto the working platform. Occupational safety for the driver is improved, as potential accidents resulting from frequent climbing onto the working platform can be minimised.

In terms of digitalisation, Schmitz Cargobull enhances all tipper semi-trailer models with the new, third-generation TrailerConnect telematics system as an option. This offers even more operating comfort and, with functions like the brake pad wear indicator or the new tyre pressure monitoring system, its tipper trailers can be optimally configured to meet the demanding requirements of the construction business.

The S.KI control app enables the tipper trailer to be controlled and monitored remotely via a mobile phone or tablet (Android or iOS operating system). The app increases safety and efficiency during loading, as different functions can be controlled from the driver’s cab. The driver saves both time and energy, while receiving reliable data regarding the current status of the trailer and load.

Due to Schmitz Cargobull’s modular system, the body, rear wall, chassis, running gear and additional fittings can be combined in such a way that the trailers are precisely optimised for the specific application.

Another trailer builder set on offering a complete construction package for heavy duty transportation is Germany’s Kässbohrer with its extendable, non extendable low beds and low loaders.

Powered by its motto “Enginuity”, Kässbohrer’s Low-Bed vehicles are equipped

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with cutting-edge technology for its customers in more than 55 countries.

Kässbohrer offers technical superiority with progressive steering, hydraulic suspension and metalisation and meets the need of its customers with wide range of options including double extension, versatile ramp options and advanced load security for operational safety and efficiency.

For general heavy haulage operators, Kässbohrer’s K.SLA extendable low-bed series offers the most flexible configurations accommodating three-, four-, five- or six-axle options, chassis extensions up to 7,300 mm as well as seven different rear loading ramp

options and lateral extension brackets. Equipped with advanced load security features, K.SLA series is said to offer improved manoeuvrability in the toughest working conditions with its self-steering axles.

K.SLA 4 from this product group is designed for usage in heavy goods transportation, such as the construction sector, mining sector and heavy construction equipment transportation.

Kässbohrer engineered K.SLA R, the extendable low-bed semi-trailer with three axles, for the transporters who specialize in the transportation of construction equipment, as well as farming and foresting machinery. Available with wheel recess as standard, K.SLA R is available with excavator arm recess option and a wide range of ramp options to ease the loading and unloading operations.

Chosen by bulk and high load haulers, Kässbohrer’s low-loader semi-trailer series K.SLL are perfect solutions for heavy duty transportation. Kässbohrer’s Low-Loader K.SLL 2 and K.SLL 3 have been re-engineered with the most technological systems and components.

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K.SLL 3 is the lowest low loader with a ground clearance of 100 mm, accommodating the maximum height on heavy-haulage transportation. K.SLL 3 with three axles comes with detachable gooseneck shortening the loading operations of bulky goods while enhancing operational safety with the front loading capability. With its strong chassis and robust construction, K.SLL 3 is designed for the reliable and on-time transport of heavy-haulage and abnormal goods. K.SLL 3’s load capacity is 54 tonnes. On the other hand, K.SLL 2’s load capacity is 44 tonnes.

Kässbohrer sets new standards for operational flexibility for fleet management in heavy transportation with its K.SLS series.

Kässbohrer reengineered the nonextendable three-axle low-bed semi-trailer, K.SLS 3, for setting new standards in heavy goods transportation with its three different variants based on its king-pin and axle capacities, and by minimising the tare weight with its lighter chassis design starting from 7,700kg to increase the payload as well as to enable energy-efficient and eco-friendly heavy goods transportation.

Engineered with hydraulic steering axles and remote control, Kässbohrer launched K.SLH series in the beginning of 2019. The series with five-six-eight axle option offers maximum manoeuvrability and flexibility in the toughest road and working conditions and is developed especially for the special haulage industry in the fields of manufacturing and construction.

Kässbohrer’s extendable hydraulic steering six-axle low-bed semi-trailer, K.SLH 6, with 102-tonne transport capacity, is designed for all types of heavy-duty transportation.

Providing a gooseneck capacity of 30 tonnes and extendable up to 17.5 meters thanks to its double extension. K.SLH 6 is developed for the extreme heavy duty transport. On the other hand, eight-axle low-bed semitrailer K.SLH 8 is designed with 36-tonne gooseneck capacity and hydraulic suspension system offering an effective and secure load distribution.

On the tipping front, German OEM, Kögel,

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brought its Kögel Trucker Tipper (KTT) along to the show. The manufacturer said the KTT is designed for high payload gains and better user-friendliness for vehicle operators.

“The starting point for the KTT was the payload and weight-optimised frame and body and a tipper trough incorporating a clever mix of materials,” according to Kögel.

The three-axle tipper trailer with 24m³ loading volume on show displayed the variant with a four-millimetre-thick floor, made of tempered SSAB Hardox 450 steel, side walls, made of a highly wear-resistant, five-millimetre-thick aluminium sheet, as well as a back wall, made of a highly wear-resistant, seven-millimetrethick aluminium sheet – making it ideal for carting construction materials such as crushed rock and gravel.

Compared to a Kögel tipper trailer with four-millimetre-thick steel side walls and a four-millimetre-thick steel back wall, the new aluminium side walls and back wall enable a saving of up to 430 kilograms in tare weight.

When designing the KTT, the OEM focussed on achieving maximum userfriendliness through a combination of parts fitted as standard and an extensive range of accessory equipment. For example, the wheelbase of the KTT has been optimised so that the load is distributed as effectively as possible, resulting in better driving and manoeuvring characteristics, as well as increased stability while tipping on difficult terrain. In addition, the tipper body overhang of the tipper trailers has been extended by 170 millimetres.

Kögel said an optionally attachable chute is therefore no longer necessary, which will not only save money, but also weight. The optional angular plate on the underride guard and locking device, which can be swung upwards, combine Kögel and Humbaur shared a stand at Bauma.

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Wielton Group brings its suite of tippers and heavy duty transport to market.

to prevent soiling during tipping. The locking catches automatically retract into the rear end during unloading, protecting them from soiling and damage.

In addition, this tailgate lock ensures that loose stones cannot get in the way during closing and allows the side walls to join smoothly with the rear wall gate.

The KTT exhibit was fitted with the optional Kögel LUXIMA multi-chamber LED tail light with integrated rear monitoring, which took third place at the international ‘Trailer Innovation 2017’ awards. To save space, the rear monitoring sensors were installed in the Kögel LUXIMA LED multi-chamber rear lights and the licence plate holder. This dispenses with the need for additional installation space at the rear of the trailer.

Similar to other trailers builders, Poland’s Wielton Group has been on a special assignment, perfecting its tippers spec’d for mine-related freight tasks.

The Master Mine ZW23SEM is a tipper body designed for transport in mines. Its durable construction allows for long use even in these particularly difficult conditions. It is said to be perfect for transportation of materials such as chalk rock, mining output, dolomite and granite.

Master Mine SEM has a dropside body with a capacity of 23-24m³.

Its tailgate is opened by steel ropes, and the hydraulic ram with a chrome-plated sleeve surface is fully dust-resistant. The strength of the vehicle is increased by the use of wear-resistant SSAB Hardox 450 steel, 8mm thick walls and a 15mm

thick floor. The tipper is equipped with an intermediate frame adjusted to the chassis of the total weight of 54 tons.

Due to the assignments meant for this vehicle, the standard equipment of Master Mine SEM tipper also includes wheel blades, which prevent a tyre from damage as well as steel covers for fuel and air tanks. As the reinforced tipping axles are used, the body gains strength and stability. This significantly improves its safety and durability, which is

The Master Mine SEM tipper.

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Langendorf, part of the Wielton Group, represented at this year’s Bauma.

particularly important when working on unsurfaced roads as well as when loading and unloading large volumes.

Wielton also took the opportunity in Munich to flaunt a redesigned M2 version of its Strong Master tipper. The upgraded design has made the tipper floor more resilient to abrasion, ensuring a longer equipment lifecycle. The key change to the Strong Master – according to Wielton – is the elimination of side members and construction bars from under the box shed, and the use of a 6mm thick floor that has been further reinforced in the back wear area.

The thicker floor as well as a higher and stronger rim profiles to ensure greater rigidity in the box.

The tipper has retained its characteristic conical shape; its dropside body will be available in various cubic volumes (22-38m2). Wielton also offers two semi-trailer frame versions: one as a standard build (SL) and the other as a reinforced build (HD) intended for use in more demanding conditions. Other options include a back flap door and a hydraulic door.

Meanwhile, Langendorf demonstrated the versatility of its selection of low loaders.

The wide range of low-loader trailers produced by Langendorf allows the Fliegl’s Stone Master trailer.

