66 www.globaltrailermag.com BUSINESS Global Trailer’s First Decade Market Report: Israel IAA Transportation Previews Global OEM Ranking List NEWS Acquisitions & Mergers Financial BusinessExecutiveResultsAppointmentsUpdates INNOVATION Modern Trailer Design Sustainability Goals Axle & Suspension Systems Megatrends: Safety First ISSN 1839-5201 9 771836520000 05 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
GROUPEDFOR .
decades of experience gathered in Asia, Australia, Europe and the US, global manufacturing powerhouse Fuwa has forged the strongest network of truck and trailer component specialists in the world. Merging local expertise with world-leading manufacturing prowess and an irrevocable commitment to innovation, our entire range of axles, suspension systems, landing legs, couplings, fifth wheels and ball races have been designed for one goal only - to guarantee your success. SINGAPORE Fuwa Engineering p: +65 68631806 fuwasin@pacific.net.sg CHINA Fuwa Heavy Industries p: +86 750 5966333 export@fuwa.cn AUSTRALIA Fuwa K-hitch p: +61 3 9369 0000 www.khitch.com.au EUROPE VALX International p: +31 (0)88 405 8800 www.valx.eu AMERICA AXN Heavy Duty p: +1 502 749 3200 www.axnheavyduty.com world-leadingandrange ball valx.euaxnheavyduty.com EUROPE (0)88International4058800 AMERICA AXN Heavy Duty p: +1 502 749 3200 GROUP COMPANIES 4/10/17 5:04 PM SINGAPOREAUSTRALIA UNITEDEMIRATESARAB CHINA EUROPE AMERICA
Combining
COVER STORY 32 GLOBAL TRAILER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF PUBLICATION To commemorate a decade of Global Trailer, we present a series of exclusive interviews with trailer manufacturers from around the world. 0604REGULARSEDITOR’SNOTENEWS 88 EVENTS 90 MEGATRENDS 91 PREVIEW 62
48FEATURESPRODUCTSPOTLIGHT
Israel is a hub for innovation and a powerhouse for pioneering technologies. It is widely considered to be a tech-innovator and is changing the landscape for transport and logistics globally.
IN THIS ISSUE
The 2022 Global OEM Ranking List reveals the top semi-trailer manufacturers from around the world based on production output for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.
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80 GLOBAL OEM RANKING LIST
42BUSINESSMARKETREPORT
Dubai-based trailer builder, GORICA, builds bespoke aluminium fuel tankers to accommodate the environment and road conditions of each country it supplies to.
A glimpse of what’s on show as well as broader discussions about the themes of this year’s IAA event.
76 TRAILER DESIGN
50 IAA TRANSPORTATION
WWW.GLOBALTRAILERMAG.COM / GLOBAL TRAILER / 3
Hendrickson HSDS trailer air suspensions and axle systems have launched in South East Asia.
That is what the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) said in response to First Lady Jill Biden’s speech at an annual conference in Texas where she commented on Hispanics’ quest for equity. In her words, “The diversity of this community, as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio, is your strength.” NAHJ said in a statement that using breakfast tacos to try to demonstrate uniqueness in Latinos in San Antonio demonstrated a lack of cultural knowledge and sensitivity to the diversity of Latinos in the region. Furthermore, Latino heritage is shaped by a variety of diasporas, cultures and food traditions and should not be reduced to a Westereotype.canlearn much from the First Lady’s faux pas. It was intended to be a compliment, a flourish of words, to cap off her praise for former
US Census data shows San Antonio has a population of approximately 1.5 million people where 65 per cent are Hispanic or Latino.
EDITOR’S
CEO John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au
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.
So, rather than cling to lazy, ignorant stereotypes to make a point, let’s put more thought into what we say and do. After all, one interpretation of that quest for equity entails the notion that we are stronger together, using different approaches and ideas to become more than our individual parts. Let the praxis tell the truth.
Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au
The opinions expressed in Global Trailer are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.
Gordon Feller
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Blake Storey DESIGN
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CONTRIBUTOR
US Ambassador to the Dominican Republic and civil rights activist, Raul Yzaguirre. For three decades, Yzaguirre helped build the National Council of La Raza, an advocacy organisation. It is unfortunate that such a poor choice of words to follow this praise – which surely would have been proofed, vetted and approved –went viral and became the focal point of what she was trying to convey.
Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au
Kerry Pert, Aisling McComiskey
Ashley Blachford ashley.blachford@primecreative.com.au
ART DIRECTOR
Follow us on twitter @Globaltrailer
CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER
DESIGN PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
THE DIVERSITY DECEIT
JOURNALIST Peter White peter.white@primecreative.com.au
WE ARE NOT TACOS.
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.
INTERNATIONAL SALES
4 / GLOBAL TRAILER / ISSUE 66
LETTER
Visit us in Hall H26, Stand D34!
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CEVA Logistics has announced the acquisition of African logistics provider, Spedag Interfreight, as the company further advances through its global growth strategy.
NEWS INTERNATIONAL
EAST AFRICA
According to CEVA, approximately 400 employees have joined the company as a result of the transaction’s closing.
Dimerco’s Central Service Centre (CSC) said the achievement was a clear indication of its commitment to “Sustainabilityrequirements. and responsible operations are important priorities for Dimerco and for our customers, who expect us to meet the highest standards,” Dimerco said in a “Westatement.areworking to continually improve our environmental credentials, and the achievement of international standards ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 is independent verification of our compliance with current and future statutory and regulatory requirements.
conflict and help make it safer and easier for people to return.”
Refugees travelled in IOM trucks towards the border of Chicolondo, where they will stay in a transit centre for the night before crossing the border. The refugees will head to various destinations in western DRC, including Kasai, Kasai Central, Kwilu, Sankuru, Lomami, Lualaba and Kinshasa, the capital.
CEVA Logistics’ ambition is to make the African market account for a significant share of its revenue by 2025, and the acquisition of Spedag Interfreight is expected to open new opportunities to the company’s growth in East Africa.
ANGOLA
The United Nations Refugee Agency has restarted the voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees from Angola, after departures were halted in 2020 due to Covid-19. The first convoy of 88 Congolese refugees departed from the Lôvua settlement in northern Angola yesterday morning [19 July] towards the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The convoy is expected to arrive in the DRC later on today [20 July].
CHINA
About 600 Congolese refugees have already expressed willingness to be repatriated, and more are likely to show interest with the operation Theresuming.voluntary repatriation is organised by UNHCR together with the Governments of Angola and the DRC, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and various partners.
CEVA Logistics is now present in 44 countries in Africa.
Global freight forwarder, Dimerco, has achieved international standards ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 for its environmental management and occupational health and safety management systems in its China ISOsubsidiary.14001 helps organisations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, while ISO 45001 is the world’s first international standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) which provides a framework to increase safety, reduce workplace risks and enhance the health and wellbeing of workers.
AFRICA & ASIA
Upon arrival, the Congolese will receive cash assistance to help cover basic needs such as personal hygiene, household items and initial assistance for rent. Additional support will also be provided for integration, such as helping children enrol in “UNHCRschool.willkeep advocating for and supporting essential aspects of reintegration into Congolese life like continued security, livelihood support, and assistance with crucial civil documentation,” said UNHCR spokesperson, Boris Cheshirkov. According to Cheshirkov, most refugees want nothing more to go home, and returning refugees said they were excited to restart their lives in their country after years in exile. “The international community has the power to reduce the number of years refugees spend in exile. “We must address the causes of
CEVA CEO, Mathieu Friedberg, said the company was making great progress through its recent acquisitions in Africa during the last few “Withyears.theaddition of Spedag Interfreight in East Africa, we are continuing to execute key regional initiatives in our strategic growth plan,” he said.
Dimerco has developed innovative Business Intelligence Technology (BIT) mobile applications to support
“Our global scale allows us to offer a wide range of responsive logistics solutions thanks to our experienced local teams.”
“This acquisition is the perfect follow-on to our organic growth and M&A activity in Africa over the past two years, as well as the recent acquisitions of Ingram Micro CLS and Colis Privé.
INDONESIA
INDIA Startup, Vahak, has raised $14 million USD in Series A funding for its online transport marketplace for truck
The company connects people who have goods to ship with truckers and enables payments through the app.
a paperless and ‘greener’ working environment, and has implemented various sustainability programs on recycling, water conservation and energy saving.
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Deliveree CEO, Tom Kim, said the platform was designed to make transportation easier for its users.
NEWS INTERNATIONAL
“We are proud to have been recognised as a leader in setting ‘green’ standards in the industry.”
The company is currently in the pre-revenue stage, but CEO, Karan Shaha, said in the future it will monetise through valueadded services such as escrow, insurance, fuel, GPS and direct commissions on transactions.
ASIA / EUROPE
AUSTRIA European transport and logistics company, Gebrüder Weiss (GW), has received a gold award for sustainable Thebuilding.German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) awarded a gold certificate to the GW logistics centre in Kalsdorf bei Graz, Austria, for its resource-saving and eco-friendly building and operating concept. Ecological, economic, social aspects and technical features were all taken into account during the evaluation, which awarded the company with the “Thisachievement.certification is the best proof that integral sustainability requirements have been implemented in the project with success,” said DGNB Managing Director, Johannes GWKreißig.CEO, Wolfram Senger-Weiss, said the group plans to obtain certification for other facilities in the near future as well.
“By embracing sustainable practices, we can better deliver benefits to our customers and to our employees, while improving efficiency, increasing productivity and reducing cost.
The proceeds from Deliveree’s Series C will be used to advance the company’s market sector penetration, expand its services offered and build the scale needed to become Southeast Asia’s omnipresent logistics Proceedsmarketplace.willalsogo towards enhancing support to the tens of thousands of businesses who rely on Deliveree on a daily basis.
AUSTRIA Schwarzmüller, aims to penetrate the Croatia and Romania markets following it’s latest sales partnership. Hochstaffl Nutzfahrzeuge will be exclusively responsible for sales in two Eastern European countries, namely in Romania and Croatia, as well as in Schleiz in Thuringia,
its Southeast Asia marketplace.
This brings the company’s total raises so far to $109 million USD since it was founded in 2015.
Deliveree has grown its gross transaction value by 3.2x in the last 24 months, and is expected to exceed $100 million USD this year. The company has also expanded its team to almost 500 employees across four countries, and it is now a top five cargo carrier in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.
“A sincere thank you goes out to our customers who have trusted Deliveree to power their trucking and delivery channels, our world-class team for their obsession in making our customers successful, and our investors for their support and belief in our mission,” it said.
“We do this with our powerful marketplace platform that brings together buyers of logistics services with a massive network of carriers and service providers – I call this our logistics mega marketplace.”
“An ideal working environment for our employees is just as important to us as is operatingenergyenergyconstructionresource-savingandstate-of-the-artmanagement,whichoptimisesconsumptionandreducescosts.”
Thisowners.brings Vahak’s total raised to $20.3 million USD since it was founded in 2020.
International transportation and logistics provider, Deliveree, has announced that it has raised $70 million USD in Series C funding for
According to Vahak, its payments prevent fraud by security transactions, letting drivers get paid more quickly while also enabling quick refunds if Vahak’snecessary.goal is to scale its operations to 10 per cent of India’s logistics markets and grow to 10 million users within a year.
“At Deliveree, our mission is to digitise logistics by making cargo transportation simple, affordable, flexible, and scalable for businesses of all sizes,” he said.
“The standards implemented in Graz allow us to set a group-wide quality benchmark for sustainable building at Gebrüder Weiss,” he said.
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The team at H.Essers said that they are looking forward to further successful collaborations in Ghent in the near “Togetherfuture.withChevron, our team is now heading for silver and gold,” it said.
The OEM has had a presence there since the 1990s and produces more than half of its vehicles in Hungary and the Czech Republic. Both plants are also the competence centres of the group for the respective vehicle types. Sales are mainly handled by the company’s own organisation but there are also exclusive dealer partnerships such as in Bulgaria and Slovakia. Hochstaffl was founded in Kundl, Austria, in 1972 and provides a range of services including commercial vehicle finance, trading and repairs.
“TIP is constantly looking to expand its fleet to enable its customers to achieve their sustainability, efficiency and safety targets faster,” it said. “Therefore, TIP has recently expanded its current Benelux trailer fleet with a new type of trailer, double deck Thetrailers.”larger loading volume of the double deck makes the trailer more sustainable than standard trailers. It also allows more volume to be transported per trip, therefore reduces CO2 emissions as less trips are Itneeded.canalso carry up to 52 Euro pallets, compared to 34 in a standard trailer. The double deck trailers are available in a standard and a reefer version, both equipped with a multi-deck external lift.
BELGIUM
“We couldn’t be happier with this award! We go above and beyond for all our clients, but recognition like this adds even more incentive to excel.”
EUROPE
“We won bronze for our work for Chevron,” he said. “In addition to providing incident-free warehousing services, we also excelled in inventory management, accurate accounting and on-time deliveries.
Chevron Logistics Manager, Geert Tavernier, said the award was a crowning achievement of H.Essers’ work for many years.
Logistics firm, H.Essers, has won bronze in Chevron’s 2022 3PL Warehouse Contractor OE Award, which is reserved for external logistics providers with outstanding services.
DENMARK
The Schwarzmüller organisation in both countries will remain in place and focus on customer service and the workshop business.
“We feel that we are in good hands with a powerful partner who focuses on the optimal configuration of vehicles for every customer,” said Schwarzmüller CEO, Roland Hartwig. “That corresponds to our niche Forstrategy.”Hochstaffl, the Schwarzmüller brand fits perfectly into the company’s “Withportfolio.our experienced sales team, we will address exactly those companies for which Schwarzmüller trailers are the right solution,” said Hochstaffl Commercial Vehicles Managing Director, Michael Hochstaffl. “Thanks to our detailed knowledge of the market, we know who belongs to this target group.”
“The warehousing and value-added services are secure and correct, and thanks to their customer-oriented approach, we can always count on a flexible service.”
According to TIP, the double deck Burgers trailers are more durable and have a double loading floor, which creates 60 per cent more payload.
“With the breadth of our activities worldwide, we are very pleased with the many opportunities H.Essers offers us here,” he said.
H.Essers Operations Manager, Tom Smekens, said the award was a major accomplishment to the company, and it will motivate them to further improve their services.
The Romanian market is reported to have a trailer pool of 4,000 registered units. Schwarzmüller and Hochstaffl claim to have more than 10 per cent of that market share and plan on increasing it further.
With sales in 10 countries, Eastern Europe is an important segment for the Schwarzmüller Group.
BENELUX European equipment provider, TIP Trailer Services, has announced that it is now offering double deck trailers in its Benelux trailer fleet.
effective 1 July 2022.
Global logistics provider, Scan Global Logistics (SGL), has announced its acquisition of Gelders Forwarding and Advection Logistics.
SGL has increased its European network by acquiring Gelders Forwarding, an air an ocean forwarder, which is expected to significantly scale SGL’s airfreight services and enhance its presence in the technology sector.
Advection Logistics, a full-service logistics provider, will transform into the first SGL office in Hungary while providing a platform for growth in the Theregion.signings follow SGL’s ambitious growth and acquisition plan, which so far counts eight acquisitions. Group CEO, Allan Melgaard, said
“Our companies’ cultural DNAs, customer-centric and entrepreneurial approach match SGL perfectly,” she “Becomingsaid. one allows us to substantially benefit from our combined expertise and capabilities to
FRANCE
In 2021, Devesa Express reported a turnover of €14 million and had 70 “Eachemployees.year, 25,000 tonnes of mussels from Galicia are transported by the
Uniquely e ective
10434
matching company DNAs are pivotal to a SGL acquisition.
FRANCE
Transport company, The Olano Group, has strengthened its seafood sector service capabilities following its latest Theacquisition.company has acquired 100 per cent of the shares of Spain-based operation, Devesa Express.
Advection Managing Director, Izabella Szőcs, agreed on the significance of a similar mindset as the company joined the SGL family.
EUROPE
“Ensuring a strong cultural fit is central to our acquisition strategy allowing for effectivity, commercial synergies, and an easy integration to unfold,” he said.
European transport company, SAFRAM, has announced a new location to its warehousing solution in TheParis.almost 2,000-square-metre facility is already fully operational, located in Le Thillay (FR95) in the proximity of Paris Charles de Gaulle International
company,” Olano Group said in a “Withstatement.thisacquisition we are strengthening our seafood sector for which we aim to achieve a turnover of 180 million euros out of 600 million targeted by the group by then end of 2023.”
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offer improved and extended services to our customers.
“We look forward to developing our future business together.”
More Information:
“What unites us in our long-standing
“We look forward to a bright future and showing you our facility the next time you are in Paris,” said SAFRAM.