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fast and economic transport of construction vehicles on wheels and chains, finishers and milling machines, road rollers and operating platforms as well as containers. The hydraulic platform in the low bed is the specialty of the SATH low-loader trailer series, according to Langendorf.

Due to their very low ramp angles, vehicles with little ground clearance such as for example road finishers can be easily transported with these trailers. The whole loading bed has a length of 6,300 mm, 2,500 mm of which are lifted hydraulically by around 400 mm directly at the axle assembly.

Due to this, there is the very low angle of less than 8° at the passage of the axle assembly into the loading bed.

The vehicle shown is extensively equipped.

Despite the many options, a low empty weight of less than 15,000 kg could be achieved.

All three axles are hydraulically steered and can additionally also be steered by means of a radio remote control as manoeuvring steering. An ECAS Smart-Board with lift and lower function and the automatic driving height control from 30 km/h on complete the chassis.

A further highlight is the neck to be adjusted hydraulically, which can take a oneaxle dolly additionally by this. Therefore, a

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fifth wheel load on the dolly of up to 25 tons is possible without exceeding the permissible axle load of the tractor.

The structure has rubber metal layers on all ramp slopes. The rest of the floor is covered

by Keruing hardwood. Thanks to this flexible combination, the highly stressed ramp slopes are perfectly protected against wear whereas on the storage spaces the lighter hardwood is used.

For loading and unloading, the structure is supported by hydraulic supports in the area of the loading ramps. The hydraulic loading ramps – both designed as spreader ramps, are also covered by rubber metal and can be shifted hydraulically to the side.

Between the axles, there is a recess for the excavator arm. The front platform is surrounded by collapsible/plug-in side walls.

Here you will also find the electro-hydraulic pump assembly with which all hydraulic functions of the trailer are supplied with oil independently from the tractor.

A time-controlled lubrification system provides around 60 greasing points regularly with grease.

The low-loader

trailer has a very wide equipment regarding the possibilities of load securing.

There are 17 pairs of rigid lashing rings with each 10,000 daN on the vehicle.

These ones are complemented by the award-winning Vario-Lash system only available at Langendorf. These ten additional lashing devices can also take up to 10,000 daN load.

Fliegl presented a variety of trailers at Bauma 2019, including low loaders, platforms and a tandem three-way tipper.

Fliegl’s TSK 210 tandem three-way tipper has a loading height of only 1,100mm, a robust loading space in original Hardox 450 capable of taking even heavy loads, tipping options on three sides and the transportation of construction machines. The focus of this particular design is on multifunctional use.

“Right from the start, the tandem three-way tipper trailer was one of the most successful models to leave the production line in Triptis,” said Fliegl. “Its most important feature is its low unladen weight of only 4,200kg. This allows the platform, with its extremely robust steel side panels, a length of 5,000 mm and a width of 2,420 mm, to accommodate loads weighing more than 16,800kg.”

By increasing ground clearance, it minimises the potential for damage during offroad use. Fliegl routed the connection lines in and through the drawbar as an additional durability measure.

The air suspension is tailored to off-road use and equipped with a raising and lowering valve, thus offering increased safety during the loading of construction machinery.

A tipping angle of 470 to the rear and 500 to the sides for smooth discharge, even of cohesive loads, and a support for an excavator scoop on the bulkhead; these are just a few of the many features of the newly designed three- way tandem tipper TSK 210 T from Fliegl. A further advantage is central locking of the side panels.

A payload of over 16,800kg is possible and can be used both for the transport of bulk materials or small construction machines. Aluminium ramps with a load capacity of 10,000kg are provided to allow problem-free loading and unloading of self-propelled machines in any location.

The tipper body is designed for continuous use even under tough conditions and scores with a wealth of practical details such as 10-tonne lashing. A throughrunning tipping shaft on the rear transfers all loads smoothly to the steel chassis.

Fliegl TTS Schwarz.

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This ensures the long service life of the tandem tipper.

The five-stage hydraulic cylinder is supplied with oil by the tractor vehicle.

The continuous steel folding side panels are swing-mounted and equipped with central locking. Return springs on both side panels facilitate closing for the driver. Bulk materials are enclosed by side panels with a height of 600mm.

The two-section, swing-mounted rear panel is ideal when using the TSK 210 T for the transportation of construction machinery.

The second strong point of the trailer is revealed here. Two aluminium ramps can be carried in a protected compartment beneath the loading area.

They can be quickly and easily fitted in order to load a construction machine onto the tandem tipper, according to Fliegl. Their high load-bearing capacity of 10,000kg per pair and a length of 3,600mm allow realisation of a flat driveup angle.

These details, according to Fliegl, show that great emphasis was placed during the design process on ensuring a broad range of applications. Despite its many ingenious and user-friendly details and options, the new TSK 210 T weighs only 4,200kg and has a permissible total weight of 21,000 kg, allowing problem-free use of the three-way tandem tipper to transport small excavators and other machines. The easy-to-operate folding rear support guarantees safe loading and unloading – even without a tractor vehicle attached.

Calling in from Austria, Hangler presented its Mega telescoping platform semi-trailer.

The coupling height of a Mega provides even greater flexibility when the load is not just wider or longer, according to Hangler. The SDS 390 Mega telescoping platform semi-trailer from Pramet in Austria provides a length of up to 21,000mm. The highlight of this design is the low coupling height of only 950mm, which allows even more flexible application of this semi-trailer.

When coupled to the corresponding tractor unit, the height of the loading edge is only 1,060mm – leaving plenty of room above for the load. The low unladen weight of only 9,000kg in the basic version also gives the operator a high degree of flexibility when it comes to loads. In retracted position, the semi-trailer is only 13,500 mm long, which means that it can be driven without an exemption certificate.

The high-quality steel box frame can be extended in a total of 17 stages and can be locked pneumatically and conveniently in position at every stage. This is done via a valve on the semi-trailer but is also possible via a switch in the towing vehicle.

Intermediate inserts provide a continuous floor even when the trailer is fully extended.

This is an advantage when loading several small machines on wheels or tracks right up to the bulkhead.

The frame in the rear area has been bevelled by 80 over a length of 500mm to allow machinery to be driven on even with low clearance angles. The telescoping rear supports guarantee safety during loading – even of heavy machinery. This means that

Semi-trailers from Hangler pack just about everything.

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the trailer can hold construction machinery weighing up to 24 t. A continuous U-profile in the rear allows the secure attachment of ramps.

The pull-out width extensions with which the width of the loading area can be increased to a total of 3,000mm are accommodated in the closed outer frame.

With its low loading height and flexible telescoping function, the SDS 390 Mega can also be used for the transportation of containers. This is possible without interruption of the continuous smooth loading surface due to floor-recessed container locks for 1 x 40’ or 2 x 20’ containers. The 50mm floor, made from special wood, ensures a high load-bearing capacity.

It goes without saying that the securing of the load is also an important feature. The trailer is equipped with 11 pairs of side post pockets in the outer frame. Each side post pocket contains a multi-function opening for the attachment of lashing chains or straps.

Three side post bars are welded in flush with the floor and allow the positioning of additional side posts.

Five pairs of lashing eyes in the front frame neck and 11 pairs of folding lashing rings in the outer frame round off the equipment.

Special feature: the folding lashing rings in the outer frame are suspended and



Hangler mega trailer.

WITH ITS LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION TORSIONRESISTANT STEEL FRAME, THE HYDRAULIC AXLE FOR THE STEEL SEGMENT BODY IS THE CLASSIC OPTION. swivel-mounted, which means that they can also be used for extra-wide loads.

Nevertheless, these folding lashing rings are designed for a load of 10,000 DaN. The bulkhead has a height of 1,200 mm, is also equipped with lashing eyes and has steel corner posts enabling it to absorb high forces.

And of course, all fastening material can be stowed away safely on the vehicle when not in use. There is an open compartment on the bulkhead for the removable side posts, while further material can be stored, secure against theft, in the toolbox.

The attachable aluminium ramps have a load-bearing capacity of 24,000 kg and can be stowed away safely and space-savingly in a lockable transverse storage box under the chassis.

The last axle is a steering axle, ensuring high manoeuvrability even on narrow construction sites. The steerable trailing axle with automatic reversing lock and the offset axle spacing ensure excellent handling characteristics. Axle load detection via the CAN bus allows the values to be displayed in the tractor unit. The automatic lift axle, which can also be operated via the tractor unit, can also be used as an approach aid. Lifting the axle increases the semi-trailer pressure, giving the tractor unit sufficient grip, even on slippery ground. The full LED lighting – including the warning signs for extra-wide loads and the additional working lights.

Austrian OEM, Schwarzmüller, has a portfolio of over 50 vehicle types for the construction industry. Four of them, plus the development arising from a cooperative partnership, were on show at Bauma, including thermally insulated

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bodies, steel segment bodies, low loaders, tandem tippers and the Benzberg Tridem tipper body.