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EUROPE INTERNATIONAL
GERMANY Silo and tanker manufacturer, GRW, is taking over a Schmitz Cargobull production facility, effective July 2022. The facility in Toddin, MecklenburgWestern Pomerania, Germany, produces motor vehicle superstructures which will continue under GRW. Also, GRW Europe manufactures silo and tanker trailers at this Schmitzsite.Cargobull holds a 40 per cent state in GRW Holdings and with this development the two companies strengthen their cooperation. GRW was founded in 1996 in Worcester, South Africa. Schmitz Cargobull supplies vehicle components to GRW and has held a stake in the company since the end of GRW2017.has been selling silo and tank trailers to the European market for several years. In order to strengthen GRW’s European market presence, the company took over the Schmitz Cargobull production site in Toddin to manufacture and assemble tankers for Europe, with a planned production of more than 100 vehicles in the current year
Two European logistics firms have reflected on 45 years of business Representativestogether. from Austria-based company, Gebrüder Weiss, and Germany’s Hellmann Worldwide Logistics recently met in Vienna to reflect on their achievements.
“With2022.theproduction site in Germany, we are strengthening the GRW brand and sending a clear signal as to our commitment in Europe,” said GRW Europe CEO, Gerhard van der
founded System Alliance Europe (SAE), a cooperation of leading medium-sized freight forwarding companies. In 2008, the two companies extended their partnership to Germany as well as numerous Central and Eastern European countries. Ever since, customers have had access to daily transport connections between these regions.
NEWS
current and future customers – being the perfect answer to their constantly growing warehousing and logistics
CEO, Wolfram Senger-Weiss.
GERMANY
“The fact that our partnership with Gebrüder Weiss has developed so successfully over 45 years is thanks in no small way to the employees of both companies, who have shaped this cooperation at various levels through the trust they have in each other’s work,” said Hellmann Worldwide Logistics CEO, Reiner Heiken. Both companies, together, provide a solid road transport service across Europe. While the cooperation involves Gebrüder Weiss covering Austria, Switzerland, Southern Germany and most of South-Eastern Europe with its own locations, Hellmann serves customers in Central and Northern Germany, Poland, Spain, the UK, Turkey, as well as the Baltic and other Eastern European Backstates.in 1977, when borders within Europe were still quite impermeable, the partners initially worked together on customs clearance matters at their branches. This marked the beginning of a collaboration that gradually developed into an even closer one over decades to come. In 2005, they
“Theneeds.warehouse is fully connected to SAFRAM’s European transport and logistics service and is an integral part of our business and wider supply chain we offer to our customers,” the company said in a statement.
Hellmann COO, Jörg Herwig, Hellmann CEO, Reiner Heiken, Gebrüder Weiss CEO, Wolfram Senger-Weiss and Hellmann Director Product Management Land Transport, Walter Konzett.
The additional warehouse enables SAFRAM to provide its services to an even larger number of customers, as well as strengthening the group’s presence in the storage and transport of hazardous goods.
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The joint venture (JV) will be established to serve Hungarian Post’s existing and future customers (particularly webshops) with a full range of parcel logistics services, including warehousing, packaging, shipping and delivery.
IRELAND Transport and logistics company, Kuehne + Nagel, is opening a fourth warehouse in Ireland to support the healthcare sector.
Active Reverse Control, drivers can manoeuvre their trailers with selfsteering axles faster and more safely, even when reversing,” said BPW Product Manager, Ziya Albayrak.
announced a partnership with Hungarian Post to provide a full range of logistics services.
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Merwe, and GRW Europe Managing Director, Dirk Nuxoll.
The temperature-controlled facility is aiming to meet the growing demands of the country’s thriving healthcare industry, and will expand
Waberer’s CEO, Zsolt Barna, said the JV will come with benefits straight
The GRW silo and tank trailers will be equipped with the TrailerConnect telematics system and will in future be fitted with the Schmitz Cargobull MODULOS running gear and ROTOS axles. GRW is also available as a service partner for both its own and Schmitz Cargobull vehicles for repair and maintenance.
“We can react faster to fulfil the specific wishes of our customers and, with Schmitz Cargobull as a partner, further expand our range of products and services.”
“Theaway.JV – to be created by Hungarian Post and Waberer’s – will be able to provide a highly efficient service and an attractive value proposition to our customers from the very beginning of the operation, based on the owners’ relevant experience, customer base and existing infrastructure,” he said. “We are confident that in a market with high growth potential, the JV will be able to gain and maintain a significant market share in the long Bothterm.”parties will provide the necessary resources for the JV in the form of a contribution in kind and shareholder’s loan.
Initial commissioning, function checks and diagnostics of this system is reported to be easier with the BPW ARC app which is now available to download for free for Android and iOS devices in the Play Store or Apple Store in English, German, French and Italian.
Vehicle manufacturers can use enhanced user functions as part of the commissioning of the electrohydraulic auxiliary steering system, for example to easily select the right configuration for their vehicle via the app, to set the maximum steering angle and bleed the steering axle as well as to perform system tests and view, edit and reset warning “Withmessages.ourauxiliary steering system
settings by +/- 20 per cent. The driving behaviour of the trailer when reversing changes depending on the reactivity settings. A higher degree of reactivity causes the axle to react earlier, meaning that the axle turns in more quickly with a greater angle at the beginning of the turn. Conversely, a lower degree of reactivity means that the steering axle turns into the curve to a lesser extent at the beginning of the curve but realigns itself more quickly during forward travel.
It is designed for vehicle operators, manufacturers and service stations and can be used via a Bluetooth interface to the system control unit. After downloading the app, users can register for a suitable user profile with BPW with the corresponding user Forrights.example, with basic access, the driver has the option of calling up steering parameters, checking the power supply or viewing alarms.
A smartphone application from BPW assists users with the configuration of Active Reverse Control (ARC), the electrohydraulic auxiliary steering system for self-steering axles.
Hungarian transport company, Waberer’s International, has
“The reversing system is particularly interesting for those applications where space for manoeuvring is limited for loading and unloading, for example on narrow streets in city centres or on construction sites and “Thedepots.new BPW ARC App now allows vehicle manufacturers and service stations to work efficiently, because all information is available in one app in a user-friendly layout.”
It will also provide customers with the opportunity to focus their resources on core sales activities, while the delivery of e-commerce orders become faster and simpler. In return, this is expected to lead to an increase in customer satisfaction.
GERMANY
As a registered user, the driver can also adjust the steering sensitivity (reactivity) of the system to their own driving preferences from the standard
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EUROPE
HUNGARY
Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of heavy-duty air suspensions; integrated and non-integrated axle and brake systems and tire pressure control systems to the global commercial transportation industry. www.hendrickson-intl.com Hendrickson Trailer North America / South America 2070 Industrial Place SE Canton, OH 44707-2641 USA www.hendrickson-intl.comFax+1.330.489.0045+1.866.743.3247+1.800.696.4416 Hendrickson China No.1668 North Section of Chunbo Road, East New Dist of Jinan High Tech Industrial Development Zone, Jinan, 250104 Shandong, China +86 21 5876 5710 Fax +86 21 5876 china.hendrickson-intl.com1577 Hendrickson Europe Gussstahlwerkstraße 21 8750 Judenburg, Austria +43 664 889 88 eu.hendrickson-intl.com763 Hendrickson Asia Pacific 32-44 Letcon Drive Dandenong South, Victoria, 3175 Australia +61 3 8792 3600 Fax +61 3 8792 www.hendrickson.com.au3699 Hendrickson India Plot No. 4 & 5, Gat. No. 679/2 Behind Hotel Gandharva Alandi Kuruli Road, Kuruli (Chakan) Taluka Khed, Pune 410501, India +91 2135 india.hendrickson-intl.com662600 INTRAAX® Integrated Trailer Air Suspension System North America / Asia Pacific HSDS® Severe-Duty Trailer Air Suspension System North America / South America / China / India / Asia Pacific TRLAXLE® / HTA® Non-Integrated Trailer Axles North America / South America / China / India / Asia Pacific AIRLINKMONOLEAF Europe ULTRAA-K® Trailer Air Slider Suspension Systems North America Actual product performance may vary depending upon vehicle configuration, operation, service and other factors. ©2022 Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks shown are owned by Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., or one of its affiliates, in one or more countries. Come see us at IAA Hall 26, Stand B47
The facility is certified LEED Platinum (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), one of the most demanding certifications in terms of reducing negative environmental impact, and is equipped with solar panels and green walls which promote biodiversity and limit the warming of the building and offset the CO2 emissions generated by the facility.
NEWS INTERNATIONAL
The yDrive project aims to electrify a conventional trailer to support the transition to zero emission road
since 1 June, 2022, and has been managing non-sortable products on behalf of an international e-commerce IDplayer.Logistics
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ITALY
Kuehne+Nagel’s healthcare footprint in Ireland to 40,000 square metres. The new HPRA-approved facility has been optimised for all storage, distribution and quality activities. It uses energy-efficient equipment to maintain the warehouse at a controlled temperature between 1525 degrees Celsius, and will house 34,000 Euro-pallet positions with segregated loading and unloading Thegates.site is scheduled to open later this month, and is strategically located near the Dublin airport and Dublin Kuehneport.+Nagel Ireland Managing Director, Pamela Quinn, said the new facility will allow the company to continue its commitment as a healthcare logistics leader in Ireland. “Pharma & Healthcare companies in Ireland are at the forefront of the research and development of advanced treatments and therapies,” she “Thissaid.new facility enables Kuehne + Nagel to support the incredible progress and we are proud to be the partners for some of the largest multinationals and companies within this Kuehneindustry.”+Nagel said the warehouse will support long-term collaborative partnerships with major players in the industry, allowing them to focus on core production and research and development activities.
“Italy is now the 18th country we operate in today. Our desire is to quickly become a key player in the Thecountry.”entry into the Italian market is a part of the company strategy – its objective to become a global and flexible partner at the service of key accounts on the European market. According IG Logistics, they now cover more than 80 per cent of the continental European market, making them one of the region’s leading contract logistics companies.
Fleetstransportation.canreportedly save up to 20 per cent on fuel consumption if they switch to electrically powered trailers. A consortium of six organisations, including Econogy, Drive Line Systems (DLS), V-Tron, TNO, THT
NETHERLANDS
Consortium develops electric trailer tech
With a surface area of 62,900 square metres and a capacity of 54,000 cubic metres, it is able to receive up to 55,000 units per day and ship up to 60,000 units – serving more than 80 different locations.
directly connected to the main capitals of north-west Italy.
“This new geographical location is a success for ID Logistics and demonstrates our ability to support our major customers in their development throughout Europe,” he “Itsaid.also provides a solid foundation for our continued growth in a highpotential market.
ID Logistics has announced that it is setting up operations in Italy, opening a logistics platform in Case Gerola –between Milan and Genoa. The new logistics platform will complete ID Logistics’ coverage of continental Europe, as they now
President, Eric Hémar, said the new subsidiary is an indication of the company’s success in supporting its major customers.
“As a result, the truck can be equipped with a smaller engine. Additionally, yDrive can serve as a range extender for BEV or FCEV Thetrucks.”objective of this project, according to the consortium, is to achieve a carbon dioxide emission and fuel reduction of 20 per cent in city distribution, 15 per cent in
“Every year, an average of 12,500 new trailers are registered in the Netherlands and more than 200,000 in Europe,” the consortium said. “The total fleet in Europe exceeds three million trailers. Transportation of goods through road freight transport is responsible for approximately 9.0 per cent of global CO2 emissions. If the entire fleet were to be fitted with yDrive, more than 1.0 per cent of total CO2 emissions could be reduced, while the product would pay for itself within the economic lifetime of the Projecttrailer.”
regional distribution and 10 per cent in long-distance transport.
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trailer battery during deceleration and downhill events,” the consortium said in a “Duringstatement.accelerating, the energy from the battery is used to drive the trailer. This provides an extra boost to help the truck move from its place and thus consume less fuel.
yDrive is made possible
EUROPE
New Cool, and RAI Association, is developing an electric powertrain for Propulsionsemi-trailers.technology, yDrive, is expected to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and harmful substances. It also considered an important component in the transition to zero emission Ittransportation.comprisesan electrically driven axle, a rechargeable battery pack, a king pin sensor, and a smart controller that works both with and without communication with the truck. “This technology creates a hybrid combination, through which braking energy is regenerated and stored in a
The new 7,400-square-metre logistics centre will function as an exclusive e-fulfilment centre and as the logistics hub for the company’s growing e-commerce activity in Kuwait.
The acquired fleet includes more than 1,000 vehicles, employs about 1,100 workers, has a network of 12 national and international delegations that add up to more than 50,000 square metres of warehouses and recorded sales in 2021 of approximately 250 million euros and EBITDA of 25 million euros. More than 60 per cent of sales is reported to come from international activity.
“With Transportes El Mosca we are strengthening Logista’s position in temperature-controlled transport in Spain, extending it internationally and complementing our existing capabilities in added-value services to “Amongcustomers.the new capabilities we are adding, I would highlight national and international maritime transport. The complementary nature of their operations with those of Logista represents a great growth opportunity
The new facility includes the latest in smart warehousing technologies such as automated sorting and storage, which organises all products based on their categories, from fresh and frozen foods to other non-grocery
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“I am pleased to announce the acquisition of Transportes El Mosca, which marks a transformational step for our transport division,” said Logista CEO, Íñigo Meirás.
Through this acquisition, Logista expands its services portfolio, incorporating complementary capabilities in controlled temperature. Logista, which is already one of the largest Spanish transport companies, strengthens its position in national and international transport for the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry and becomes the second
MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AMERICA
of the two groups will also allow the generation of synergies with the international full load business (Logista Freight) through the combination of premium outbound and inbound traffic.
The net financial debt at the end of 2021 amounted to approximately 23 million euros. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur around September/October 2022, once the necessary authorisations and approvals have been received from national authorities and the European Union.
“We’reproducts.pleased to welcome Lulu Hypermarket at their new facility at ALP in Doha,” said ALP Kuwait and GCC CEO, Nader Sakeen.
“This transaction is consistent with our announced diversification and growth strategy.
largest operator in the temperature controlled full load transport sector in TheSpain.combination of capabilities
SPAIN
QATAR
“In Kuwait, ALP works with companies of all sizes, from SMEs to multinationals – we know how to deliver warehouses that mean everyone’s needs.”
NEWS INTERNATIONAL
LuLu Hypermarket, a major retailer in Kuwait, has opened a fulfilment centre at Agility Logistics Park (ALP) in Doha, Qatar.
Transportes El Mosca offers national and international intermodal transport services by road, sea and air, as well as frozen or refrigerated transport. The main destination markets for international road transport activities are UK, Germany, Portugal, France, The Netherlands and Italy.
Southern European logistics operator, Logista, has acquired a majority share in a family-owned company headquartered in Molina de Segura. Logista has acquired 60 per cent of Transportes El Mosca, a specialist in the transportation and warehousing of goods as well as frozen or refrigerated transport, mainly for the food industry.
and of value creation for our shareholders.”
by the Province of Flevoland and the DKTI-Transport regulation of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The DKTI is a regulation to stimulate the sustainability of road transport.
“The state-of-the-art facility has been built-to-suit meeting Lulu’s standards and requirements, and the advanced design gives them the chance to store more goods in less space.
The new logistics hub at the ALP in Doha is expected to strengthen Lulu Hypermarket’s operations with safe, convenient, and faster service. The logistics hub will allow the retailer to organise orders and deliver them to customer’s quicker.
Lulu Hypermarket will also utilise its fleet, which is custom-made and fitted with three freshnessambientcompartmentstemperature-controlledforfrozen,chilledandrequirementstopreservetheaswellasandfoodsafety
The agreement reached contemplates the purchase of 60% of the capital of the company, which will be paid with cash, for a maximum price of 106 million euros. The acquisition of the remaining 40 per cent will be over the course of the next three years.
Agility’s warehouses meet international environmental standards and feature eco-friendly construction materials, using energy-efficient roof and side-insulated panels, winddriven roof fans, skylights for natural lighting, along with LED and energysaving light fittings.
The new office also benefits from the company’s existing network in the US, one of Mexico’s largest trading
The cargo-partner team in Mexico now offers a full portfolio of air, sea and road transport services, including import and export customs clearance. cargo-partner Managing Director,
“After setting up the office in Puebla for one of our main clients, we soon realised that we want to provide the same quality and hands-on service for our other customers in this market as well,” he “Recognisingsaid.
Mexico’s great business potential as the 15th largest economy in the world, we decided to open a fully operational branch office in Mexico City to be closer to our customers, service providers and potential employees.”
WE KEEP YOUR FLEETWITHGOINGTIP Our experts are here to keep your fleet safe and ready for any of your operations with our TIP’s Maintenance and Repair. Full service, 24/7 roadside assistance, large workshop network, all at a predictable price.
Luis Gomez, said Mexico holds great business potential for the company.
MEXICO
NEWS
International logistics provider, cargo-partner, has announced its new branch office in Mexico City.
Instandards.Doha,the Agility Logistics Parks feature built-up, international-standard warehousing and logistics facilities that serve leading multinationals, government as well as small and medium-sized businesses operating in ALPKuwait.provides its customers with ready-built warehouses; built-tosuit warehouses; shared facilities; and open storage, laydown, and truck and car-staging yards. The logistics park also includes ambient and air-conditioned warehouses; freezers and chillers; concrete paving container-yard storage; and racked warehouses.
SOUTH AMERICA
ARGENTINA
DHL Supply Chain’s latest deal could create Australia’s largest logistics company with a combined revenue of more than $1.0 billion AUD.
CEVA has extensive experience with VW’s operations, as it supports the group with logistics services at sites in Brazil, China, Germany and the UK.
“Actions for sustainability have always been a priority for the company,” he said. “We are taking an important step towards achieving the goals we have committed to, facing global and business challenges, contributing to the economy and a better world.”
their US team will play an essential role in providing last-mile pick-ups and deliveries, next-flight-out services and expedited truck shipments for timesensitive transports.
DHL has agreed to acquire Glen Cameron Group, a fleet that operates 1,000 trucks and trailers and has more
Randon Companies CEO, Sérgio L. Carvalho, said the the initiative is linked to their ESG commitments – to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases generated in the production process by 40 per cent by 2030.
CEVA Senior Vice President, Fabio Mendunekas, said the company’s relationship with VW from Brazil
The €18,089,410 investment plan in renewable energy generation will supply Randon Companies’ industrial units around the world.
The initiative seeks to guarantee the installed capacity at the site for the development of projects aimed at energy. In addition, about 30 per cent of the energy generated will also supply an area of the Randon Implementos parent plant, next to the company’s headquarters in Caxias do TheSul. plant is expected to be completed by December this year.
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BRAZIL
AUSTRALIA
Randon Companies has announced a €18 million investment in renewable energy projects.
to Randon Companies, the plant will meet 100 per cent of CTR’s own energy demand for the next 25 years. Randon Companies President, Daniel Randon, said the project outlines the company’s commitment to the “Announcementsindustry.
Transport and logistics company, CEVA Logistics, has signed a threeyear contract with Volkswagen Group The(VW).contract builds on CEVA Logistics’ existing global relationship with VW where it will connect critical supply chain elements in transmission production for VW’s global product line at the Córdoba Industrial Center in TheArgentina.CEVAteam in Argentina will manage inbound logistics, direct the parts warehousing, control inventory line processes and part picks, and supply the parts to their point of use on the production line.
“Our long-standing relationship with and operational excellence for VW in Brazil supported their decision to expand our operations to Argentina.
Acquisition to bolster DHL’s AU operations.
“Our team is delighted to support this manufacturing facility with responsive logistics—all to help connect people around the world with their new VW.”
The Argentina plant manufactures transmissions for a range of wellknown models, including the Polo, Polo Vivo, T-Cross, Taigo and Ibiza.
The first project to benefit from the investment is a photovoltaic plant equipped with around 2,300 solar panels, which will be installed at the Randon Technological Center (CTR) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. According
like this reinforce our purpose and commitment to sustainability and the development of the communities where we operate, putting into practice the principles and strategies built by our teams around the world,” he said.
NEWS INTERNATIONAL
“Their trust in CEVA with this contract is testament to our expertise and our range of automotive logistics solutions,” he said.
“This is a unique opportunity for DHL Supply Chain to add additional high-quality transport services to our warehouse and transport solutions in Australia,” DHL Supply Chain CEO Australia and New Zealand, Steve Thompsett, told Prime Mover in an exclusive interview.
DHL operates in 220 countries and has global forwarding expertise in air, ocean and road freight.
Cameron Logistics’ expertise in consumer and grocery sectors is expected to greatly benefit DHL.
Glen Cameron, who will turn 70 in August, aims to stay with the business for the first 12 months of integration.
last five decades we have built a successful, diverse, and resilient business,” said Glen Cameron, founder and Executive Chairman of the Glen Cameron Group.
The decision by DHL Supply Chain, part of the Deutsche Post Group, to acquire 100 per cent of the Glen Cameron Group, falls in line with Deutsche Post DHL Group’s strategic focus to strengthen its core logistics business and deliver long-term growth.
“We look forward to offering a fuller range of transport services to existing and new customers.
NEWS
“DHL is well recognised for having a strong warehouse base and with this “Weacquisition.willbe strengthening our offer with four services: Domestic Nationwide General Freight, Domestic Nationwide Express Freight, Specialised Services and Contract Logistics transport, with dedicated solutions for customers,” he said.
“What began as one 8-tonne truck in 1975 has evolved to be one of Australia’s largest transport and logistic business,” he said. “Together with DHL, we can take our business to the next level.”
OCEANIA
than 820 employees Australia-wide. It also specialises in national road freight and contract logistics.
“Since founding the Glen Cameron Group 47 years ago and over the
into what the future might bring.
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Over the past decade, CIMC Vehicles has experienced three important periods of development, namely ‘Rapid Growth Period for the Global Businesses’, ‘Incubation Period for the Sophisticated Manufacturing System in Domestic Market’ and ‘Intercontinental Operation Based on the Sophisticated Manufacturing System’.
CIMC ups the ante
S
ince the founding of Global Trailer in 2011, the magazine has consistently focused on supporting the international trailer manufacturing scene through the provision of timely reports and in-depth analysis of the sector’s most influential and emerging voices. It is the imperative of the editorial team to meet the needs of the global road transport industry and the diversity of its information requirements via expertly filtered data in both print and online formats in the interests of providing a trusted business resource.
TO COMMEMORATE A DECADE OF GLOBAL TRAILER, WE PRESENT A SERIES OF EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH TRAILER MANUFACTURERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
A testament to this work ethic, Global Trailer has established rapport with numerous industry partners and organisations over the years and will continue to do Thisso.editorial was ambitious in scope as all past cover story participants were asked to reflect on the 10 years gone by, detail key milestones and offer insight
FIRSTTHE
From 2010 to 2016, CIMC Vehicles’ global
business grew rapidly. CIMC Vehicles has driven the growth of its semi-trailer business in North America and Europe, completing the acquisition of the US-based Vanguard and the Europe-based SDC and LAG. Based on the business philosophy of ‘global operation, local knowledge’, the international business of CIMC Vehicles has achieved rapid growth through cross-over designs, intercontinental manufacturing and global supply chain management.During2014 to 2018, CIMC Vehicles was in its Incubation Period for the Sophisticated Manufacturing System in Domestic Market. The CIE pattern of ‘made in China, assembled in overseas’ catalysed the rapid expansion
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DECADE
Since 2018, CIMC Vehicles has deepened its business model of ‘Intercontinental Operation, Local Manufacturing’, based on the preliminary construction of the
“THIS PERIOD COULD BE A TRANSITION POINT AND A STARTING POINT. IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, WE HAVE CONSTRUCTED 22 LIGHT TOWER PLANTS, ESTABLISHED THE SOPHISTICATED MANUFACTURING SYSTEM, DEEPENED THE BUSINESS MODEL, SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVED DUAL ‘A+H’ LISTING STATUS, AND BECOME THE GLOBAL LEADER IN HIGH-END SEMI-TRAILERS AND SPECIALTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURING.” Guiping, the CEO and President CIMC Vehicles
of
In 2021, based the actual operational and strategic management needs, CIMC Vehicles has established six major businesses or groups: ‘Champion Tanker Business Group’, ‘Light Tower Pioneer Business’, ‘TB Business Group’, ‘Urban Dump Truck Business’, ‘North American Business’ and ‘European Business’, so as to help remove internal barriers in operation and achieve the linkage between production and sales, information sharing, professional volunteer long-term goals,
Li
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At present, CIMC Vehicles has completed the global acquisition and integration, multi-brand layout, and stepped into a new stage of deepening the construction of the Sophisticated Manufacturing System, building the ‘Light Tower Network’ and comprehensively establishing six major businesses or groups. CIMC Vehicles has put forward five cornerstones of ‘the Sophisticated Manufacturing System’ and new management infrastructure to further improve CIMC Vehicles’ management measures under the intercontinental operation.
modules, which further accelerated the construction of the digitisation, automation and intelligence of Light Tower plants.
Sophisticated Manufacturing System. In 2019, CIMC Vehicles initially completed the upgrade and construction of the production line of container chassis trailer, multiple van trailer and refrigerated trailer in the North American market, strengthening localized manufacturing, and further alleviating the impact of changes in the trade tariff between China and the US, and Covid-19.
Market listing celebration.
In 2021, CIMC Vehicles established six major businesses or groups to help remove internal barriers in operation and form strategic synergy as guided by the model of intercontinental operation.
In July 2019, CIMC Vehicles was listed on the mainboard of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, becoming the first manufacturer of high-end semi-trailers and specialty vehicles on the Hong Kong stock market. In July 2021, CIMC Vehicles was officially listed on the ChiNext Market of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, becoming the first global manufacturer of high-end semi-trailers and specialty vehicles with dual ‘A+H’ listing status in the world.
“In the new stage, we emphasise more on ‘local manufacturing’,” said Guiping. “To develop in the local market for a long time, we have increased investment in local manufacturing, improved the manufacturing capacity of overseas plants, and cultivated and incubated local brands, so as to reasonably avoid the impact of global trade frictions on the company and enhance its development resilience
The past 10 years, according to Li Guiping, the CEO and President of CIMC Vehicles, have been of great significance to the company.
In August 2016, the ‘Magellan Vehicles Workshop’ project was officially launched and implemented in Tonghua, Yangzhou. It took the lead in the exploration and practice of intelligent manufacturing of specialty vehicles in China. With the continuous progress of the project, Magellan was upgraded to ‘Super Magellan’.
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Light Tower plants are also a key factor for CIMC Vehicles to move towards the Sophisticated Manufacturing System.
“This is a powerful measure to promote
Given its operation on a global scale in a balanced manner, CIMC Vehicles will rationally allocate global superior resources, all of which will be supported by digital technology. While continuously exploring and deepening the manufacturing technology, CIMC Vehicles has made a new leap in understanding the direction of technology upgrading in the next move. As a result, ‘Digital Vehicles Workshop’ has been established accordingly. That is to digitise production and transform human experience into computer computing power, thus breaking through the bottleneck of production efficiency that cannot be overcome by manual work.”
In July 2018, the ‘Super Magellan Digital Production Line’ of Yangzhou CIMC Tonghua Special Vehicles Co., Ltd. officially commenced production. In May 2019, the ‘Super Magellan Project’ of Yangzhou CIMC Tonghua Special Vehicle Co., Ltd. was approved by the expert group, which marks the success of the exploration and research of CIMC Vehicles digital plants.
“After years of development, CIMC has built 13 Light Tower plants for the production of semi-trailers, seven Light Tower plants for the production of truck bodies for specialty vehicles and two Light Tower plants for the production of lightweight van truck bodies at home and abroad,” said Guiping.
strategy, operation, coordinated development of comprehensive management, and a breakthrough in China’s further subdivided market share, develop competitive advantages for seven overseas major categories of semitrailers in the North American market and the European market, thus further enhancing the leading position in the world.
In early 2015, the first Light Tower project of CIMC Vehicles was located in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China, and was officially put into operation in 2016. Light Tower plants integrate virtual simulation, big data, Internet of Things and digital technology. With highly automated equipment (such as laser cutting machine, robot welding workstation, KTL and powder coating line), it can realise large-scale automatic and flexible production and solve the problems of backward production equipment, technical lag, increasing labour cost, energy conservation and emission reduction.
“This period could be a transition point and a starting point,” he said. “In the past ten years, we have constructed 22 Light Tower plants, established the Sophisticated Manufacturing System, deepened the business model, successfully achieved dual ‘A+H’ listing status, and become the global leader in high-end semi-trailers and specialty vehicles manufacturing. In particular: The first one is to do with upgrading manufacturing. With the gradually increasing understanding of the semi-trailer market and semi-trailer technology, we have become more aware that semi-trailer products are by no means as simple as ‘putting containers on wheels’. We began to explore the combination innovation from parts. That is to say, assembling semitrailers with high-precision parts. This is the modular way of manufacturing. If we improve production efficiency through automation and digitalisation, we can not only realise the scale and standardisation of product manufacturing, but also fulfill the customisation requirements of personalised products. As such, ‘flexible production’ has been formed.”
Super Magellan Project.
In 2018, to effectively cope with the impact of global trade headwinds, CIMC Vehicles’ business philosophy was revised from ‘Global Operation, Local knowledge’ to ‘Intercontinental Operation, Local Manufacturing’.
the development of the industry from traditional manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing,” said Guiping. “As a new generation of manufacturing system, Light Tower plants have led to a comprehensive innovation in the production mode of the company and even the whole industry. They contributed to develop from traditional labour-intensive manufacturing to more automated modular, intelligent, and environmentally friendly manufacturing.”
In 2021, the revenue of CIMC Vehicles from refrigerated trailer business in North America increased significantly by 122.3 per cent to 1,516.2 million RMB, ranking third in the refrigerated trailer market of North America.
Since July 2019, CIMC Vehicles has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It has adapted to the strict supervision and test from the Hong Kong capital market in terms of standardisation, marketisation, and transparency. In the first half of 2020, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange launched the reform of the ChiNext Market registration system, and the efficiency of enterprise listing has been greatly improved. In this case, CIMC Vehicles made the decision to launch the listing on the ChiNext Market and officially listed on there on 8 July 2021. CIMC Vehicles has also become the first global manufacturer of high-end semitrailers and specialty vehicles with dual ‘A+H’ listing status. The dual listing status has provided sufficient capital and development support for the company to maintain its long-term core competitiveness.
As a leading sophisticated manufacturing enterprise in the industry, CIMC Vehicles has already taken the lead in realising transformation.“TheLightTower plants we built have gradually embraced digitalisation in every aspect,” said Guiping. “In the process of upgrading to digital plants and intelligent manufacturing, our automation factory has deeply integrated IoT and on-site lean management. The digital manufacturing management system has been fully introduced to realize the integration of design, process, and manufacturing site data. In terms of product modularisation, we have initially established modular research and development and design systems for semi-trailers, truck bodies of light and durable concrete mixer trucks and truck bodies of environmentalfriendly urban muck trucks, and refrigerated van truck bodies. In the next three to five years, the company will continuously carry out comprehensive digital upgrading of the above product designs. As we actively embrace innovation and transformation, we can always maintain a leading edge in the world. In the international market, our sophisticated manufacturing system and high-quality global supply chain management capabilities can still give full play to the advantages of technology and scale in the next decade to achieve quality development.”IntheNorth American market, according to Guiping, the strong economic stimulus in the US has led to the recovery of the local semi-trailer and logistics transport equipment market, and the demand of the semi-trailer market has recovered significantly in the short run. “Coupled with the stimulation of medium and long-term infrastructure projects, the demand for semi-trailers in the North American market will also maintain a high level of prosperity in the next three to five years.” he said. “At present, we have completed the construction and upgrading of the localised production line in North America and believe that we can gain further market share from the future opportunities.”
sustainability are the important development trends of the global manufacturing and logistics industry in the future.”
“Ten years is a long time, but in the foreseeable future, with the continuous development of science and technology, science and technology will exert more and more influence on the changes and shaping of the manufacturing industry day by day,” he said. “We believe that new energy, industrial Internet of Things, Digital Twin, automated plants, human-computer cooperation, intelligent and higher
Super Magellan digital production line.
Looking ahead, Guiping said Chinese economic operations are expected to become more stable and balanced, providing a stable macro environment for the development of the manufacturing, logistics and transportation industries.
26 / GLOBAL TRAILER / ISSUE 66 under the new normal global economy.”
In August 2019, CIMC Vehicles launched the ‘Polar Bear Project’ investment plan to further develop the North American refrigerated semi-trailer market in response to the impact of global geopolitics. Specifically, the project was to construct a North American refrigerated semi-trailer manufacturing plant in Monon, Indiana, US.
In January 2021, the first new vehicle from the new plant of Polar Bear Project was manufactured and was officially put into production. The new factory adopted the production mode of Light Tower plants, which significantly increased production efficiency and raw material utilisation, improved product quality and service, and further optimised the Intercontinental Operation.