The TÜV-certified thermally insulated body means that no thermal bridges will occur while vehicle is in use, and that the OEM abides by the DIN standard. Schwarzmüller has achieved thermal resistance (R value) of 1.80 m2 K/W, which exceeds the prescribed value of 1.65 m2 K/W by more than 10 per cent. Other advantages offered by thermally insulated bodies include the ability to control a variety of practical applications via remote or smartphone. This includes, for example, comfortable operation of the electronic air suspension with lifting and lowering. The controls can also be used to raise the lift axle and to activate the paver brake, which also means simultaneously lifting by means of air suspension. That means tipping into the paver is safe.

The electrical sliding covers can also be opened and closed via remote control or smartphone. The lightest Schwarzmüller thermally insulated body weighs in at an empty weight of 4.7 tonnes. The optimised payload reduces both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, which in turn reduces transport costs and helps protect the environment.

With its lightweight construction torsionresistant steel frame, the hydraulic axle for the steel segment body is the classic option. It has an empty weight of around 5.3 tonnes, pairing extreme robustness with a comparatively low empty weight. Torsion boxes and tubes installed horizontally into the frame, together with the four-point tipper cylinder, improve the tipping stability of the steel segment body by up to six per cent, according to the OEM, ensuring increased safety.

Schwarzmüller’s four-axle low loaders feature excavator shovel recess and roller buttresses to complement construction operations. These trailers feature and empty weight of 7.95 tonnes and above, a loading height on the low bed of approx. 0.87m and a drive-on and offset frame section over the

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 SCHWARZMÜLLER IS ALSO SETTING THE STANDARDS IN CORROSION PROTECTION: DRAWBAR, BOGIE AND LOADING RAMP ARE ALL HOTDIP GALVANISED AS STANDARD. bogie, allowing for the trouble-free transport of tall and overwidth machinery.

The engineers at Schwarzmüller have also come up with a few extras for this low loader: with its flat ramp angle of just eight degrees, the hydraulic double ramp with added lateral movement makes loading and unloading easier. With air suspension including lifting and lowering mechanism, as well as many lashing options, the chassis ensures optimum load tie-down.

Schwarzmüller is also setting the standards in corrosion protection: drawbar, bogie and loading ramp are all hotdip galvanised as standard.

Another popular trailer design on show was Schwarzmüller’s take on the three-way tandem tipper featuring an empty weight of 3.65 tonnes, an internal width of 2.42m suitable for loading pallets and a loading volume of around 11.6 cubic metres.

The Benzberg Tridem tipper body is said to be extremely stable and secure, even in the roughest terrain. Its hydraulic chassis allows the body to compensate for obstacles of up to 50cm in height, while the specially shaped frame enables a 30° steering angle at an external width of 2.55m with 65cm wide wheels.

Schwarzmüller explained that hydraulic slope compensation keeps the vehicle stable on uneven ground, serving to balance wheel load distribution. The offroad control system adds transparency and control via vehicle monitoring in real time using GPS, so that all relevant vehicle and load data can be called up at any time. All Benzberg vehicle frames are reportedly equipped with a multi-docking system, allowing them to be adapted for diverse areas of application. The advantage is that the vehicles are extremely versatile, while retaining a high resale value.

Taking lighting to the next level

Lighting and electronics specialist, Hella, presented a new precision technology that optimises light values to function as a beacon. Its flat, simple-black design allows it to integrate itself into the respective vehicle.

Hella has also been refining its Visiotech projection tech that enables communication through lights. As the construction and mining industry is focused on improving safety and operational efficiency, Visiotech can be used to optically mark areas to better manage workflows and to define hazardous areas.

Hellas has four products with this technology in the market: the LED Projection Module, the warning lights SL60 LED and Module 50 LED Spot as well as the RokLUME S700 Red for mining vehicles.

The LED Projection Module was developed for original equipment and projects a warning symbol on the floor. If so required, other symbols can be developed and set up in collaboration with the vehicle manufacturer.

The warning lights SL60 LED and Module 50 LED Spot are available for original equipment manufacturers as well as independent aftermarket. For

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The Faymonville Group produces special vehicles for heavy load transportation.

both variants, a special lens optic allows the light beams to converge so much that a strip-shaped warning line or circular warning dot is projected onto the ground. The projected lines can also be used for simpler vehicle navigation.

The LED warning light RokLUME S700 Red utilises the same principle, and projects a wide red marking onto the ground. Thanks to its powerful light output, the warning light can also be used on vehicles with high mounting positions and is therefore particularly suitable for mining vehicles.

Also innovating in the commercial vehicle and automotive lighting space, Aspöck Systems represented at Bauma. The lighting specialist recently expanded its operations in Poland, paving the way for future opportunities.

For years, the Aspöck Group has successfully developed lighting and wiring solutions for trailers. With the aid of innovative technology and functional designs, lamps are produced which fulfil the demands of tomorrow. Safety through high visibility is extremely important for us, for cargo, for drivers and for following traffic. The manufacturer has a five-function light with

integrated triangle reflector and full LED capabilities (Multiled II), a multichamber lamp featuring all light functions and spec’d for durability (Multipoint II), a compact full LED rear lamp (Earpoint LED) along with wiring and plug connectors.

Bauma breaks records

Debriefing on the success of Bauma 2019, event organisers confirmed that over 620,000 visitors checked into the trade show – an increase of 40,000 people since the last event in 2016.

The top 10 visiting included Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Poland and the UK, with ‘strikingly strong’ growth coming from China, Australia and Japan.

More than 5,500 visitors came from China alone.

Klaus Dittrich, CEO of Messe München, was more than satisfied with the smooth course of the trade fair and the consistently positive feedback from exhibitors. “Bauma is by far the most important innovation platform and economic locomotive in the world by far … especially in times of technological change, which is breaking new ground as a result of digitisation, Bauma gives the industry security and confidence.”

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TH E PH I LOSOPHY

OF MBS

IN APRIL 2017, DICK AALDERINK, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF VDL WEWELER EXPLAINED THAT THE EUROPEAN TRAILER MARKET IS CHANGING AND THAT MANY AXLE AND SUSPENSION BUSINESSES ARE FOCUSING ON NEW MARKETS AND PRODUCT CATEGORIES GOING FORWARD.

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ooking at the European trailer market today Aalderink’s forecast was accurate: All top-selling trailer brands moved to producing axles and suspensions under their own name, hoping to create added value and with it new revenue streams and build additional brand equity in a segment suffering from low margins and increasing competitive pressure.

At the same time VDL Weweler sees, more than ever, other European trailer builders trying to follow suit by investigating the possibility of splitting the traditional axle and suspension and aiming for a standard chassis and suspension package that is able to house all main axle brands.

Besides looking at Europe, more and more air suspension favouring regulations are implemented in emerging markets like India and China. This means that although the local OEMs are only just exploring the concept, they will soon demand an affordable plug-and-play solution that can work around different chassis designs without having to reinvent the wheel every time.

VDL Weweler, which specialises in the design and manufacture of high-tech suspension systems designed around a special, 3D-formed trailing arm, has this ability as it can modify its suspension regardless of the axle or chassis that’s being used.

This is thanks to VDL Weweler’s philosophy of creating Modular BoltOn Solutions, or MBS for short. This path of creating MBS was taken over

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a decade ago and has so far proven very successful. It has seen products emerge like special bolted hanger brackets, the BoltOn® axle lift and of course the non-welded air suspension for round axles.

As the emerging markets gear up more towards air suspension, VDL Weweler does anticipate that the traditional European 9t. will not be sufficient, creating a need for a new breed of MBS air suspension. One that will have all the characteristics of the current versions plus the ability to adapt to local circumstances requiring twin tires and heavier duty applications.

At the last IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany, VDL Weweler already presented a study model of this future MBS. The goal behind the new generation MBS is as simple as it is ingenious. It will become a non-welded trailing arm air suspension system that is standardised, but still leaves room to customise by choosing for example a conventional or air damping solution, or by adding a bolt-on axle lift.”

At the same time the system should be around 100kg.

Unique will be the clamped connection to an axle. Having no welding, there is obviously less risk of stress cracking in the clamping, but according to VDL Weweler, clamping a round axle also always requires

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VDL Weweler production facility.

Confident it will set a new industry standard in Europe as in the rest of the world, VDL Weweler is planning to set up a dedicated production line for this new MBS variant. The new line will be housed at the company’s current world-unique manufacturing plant in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. www.vdlweweler.nl

FAST FACT some sort of recess in the axle with a corresponding protrusion in the clamping element which engages in the recess in a positively locking manner. The recess in the axle currently needs to be made during the production phase of the axle. Something that is not always desirable. Particularly not for trailer builders buying loose axles.