In addition to the semi-trailer business, our other main businesses in China are also expected to achieve high-quality development in the future.
world,” said Guiping. “China has also made remarkable achievements in marine engineering equipment, intelligent manufacturing equipment and advanced rail transit equipment. Yet, the Chinese semi-trailer industry still has the characteristics of low market concentration and inferior competition among non-compliant enterprises, so there is still a big gap with the European and American markets. It can even be said that at present, our semi-trailer industry is at a historical turning point, because the whole industry is in a cycle of transformation. Faced with the complicated macro environment, other non-compliant small and micro plants may think that it is a huge challenge; but for CIMC Vehicles, it poses a huge development opportunity in the Chinese market. We believe that the development certainty of China’s semi-trailer business will continue to improve in China’s domestic economy cycle in the future. As new national standards come into force, the five major types of semi-trailers in China are undergoing a comprehensive transformation, with obvious opportunities for upgrading. Coupled with the implementation of the strategy of ‘carbon peaking and carbon neutrality’, the supply-side reform for replacing outdated capacities with advanced capacities in the semi-trailer manufacturing industry of China will be carried out, and the industry concentration is expected to increase. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has also introduced several policies to promote the development of multimodal transportation in China. The development of drop and pull mode and the trailer rental industry promoted by multimodal transportation will generate greater incremental demand for standardised high-quality trailers.”
“At present, China has become the country with the most complete industrial system, the largest industrial scale and output value in the
Inside a CIMC ‘Light Tower’ plant.
“CIMC VEHICLES WILL TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO GRASP THE MARKET TREND, LEAD THE NEW CHAPTER OF THE GLOBAL COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY WITH QUALITYWORLD-CLASSPRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CREATE THE BEST COMMERCIAL VALUE FOR GLOBAL USERS, LEAD CHINESE ENTERPRISES TO DEVELOP IN THE WORLD, HIGHLIGHT THE STRENGTH OF CHINESE BRANDS SO THAT THE NAME OF CHINA SHINES IN THE WORLD”
“Thanks to the guidance of moderately advanced infrastructure investment and ‘dual-carbon’ strategies, as well as the full implementation of China VI standards, the upgrading and replacement of concrete mixer products we manufactured and sold have been expedited,” said Guiping. “As the production capacity of the concrete mixer industry will be optimised, we expect to continue to maintain our leading position in the Chinese market by leveraging our economies of scale and technological advantages in the future. As China’s infrastructure construction will heat up in the next few years, the recovery of the infrastructure market will also unleash the market demand for truck bodies of compliant urban muck trucks manufactured and sold by CIMC Vehicles. At the same time, with the development of new energy in the heavy truck industry, the market demand for lightweight, intelligent and environmentally friendly new energy urban dump trucks will be
Li Guiping, the CEO and President of CIMC Vehicles
“In the Chinese market, sophisticated manufacturing has been recognised as China’s golden development trend in the next decade.
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Also, with the actions in European countries to curb inflation, various macro factors may continuously affect the global supply chain, leading to the persistent existence of the contradiction between supply and demand in the “Theremarket.will be new challenges in terms of the semi-trailer supply chain and production capacity in the European market, while the reshuffle of the industry will be accelerated, and thus the industry concentration is expected to further increase,” said Guiping. “Our LAG and SDC are well-known brands in Europe. We believe that with the operation model based on ‘Intercontinental Operation’, we can gain more advantages in the competition pattern of the local markets.
With respect to new energy applications, guided by the strategic objectives of dual-carbon in China, the new energy heavy truck market has entered a stage of rapid development. As a manufacturer of truck bodies for specialty vehicles in China, CIMC Vehicles jointly develops and promotes the R&D and application of new energy in specialty vehicles with tractor manufacturers. With the advantages of the moat trend formed by the Sophisticated Manufacturing System, it will vigorously operate light, intelligent, new-energy and environment-friendly specialtyRegardingvehicles.green
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manufacturing, CIMC Vehicles has invested in the construction and upgrading of more than 20 Light Tower production lines in the past six years. Yet, the utilisation rate of these production lines has not been fully developed, and they fail to support intercontinental operation and trans-regional operation very flexibly and quickly. In the coming days, CIMC Vehicles will actively prepare the upgraded version of Light Tower plants: Light Tower Manufacturing Network. Construct a trans-regional operation network of semi-trailer products in China to expedite product launch, improve the utilisation rate of Light Tower plants’ core production equipment, effectively connecting the global semi-trailer business in the long run, and providing guarantee for the development of the group’s businesses.
“It is how CIMC Vehicles demonstrates its adaptability and preparation for risks,” said Guiping. “That is why CIMC Vehicles could be so calm and forged ahead against the headwinds when the epidemic suddenly came in 2019. From 2019 to 2021, our revenue has repeatedly reached new heights, with annual revenue increasing from 23.387 billion RMB in 2019 to 27.65 billion RMB in 2021.”
In 2021, the revenue from Vanguard Trailer Rental increased significantly by 66.6 per cent year on year. It has completed Series A-round financing, attracting over 100 million RMB.
In the current era, uncertainty is ubiquitous and normalised according to Guiping. “The epidemic crisis has become an accelerator for enterprises to differentiate or enhance their competitiveness, but transformation remains the main theme of the times,” he said. “Looking ahead, we will stay true to its original intention, face the global market, capture global business opportunities, open up a brand-new intercontinental operation territory. Moreover, the group will keep pace with the times in the internal and external circular economy. With the help of breaking point, we will maintain vigorous creativity, release greater advantages and longsuppressed potentials, actively create space for profit growth and strategic manoeuvre, abandon or adopt what we want freely to turn a passive situation into an active one. At present, China is embarking on a new journey to achieve the goal of the second century and to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. As a bridge to safeguard people’s livelihood and construct social and economic circulation, commercial vehicles play an important role, and have been raised to the national level to build a ‘unified national market’ development strategy. CIMC Vehicles will take the initiative to grasp the market trend, lead the new chapter of the global commercial vehicle industry with worldclass quality products and services, create the best commercial value for global users, lead
“In the ever-changing trend of the times, every enterprises’ journey of development is not easy, and the journey is not immune to changes,” said Guiping. “Large enterprises are bound to experience the cycle of ups and downs and growth. Born in Shenzhen, the forefront city of China’s reform and opening up, CIMC Vehicles has always had a sharp vision and strong ambition. Over the past 20 years, we have always urged ourselves to maintain innovative vitality. We are constantly adjusting the situation and keeping up with the changing trend of the times in terms of production, management and operation.”
For business innovation, the cost reduction and efficiency enhancement of China’s trunk logistics needs the sharing and collaboration of many standardised and van equipment. Given that the Chinese government encourages the development of intensive and efficient transport organisation modes such as trailer sharing and rental, and drop and pull transportation, CIMC Vehicles has proactively incubated ‘Vanguard Trailer Rental’, a semi-trailer time-sharing rental and life cycle management service platform, which targets at the vast semi-trailer leasing
market in China. It provides standardised transport equipment for logistics enterprises so that they can rent the equipment instead of purchasing, bringing a new concept of sharing to China’s freight equipment industry.
further unleashed in the future. It is believed that with our years of experience in strategic cooperation and joint development with tractor manufacturers, we will be able to secure a position in the market when the new energy heavy truck era comes. In addition, the lightweight van truck bodies business, which we have been focusing on in the past two years, has a blue sea market in China. At present, it is in a window period when the market demand is ready to develop. With the improvement of cold chain logistics infrastructure in China, the cold chain logistics industry will maintain rapid development, and the demand for refrigerated trucks will continue to be huge in the future. Meanwhile, the transformation of urban distribution vehicles towards green and low-carbon will be accelerated, and the compliance dry cargo compartment will usher in an opportunity for development. Last year, we established the ‘TB Group’, which integrates the three major bases in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta of China. They primarily engage in two major product categories of refrigerated van trucks and dry cargoes van trucks, and are expected to become a new business growth point.”
In the face of future opportunities and challenges, CIMC Vehicles will use the breaking point from strategic development to unlock greater advantages and growth potential and create room for profit growth.
Chinese enterprises to develop in the world, highlight the strength of Chinese brands so that the name of China shines in the world.”
an allround transport solution portfolio which is manifested in the company’s slogan ‘Economy meets Ecology – Because we care’. All transport solutions offered by Kögel to its customers provide economic advantages such as high payloads or high transport volumes. Or they are optimised for multimodal transport.”
“In economic terms, there are more uncertainties than certainties today,” he said. “Trailer manufacturers must be prepared for strong fluctuations in production figures. Furthermore, high costs for energy and raw materials put high pressure on margins. Additionally, disruptive changes like digitisation and electrification demand high invests.”From the customer’s point of view: Commercial vehicles must offer their users economic and ecological advantages. Otherwise innovations will not pay off. Furthermore, customers demand one-stopshopping experiences. It’s not enough to sell only the “Customersvehicle.rather demand support over the whole life cycle of a trailer unit including all value-added services – from the process of purchasing including finance and rental offers to aftermarket solution,” said Renners. “Of course, trailer telematics and full-service must be part of the game. Companies had and will have to adjust their business models accordingly and they must adopt to the changing demands. Kögel already adopted its
Kögel CEO, Christian Renners congratulated Global Trailer on its 10th anniversary: “Thank you for 10 years of high-quality journalism and good coverage of the trailer manufacturers scene. Serious journalism always pays off.”
Kögel stands firm in the face of uncertainty Christian Renners, the CEO of Germanybased OEM, Kögel, agrees that business has changed dramatically over the last decade –especially during the last three years.
Multimodal transport, according to
“Furthermore, topics like the CO2 impact of commercial vehicles in the EU will affect body builders, too, and even more than today,” he said.
“Various innovations are introduced to reduce the overall CO2 emissions of the tractortrailer-unit. Including aerodynamics and electrification, new and improved materials.”
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Renners said Kögel continues to set the standard when it comes to payload without compromising on robustness.
Renners expects demand for lighter vehicles will continue to rise.
“Trailers now weigh about one tonne lighter compared to 10-year-old vehicles,” he said. “Furthermore, we introduced the EuroTrailer which is now known by German law as ‘Lang-Lkw Typ 1’. An extended semi-trailer that offers 10 per cent more loading volume at almost no extra cost and eliminates the need for one in ten freight trips. It took quite a while to convince European law makers of the practical benefits. Now it pays off step by step. That’s what we are proud of: pragmatic solutions that pay off in almost no time – for the customer and theLoadenvironment.”restrainthas also seen innovation which is becoming increasingly important.“Customers either ask for highly specialised and time efficient solutions or general solutions which cover a lot of applications in a safe way,” said Renners. “Data and load tracking became really important, too. Trailer telematics are the viable solution. Fleet operators demand that they can track the status and location of cargo at all times. Telematics is the backbone of full-service offerings and fixed, transparent total cost of ownership. Trailer telematics contributes to high sustainability and reduces unnecessary (empty) trips.”
FAST FACT
tomodel.businessNeedlesssay,Kögeloffers
Krone reflects on a journey of growth and innovation
With the help of Krone Smart Capacity Management, freight forwarders utilize their fleets because locations and goods are linked to form optimal route suggestions. Freight exchanges receive the provider information from Krone Smart Capacity Management and provide the dispatcher with the cargo suggestions in the Krone Telematics Portal.
Insights from the Middle East – GORICA
Ivan Fornazaric, the CEO of GORICA, is committed to pursuing innovative solutions that have far-reaching impact which contributes to the overall health, safety and environmental vision that is starting to evolve around the world.
In 2013, the OEM acquired axle manufacturer, Gigant, and from that point presented an ‘all-in’one’ trailer to the market.
“Over the past few decades the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and wider region have transformed into more sophisticated economies, and with that, rules and guidelines are also starting to trail this trend to ensure appropriate environmental goals; however much work still needs to be carved out,” he said. “Our vision in 2013 when we started our major investment to produce high quality insulated panels that are then assembled into our final products of refrigerated semi-trailers and reefer bodies, was to be prepared to meet demands that would ensure and deliver on the environmental, health and safety aspects built into our product, and to yield benefits for all stakeholders. We are market ready, but we urge the regulations to tighten up in order to ensure the safe and healthy delivery of all cold chain transport goods in the region. We require appropriate regulation that fit in with the already seen successful evolution of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies, and possibly a regional version of the existing ATP standards as seen in Europe.”
Krone also introduced a program of modernisation and automation across all of its production facilities, especially the Herzlake plant, where the assembly lines for the Dry Liner series and shell lines for swap bodies are now highly million). It enabled the business to put farm machines and commercial vehicles and
“In order to optimise the quality of our products effectively, we need accurate and objective evidence of lifetime and functionality of a part or machine,” Dr Frank Albers, Krone Managing Director Marketing and Sales, told Global Trailer. “As such, the validation centre also contributes significantly to customer satisfaction. In addition, its premises offer us excellent opportunities to explore new spheres such as autonomous driving.
Krone offers an interesting alternative with the new spare parts brand Krone Trusted. The advantage for the customer: From now on, Krone Trusted offers tested brand-name spare parts throughout Europe that can be up to 50 percent cheaper than the original spare part. The assortment, which Krone will continuously expand, currently ranges from ABS sensors to brake drums and air suspension hoses to disc brake pads and also includes axle types such as BPW, JOST, Sauer and Schmitz Cargobull. Of course, Krone Trusted offers a twelve-month warranty on all spare parts.
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Renners, will also grow stronger.
By 2017 the OEM opened a new central spare parts centre in Herzlake, Germany, (€8.5 million) and the following year launched a new coating centre in Werlte (€40 million).
Shippeo Strategic Partnership; Thanks to the collaboration, Krone is the first trailer manufacturer to provide real-time realtime ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) ETA predictions within the framework of its ‘Krone Telematics’ telematics solution. Customers gain access to the most accurate and reliable ETA predictions for the logistics area on the market.More and more transport companies want to concentrate on their core business and rely on flexible services instead of organising the diverse tasks related to the mobility of their trailers themselves. The focus is also on reliable planning of the fleet and clear cost transparency. With this in mind, Krone has developed its modular service concept. The transport company can choose whether to
Another key milestone for Krone was the development of the innovating cooling unit, Celsineo, together with Liebherr.
automated20
“Telematics are the backbone of a more connected transport environment,” he said. “Sustainability will be strengthened. The carbon footprint is assessed from cradle to grave.
also supplier components through their paces before they are installed in a Krone product.
In the space of 10 years, Krone, a trailer manufacturer based in Germany, has since diversified into a service provider, offering a solid selection of programs from heavy goods vehicles to electrically operated bikes such as Rytle.
It comes as no surprise that CHEREAU of The Reefer Group in France is leading the world with its smart trailer and hybrid heavy vehicle innovations for a greener tomorrow. The OEM is leaning into solutions that reduce energy consumption which means exploring the use of other energies to replace diesel.
Krone Future Lab.
Dr Frank Albers, Krone Managing Director Marketing and Sales
In the short term, CHEREAU aims to push these technologies in the market. In
To achieve the highest possible sustainability in refrigerated transport, Krone is converting the Cool Liner completely to electric operation in cooperation with the electric specialist THT. For this purpose, the second trailer axle is converted to a recuperation axle, which feeds electrical energy to a battery pack mounted longitudinally under the trailer. The third-generation energy storage unit, which weighs only 320 kilograms, supplies the allelectric refrigeration unit with electricity with the help of intelligent control electronics, so that the ‘THT New Cool’ Cool Liner does not need a diesel unit at all. The total weight of the fully electric refrigerated trailer is the same as that of a conventionally refrigerated trailer with a full diesel tank. Another aspect: such an e-trailer serves to extend the reach of BEV tractor.
“IN ORDER TO OPTIMISE THE QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCTS EFFECTIVELY, WE NEED ACCURATE AND OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE OF LIFETIME AFUNCTIONALITYANDOFPARTORMACHINE.”
“Unchanged is important and remains customer contact; develop practiceoriented ideas,” said Dr Albers. “Lack of drivers is also a factor that should not be forgotten. The driver image is changing; driver of the future will be a smart transport manager.”
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Everything that can be digitised, Dr Albers said, will be digitised.
In more recent times the Covid crisis and conflict in Ukraine has had a flowon effect with industry, namely the spike in costs for raw materials, a drop in component availability which ultimately exacerbates manufacturer delivery timeframes and capitulates what is already an unpredictable environment.
Road transport and logistics is also turning to digitalisation – a trend that CHEREAU is actively engaged in.
various modules according to its needs.
“This can be found in production (Smart Industry), but also with solutions / apps around the trailer. Not only the condition of the trailer (wear data, Main Inspection, Predicted Maintenance) but much more information about the transport goods are interesting –condition of the goods, refrigerator, cargo security, theft, Electrificationetc.”will also play a very big role.