VDL Weweler will therefore offer a solution that allows the OEM to create this recess in-house, by means of a simple operation, allowing for the OEM to use standard, of the shelf axles. The recess sits in the axle for life and is re-usable. Even after suspension parts are replaced.

Creating sustainable axle and chassis independent modular spring steel air suspension solutions, that are easy to assemble, lightweight, maintenance-free, non-welded, cost-effective and use a minimal amount of end-coated parts with maximum functionality, offering customers more flexibility regarding their chassis optimisation and/ or axle integration resulting in an overall production time improvement.

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CONSTRUCTION

BOOM SAF-HOLLAND GROUP IS A LEADING MANUFACTURER OF SUSPENSION SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS, PRIMARILY FOR TRAILERS AND TRUCKS, BUSES AND CAMPING VEHICLES. ITS PRODUCT RANGE INCLUDES TRAILER AXLE SYSTEMS AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, COUPLINGS, KINGPINS AND LANDING GEAR.

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quipment specialist, SAF-Holland, demonstrated its hydraulically driven SAF INTRA CD TRAK axle along with parts and accessories for construction vehicles at Bauma 2019.

SAF-Holland’s trade fair stand will focus on the hydraulically driven SAF INTRA CD TRAK axle: its integrated additional drive takes the required power directly to the trailer.

“Our additional drive for semi-trailers, which is activated at the press of a button, is an economically viable alternative to complex driven tractor units, in particular for the construction industry,” according to SAF-Holland Vice President Sales OEM & Aftermarket Europe, Alexandre Charpiot. “Our Bauma presentation focused on how construction vehicles can benefit from this in challenging environments.”

A live demonstrator on the Bauma stand showed that vehicles with the SAF INTRA CD TRAK can easily set off on hills, remain agile on difficult terrain and move around reliably even on loose ground.

The additional power of the hydraulically driven axle primarily benefits tippers and vehicles which operate on-road and off-road at construction sites and landfills. The system is optimised for trailers in the 9-tonne standard range.

SAF-Holland has been manufacturing the proven and technically sophisticated axle as a standard product since the middle of 2018.

Bauma 2019 was held 8-14 April at the Munich Trade Fair Centre in Munich, Germany. SAF-HOLLAND also presented its SKS-S 36.20 RECOLUBE fifth wheel and the 36-ton SK-HD 38.36 fifth wheel with SK-V 36 slider. www.safholland.com

FAST FACT The SK-S 36.20 series fifth wheels with RECOLUBE are lighter-weight due to the spheroidal graphite cast iron and are equipped with a safety latch that enables coupling and uncoupling with one hand.

According to equipment specialist, SAFHOLLAND, these fifth wheels are up to 33 kilograms lighter, reliable and robust; feature maintenance-free bearings as well as optimised lubrication channels for effective grease flow, connections for central lubrication, with options for direct or angle bracket mounting. Also, these fifth wheels are approved for force steering, feature five independent high pressure pump elements, control signals from the truck board computer, grease level empty signal via the vehicle display, pump monitoring via vehicle display and mounting on fifth wheel bracket.

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R O B U S T A N D READY GLOBAL COMPONENT EXPERT, HENDRICKSON, CONTINUES TO DELIVER DURABLE, LIGHTER-WEIGHT RUNNING GEAR TO MAXIMISE VEHICLE UPTIME.

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he road transport industry presents exciting prospects for trailer manufacturers that provide specialised axle and suspension systems tailored for specific region requirements. US-based company, Hendrickson, applies its ‘Engineered for Efficiency’ motto to everything it works on – especially its suspension systems, which are designed for truck, bus, and trailer applications for today’s global medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle market.

Looking to expand its footprint, particularly in Europe, Hendrickson President and CEO, Gary Gerstenslager, says his team continues to provide solutions to OEMs around the world.

To ensure better ride quality and control for curtain-side trailers, platform trailers, tippers, tankers and container chassis, the component expert unveiled its Hendrickson Severe Duty System (HSDS) suspension at the 2018 IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany.

According to Gerstenslager, this suspension innovation achieves the ‘ideal’ combination of ride softness and roll stability with a patented tri-functional bushing that works with a rigid beam and rigid axle connection. He explains that HSDS provides a straightforward and functional design to ensure efficient maintenance of the system as it features two long-life bushings for each suspension.

“Available with drum brakes, the HSDS supplies responsive, consistent braking power in a reliable and durable package,” Gerstenslager says. “Also, standard QUIK-ALIGN provides fast, easy, accurate axle alignment using standard tools.”

Meanwhile, the INTRAAX AANT 23K fixed suspension system is an ideal choice for weight-conscious haulers running straight-frame platforms, container chassis, liquid tankers, grain hoppers, bottom dumps and livestock trailers, according to Gerstenslager.

“The INTRAAX AANT 23K boasts a capacity of 23,000 pounds in ride

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heights from 12 to 19 inches,” he says. “The tapered beam design allowed us to trim more than 35 pounds, or about 15 kilograms, from the suspension while still maintaining the smooth ride, superior performance and rugged durability you have come to expect from INTRAAX.” In addition to its rugged and durable suspension systems, Hendrickson has its new 146mm-diameter Hendrickson Chassis Axle (HCA), which Gerstenslager says is a superb choice for intermodal applications.

“The HCA is a one-piece axle with hotformed spindles, ensuring low maintenance and high performance. The HX spindle, on the other hand, reduces overall weight of an axle, extending the expected lifecycle of the wheel end.” www.hendrickson-intl.com

FAST FACT Hendrickson Director – Aftermarket, David McCleave, announced in March that Hendrickson lift axle parts information is now available via the Plus + Parts Look Up System. “We are excited to offer our customers this added feature; until recently the Plus System only offered Hendrickson trailer and truck suspension components and assembly information,” he said – adding that Plus has three distinct benefits. “It allows you to place a competitor, or OEM part number in the system to obtain the matching Hendrickson part number; enables the user to look up a part number to ensure it is valid or provides an updated part number; and allows the user to view the bill of materials for an assembly, ensuring you get all the correct parts for the job.”

2017

WINNER CATEGORY SAFETY

2019

WINNER CATEGORY CHASSIS

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STEERING

RIGHT DI STEER AXLE MAINTENANCE IS GENERALLY COMPLICATED AND CAN LEAD TO DIFFICULT REPAIRS, HOWEVER, GIGANT HAS DEVELOPED A NEW SELF-STEERING AXLE THAT IS MORE SERVICEABLE AND EASIER TO MAINTAIN.

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arkus Gehle, Managing Director of Gigant, explained at last year’s IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany, and the 2019 Bauma trade show in Munich, that his team solved a lot of end-user issues with their latest self-steering axle.

Fleet operators and equipment manufacturer have advised the axle specialist that the problem with steering axles today is that maintenance is complex and repairs are often challenging.

To address the industry’s pain points, Gigant took a closer look at the design and development of its own self steering axle, specifically the self-steering arm, and worked towards a solution. Gehle said the objective was clear: eliminate

Gigant is a medium-sized family business which commenced operations in 1953 in Mühlen, Lower Saxony, and has operated in the commercial vehicle market for more than six decades.

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all lubrication points to ensure absolute ease of service.

“The most interesting point is that the self-steering axle is a low maintenance axle which means that we dispense all greasing points on the axle,” he said. “Furthermore, with our patent we can easily dismantle the steering arm from the axle beam without removing the whole axle from the trailer and without pressing the steering bolt out.

That makes repairs much easier and faster, which saves a lot of money, especially in combination with the out bounded drum and our maintenance-free compact bearing.

Soon, we will begin a field test to confirm that the design is robust and reliable.”

He added that with the new and patented steering arm system, the steering arm can be very easily separated from the axle body using the spherical joint heads that are positioned and screwed from the top and bottom, all without any special tools.

“The arm pins connect the steering arm with the axle body, but also serve as a retaining element for the spherical joint heads, which together with the integrated bearing clamps, make the system low-

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IN THE

IRECTION Gigant’s self-steering axle.

maintenance and extremely easy to service.

Greased and adjusted one time by Gigant, and the customer has no more work with the steering arm bearing.”

To ensure that the self-steering axle is lowmaintenance in all areas, Gigant uses selflubricating bearings and lifetime-lubricated slack adjusters for the camshaft bearings.

Gehle confirms that a low-maintenance SKF compact bearing is also used here as well as the proven system with the drum in front of the hub.

“But not only the low-maintenance components are worth mentioning, but also the more compact design that is achieved with the new steering arm bearing,” he says. “It allows for the installation of the brake cylinder within the contour of the tyres.”

Ultimately, Gigant strives to better the serviceability of its axles, and it does so through direct feedback from customers and fleet operators who expect solid returns on their road transport investments.

“Our focus is addressing industry concerns about the service life of hardware by developing gear that is more serviceable and reliable,” said Gehle. “At Gigant, we are very proud of our new self-steering axle, which epitomises our line of innovative thinking.” www.gigant-group.com

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BY INTELLIGENT

DESIGN

THE INTELLIGENT TRAILER PROGRAM IS WABCO’S HOLISTIC FORAY INTO SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT TRAILING EQUIPMENT THROUGH THE USE OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES.

FAST FACT With recent introductions in China, Brazil and India, WABCO’s Intelligent Trailer Program is now available globally and is enabled by an installed base of over 9 million WABCO trailer EBS and ABS systems. The program features support a variety of trailing equipment including box trailers, curtain siders, tippers, tankers, container chassis and semi-trailers.

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he commercial road transport industry is embracing technological change, specifically the development of ‘smart’ trailers. With access to more than 40 trailer functions that increase operational effectiveness as well as vehicle operator safety and comfort, WABCO has been mobilising vehicle intelligence with its Intelligent Trailer Program since its initial launch in 2010.

Back in 1981, WABCO, together with commercial vehicle manufacturer, MercedesBenz, launched the first Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) for trucks and buses – this innovation would be introduced to trailer builds two years later.

Fast-forward to 1997, WABCO harnessed Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) for trailer applications, and together with Controller Area Network (CAN),

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enabled braking via electronic signals to usher in a new era of progress: intelligent trailer systems.

This led to the launch of WABCO’s Intelligent Trailer Program in 2010: an award-winning suite of trailer technologies to help trailer builders, fleet operators and cargo owners to reduce transportation costs, save fuel and increase driver safety and comfort.

In principle, it works through various sensors connected via the CAN and the GIO (Generic In/Out) to the Trailer-EBS (TEBS). By intelligently processing the data they provide, TEBS determines whether the current vehicle dynamics is unsafe or inefficient and triggers countermeasures by actively warning the vehicle operator, and where possible, directing the actuation of brake and/or suspension controls to bring the vehicle back to the desired safe and efficient state.

Finally, TEBS stores these events and transmits them to the driver via displays and warning indicators, to the workshops via diagnostics interfaces and to fleet managers through telematics.

2018 and 2019 mark important milestones in the evolution of WABCO’s Intelligent Program offering and in particular the introduction of the iABS/ iEBS Intelligent Braking Platform.

Announced at IAA 2018, this platform will take the integration of the program’s functions into trailers to the next step while also “ABS” enabling features only available on EBS equipped trailers up to now.

The following Intelligent Trailer Program function enhancements will also be soon available: • a new strap-mounted sensor covering all wheel rim sizes for the OptiTire™ tire pressure monitoring system • a new compact and high performance ultrasonic sensor for the TailGUARD™ rear blind spot detection and automatic braking system • an iOS compatible version of the OptiLink™ smartphone app enabling

drivers to monitor and control the trailer safety and efficiency functions • a new version of the SmartBoard control pad which provides the driver access to key trailer information and allows to operate the EBS and air suspension functions. The new version provides amongst other things, an enhanced user interface and expanded compatibility with EBS and new generation ABS www.wabco-auto.com/intelligent-trailerprogram

OPTI LEVE L™ ADVANCE D SUSPE NSION CONTROL WABCO has pioneered Electronically Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS) applications for commercial vehicles since 1986. OptiLevel™ - WABCO’s trailer ECAS solution – provides the trailer height control features to the Intelligent Trailer Program.

Leveraging a height sensor mounted to the vehicle body and connected to its axle via a lever system, OptiLevel™ enables automatic (or thanks to the eTASC handle) pneumatic suspension control (or manual control with eTASC) functions which significantly reduce both loading/unloading time and fuel consumption.

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O V E R C O M I N G D I F F I C U LT

TERRAIN BPW IS MAKING AN IMPACT WITH ITS AGRO DRIVE – A HYDRAULIC DRIVE AXLE CONFIGURED FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS.

BPW AGRO Drive.

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erman equipment specialist, BPW, has won a public choice award for its ‘AGRO Drive’ hydraulic drive axle, which enables 25 per cent more traction for trailers operating on wet and difficult ground conditions and helps smaller towing vehicles pull larger loads.

BPW asserts that due to a reduced slip of the drive wheels, the AGRO Drive system produces high torque without churning up the ground beneath.

Automatic freewheeling also enables use on roads and at higher speeds.

The drive axle includes preparation for a tyre pressure control system (RDS) as standard, which optimises the contact area of the wheels for the particular ground conditions.

Rotational direction and rotational speed sensors (DDS) start working from 0 km/h and thus enable accurate calculation and metering of fertilisers or pesticides that are being applied, for example. The installation position and cable routing of all the optional sensors (RDS, DDS, ABS) has been designed to provide maximum protection and easy maintenance.

Another typical benefit for BPW is the easy servicing of the brake system.

The sophisticated design of the drive axle means that maintenance and brake lining replacements can be performed without removing the hydraulic drive motor: the brake drum is simply taken out.

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Having been unveiled in autumn 2017, AGRO Drive became an instant bestseller, according to BPW, and it has now been selected by the readers of the German specialist media outlets ‘Agrarheute’, ‘Agrartechnik’ and ‘traction’ to receive the public choice award in Würzburg, Germany, for ‘Innovations in agricultural technology’ in the ‘Logistics’ category.

Péter Mándli, Managing Director of BPW-Hungária, and Peter Lindner, Agricultural Sales Manager for Germany and Benelux at BPW in Wiehl, accepted the prize.

“Going on when others stop is a promise that not only holds true for our drive axle

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Péter Mándli (right), Managing Director of BPW-Hungária, and Peter Lindner, Agricultural Sales Manager for Germany and Benelux at BPW Bergische Achsen KG in Wiehl, accepted the prize in Würzburg.

but also for our development departments.

This important award proves that we have really hit the mark among farmers and contractors with the AGRO Drive,” said Lindner.

“Word is already spreading in the construction industry too about the potential of the AGRO Drive. We are receiving increasing numbers of requests to kit out construction vehicles, such as heavy-duty tippers. The versatility of the system is proving to be an advantage, for instance when it comes to the sensors or suspension,” he said. “On request, the system can be set up without suspension or can be combined with leaf, air and hydraulic suspension. ” www.bpw.de

FAST FACT On soft, loose soils or when operating on banks or hillsides, agricultural vehicles often reach their limits. In order to facilitate vehicle start-ups on such surfaces and to prevent getting stuck, equipment specialist, BPW, has developed a hydraulic drive axle for agricultural trailers: the BPW AGRO Drive. The additional drive ensures enhanced performance on difficult terrain.

Not only does the new hydraulic drive axle improve the vehicle’s traction, but it also simplifies servicing: the sophisticated design of the drive axle allows maintenance work and brake pad changes to be carried out without having to disassemble the hydraulic motor. This is made possible by using the tried and tested BPW brake system, which enables easy removal of the brake drum. The drive axle can be installed in leaf-sprung, air suspension as well as hydraulic suspension units.

As standard, the AGRO Drive includes an interface for connecting a tyre pressure control system. This interface was developed exclusively for BPW in close collaboration with PTG Reifendruckregelsysteme.

In addition, there is the option of integrating speed, rotation direction and ABS sensors into the axle. The positioning of the sensors in the upright keeps them very well protected from dirt, providing maximum operational safety and reliability.

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I N - L I N E W I T H I TA L I A N

I N N O V AT I O N THIS YEAR, ITALY’S ASSALI STEFEN CELEBRATES ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY AS A MANUFACTURER OF AXLES AND SUSPENSIONS FOR TRAILERS, SEMI-TRAILERS AND SPECIAL APPLICATIONS.

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riginally founded as a producer of self-steering and special rigid axles in Verona, Italy, in 1984, Assali Stefen has expanded its product range following the acquisition of the license to produce ROR axles and suspensions. The OEM continues to develop new patented solutions to meet

the ever-evolving needs of the transport market.

With a worldwide reputation for the design, production and distribution of axles and suspension systems for trailer, semi-trailers and other customised solutions, Assali Stefen has endeavoured to continuously innovate and maintain strategic partnerships with important players in the commercial road transport industry.

In 2011, Assali Stefen widened its range of products adding ROR standard axles and suspensions to its ever-increasing production. Ever since, Assali

Assali Stefen CEO and founder, Giovanni Bertagnoli.

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Stefen has rejuvenated the ROR brand, developing new solutions that meet the evolving needs of its industry partners.