Going back to the energy discourse, there will not be a single solution but a panel of solutions that will emerge. These include electric reefer semi-trailers with battery packs, a charge on the network by e-axle or by solar PV cells. CHEREAU will continue to focus on insulation, aerodynamic performance and cut energy needed to operate trucks and trailers.
“In addition to the recovery, the trailer is also operated with an e-axis, which helps to save fuel and reduce CO2,” said Dr Albers.
Riding the energy transition wave with CHEREAU
A decade from now, CHEREAU expects digitalisation to continue to grow and electrifciation along with hydrogen will set new standards for energy. Longer vehicles will also appear to address the driver shortage and autonomous vehicles will see experimentation on public roads as new solutions for the final mile following the push for decarbonising road transportation. As for manufacturing, CHEREAU expects a fully digital chain from customer offer to the vehicle life’s end.
“This was our first shot to define our new strategy of becoming a true road tanker manufacturer,” said Ramaekers and Houben. “Over the past five years (20172022) we have invested 7.0 million euros for the optimisation and expansion of our production capacity. Between 2017-18, we introduced new welding assembly lines, new spray booths and a dry hall. In 2019-2020 we upgraded the workshop with a new fibre laser machine, the first welding robot for the automated welding of silo trailers. Last year we added a second welding robot as well as a new grinding installation, new round seam welding machine and optimised the logistics process of our docking station.”
‘Vehicles’ division.
“Today, we are a prominent tanker manufacturer in Europe,” LAG CEO, Rob Ramaekers and LAG Director Sales & Marketing, Maarten Houben, told Global Trailer.
Security has also been a focus for drivers and carriers which is why CHEREAU has developed a series of tools including a Bumper-C and SafeLoading-C (which took out a bronze medal at the Solutrans innovation awards). Safe-Loading-C is a CHEREAU patented system that automatically locks the vehicle’s brakes when the dock door is opened. When the vehicle is secured, a blue light blinks to inform the dock operator. As soon as the dock door closes the security system releases and allows the vehicle to leave the loading dock. This tool improves dock operator safety.
In 2021, the LAG Group founded a new assembly factory. Located in the Netherlands, the subsidiary company, CIENL, manufactures intermodal chassis for liquid containers and sea containers. Since 2022 the factory is fully operational and a part of LAG’s global supply strategy.“CIENL manufactures, due to continuous innovations, chassis of the highest quality,” said Ramaekers and Houben. “Know-how and experience make the difference. Creating intermodal excellence is not just a slogan but a determined goal on which we focus.”
LAG Trailers gears up for an automated future Belgium-based OEM, LAG Trailers, has transformed from a manufacturer of an extensive product portfolio including tanker trailers for liquids and dry bulk containers, container chassis, curtainsiders, flat beds and tippers for the Benelux market to a dedicated and focused producer of tank and intermodal solutions for the entire European market.
to encourage better ways to transport goods while minimising the envrionmental impact on our planet.
Another milestone emerged this year for LAG“WeTrailers.began focusing on the construction of tankers in 1947,” said Ramaekers and
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In 2015 the business integrated from CIMC Group into CIMC
To reach the goals of the Paris Climate Convention, CHEREAU is adamant that new behaviours such as new ways of consuming and and transporting must be encouraged. For example, there seems to be no consequence or consideration for carbon emissions and efficiency when producers can catch fish in northern France, send it to the southwest to make fillets and then distribute the product to all supermarkets across the country – including the supermarket next to the original fishing area.
Embracing opportunities in resource recovery –Gervasi Ecologica
In fact, the use of a semi-trailer with a crane makes possible the collect of large volumes of waste material independently. The truck driver himself can manoeuvre the crane installed on the semi-trailer and load scrap, demolition vehicles, electrical cables, waste and much more. Alone, in full autonomy.
Alessia and Stefania Gervasi.
Gervasi Ecologica was founded in 2016, but the project of a company entirely dedicated to Ecology had already been in the thoughts of Alessia and Stefania Gervasi for many years.
production and offices moved to new, larger premises, able to accommodate the growth process already undertaken with more suitable space.
This type of vehicle has always been the flagship of production since the very beginning (we are talking about 40 years ago) and today it is great to see that it is attracting new customers all over Europe, starting from France to Germany and the UK.
A choice that has paid off, leading to a 150-plus-per-cent growth in orders by 2021 on 2019.
Both working in the family business, a wellknown manufacturer of steel semi-trailers and truck equipment, they dreamed of dedicating energy and resources to a specific sector, that of ecology and recycling.
This trend makes the company very proud, but it may also represent an important step to develop more and more the collection of waste materials to be repurposed.
In these first years, the company has changed significantly, growing in economic terms, but above all pushing hard on innovation and perfecting their existing solutions.In2019,
Some key steps along this path of change were the rebranding started in 2017 and presented at the Ecomondo and Solutrans trade fairs, the launch of the first steel moving-floor semi-trailer in 2018, and the internationalisation process started in 2017 with the European homologation of production and crowned in 2022 with the participation at international events such as IFAT and, in September, IAA in Hannover.
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Houben. “Today, we offer a wide portfolio of tank semi-trailers and intermodal solutions. Know-how, innovation and the enrichment of 75 years of experience are the base of our high-quality products. But most importantly, teamwork makes the dream work. Day in, day out our employees make the difference in creating and manufacturing our liquid and powder tankers. We are not only celebrating our rich history but also our driving forces behind the story.”
During the difficult years of the pandemic, Alessia and Stefania Gervasi invested in digitisation and process improvement to provide each customer with customised, durable and efficient solutions.
Looking to the future, in order to face shortages in the labour force along with increasing costs, Ramaekers and Houben said investments in robotisation and globalisation will be necessary for business growth. “The lack of drivers and their increasing wages will enhance the modal shift towards more intermodal transport solutions.”
The production of vehicles for transporting waste materials had always aroused a particular passion in them, in view of its social value and
So about six years ago, they launched Gervasi Ecologica, a spin-off of the family group, focused on design and construction of semi-trailers for scrap and waste materials.
the contribution it could make to the environmental cause.
A niche company, young and with an innovative spirit, which in just a few years built a strong identity with clear values and objectives.
On the demand side, an important change that has been recently observed is the growing interest in semi-trailers with crane.
“Over the years, the semi-trailer has been adapted to the different types of loads, to the demands of each particular job, they have been transformed in favour of ease of handling, seeking more safety both on the road and in the handling of the semi-trailer itself, and within a current environment of CO2 reduction. We actively collaborate with authorities, universities and administrations
It is well known that increasing recovery rates is a globally shared goal, so facilitating collection and making it as autonomous, efficient and widespread as possible is important for everyone, even beyond business reasons.
Lecitrailer enjoys success by putting the customer first Since its foundation in 1990, Spain-based OEM, Lecitrailer, has always put the customer at the centre of its business. This has never changed and is in the company’s DNA. The same can be said for the trailer builder’s policy of reinvesting profits which enables it to undertake important in-house enhancements to continue growing.
With the start-up of the new aftersales base, there are now seven Lecitrailer bases with a total surface area of more than 500,000 square metres
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FAST FACT
Investments have been constant at Lecitrailer. During the first few years, its opened aftersales service bases in Spain in Zaragoza, Barcelona, Madrid, Seville andInValencia.2013itopened its sixth own aftersales service base in Lyon, France, with a total area of 50,000 square metres, of which 7,000 square metres are covered. The service base is located in a strategic point for the aftersales of all carriers with international routes to Central Europe and Eastern European countries, which has undoubtedly favoured the development of the Lecitrailer brand in the French market.
“We would simply like to wish you every success and congratulate you on these 10 years in which you have become the reference publication in the sector worldwide,” said Lecitrailer.
In 2021, Lecitrailer exported 57 per cent of its production representing a significant market presence in more and more countries. As a result, the OEM stands tall as the leading trailer builder in Spain, second in Portugal, third in France and sixth in Italy.
Over the past three years Lecitrailer has also grown significantly in the Netherlands, Norway, Finland and the UK.
Also in 2013, with the acquisition of EGA, a manufacturer of reefer panels, Lecitrailer began to manufacture its own complete reefers semi-trailers, chassis andInbodywork.2019,theOEM opened Europe’s largest KTL facility, from which time all of its semitrailers have undergone the cataphoresis process on the chassis, which ensures a uniform coating over the entire chassis surface of 50-micron KTL primer (e-coat), the highest chassis protection on the market, enabling it to offer a 10-year guarantee against corrosion perforation.In2022, Lecitrailer opened its seventh aftersales service base in Mangualde, Portugal, with an area of 36,000 square metres and is equipped, like the rest of Lecitrailer’s service bases, with the latest available technologies available on the market. It has bench redressing tool, shot-blasting, painting cabin, brake-tester, tyres alignment laser system and inspection pits.
“We see great potential in this change and hope to see it growing in the next decades,” said Alessia and Stefania Gervasi. “But the innovative soul of the company and the global focus on the growth of the recycling process continues to bring new challenges and new inspirations. That’s why Gervasi Ecologica research and development team is already at work on new projects, expected to be available in 2023-2024. After all, living immersed in the world of recycling and environment, dedicating all the energies to this sector allows us to intercept opportunities and latent needs in a timely manner and, as the company often repeats, without limits.”
“We are in a fairly mature market in which there is a large fleet of vehicles pending renewal,” said Lecitrailer. “It is our duty as manufacturers to produce vehicles that allow transporters to extend the useful life of their vehicles and that allow them to diversify the type of load to be transported, so that it is more profitable for them. In this respect, our production flexibility is a plus for our customers, as we can manufacture vehicles that are fully adapted to their requirements.
With time, the OEM has also expanded its range of products. It now focuses on extremely high quality vehicle niches.
Roland Hartwig, the CEO of Schwarzmüller, said the bespoke vehicle market has increased considerably in the last 10 years.
“The target group of companies that demand vehicles with a customised configuration has become wider, above all particularly due to the development of many East European markets,” he said. “This trend is favourable for the Schwarzmüller Group, as we focus on these niches in sectors such as the construction industry and the infrastructure industry, as well as long-distance transport. With 150 different vehicle types in eight areas, our portfolio already covers quite a wide spectrum. Thousands of versions of these roll off our production lines every year. That is why we have recently been extremely successful in the two largest European markets, Germany andMorePoland.”services has helped Schwarzmüller focus on the entire lifecycle of a trailer.
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“We are currently seeing an increasing
“The Schwarzmüller Group has recently completely changed the production processes at all four sites, to a computer-controlled sequenced flow production system,” said Hartwig. “More than 140,000 processes were re-organised. On all production lines, the optimum sequence for the widely differing vehicles is calculated on a daily basis. This makes it possible for us to supply customer-specific niche vehicles as quickly as ordinary standard vehicles.”
In terms of company milestones, there has been a change in production at Schwarzmüller with regards to flow and sequence.
“We currently offer 50 different tipping trailers that all differ in terms of the material combination and the trough surface,” said Hartwig. “We now also produce our own walking floor vehicles; the latest generation of long-distance transport vehicles weighs less and performs better. Furthermore, we are the only manufacturer to offer lightweight construction vehicles in all product categories. Their lower unladen weight permits higher payloads, or also reduces the truck’s carbon emissions on empty runs by almost 10 per cent, for example.”
for the study of CO2 reduction, such as the projects carried out with duo trailers and mega-trailers (25,25 metres), in which Lecitrailer is the pioneer. On the other hand, an important part of the sector is committed to intermodality and we have been working for years with semi-trailers designed for this purpose.”
Schwarzmüller doubles down on the niche vehicle segment
demand for aftersales services throughout the entire lifecycle,” said Hartwig. “On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the vehicle technology is so specific, including the digital components, and on the other hand to the lack of suitably qualified staff. This increasingly leads to the maintenance and repair of entire fleets being outsourced to specialised service providers, including the Schwarzmüller Group, the only major European manufacturer among these. We view this close customer liaison as part of our core business, and therefore offer a wide spectrum of services: Spare parts supply, maintenance, repairs, a large fleet of hire vehicles that also includes special vehicles, and the international trade in used vehicles; however, also support services for the telematics systems in all of our vehicles. Due to the demand, we are ramping up these customer services, and intend to be present throughout all of the important markets.”
With the acquisition of German company Hüffermann Transportsysteme GmbH in 2020, the Schwarzmüller Group extended its product portfolio, which now also includes container transport vehicles. The new subsidiary, whose brand will continue to exist within the group, is the European market leader in this segment,
“The production process as well as the actual vehicles will increasingly become more automated,” said Hartwig. “Now that we have the currently most innovative production lines in our sector, we are focusing on the automation of the vehicles. One area we are looking at is the automatic loading of low loaders.”
which is growing strongly in consequence of waste management and recycling.
Schwarzmüller also expects to see more automation going forward.
In the coming years, Hartwig expects that bespoke vehicles will perform better and contribute to necessary efficiency increases hence the OEM’s focus on this vehicle segment. He added that human resource shortages, especially qualified staff, will become the new normal.
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“In view of the fact that we desperately need properly qualified staff for the production of such a high number of different vehicles, we intend to increase our in-house vocational training offers as much as possible,” said Hartwig. “At the same
“The transport industry is facing an imminent major transformation,” said Hartwig. “The specific form this will take is only just starting to become apparent. That is why innovativeness looks set to be one of the future core skills. However, the more complex the projects become, the more their solutions call for external collaborations. That is what we are preparing our organisation for.”
A bastion of North America – Wabash
Over the last 10 years, US-based OEM, Wabash, has adjusted its company strategy to focus on delivering solutions that support customers from first to final mile. Recently, the company has expanded capabilities in its Parts and Services business to provide service throughout the entire customer lifecycle.
“The development of drones as a new means of transport also poses new challenges for the trailer construction sector,” said Hartwig. “In cooperation with the German drone manufacturer, Volocopter, we are developing a trailer that carries transport drones and at the same time serves them as a take-off platform. The concept design process has already been completed; we are now working on the mechanical prototype.”
goal will tie up considerably more resources than in the Innovationpast.”and cooperation will also be more important in the future.
“As an end-to-end solutions and service provider, we’re now able to offer customers the convenience of working with a one-stopshop through the entire product lifecycle,”
The future may also see the rise of more drones – third level transport.
“For the past nine years, the long-established, fifth generation family company has been headed by an external manager: The German mechanical engineer Roland Hartwig has been at the helm as its CEO since 2016,” said Hartwig. “Schwarzmüller recently achieved a company record, with a turnover of 414 million euros and almost 10,000 vehicles sold in 2021.”
“Over the last 10 years, a lot has happened in our company,” he said. “In 2015, we acquired the leading Italian brands Viberti and Cardi and the French company Fruehauf. In 2016, we opened a research and development Centre in Wieluń with the only full-vehicle testing station for semi-trailers in Poland and the second in Europe. Then, in May 2017, as the Wielton Group, we acquired the German company Langendorf, which allowed us to expand our product range with, among other things, specialized vehicles for transporting glass and prefabricated concrete. In turn, the acquisition of Lawrence David, in September 2018, allowed us to enrich our offer with further unique vehicles, such as home delivery bodies and pillarless curtainsider semi-trailers. Meanwhile, the acquisition of Guillén Desarrollos Industriales in 2021 enabled us to expand the Group’s activities into another important market - Spain. In summary, we have done a tremendous amount of work over the last decade and our business has grown
One of the great lessons the team at Wabash has learnt over the years is the value of putting customers first.
“We’ve also built a strong collaborative relationship with FreightVana over the last year, and we believe, together, we can solve some of the transportation industry’s most meaningful challenges such as driver shortages, detention times at shippers’ docks and an overall lack of network fluidity,” said Wabash. “In an effort to ease these challenges, we announced a partnership supporting the 3PL’s fast-growing power-only offering, FreightVanaX, with trailer availability and services through our Trailers as a Service (TaaS) platform.”
Earlier this year, Wabash’s Parts and Services offering brought together historically disparate parts and services businesses under one leadership team. The OEM’s parts distribution utilises an extensive network of equipment dealers’ service capabilities, as well as the infrastructure of industry-leading partners of national wholesale distribution for aftermarket heavy duty truck and trailers parts, using multiple distribution centres across the country. The creation of this new tech-enabled parts distribution network not only unified and expanded Wabash’s parts distribution capabilities across all product lines but also provided immediate scale to grow.
Wabash told Global Trailer. “Throughout this process, we’ve also restructured our teams internally and adopted a more customercentric approach to our business.”
A decade from now, Wabash expects great changes across the manufacturing and logistics industry.“First, we expect traditional logistics models will be widely disrupted by e-commerce,” said Wabash. “We also think the freight market will be rebalanced, requiring more equipment, and if the demand for home delivery products continues to grow at the current rate, it will likely result in larger classes of truck bodies down the road.”
Wielton Group, the champion of multibrand power
The CEO of Wielton Group, Mariusz Golec, defines the last 10 years as a period of intensive growth for his organisation both organically and through regular acquisitions.“FromaPolish company producing mainly for the local and eastern markets, we have grown into an international Group with foreign brands,” he said. “We are now present in most markets in Europe and in several markets in Africa. We have significantly expanded our product range, adding specialised vehicles and assembly plants: Italy and Russia (operations suspended from 24.02.2022). We also launched a company in the Ivory Coast. The entire Wielton Group currently employs around 3,600 people, whereas 10 years ago there were only 700 of us. As in the case of employment, our production has also increased from 6,000 units to 26,000 units. Our mission is to create and deliver the best transport solutions for business. We base our activities on four key values, which include: people, initiative, quality, and safety. We are currently working on our next growth strategy, which will be just as ambitious as the previous one.”
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The strength of the Wielton Group, according to Golec, is consistently implemented strategy based on organic growth and acquisitions.
solutions that help solve problems in the marketplace, like making refrigerated transportation equipment more sustainable with EcoNex Technology.”
“When we listen to their goals and pain points, we’re able to better anticipate their needs,” said Wabash. “This is how we approach new product development and it’s been incredibly successful in engineering
we jointly implement new investments. We conquer new markets and build competitive advantages based on new technologies, while fully exploiting the potential of the consolidated companies. For us, the success of our acquisitions is also guaranteed by our pursuit of integration within the Group. We see this process from four perspectives –process, purchasing, production, and sales. The synergies obtained in these areas not only significantly increase the negotiating position of the entire Group, but also positively impact the cost optimisation and efficiency of each of the constituent entities.”
“Telematics solutions, which allow data to be collected, processed, and distributed to the right links in the entire supply chain, are also becoming more widely used. Already today, we can not only locate semi-trailers or remotely identify transported goods, but also accurately track technical parameters, which helps to effectively manage not only the fleet but also vehicle servicing and the safety of transported goods. These solutions are being perfected and, with the spread of 5G technology, may allow for the real use of autonomous vehicles and the exploitation of transport efficiency in formations, i.e. truck platooning. These technologies will not fully replace drivers but will allow for even greater optimisation of haulage.
“It is based on a global reach built by strong local brands,” said Golec. “We form a Group made up of European companies: Wielton, which is the consolidating company, Fruehauf, Lawrence David, Langendorf, Viberti, and Guillén. The Wielton 2020 strategy, we have adopted, is based on organic growth and acquisitions and has been successively implemented since 2015. When entering new markets, we carefully analyse their sales potential and investment climate. Diversification of the business, both geographically and products, is extremely important to us. The acquired companies are partners for us. When looking for common synergies, we must ensure their autonomy and real growth. To this end,
“Achievingsystem.synergies and the integration of new companies into the Group allows us to
The future of the transport market today, according to Golec, is marked by numerous changes – many of them significantly accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic.“Digitisation, automation, autonomous vehicles and sustainable transport are aspects that will have a big impact on the industry,” he said. “We are observing a clear recovery in the transport sector, while at the same time the very clear shortage of professional drivers is an increasingly serious problem. It is necessary to pay particular attention to improving the comfort and safety of their work, the answer to which is, among other things, the digitalisation and automation of processes. With the development of automated logistics centers, solutions such as the electrically retractable roof or sides of semi-trailers, which allow maintenance-free loading and unloading, are becoming standard in semi-trailers. It is important for the wholesale transport of goods, as well as for ‘last mile’ vehicles, making the work of couriers easier and more efficient.
“A huge challenge not only for the transport industry is the need to reduce GHG emissions. ‘Fit for 55’ is an even more ambitious target to meet. The key for the Wielton Group is to create semi-trailers that will help our customers to reduce their emissions. The reduction of the carbon footprint is helped by e-mobility solutions such as electric axles indirectly powering the aggregates. On the other hand, sustainability activities across the Group, such as shortening the supply chain, in-house production, semi-trailer weight reduction activities, and the use of alternative materials, are also of great importance. We are also focusing on the production of clean energy for our use, robotization, and automation of processes, and the reduction of waste or water consumption. For us, sustainable production is the sustainable development of the entire Group. Offering the best transport solutions for business, in line with our mission, mobilises us to best manage today’s challenges for the industry. So that our customers grow with us.”
Wielton also focuses on successively expanding its product portfolio and adapting it to customer preferences in the respective market.“Animportant strength of our offering is the personalisation of products and unique solutions,” said Golec. “In 12 product groups, we can create a total of more than 800 product configurations. This means that we are ready to fulfill any, even the most specific order. This would not be possible without the mutual exchange of know-how between the companies. The flow of knowledge within the organization has a significant impact not only on our product range but also on our awareness of customer needs in individual markets.“Wetreat each acquisition individually, not only as an opportunity to build the Group’s position on the international market but also as a unique experience that pays off in subsequent transactions of this kind. At the same time, we meticulously prepare for each of them and analyze potential opportunities and risks. This allows us to operate efficiently and safely from a business perspective. We made our last acquisition in December 2021. We currently focus on synergies between the new company and the Wielton Group, mainly on the line: the Spanish Guillén and the French Fruehauf, in the production and sales areas. Of course, we are also at the stage of purchasing synergies with the entire Group, integrating production processes, and implementing a reporting
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Wielton’s multibrand power leverages strategic acquisitions and geographical diversification to accommodate the needs of various markets around the world. As one of the 10 largest semi-trailer and trailer manufacturers in the world, this unique business model, multibrand, is paramount to the Group’s success.
by several sizes.”
The elephant in the room – Schmitz Cargobull Andreas Schmitz, the CEO of Schmitz Cargobull, said the trailer business has always been subject to strong economic fluctuations.
5. The Curtainsider S.C S GENIOS Chassis generation, which due to reduced welding and galvanization lasts significantly longer even under the toughest conditions.
3. The electric semi-trailer S.KOe equipped with an electrical cooling unit and a recuperation axle.
8. Innovative low-tare tippers, S.KI with high payload and an integrated scale for weight and theft control, obviously also controllable via telematics.
“The current up and down is something that we know how to manage quiet well,” he said, reflecting on the past decade. “What is new in Germany is the lack of fiscal austerity and the resulting inflation. Furthermore, the extreme supply chain disruptions caused by Covid, climate-related natural disasters, the Ukraine war and the sanctions, which resulted in supply chains being cut of overnight by decree. For Schmitz Cargobull our brand promise of ‘Reliable and Innovative’ has been a guiding principle not only for our products and services, but also for our relationships with customers and suppliers. Therefore, we had modularised our product and set up dual sourcing and created a flexible production network, that allows us to react quickly. While our entire team has adjusted well to the given conditions and we managed better than most of our competitors - as proven by our increase in production and market shares, we nevertheless wish we could have been even more
“Thereliable.other change of the decade is the challenge to become even more sustainable and reducing our environmental footprint. As a company that has been family-run for generations, sustainable management is at the core of our values. However, especially in the last decade, sustainability and digitalization have become important drivers of innovation.
Schmitz Cargobull CEO, Andreas Schmitz.
“Both are key to our strategy,” he said. “Of course, there have been many product innovations as well. Just to name a few:
7. The aerodynamic trailers of the EcoGeneration to significantly reduce wind resistance which leads to more than 5.0 per cent reduction of fuel costs and CO2 emissions while allowing full internal height when needed.
4. S.KO – Reefer trailer with new FERROPLAST walls and a dramatically improved insulation value.
2. Smart S.KO incl. Digital Temperature Writer and 2way Communication for Remote Set Point Control and FOTA (Firmware-Over-The-Air) Updates for cooling units to further increase efficiency even for older, existing units.
1. The Schmitz Cargobull cooling unit S.CU with a common rail diesel to cut emission.
systems, but we also opened up the data and introduced an open API to make logistics processes more efficient through controlled data management. Our Trailer Connect Data Management Center (DMC) allows our customers to selectively share their data with customers and partners. Our smart trailers and the DMC allow our customers to shape new digital logistic processes and to benefit from digitalisation. That provides our customers a key edge to increase theirEvenprofitability.”thoughSchmitz Cargobull has achieved many milestones over the years, the most important, according to Andreas Schmitz, is the fact that the OEM created a digital product system including its own cooling unit and flexible production network.
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6. The POWER CURTAIN for faster opening and closing of the curtains.
maintain a federated management model for the companies. An important aspect of every acquisition we have made has been to keep the team of specialists and experts in each company with us because they are the ones who know the local circumstances, customers, and suppliers best. We rely on local teams, respect their culture and retain local branding – I think this is what most distinguishes our Group from other semi-trailer and trailer manufacturers.”
“We have been the leaders in producing smart trailers helping our customers to digitalise their logistic business. We not only modularised our electrical and electronic
I was still waking up from a restless airplane doze and took a moment to collect my senses. We had just left Hong Kong after a two-week research trip to some of China’s largest heavy vehicle and equipment manufacturing sites, and I was still processing the experience.
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up so-called ‘zero emission zones’ for this purpose.“Autonomous Driving and electrification of trucks will place further requirements on trailers. The general rate of inflation is also a major concern, as is the issue of a shortage of skilled workers. In the short term, we must pay attention to how inflation
10. Trailer Connect Data Management Center to connect all types of telematic systems with an open API structure and putting our customer in charge of his data.
In an attempt to rectify the situation, he had taken it upon himself to invite some of the industry’s leading managers to come to China and speak at an inhouse conference. The event had been a great success, but it was David himself who concluded an annual CIMC symposium in China would not quite fill the gap. There was a vast, entirely disconnected industry out there that was aching for a platform to connect.
For the past two weeks, we had been travelling far and wide to learn about China’s rapidly emerging transport equipment market and met some of the most influential people in the industry. It was my first serious job out of university and I was already well outside my comfort zone.
Humbled, I looked up to John, who was still scribbling on the back of the page. He said: “If there’s anything we learned about the industry it’s that there is a real need for connection, a global marketplace. A global trailer magazine. What do you say – I’ll focus on sales, you take care of the content?”
“Electric tractors and refrigeration units will increasingly take over food distribution in city centres,” he said. “Some major cities are already setting
It was my first international business trip as Editor of Trailer, a young and fiercely ambitious business publication serving Australia’s trailer manufacturing industry, and the first time I got to spent one-on-one time with John Murphy, CEO of Prime Creative Media and the very man who founded the title that was now in my care.
I wasn’t sure how to respond, but what John was proposing did make sense. Only a few days ago, David Li, then-General Manager of CIMC Vehicles, one of the largest trailer manufacturers in the world, had publicly admonished that there was no professional forum for Asia’s burgeoning transport equipment industry.
Sebastian Grote.
During a follow-up interview in his Shenzhen office, he admitted to being a longstanding fan of Trailer and jokingly challenged John to come up with a Chinese version to keep the conversation going. At the time, John had politely declined. A small, Melbourne-based family company would not have the capacity to do such
“Why don’t we just try?” John looked at me in excitement and folded down the narrow tray table in front of him. He tore a page from the Cathay Pacific brochure in the seat pocket and started scribbling on the edges. “If we get it right, it might just add up. Are you in?”
a complex market justice, he said.
9. The new S.BO dry freight box body trailers with a stable and lightweight body made from STRUKTOPLAST, comprising honeycomb-shaped panels.
In terms of manufacturing and logistics trends a decade from now, Andreas Schmitz said digitalisation will continue to advance and the topic of sustainability will be increasingly in focus.
I fumbled my notepad from my bag and flicked through the pages, each filled with
A few words from Sebastian Grote, co-founder and former Editor of Global Trailer (2011-2018)
“Finally,develops.wemust continue to work on
Up here in the sky, John’s opinion seemed to have changed: “I don’t think we have the bandwidth to launch national editions of Trailer. But if we go global, we might just find the commercial support to make something work.”Iwas listening intently by now and couldn’t hide my excitement. There was so much innovation happening in the space that did not get any airtime, and so much knowledge that had to be shared – not only from a technology, but also from a management perspective. As Editor of Trailer I had always kept a keen eye on international news, but with a mandate to champion homegrown innovation, much of my time had been spent on local coverage.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since John Murphy convinced one of the most powerful people in the trailer manufacturing space to take a bet on a journalism graduate from Germany to build a global media brand, and I can’t thank him and his wife Tanya enough for the trust they placed in me and our small internal start-up. Global Trailer became the title that defined my journalistic career in the heavy vehicle space and, in many ways, prepared me for the challenges that came with starting my own venture five years down the line.
practical solutions for low-emission freight transport. The CO2 tax, and therefore the cost of fossil fuel, will increase every year. This calls for solutions that help the industry reduce CO2 emissions, preferably without requiring expensive investments to do so. Hopefully, market forces and an increasing CO2 price are allowed to work rather than innovation stifling regulation.”
barely legible notes and brusque drawings.
With the Cathay brochure now indecipherable from his scribblings, John grabbed my notebook and made a list. By the end of the flight, we had mapped out a year’s worth of content and the advertisers we thought might be interested in supporting ourInidea.the cab home, John made the first call. “David, I think we can do it. But we need you to commit – can you do that?”
The beginning was tough. Our vision was to create a decidedly collectable, high-quality print product augmented by a website and newsletter service, as well as a bi-annual in-person event. Long before it became a buzzword, we wanted to create a global community, a tight-knit tribe of entrepreneurs and innovators who had so much to say, so much knowledge to share, but no platform to be heard.
Inspired by the Murphy family’s seemingly unwavering ambition, my days looked much the same. To tell the stories I really wanted to tell, I needed to go right to the source and talk to the chief executives of some of the largest manufacturing businesses in the world.
To get it off the ground, we needed ‘venture capital’ in the form of advertising. John and his wonderful wife, Tanya, worked tirelessly
I don’t know how many hours I spent on the phone, or how many emails I wrote, but I still recall the constant stream of rejection. I didn’t have a name in the industry and apart from a pitch deck there was no product or website I could reference. I never made it past the front office. But with Tanya and John forging ahead with such passion, giving up was not an option.
Meanwhile, John and Tanya had not only secured enough funding to warrant a print run, but also built an impressive list of pre-orders from Asia, Europe and even the US. In September 2011, we shipped the first issue.
Here’s to the next decade.
I feel privileged to have been part of the Global Trailer journey, and so proud of Ashley Blachford, Luke Applebee and their team for building on our humble legacy with such drive and dedication. It’s been an honour serving such an innovative, yet largely overlooked industry, and I can’t wait to see what it has in store to shape the future of global logistics.
A week or so went by, and CIMC Vehicles signed to a 24-month advertising contract to fund the venture.
Andreas Schmitz agrees we have all
to convince the big players in the space to buy into our vision, often until deep in the night due to the time difference between Australia, Europe and the US. It was a lecture in business strategy – any product is only ever as good as people’s willingness to pay for it, and John and Tanya were committed to find a business case.
By June, we had a draft magazine to show. Laid out by the brilliant Michelle Weston and Joel Parke, it felt unlike anything the transport equipment community had ever seen. Lean and sophisticated, it broke with the ‘automotive’ tradition and entirely leaned into the industry’s smart and innovative side. Until today, I believe it’s in large part due to Michelle and Joel’s superb design the magazine has become such a runaway success.
www.globaltrailermag.com
had some extremely difficult years without the possibility to communicate in “Atperson.Schmitz Cargobull we have worked very hard on bringing TCO reducing innovations to market, and we feel the need to show and explain those Innovations,” he said. “Because of these innovations Schmitz Cargobull and its customers are well positioned to master the challenges. We at Schmitz Cargobull are looking forward to seeing our business partners at IAA Transportation 2022 in Hanover and Bauma in Munich not only to explain our products, but also to enjoy the human interaction over a drink.”
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“The stories are just waiting to be told,” I said. “And it’s not just tech. Think of all the inspiring people we met at the conference. It’s time to get them into the spotlight.”
So I started to write about what I learned in China that February, and my conversations with David Li, one of the most powerful, yet mysterious people in the industry. I wrote about the CIMC conference and started emailing the people I had met for comment. Slowly, I built a portfolio.
I’m not sure how many times I’ve told Global Trailer’s origin story over the years, even long after I left Prime Creative Media to build my own company in the medical technology space. I didn’t know it at the time, but the magazine’s genesis was a masterclass in entrepreneurship, a lesson in resourcefulness, resilience and, most of all, trust, and I am still grateful to John for offering me a front row seat.
ISRAEL IS A HUB FOR INNOVATION AND A POWERHOUSE FOR PIONEERING TECHNOLOGIES. IT IS WIDELY CONSIDERED TO BE A TECH-INNOVATOR AND IS CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE FOR TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS GLOBALLY.