Over the years, Assali Stefen has grown constantly, registering a +38.6 per cent increase in axle production and a +48.8 per cent increase in revenue in the last 5 years. After the acquisition of the license to produce ROR axles and suspensions, Assali Stefen has continued to invest in automation and innovation, widening its range of products and developing new patented solutions, confirming itself as one of the major players in the market.

“The strength of the company lays in the experience and passion of our team”, according to CEO and founder, Giovanni Bertagnoli.

“Assali Stefen has grown thanks to the direct relationship with our customers, flexibility in terms of short lead time and product customisation, which is possible even for low volume orders. These are our strengths and this is what we believe in. We are ready to face new challenges looking towards the future,” he says.

Assali Stefen offers a wide range of products, from standard options to tailored solutions. In particular, Assali Stefen has specialised in self-steering axles and command steering axles, as well as special applications. Assali Stefen is one of the major manufacturers of self-steering axles, command

steering axles and special applications. As a matter of fact, still today some of the greatest European trailer manufacturers fit Assali Stefen self-steering axles under their trailers along with their own rigid axles.

Among the innovative solutions, Assali Stefen recently presented the air suspension SL9, which is an integrated suspension with an innovative and patented clamping system, allowing a weight reduction of 20kg per axle compared to the CS9 suspension.

Also, the roll stiffness is increased by 20 per cent. The SL9 suspension loading capacity is up to nine tonnes, and is available in different configurations, on rigid or selfsteering axles, either with disc or drum brakes. www.assalistefen.com

FAST FACT Italy-based OEM, Assali Stefen, has a variety of trailer suspensions systems that can be adapted for specific trailer applications, as well as allow for optimal vehicle operator comfort and safety. The OEM also specialises in the design and production of steering axles, specifically Italian-made ROR trailer axles.

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LEG I T DUTCH MANUFACTURING SPECIALIST, VALX, IN ASSOCIATION WITH FUWA, HAS DEVELOPED A COMPACT, ROBUST LANDING LEG THAT IS WEIGHT OPTIMISED FOR EUROPEAN SPECIFICATION.

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arent company, FUWA, has established itself as a leading supplier of landing legs globally, according to VALX Sales Director, Martin van Willigen. While FUWA landing legs are renowned for their sturdiness and overall durability, VALX has collaborated with FUWA to develop a light weight landing leg that is suitable for European applications.

This European specification comprises a static capacity of 60 tonnes and a lifting capacity of 25 tonnes. According to van Willigen, these specifications beat the competition in terms of static and lifting capacity.

“Like our axles we have a robust design with low total cost of ownership,” he says. “We will have a special 80-tonne version for the Middle East and Africa, to serve our customers through our subsidiary VALX Middle East in Dubai” he says – adding that VALX also takes into consideration how OEMs may integrate their products with trailer designs. “The VALX landing leg has a 10-hole 3D backplate, which allows for a lot of mounting options. This offers trailer builders more freedom, while ensuring the aftermarket segment can upgrade with VALX landing legs.”

The VALX landing leg also features compact gearbox design with minimal installation depth.

Following trends in electrification, particularly e-mobility, VALX also has its integrated power leg the eLEG, which van Willigen says is an attractive proposition for heavy vehicle drivers – especially when there are safety and efficiency advantages to using automated equipment.

“The process of manually operating landing legs can be tediousand inefficient, especially for vehicle operators who are constantly coupling and uncoupling trailers,” he says.

“For some retired drivers contemplating getting back behind the wheel, though, this could make all the difference. We have the eLEG in the field for almost three years and tapped into a nice niche market and gained profound experience in the European market.

With this new manual landing leg we are able to enter the standard market.” www.valx.eu

FAST FACT

Weight-optimised landing leg.

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In addition to supplying durable landing legs to the European market, VALX is tailoring its e-mobility suite of products for mass production – specifically, the E2! and E2!HD energy axle. Through ongoing development, the refrigerated transport industry, in particular, is set to benefit from all-electric solutions that are made possible by VALX’s energy axle technology.

Serial production of the E2!HD energy axle is expected to commence next year.

The E2! Energy axle is already in serial production since 2012 and keeps small battery charged for taillifts, forklifts etc., which lengthens the lifetime or batteries significantly.

“Intelligent approach: Adding true value to your everyday operations.”

Andreas Völker, Director International Sales

Our Profi Liner is the archetypal employee: resilient, flexible, reliable and extremely profitable. This true multi-talent in the transport sector convinces with its economical and hard-wearing construction, which includes high-quality standard components down to the smallest detail. It allows top speed loading and unloading, and thanks to the individual equipment options, it can be perfectly tailored to fit your requirements. As a result, you get more efficiency for every minute and every kilometer, day after day.

Scan the code, achieve more.

LIGHTING

I L L U M I N AT I N G T H E

ART OF LIGHTS ASPÖCK SYSTEMS HAS INVESTED IN NEW FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY TO HARNESS ITS PASSION FOR INNOVATIVE LIGHTING IN THE INTERESTS OF IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY FOR VEHICLE OPERATORS.

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ince 2006, Aspöck Systems has been an international partner to the automotive industry. In 2015, the production location in Poland was completed to efficiently serve the Automotive segment and fulfil the high expectations of automakers. The expansion at the business location in Kluczbork now has the necessary space for further development, new machines and the introduction of another production line.

Aspöck Automotive Poland currently has 170 employees as well as a new facility which is connected to the production hall and – in addition to offices, conference rooms, social areas for employees and an archive – also houses a lab with a test workshop.

Future-proofed with a 1,000-square-metre site in Poland, Aspöck Systems is poised for growth, expecting about 250 employees to work in a three-shift model in the production area.

The subsidiary in Kluczbork produces the rear lamps for Volkswagen Crafter and Caddy vans. Audi is also an important customer, according to Karl Aspöck, CEO of the ASPÖCK Group and Owner of ASPÖCK Automotive Poland. “We produce more than a million third stop lights for automotive manufacturers.”

Sustainable growth is the basis of pioneering developments, Aspöck says, adding that his team has developed a rear lamp innovation for trailers. The Ecoled II is an upgrade to previous models, featuring a directional indicator that is monitored in accordance with ISO 13207-1.

“The interchangeable lens can be used for the left and right lamp, which likewise applies to the entire rear lamp when turned 180 degrees,” says Wolfgang Ahamer, Head of Sales 24V. “If the rear side area is damaged, only the mounting bracket, which connects the rear lamp to the end outline marker arm, breaks at the provided breaking point. The rear lamp remains undamaged. This ensures that repair is affordable because only the broken mounting bracket has to be replaced. The physically

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resilient rear lamp that is resistant to moisture, UV radiation and chemical effects – also featuring a low design height and can be used in the voltage range of 12-24 volts.”

When in operation, the Ecoled II provides a uniform light pattern plus a dynamic indicator with a sequential light, ensuring improved safety for vehicle operators through better visibility.

Aspöck Systems is also expanding its product portfolio by developing and investing in novel LED socketing and encapsulation technologies, including LED strips.

“Innovative linear lighting systems with high IP protection classes are manufactured at the Austria location,” Aspöck says.

“A building expansion was required to be able to produce these high-quality LED strips. As such, in conjunction with the segment expansion, Aspöck can achieve wider market coverage and present itself to a wider audience.

“Thanks to these and other capacity expansions, the Aspöck Group is ideally prepared for new projects and developments.” www.aspoeck.com

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A CALL TO ACTION AS THE WORLD’S TOP TRAILER BUILDER IN TERMS OF COMBINED VEHICLE OUTPUT, CIMC VEHICLES IS TURNING TO INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM THE ‘MADE IN CHINA’ STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH ITS MASS PRODUCTION ACHIEVEMENTS.

O

utdated production lines and obsolete organisational structures are impacting CIMC Vehicles’ current operations, yet without these challenges, the Chinese industrial powerhouse would find no momentum for transformation, according to CEO and President, David Li. He explains that even though CIMC Vehicles implemented automated production processes as early as 2014, at the time it

CIMC Vehicles President and CEO, David Li.

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identified the need to upgrade its manufacturing infrastructure as well as reshape the organisation from the ground up. This would take for the form of restructured management and a directive to standardise the CIMC product range to be in-line with market trends and demands.

Recognising the benefits of utilising its global network, CIMC now begins the production process of each of its trailers in the digitalised factory called the ‘Light Tower’ factories, which is one of four new purpose-built built semiautomated production facilities in China. Key components are then sourced from all around the world. The business has moved from the traditional labourintensive manufacturing model to a technology-intensive manufacturing model; abiding by the principles of cross-ocean manufacturing, local engineering and global supply chain.

Li confirms that CIMC’s ‘intelligent upgrade’ of its production lines introduces advanced equipment for processes such as automated cutting, loading and unloading of materials and welding. This manufacturing hardware has the capability to receive and carry out requests, comprising Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM), Manufacturing Execution Systems (WEMS), Warehouse Management Systems (WEMS), and Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP).

The sequence for developing these sub-systems is important, Li says, because the ERP will not work if the production lines are not connected and the data is not available.

After two years of planning and construction, mass production eventually started at the first lighthouse plant in Dongguan City of Guangdong Province in the middle of 2016. Currently, three plants under CIMC Vehicles are about to be upgraded as lighthouse plants with the automated IoT equipment in the final phase of debugging and optimisation.

CIMC Vehicles claims to be ahead of its peers regarding the development of smart technologies, too. For instance, the OEM equips its semi-trailers with multiple sensors at critical locations to transmit the collected data to a terminal so that the client can monitor the entire process. When a semi-trailer is transporting temperature-sensitive cargo such as food, it is necessary to

FACTORY TOUR

Dongguan Light Tower factory.

install sensors that are capable of measuring the temperature and sending data in fiveminute intervals to ensure effective control and whole-process monitoring.

To maintain its world-leading position in the trailer building market, Li says a smart business ecosystem must exist, which for CIMC Vehicles comes in the form of digital solutions – namely, Big Data.

“This is the most important commercial value of installing the sensors,” he says.

“CIMC Vehicles has just made the first step for this and there is still a long way to go.

However, it is always our goal to create value for the customers and offer them premium services.”

With the upgrade to lighthouse plants on track, CIMC Vehicles is set to transform its organisational structure and management under the force of various digital application technologies and automated manufacturing technologies since the original organisation model is no longer suitable for the current situation.

Li says CIMC Vehicles has established a dedicated technical team for digital manufacturing, including a digital model design centre, an automated production technology centre and a digital management centre as well as an office in the company’s headquarters.

The one-office-with-three-centres structure is the norm in the organisation of the lighthouse plant and an integral part

of the digital plant that CIMC Vehicles will build in the future. Li explains that proper classification and segmentation during digital transformation is absolutely critical.

CIMC Vehicles has also instigated a dedicated ‘coach regiment’ to execute the lighthouse plant program. According to Li, there are about three to five members in the coach regiment with the commander designated by the headquarters.

The commander, as the person in charge, must be an interdisciplinary person with excellent leadership. Then, the commander will choose members of the ‘regimental cabinet’ and battalions will be created under the regiment with outstanding persons in the areas of digital model design, automated production lines and digital management recruited.

“Similar to the one-office-with-three-centres structure of the lighthouse plant, this is a ‘one regiment with three battalions’ structure,” Li says. “Take the lighthouse plant in Yangzhou City as an example. The coach regiment of this plant consists of one commander and one assistant commander, both having doctorates, and another three technical personnel in certain areas from the headquarters. They have been sent to Yangzhou to establish the digital design team, the automated manufacturing team, and the digital management team for the plant.”

In October 2016, this coach regiment had built the production line and developed the system and the applications for designing digital models step by step. By mid 2017, the primary plan for the lighthouse plant was made by the team under this coach regiment. In 2018, trial production started in this plant.

“The name ‘coach regiment’ sounds quite military since developing a lighthouse plant is just like fighting a dubious battle,” said Li. With a severe shortage of persons on digital technologies, it is imperative for the company to turn its employees into someone it actually needs and seek for technical persons aligned with the corporate development. To this end, CIMC Vehicles adopted an approach with “internal training” and “external recruitment” running side by side.

“We will first choose among our employees and encourage them to compete for related positions,” Li says. “If there is still any position left after internal selection, the external recruitment will be executed. Whether it is for technical personnel or the management, anyone who has the qualification and a strong

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Advanced production line.

desire for the position can be a candidate. However, if an employee is not suitable for any position in the new organization, he/she will be assigned to a position for services such as the after-sales service, customer services, and repair.

We will make such reposition more frequently. In fact, we have employees who have been working as service personnel for several decades. Therefore, they are perfectly suitable and enjoy certain advantages for such positions.”

Li believes that the greatest difficulty in transforming employees into management personnel lies not their skills but their perspectives.

“For a digital plant, the employees have to shift from the recurrence thinking to recursive thinking and from direct thinking to reverse thinking,” he says.

“For this, CIMC Vehicles has adopted a course training method to accelerate the transformation of our people’s way of thinking.”

R&D Team Leaders of CIMC Vehicles.

Once a new project is rolled out, the company will choose specialists to build the coach regiment. Team members under the regiment will try to reach different goals surrounding certain tasks. For example, the team for automated production must complete the detailed renovation and upgrade of the engineering regarding the production line, including the graphic design, core equipment and so on.

Before such renovation and upgrade, however, the boundary of the production line has to be defined by the team on digital models – specifically, which products can be made. Once that is resolved, a digital system will be developed for the production line.

“An automated production line is not as flexible as the manpower,” Li says.

“The larger the product mix is, the more complicated the equipment must be and the investment cost will be greater accordingly.”

More recently, CIMC Vehicles has signed cooperation agreements with Antai College of Economics and Management (ACEM), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and MIT (USA) to recruit suitable persons externally.

The OEM has also officially become a partner in the MBA program of the “China Leaders for Global Operations (CLGO)” initiative.

This program is initiated jointly by Antai College of Economics and Management (ACEM), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and MIT (USA) with the aim of nurturing interdisciplinary persons in an era of intelligent manufacturing. As a partner in this program, CIMC Vehicles, as the assessor, can interview MBA students who have great potential, address its shortage of related personnel by attracting the students to the company for internships, and recruit outstanding students.

“I hope that all plants of CIMC Vehicles would be transformed to lighthouse plants and the number of dedicated teams on digital manufacturing would increase from four currently to 14 by 2025,” Li says. “Technical personnel in certain areas will increase to 400 to 500 as scheduled to lend support to our 25 manufacturers across the globe.” www.cimc.com

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T R A N S P O R T 2 0 19 : VISITORS FROM ALL OVER

SCANDINAVIA THE MESSE CENTER IN THE MID-DANISH TOWN OF HERNING HOSTED THE TRANSPORT SHOW 2019, ATTRACTING A NUMBER OF VISITORS AND EHIBITORS. [ Story by Tim de Jong ]

T

he Transport show in Herning, which was held 21-23 March, gathered visitors from all Scandinavian countries and the north of Germany.

While the show has been around since 1988, it hasn’t really attracted the ‘big shots’ from the trailer world until now.

Trailer building juggernaut Schmitz Cargobull has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Way back in 1989 it had a modest office pavilion and used a container as a spare parts warehouse in Padborg on the Germany border. Three decades later, the OEM has firmly established itself in Denmark.

“Product innovations such as the galvanised and bolted chassis, the company’s own axle unit and most recently, its own cooling unit, have always been very well received by our Danish customers,” according to Schmitz Cargobull Director – Northwest Europe, Gregor Rein.

Schmitz Cargobull Managing Director, Tim Warmeling, explained that the Danish transport industry often plays pioneering role in telematics as well. “The openness for new technology and services is an essential part of our success story in the Danish market.”

The Danish had some impressive heavy vehicles on display, too. B-Doubles are approved to run on their roads just like elsewhere in Scandinavia and in The

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Schmitz Cargobull were in Herning to discuss telematics and the trailer builder’s latest developments.

Netherlands. Operators in both countries are frustrated, though, about the reluctant attitude of their neighbour Germany versus heavier and longer combinations though.

Should the Germans allow longer combinations up to 25.25 metres up to weights of 60 tonnes, many trucks would be taken off the road in Germany. It’s a point

EVENT REVIEW

the Germans don’t really see – afraid as they are of allowing heavier combinations on their numerous bridges. Now, Swedes, Danes and the Dutch have to decouple at the German border or drive with significantly lower weights of just 44 tonnes to cross the largest transit country of the European continent.

Danish sources estimate that Denmark now runs between 400 and 600 so called ‘link-trailers’ which we know as B-Doubles. In Holland and in Scandinavia, they run on 60 tonnes.

In an earlier feature, we wrote about the ‘problem’ for truck manufacturer Scania, running a number of trucks between its headquarters and plant in Södertälje and its largest plant, Zwolle in The Netherlands. The Swedes also have to decouple, compromising the productivity of their transport operations.

Apart from the link- or B-Double combinations, the Danes also operate relatively heavy trailer combinations with the all accepted length of 16,50 metres. However, they often specify their trailers with four axles, pulled by a three axle drwawbar. This allows the Danes to load up to a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 56 tonnes. Many of these heavy duty trailer combinations are being seen in Denmark. The 56 tonnes combinations have been allowed since 2014. We have the impression that divergent laws on weights and dimensions lead to the different structure of the Danish trailer market.