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I
srael is a very small country, measuring 470 kilometres long, and 135 kilometres at its widest point. But it has a well-developed network of roads and railroads, as well as modern ports and airports. Infrastructure development failed to keep pace with rapid population growth, boosted by the arrival of some one million immigrants over the last decade, and by a surge in economic growth and risingBeginningaffluence.inthe
NEXT GENERATION TRANSPORT
with especially heavy defence expenditures and the slowing of economic growth during the 1970s and 1980s, transportation infrastructure development was often neglected. Israel’s transportation network by the late 1980s was in no position to accommodate the tidal wave of immigration from the former Soviet Union – which increased the population by 20 per cent over the next decade.
Israel’s road network extends more than 19,758 kilometres, including urban, access and non-urban roads. Modern highways radiate out of the major urban centres. But road infrastructure lags far behind the growth in
1990s, Israel’s government and industrial organisations have placed a much greater priority on investment in transport. The government has been actively upgrading the transportation sector across the board to introduce greater competition and to encourage private enterprise. A study released in July 2016 found that of all OECD countries Israel has the greatest average traffic density per kilometre.
In the early 1960s, rapid economic growth and the end to restrictions on importing private automobiles placed a serious burden on the road network. But
Perhaps the most important Israeli contribution to the global transport industry emanates from Israel’s dynamic ecosystem of mobility tech innovators. In recent years, Israel has developed into a mobility innovation powerhouse. The number
“ISRAEL IS HOME TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST TECHNOLOGY HUBS. IT HAS LATELY SEEN ENORMOUS GROWTH, PARTICULARLY IN THE TRANSPORT, LOGISTICS, MOBILITY SECTOR. SINCE 2016, MOBILITY START-UPS HAVE GROWN BY 50 PER CENT, FROM 400 THEN TO OVER 800 IN 2022”
FAST FACT
Perhaps the most important Israeli contribution to the global transport industry emanates from Israel’s dynamic ecosystem of mobility tech innovators. In recent years, Israel has developed into a mobility innovation powerhouse. The number of mobility-related start-ups has sharply increased. Investor appetite has reached unprecedented heights.
The global transport industry is being disrupted by the new Mobility, Autonomous Driving, Digitalisation, and Electrification (MADE) revolution. Israeli start-ups are seizing the opportunity to develop novel solutions for the future of mobility. In fact, approximately 85 per cent of all mobility start-ups in Israel can be allocated to one of the MADE trends.
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road cost around $750 million to build. The second phase expanded the highway by 48 kilometres north and south of phase one.
Israel is home to one of the world’s largest technology hubs. It has lately seen enormous growth, particularly in the transport, logistics, mobility sector. Since 2016, mobility start-ups have grown by 50 per cent, from 400 then to over 800 in 2022. Israeli start-ups are highly sought after by global corporations for strategic alliances and acquisitions.
INNOVATIONS
The Carmel Tunnel is another major BOT project – a 16-kilometre underground road below Haifa’s city centre, linking the northern and southern side of the city. Like the Trans-Israel Highway, the Carmel Tunnel is aimed at alleviating congestion in the city centre. The tender was won by a Spanish-Israeli consortium. Construction was been delayed due to difficulties in attaining necessary statutory building permits for the project. It now operates as planned.
Start-ups addressing the trend of new mobility provide innovative mobility
of mobility-related start-ups has sharply increased. Investor appetite has reached unprecedented heights. Global automotive manufacturers are steadily increasing their involvement and government support continues to grow. Not even the Covid pandemic could halt the growth trajectory of the Israeli mobility ecosystem and the future remains promising.
To help alleviate the congestion, funding for inter-urban road projects has increased substantially since 1992, with the national Ministry of Transport’s Public Works Department annual budget exceeding $450 million in 1999 and 2000. Israel’s biggest-ever highway project, the Trans-Israel Highway, extends 300 kilometres from the northern border to the Negev. At a cost of $2.0 billion USD, it forms the eastern backbone of the country’s transportation network, thereby reducing congestion and air pollution in the centre of the country. The first phase of the highway – a 90-kilometre toll road running parallel to the greater Tel Aviv metropolitan area – was constructed by an Israeli-Canadian consortium, which was organised using the ‘build-operate-transfer’ (BOT) method. In this situation the national government appointed a private company to build and operate a project for a period of time, after which it transfers the assets back to the government. The toll
the number of cars. There are now more than 1.8 million motor vehicles on the roads (more than one car for every four people), with a net increase of some 120,000 cars every year. As a result, an average of 105 cars crowd every kilometre of Israel’s roads, compared to some 40 cars per kilometre in the US.
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Smart Mobility Summit.
ElectRoad is the first technology that can charge electric car batteries and power the vehicle, all in real time.
Start-ups focusing on the development of electro mobility (such as EVs, batteries, charging facilities, electric motors) experienced moderate growth in recent years. Israel boasts favourable conditions to encourage the growth of star-tups, with multiple government entities taking supporting roles, with respect to R&D support, infrastructure development, early-stage funding, marketing, and networking events. In total, Israel’s national government has invested and distributed at least $165 million USD into the mobility sector over the past five years. The list of participating entities is a long one, and would include these key entities:
• The Smart Mobility Initiative (Fuel Choices), under the Prime Minister’s Office, is concerned with the development of testing and piloting infrastructure; mobility research collaborations with academia; open source high-resolution mapping of Israeli geography; projects improving Israel’s transport sector; and funding of the mobility-related activities of the Israel Export Institute.
• EcoMotion, a joint venture of public and private entities and Israel’s broader
• The Israeli Innovation Authority (IIA) promotes R&D collaboration between Israel and the international community. IIA supports hundreds of projects annually, ranging from pre-seed funding and incubator work to support for more established start-up companies and industrial R&D enterprises.
The story of one company is worth noting here: Back in 2016, an Israeli-based startup called ElectRoad installed the country’s first strip of electric road in Northern Tel Aviv. This represented an innovation which powers and charges electric vehicles as they drive over it. Special grooves are carved into the asphalt, which are then filled with a copper wire that is connected to a power converter at the roadside. Electric cars that are equipped with the company’s technology receive electricity while driving over the road, which not only powers the car but charges the battery inside.
connections as a prerequisite for increasingly autonomous vehicles.
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The product connects to the various organisational systems (ERP, TMS, WMS)
in way which enable smart planning. This makes possible a kind of data-based decision-making which maximises every truck’s efficiency and saves precious time, money, and emissions. The company’s product includes several interfaces (distribution manager, warehouse manager, forklift operator, and driver’s app) – each of which are designed to provide a 360-dgree solution -- from planning, to dispatch, and to POD.
and a comprehensive business ecosystem, global auto manufacturers and tech giants are looking at Israel while creating the next generation of smart vehicle.”
Michal Frank, Director General of the national Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, with “robotaxis just around the corner and drone deliveries in sight, digital ticketing, dynamic routing and electric public transportation at the palm of our hands”. She says that “Israel is a world leader in the field of smart mobility”. To prove this statement to skeptics, she points to hundreds of active Israeli start-ups in the field, 35 international R&D and innovation centers, leading academic research institutions, and more than $25 billion raised by Israeli smart mobility companies over the past decade, more than 10 per cent of smart mobility investments worldwide.” It is therefore her Ministry’s priority to continue to implement new technological solutions wherever possible, and support the ecosystem with adaptive regulation and tools. She lists these: “cutting-edge legislation, enabling driverless autonomous vehicles on the roads in Israel in 2022; a ‘call for proposals’ regarding
The Israeli freight market is weakened by the fact that it is so very fragmented, with dozens of traditional freight-forwarding companies. Even though Israel is called the ‘Start-Up Nation’, Umansky says that their freight industry really hasn’t gone through any digital transformation processes – at least so far. Surprisingly, even though Israel is a small country, it has a comparatively larger road freight market of about $12 billion. This is what makes companies like Getruck so focused on solving the puzzles.
For only 40 per cent of the time are trucks in motion. The rest of the time is wasted while waiting.29per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the transportation sector.
Mobility is not the only focus of Israeli tech attention. According to Israel’s Ministry of Trade, “the logistics and supply chain sector is expected to grow to a value of $37 billion USD in 2027 as consumer demands continue to rise”. The government is focused on nurturing a network of dynamic tech start-ups that focus on this sector. Israel has over 150 companies engaged in various aspects of the sector that use technology and innovation to ensure that goods are delivered quickly and Accordingefficiently.toDrRon
“DRIVER, VEHICLE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE CONSIDERED AS A SINGLE SYSTEM, WHILE THE ENTIRE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS CONSIDERED AS A SINGLE ENTITY. THE ROLE OF THE DRIVER AND THE TRAVELLER WILL BE PIVOTAL IN RESPONDING TO NEW CHOICES, AND A HIGHER LEVEL OF AWARENESS REGARDING CHOICES.”
At any given moment, 28 per cent of all trucks are traveling empty.
Malka Director General of the national Ministry of Economy and Industry, “while Israel doesn’t have a native auto manufacturing, it does excel in the automobile smart technology sector. With more than 1,400 new startups per year, 300+ multinational companies, thousands of entrepreneurs
Getruck is considered to the first and largest ‘Digital Freight Broker’ in Israel. Their business focus is the first miles, and the middle miles, of the road freight industry. Getruck does not have any trucks in its possession. But they do have about 10,000 trucks connected to their system, which accounts for about 10 per cent of the heavy trucks in use in Israel.
EVs is not the only domain which new companies are making inroads with news solutions into old-line businesses. Another company’s story is relevant here: Getruck is an Israeli-based start-up, funded by venture capital firms, and other investors. It is pioneering a unique approach to moving goods, one which uses advanced data tools of the kind that were pioneered by the Israeli Defense Forces.
In response to this sector’s glaring inefficiencies and disorganisation, Getruck has developed a planning and dispatching product based on several advanced technologies: cutting-edge algorithms and AI for route optimisation, smart planning, real-time replanning, and data enrichment. From the outset, the company’s core aim has been to create a suite of solutions which allow customers to have full visibility and to achieve data-driven decision-making.
To make his point, Umansky cites some jarring statistics:
Getruck’s VP Strategy & Operations, Gadi Umansky, considers the Israeli supply chain ecosystem to be “complex”. He thinks that the sector’s core weakness is that it’s “full of dependencies with many uncoordinated players. The result is inefficiency, inability to plan, and a situation where all the players in the chain lose.”
the integration of autonomous buses in the public transport service; test sites for cybersecurity and autonomous and connected vehicles; access to open source data and HD mapping; pilot programs for smart mobility; the national drone initiative.”
Smart mobility has an important role to play in the application of advanced technologies that will improve the lives of citizens and visitors in urban areas. There is also a tipping point at which the focus shifts from making the technology work, to devising appropriate strategies to extract value from the technology. The industry is at that tipping point, making it essential to communicate appropriate strategies to the practitioner community.
Smart mobility offers to deliver valuable services across entire transportation networks. To harness the power of smart mobility, it is important that we learn lessons learned from prior implementations. A reference source highlighting what
Connected vehicles also interact with the driver and collect data from the multiple systems on-board the vehicle. These technologies will revolutionise data acquisition for traffic operations and planning. The Internet of Things is also playing a significant role with new abilities to collect and process data using smart sensors, resulting in better use of telecommunications bandwidth. Beyond connecting people, this technology will connect a wide range of devices including automated and connected vehicles, enabling traffic control to go beyond flow dynamics management to discrete vehicle management.
A smart mobility revolution is underway. While the term ‘revolution’ can often have negative connotations, our perception is that the smart mobility revolution is extremely positive. It will result in safer, cheaper, and more enjoyable travel. Our definition for the revolution is “sudden, radical change.” Sudden is a relative term depending on your perspective. If you participate in planning and delivering roads, then the life cycle you have in mind can be 30 to 50 years. If you conduct product planning and design for smart phones, then the life cycle you have in mind could be as short as 12 to 18 months. In either case, the terms “sudden” and “radical” have different meanings that are relative to the overall life cycle.
Measures to manage the demand for transportation include innovative modal shift techniques and consideration of congestion pricing strategies. For demand management, the Israeli government recently formalised the Million Trip Plan - a program of measures designed to shift one million trips from private car to other modes. On the supply side, the application of technology has been both dramatic and impressive. Technology-related start-up companies have been incubated to provide solutions for next-generation transportation supply management.
Necessity and innovation combine in Israel to drive a smart mobility revolution featuring advanced technologies and new business models. Lessons can be learned based on practical experience. We look at the context then follow the journey of an innovative Israeli start-up focusing on revolutionising traffic management.
has gone right or wrong offering guidance for the future, is particularly valuable.
A new level of awareness and a higher degree of agility will be required to adapt to the smart mobility revolution, It is already happening so, we must follow suit with transformative enabling condition settings. Examples include a switch from public sector funding to private sector funding for smart mobility applications. This is changing the nature of business models and the relationships between the public and private sectors. Another example is the application of sensor technologies, telecommunications, and smart devices in supporting mobility as a service. This involves delivery of decision-quality information to travellers regarding modal choice, reliability, and cost of service, as a way of improving the quality of decision-making. Some of the most radical changes are in the automated and connected vehicles where implementation is already at hand. We expect that freight and logistics will be at the forefront of this introduction.
There is also the wider context of rapid technology change. This is likely to have socioeconomic impact. Marketing professionals are already talking about adopting a market segment of one, in which big data and advanced analytics makes it possible to deliver massThecustomisation.revolutionis fuelled by a convergence between the growing need to solve urban transportation problems and the emergence of new technologies and radical business models. One of the best ways to get up to speed quickly on the changes are underway is to take a close look at a country which is ahead of the field. We believe that Israel is a suitable case for treatment.Israelhas high population density. Travel demand means that the larger cities are approaching a crisis caused by a mismatch between mobility supply and demand. The Israeli government has been proactive, taking a comprehensive and structured approach to the problem. Advanced technologies have been applied for better traffic management and multi-modal coordination.
www.globaltrailermag.com
Whatever your perspective, the use of advanced technologies is emerging as a significant force in transportation and mobility. We expect sudden and radical changes to occur as deployment cycles get shorter and the gap between invention and commercialisation gets narrower. The foundation for this revolution has been set by previous programs relating to intelligent transportation systems and intelligent vehicle highway systems. Our belief is that to get the best from the smart mobility revolution it is necessary to re-evaluate current use of technology, assess the benefit of emerging technology and reconsider best practices.
Driver, vehicle, and infrastructure are considered as a single system, while the entire transportation system is considered as a single entity. The role of the driver and the traveller will be pivotal in responding to new choices, and a higher level of awareness regarding choices.
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
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There are various benefits for customers in the region with HSDS being produced at the Hendrickson facility in China such as shorter lead times, lower freight costs and in some cases being able to access preferential duty rates because of the economic co-operation brought about by the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA). Sales enquiries in the South East Asian and South Korean markets are handled by Hendrickson’s regional sales team with support of Hendrickson Commercial Vehicle Systems Oceania, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia.
IMPROVE FLEET PRODUCTIVITY WITH
Hendrickson brake system.
HSDS air suspension and axle systems are designed to balance outstanding reliability with significant weight savings for increased payload.
The patented design of the Tri-functional bushing and fabricated HSDS suspension and axle structure combine to provide class leading roll stability, while maintaining excellent ride quality. This not only improves driver comfort, but also helps protect the cargo and chassis from damage.
www.hendrickson-intl.com
The rigorous testing that all Hendrickson designs and components are subjected to results in suspension systems that have unrivaled durability.
The HSDS design, which includes disc brake packages, can be factory configured to suit a wide variety of trailer applications. It can be ordered to match numerous track and chassis widths and ride heights. The suspension is rated between 10 and 14 tonnes, depending on configuration and application.
Wheel end component quality and precise factory control of bearing pre-load ensure low maintenance requirements which helps contribute to reduced down-time and lower cost of ownership over the product life cycle.
A
fter years of growing market share with its HSDS in China and India, Hendrickson recently released the product for sale in Thailand, Malaysia, Viet Nam and other South East Asian markets. The product is also available in South Korea. HSDS suspension is manufactured both in the USA and at Hendrickson’s manufacturing facility in Jinan, China, which was established in 2009.
HENDRICKSON SEVERE DUTY SYSTEM – HSDS – TRAILER AIR SUSPENSIONS AND AXLE SYSTEMS HAVE LAUNCHED IN SOUTH EAST ASIA. Hendrickson HSDS suspension.