For instance, when it comes to the aforementioned specifications, other trailer manufacturers are more focused on lower production numbers and more on specialised trailers, taking a significant part of the Danish

trailer market.

Examples of this are Kel-Berg and AMT, who were on the show showing all kinds of solutions focussed on high weights. Other manufacturers on display un Herning were the TII Group from Germany and Nooteboom from Holland, which were represented by their importers. Broshuis, also from Holland, had their own presence, as they stated that Denmark is increasingly becoming more important. This has to do with the extensive production of windmills in the country, which attracts the European industry of heavy transport equipment.

An exotic example of trailer construction comes from VM Tarm, which exhibited a bitumen tank trailer with a length of 18.5 metres. This company is constructing in Denmark, while these tall trailers are destined for the Swedish market. This trailer has a capacity of 49,000 litres split in compartments of 17,000 and 32,000 litres. The empty weight is 12,400kg and the four axles are SAF Intradisc. Axles two and four are steered, while one and three can be lifted.

Another exotic to be seen was VALX’s energy axle. A trailer in PNO colours on display outside at the event was fitted with this energy-generated axle. According to VALX, this innovation sparked trailer builder interest, particularly in the field of multifunctional applications, where a trailer axle configured with a power generator could be used to share the load of connected electrical systems, such as tail lifts and electric fork lifts.

The electicity generator on VALX’s energy axle can be configured for other applications including lowering the loading floor of double-deck trailers, recharging the batteries of an electric truck forklift, electrically driving a loading crane as well as air conditioning for livestock transport.

According to the Product Manager of the Herning show, Nikolaj Haubjerg Jørgensen, this was the best show for Herning so far, attracting over 25,000 visitors. A trend ongoing with the show is the increasing number of IT firms visiting the Transport Show. According to Jørgensen, the number has risen to over 40 exhibitors. We were assured that the show attracts both captains of industry as well as drivers. This last detail is important as Denmark is, just like many other countries in Europe, suffering from a grave shortage of drivers.

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WORLD EVENTS

TRANSPORT LOGISTIC

4-7 JUNE

Messe München Transport Logistic 2019 is a trade fair for all things logistics, mobility, IT, supply chain management and Industry 4.0. The event, which has been running in Munich since 1978, also has an international conference program and network platform.

MULTIMODAL 2019

18-20 JUNE NEC Birmingham, Birmingham, UK Multimodal 2019 celebrates 12 years of putting shippers, retailers, wholesalers, importers and exporters in front of exhibitors who offer the latest logistics and supply chain solutions. www.multimodal.org.uk

www.transportlogistic.de

ENGINE EXPO 2019

THE GREAT AMERICAN

Messe Stuttgart, Germany The southern German city of Stuttgart will host visitors from all over the world, providing a platform to meet the world’s leading companies, their latest developments of powertrains, state-of-theart constructions and introduce completely new components and subsystems, not to mention innovative new materials, manufacturing technologies and services.

Dallas, Texas, US The Great American Trucking Show is an interactive and all-encompassing public convention of trucking professionals. More than 500 exhibitors meet at GATS, representing truck, trailer, engine, component and parts manufacturers, among many others. GATS exists to create an interactive, energising environment entirely focused on trucking’s improvement.

21-23 MAY www.engine-expo.com

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TRUCKING SHOW 22-24 AUGUST

www.truckshow.com

KEEP A LOOK OUT North American Commercial Vehicle Show 2019 28-31 October Georgia World Congress Centre, Georgia, US

COMTRANS 2019 2-7 SEPTEMBER

Crocus Expo, Moscow, Russia As the only exhibition of commercial vehicles in Russia, COMTRANS is a bi-annual event that provides the leading global and domestic manufacturers of commercial vehicles with the opportunity to present their achievements at the largest exhibition platform in Eastern Europe – in IEC Crocus Expo. www.comtransexpo.ru

www.nacvshow.com Solutrans 2019 19-23 November Euroexpo, Lyon, France www.solutrans.eu International Exhibition for Truck, Trailer, Tipper, Tanker, Tyre OEM & Allied Industry 2019 22-24 November CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Center Mumbai, India www.trucktrailerntyreexpo.com Breakbulk Middle East 2020 25-26 February Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai www.middleeast.breakbulk.com

FTR TRANSPORTATION

CONFERENCE 2019 10-12 SEPTEMBER Indianapolis, Indiana, US Historic Union Station FTR’s annual conference is recognised for delivering the most complete and comprehensive outlook on freight transportation in North America. Attendees receive indepth information from industry leaders on all the surface freight transport modes.

MEGATRANS2020 1-3 April Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Melbourne, Australia www.megatrans.com.au CEM 2020 13-15 May Kraków, Poland www.ilmexhibitions.com/cem

www.ftrconference.com

W W W. G LO B A LT R A I L E R M AG . C O M / G L O B A L T R A I L E R / 6 9

M E GATR E N D S

R O B O T I C A U T O M AT I O N

TRENDS UPWARDS F THE UPTAKE OF ROBOTIC WAREHOUSES WORLDWIDE IS TRANSFORMING THE STATE OF MODERN LOGISTICS PRACTICES. our million robots will be installed in over 50,000 warehouses by 2025 – a significant rise in uptake from the estimated 4,000 robotic warehouses in 2018 – according to ABI Research.

The rapid rate of robot adoption will reportedly be driven by the need for flexible, efficient and automated e-commerce fulfillment as same-day delivery becomes the norm.

ABI Research’s report reveals that global adoption of warehouse robotics will also be spurred by the increasing affordability and Return on Investment (ROI) of a growing variety of infrastructure-light robots as they are an attractive and versatile alternative to traditional fixed mechanical automation or manual operations.

“Flexibility and efficiency have become primary differentiators in the e-commerce fulfillment market as retailers and 3PLs struggle to cope with volatile product demand, seasonal peaks, and rising consumer delivery expectations,” said ABI Research Senior Analyst, Nick Finill. “Robots enable warehouses to scale operations up or down as required while offering major efficiency gains and mitigating inherent challenges associated with labour and staffing.”

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) Goods-to-Person systems can directly replace heavier mechanised automation that typically requires massive upfront investment and rigid physical infrastructure, according to ABI Research. Robots enable the optimisation of space in expensive warehouse facilities and can reduce the need for new and costly greenfield fulfillment centres.

ABI Research attributes innovation in computer vision, Artificial Intelligent (AI), deep learning and robotic mechanics to robots being able to perform traditionally harder-to-automate tasks.

Earlier this year, transport business, GTS Freight Group, selected software company, Dematic, to provide AGVs in its new warehouse in Victoria, Australia.

GTS Freight Group is a privately-owned full-service logistics company based in Mildura, which operates a nation-wide fleet of over 150 prime movers and over 450 trailers.

Due to ongoing growth, the GTS Freight Group is constructing a new depot adjacent to its existing facility. This will incorporate a 10,000-square-metre warehouse, trailer parking for 60 trailers and a new corporate headquarters.

The AGVs will reportedly manage a block stacked full pallet warehouse.

This system comprises two counterbalance AGVs utilising QR code navigation

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within block stack lanes and Dematic’s AGV Manage Warehouse Control Software (WCS) interfaced with paperless Warehouse Management System (WMS).

“We wanted an efficient and cost-effective warehousing solution that would allow for continued growth and expansion,” said GTS Freight Group Managing Director, Damien Matthews.

“We have been a long-time customer of Dematic and the turnkey capability was a big plus. Dematic was selected as they have proven to be a continual performer with years of background history and they designed these AGVs to perfectly meet our warehouse needs.”

The AGVs have been designed to work in a specific area, receiving stock, and putting away and picking full pallets, whilst part picking is performed manually, as well as all warehouse housekeeping. The AGVs have been designed for GTS with a combination of laser guidance and QR code navigation.

The QR codes can allow for more accurate navigation within high block stacked warehouses, allowing the AGVs to operate in high-density storage.

One of the key benefits of installing the AGVs in GTS’ new warehouse is to be able to perform other tasks that need attending to, including stock maintenance and data entry, at the same time that the AGVs are performing the picking tasks. The new AGVs are due to go live mid-2019. www.globaltrailer.com

Efficiency runs in the family.

THE IDEAL SOLUTION FOR EVERY TRAILER WHEELEND: THE ST7 AND THE ST6.

With their potential to reduce weight and minimize downtimes, wheelends can play a valuable part in making your fleet even more efficient. With the trailer-specific two-piston ST7 brake, Knorr-Bremse set new standards in the 22.5-inch wheel segment. The identically designed ST6 version for compact wheelends is extending the success story to 19.5-inch applications. Tipping the scales at less than 32 kilograms, the ST6 is a real lightweight, enabling you to save fuel and/or increase the payload. | www. knorr-bremseCVS.com |

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