HENDRICKSON’S HSDS
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Hendrickson HXS brakes provide outstanding braking performance over an extended lifespan of up to 27 per cent over standard brake lining wear.
www.flatlaminates.com VEHICLES.COMMERCIALGRPQUALITYHIGHFOR
Close to yousince 1962
We stand right in the middle of everyrealization.project
Hall 27 Stand A22
At first glance, your eye is drawn to its simple, modern appearance. The design and engineering of the energy-efficient full-LED Ecoled III rear lamp is still done at the headquarters in Austria, handled in the Aspöck Group, and produced at its largest production site, Aspöck Portugal. This is a commitment to increasing value creation in the EU and at the same time protecting its own jobs.
The Ecoled III in the 24-volt version is equipped as standard with ISO pulse 132071 and with a control for flashing side marker lamps (SMCG). The chemical and scratch resistant lens is also welded, which certifies the rear lamp in the highest protection class IP6K9K. The predetermined breaking point on the mounting bracket of the outline marker also prevents damage.
quipped with distinctive features and made in Europe – and not every company can say this – Aspöck Systems will be presenting its current top rear lamp model on Europe’s trade fair stages in the next few months. It is the perfect match for previous developments in the truck trailer
IF YOU THINK THERE IS NOT YET A REAR LAMP WITH RELIABLE FULL-LED DESIGN EQUIPPED WITH TAIL, STOP, REVERSING AND FOG LIGHTS, WHICH ALSO FEATURES A PROGRESSIVE STATE-OF-THE-ART DIRECTIONAL INDICATOR AND COMES IN A LIGHT AND SLIM VARIANT, YOU’RE MISTAKEN. YOU WILL FIND ALL THIS IN THE NEW ECOLED III.
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At aspoeck.com the global player in the lighting industry presents itself as “Europe’s leading manufacturer of prefabricated lighting systems for towed vehicles”. Its 45 years of experience not only make the new Ecoled III rear lamps an all-rounder for truck trailers; with their countless features, Aspöck is putting them back in the spotlight in a high-quality complete package after the test bench.
ECOLED
Thismarket.rearlamp’s job is to be visible. Different lighting conditions and requirements – during the day, at night, in fog, in tunnels, when reversing, during sudden braking – make this ‘simple task’ a challenge time and time again. The focus is always safety for everyone on the road.
Going far beyond the typical installation regulations, the tail light of the Ecoled III features a large homogeneous light area with Glowing Body Technology. The retro-reflector triangle is moved outward to the left and right rear lamps to give the tail light area even more space. This distinctive appearance is the visual trademark of the Aspöck Ecoled III. The two tail lights are also programmed to be team players; connected in a cross circuit, they help each other out and counteract possible failures.
E
Take this opportunity: The international team of Aspöck Systems will be pleased to personally tell you about some of the highlights of this impressive success story in a relaxed atmosphere at the trade fair. www.aspoeck.com
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ECOLED II
In this autumn packed with trade fairs, the global player also invites you to join in the celebrations. This year Aspöck is celebrating 45 years of success. The one-man-show of founder Felix Aspöck has become a global player with 1550 employees worldwide. Karl Aspöck, son and CEO, looks back proudly on the many milestones of the past years:
Aspöck Systems celebrates an autumn packed with trade fairs Hello Hanover! A certain waiting period got the world snoozing for almost two years. Now it’s over and Aspöck Systems is back! First you’ll find Aspöck at the IAA Transportation in Hanover. The Austrian light manufacturer will be presenting countless product innovations in Hall 26 | Booth D24 from 20 – 25 September. It’s giving you just a taste with the Ecoled III in this report. And this year Aspöck Systems is also saying: Hello Munich! The light manufacturer will also be at the BAUMA, the world’s leading trade fair for the construction industry, where it will greet its guests from 24 – 30 October in Hall A5 | Booth 418.
“We are still doing what we started with. Complete lighting systems for towed vehicles – today as an international company!“
Felix and Karl Aspöck.
–EVEN MORE LIGHT
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All the products are entirely made in Italy in the Company’s five production sites.
Careful studies and research have lead the Company to launch this year new products on the market, celebrating its 60th anniversary of Elycoldactivity.GRP laminates are a combination
This year marks a special achievement for Brianza Plastica: 60 years ago Giuseppe Crippa established the Company and he’s still the President of the business.
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FAST FACT
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N
owadays, Brianza Plastica is one of the few companies worldwide which produces flat laminates using two production technologies: continuous hot laminating and discontinuous cold laminating.
BRIANZA INTRODUCESPLASTICAANEW ENTRY TO ITS FAMILY OF GRP LAMINATES: ELYCOLD VELO.
Over the years, Brianza Plastica never stopped its production and constant research and implementation on products, expanding its range and finishes of flat and curved sheets and rolls, for a wide variety of applications in multiple fields,
INNOVATIONITALIAN
Among the two ranges, the Elycold GRP laminates have the best aesthetic appearance, while Elyplan offer a good quality/price ratio.
The efforts and knowledge of the founder, together with his staff, projected the Company into the international and diversified market of fibreglass laminates for industrial and commercial sectors.
Even though Elycold and Elyplan ranges have specific peculiarities, they have the following common characteristics: they are light and waterproofing, hail and UV resistant, with a low thermal expansion coefficient, strong corrosion and high impact resistant.
such as commercial and industrial sectors, as well as commercial vehicles (trucks and buses) and recreational vehicles (campers andThiscaravans).yearmarks a special achievement for Brianza Plastica: 60 years ago Giuseppe Crippa established the Company and he’s still the President of the business.
Brianza Plastica produces Elyplan sheets and rolls in continuous in the headquarters of Carate Brianza; it manufactures Elycold fiberglass laminates in discontinuous in the two facilities of San Martino di Venezze (Rovigo) as well as Ostellato (Ferrara).
Elycold Lite is available in sheets and 60m-long rolls and in different thicknesses, fromThe1.6mm.newElycold Velo is realised with UV-stabilised orthophtalic polyester resin, reinforced with fiberglass; available both in rolls and sheets, the Elycold Velo GRP laminates resist to chemical agents, are waterproofing and easy to wash.
On the other side, Elyplan, rolls and sheets produced by continuous lamination, with its flexibility allows customer to choose the laminate best suited to their needs, for every application in temperature-controlled transport services, vans, restoration of walls, coolers and special applications. Basically, it is ideal for applications that require washable surfaces, smooth or rough, with high resistance to corrosive elements present in the environment.
Elycold Velo fibreglass laminates are supplied without gelcoat: this characteristic is extremely important since gelcoat is an expensive material, whose addition increases the weight of the laminate and hence contributes to influence the weight of the final vehicle.
Elycold Lite maintains unaltered the performances of Brianza Plastica’s laminates, such as:
of polyester resin (orthophthalic and isophthalic) and glass fibre. Their polymerisation process at ambient temperature provides perfect flatness, optimum aesthetic finishing and excellent long-term properties. The Elycold range includes: Elycold STD, Elycold Lite and the newborn Elycold Velo and Elycold Extra-glass.
Elycold Velo fiberglass laminates are available in different thicknesses, from 0.9 to 1.4 mm, and weights from 300gm to 600gm.
The mat gives all the physical characteristics to the laminate, ensuring a perfect smooth surface on the outer side; Brianza Plastica offers different weights of mat into the laminate, giving hence the possibility to satisfy all the market requirements. The tissue, instead, is a thin layer of fiberglass which increases the aesthetic quality of the material.
Brianza Plastica awaits you at IAA Transportation, Hall 27 Stand A22. www.flatlaminates.com
• gelcoat resistant to UV rays and to chemical agents;
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Elycold Extra-Glass is suitable for vehicles that require high impact resistance, weight saving and high aesthetics.
Elycold STD laminates have the polymerisation process at ambient temperature. The result is perfect flatness, which is an indispensable feature for the production of very high quality panel, with very good aesthetics.
The main advantage of continuous production is that it allows achieving the highest possible polymerisation of the composite material, coming from the use of technologies that best maximise this value. The result is a perfectly flat product, with very tight dimensional tolerances that guarantees excellent quality at competitiveMeanwhile,prices.Elyplan Design 3D is an extremely ‘time saving’ innovation: compared to the current systems that use wood panels together with decorative paper, Elyplan Design 3D is a ready-to-install GRP laminate, which gives to the customer the advantage of a quicker installation.
As glass composition, Elycold Velo laminates use only mat + tissue, in order to provide better aesthetic performance.
The excellent dimensional stability of Elycold STD laminates is guaranteed by the use of fibreglass chopped strand mat, which can be combined with woven roving reinforcement, to further improve the mechanical features of the GRP Elycoldlaminate.Literepresents the ideal solution for those who need a thicker laminate with good rigidity and low specific weight, while retaining all aesthetic details and values. The use of resins and specific microspheres allows increased thickness, without adding weight, decreasing the density of the laminate and providing greater rigidity, contributing to the flatness of the panel and to conceal the underlying structures. It is particularly suitable for the production of ultra-light vans, large recreational vehicles and prestigious equestrian vehicles.
The new Elycold Extra-Glass is available in rolls and sheets with gelcoat and with increased mechanical performances. This product is the result of synergies between different chemical and technical departments, aimed at meeting the ever-increasing market demands for more effective materials.
Elycold Extra-Glass is designed to bring together very special characteristics in a single product, such as lightness, given by low specific weight, and high mechanical strength, coming from the high percentage of glass content.
Elyplan Design 3D, together with others new products, will be introduced during IAA Transportation exhibition in Hannover from 20-25 September.
• availability in different colours;
• mechanical performances suitable for different uses.
Brianza Plastica HQ.
As far as the application is concerned, the entire range of Elycold Velo laminates is particularly suitable for public transport vehicles and electric vehicles, both in interior roofs and walls, or where a gelcoat protected material is not necessary.
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“Continuous contact with our customers and partners is very important for us to keep in constant exchange and to really know the needs of the users of our products,” he said. “We are glad to meet again all partners of our industry and to talk about current developments. We are really looking forward to welcoming all international guests on our JOST stand in hall H26, stand D34 and at our outdoor stand D81.”
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OST CEO, Joachim Dürr, is looking forward to meeting industry at this year’s IAA Transportation event in Hanover, Germany.
THE PATH
The equipment specialist’s goal for 2022
JOST IS PRESENTING ITS PORTFOLIO OF PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS AT IAA TRANSPORTATION. AT THE EXHIBITION, THE COMPANY SHOWS THEIR SOLUTIONS IN THREE CATEGORIES: ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING SENSOR SOLUTIONS AND THE KKS AUTOMATIC COUPLING SYSTEM; SUSTAINABILITY, SUCH AS WEIGHT-OPTIMISED PRODUCTS AND BIODEGRADABLE HIGHPERFORMANCE LUBRICANT; AND DIGITALISATION, DIGITAL SERVICE SUPPORT, A NEW PRODUCT FINDER AND JOST TRUCK STOP.
BEYOND
J
JOST CEO, Joachim Dürr.
“Our powerful innovations and intelligent features support them in the technological transition towards a more efficient and environmentally friendly transport,” said Dürr. “We also want to consistently strengthen our international market position through organic and external growth.”
In terms of strategic long-term goals, JOST is on the right track.
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“We are strongly represented in the agricultural sector thanks to our acquisition of Quicke in 2020,” said Dürr. “Our Drawbar Finder by ROCKINGER is a smart solution for the coupling process and increases safety, productivity and comfort. Also, our automatic system KKS is now available in the market und manages the next step to autonomous driving.”
Amid a challenging climate of supply chain disruption, JOST has adapted.
“Our flexibility continues to be the key success factor in this highly volatile market environment,” said Dürr. “We were able to rapidly adjust our production capacity and cost structures to satisfy fluctuating demand. Thanks to our multisourcing, we were able to quickly respond to supply bottlenecks and find alternative sources or transport routes in order to reliably deliver to our customers. JOST has been following a ‘local for local’ strategy where we are producing in the region for the region with 22 plants worldwide. This gave us the necessary flexibility and resilience against supply chain challenges.”
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With a broad portfolio of road transport equipment and components, there are some new and exciting products on the horizon.
and beyond is to consolidate and expand its position as a preferred partner to industry, offering the right solutions for their commercial applications.
“All markets with the exception of China are currently running quite strong,” said
Dürr. “The positive customer feedback we have received demonstrates that our current innovations are being well received by the market. But the journey ahead continues, and while we use IAA Transportation to showcase our latest products. Our research and development team is already working on the next generation of JOST products.”
“This year, we celebrated 70 years of JOST providing value,” said Dürr. “JOST’s history began as a typical post-war success story. In 1952, Neu-Isenburg is home to two real movers and shakers – Hans Breuer and Joseph Steingass. Inspired by the semi-trailer trucks they had seen the American troops use in Frank-furt, they began developing fifth
In recent months JOST has reported it is working on a feasibility study to install solar PV systems at its production plants.
“During the last couple of months, we had a roadshow in many European countries to present our KKS,” said Dürr. “Customers are thrilled to see this modern technology and they realise the advantages concerning efficiency and safety. And, also, truck drivers are amazed to see how KKS makes their day-to-daywork safer, more comfortable and more productive. It radically reduces the risk of accidents and does away with the physically demanding aspects of coupling.”
“One important aspect of sustainability is our employees,” said Dürr. “We used Great-Place-to-Work to do a worldwide survey among our employees and are using the feedback to further improve employee satisfaction and our employer branding. Through training in health and safety, we have managed to significantly reduce the numbers of working accidents to 16 per 1,000 employees in a year worldwide. Our aim is to continue to reduce this number further.”
and the use of a command steer axle is required,” said Dürr. “The new JOST ZGA is convincing in a wide range of applications and can be used with all common steering systems, whether mechanical, hydraulic or electronic. At this year’s IAA, we will present the ZGA with the electronic steering system from TRIDEC and also the ROCKINGER Drawbar Finder: Here the visual guidance in two directions, horizontal and vertical, enables precise coupling, which increases efficiency and helps to avoid accidents. Furthermore, the fair audience can visit live demonstrations of our revolutionary automatic coupling system KKS in the outdoor area.”
“We have an overall target of cutting our global carbon emissions per production hour by 50 per cent by 2030,” said Dürr. “It is our goal to make our production sites safe and sustainable. Installing solar plants on the roof of our production plants is just one step among many, but we are pleased with the success so far. We already started construction of our PV plant in Portugal and soon Turkey, Hungary and Poland are expected to follow.”
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Drawbar finder monitor.
There are other sustainability measures in place as well.
At NUFAM 2021, in addition to KKS, other products including the Drawbar Finder and the JOST ZGA command steer axle were on prominent display. IAA Transportation attendees can expect to be delighted by what JOST is bringing to the “Narrowshow.depots, winding city centres and a 16.5 m long tractor trailer that
As for production milestones, JOST Brasil, for instance, produced its one millionth fifth wheel since commencing operations in 1995.
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“Of course, we are very pleased about these successes and it’s a great confirmation for our work to increase safety and productivity for our customers,” said Dürr. “This year, we also received the ‘Best Brand Award’ in Germany
for ROCKINGER for the 18th time in a row. At the same time, these awards motivate us to continue to supply our customers worldwide with our versatile products and our individual service in the future.”
www.jost-world.com
*: low noise specifications depending on equipment’s.
Last year, JOST also launched the Truck Stop video series which provide a variety of insights and user tips on JOST World products.“Sofar, we have published 23 videos with a focus on very different topics,” said Dürr. “The series covers many product and maintenance videos, exhibition reports from Solutrans or NUFAM or a deeper insight into our brand ROCKINGER.”
wheel couplings made of cast steel. They filed a patent for their invention in 1955 and received general type approval in 1960.”
www.chereau.com SPECIAL REPORT IAA TRANSPORTATION
With its Steering-C directional rear axle, PieK certification* and CityLight lighting, the CHEREAU CityTrailer is the ideal vehicle to maximise deliveries in urban areas and thus limit CO2 emissions.
In January 2021, JOST Australia received the Safety Innovation Award at the 2020 Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) National Awards for its JSK42-ASW fifth (featuring pneu-matic automation).
Traditional Stand E11 in Hall 27 to showcase general cargo and unrivaled intermodal product range
125 YEARS
Kässbohrer has been the pioneer in developing vehicles for intermodal transportation. Over the past decade, Kässbohrer has engineered swap bodies, which were already the lightest in the market when launched in 2018. Building on the ingenious chassis design, Kässbohrer has developed the first and only 45ft coil swap body which has won the Trailer Innovation Award 2021 second place in category ‘Body’. The tests performed during the development of the Coil Swap Body have proven safer swap designs and resulting design changes are now the technical requirements for UIC 592/IRS 50592 and IRS 50596-5 certification mandatory for all swap bodies.
KEEPING UP WITH ITS TRADITION, AND WORKING FOR A BETTER FUTURE WITH ITS WIDE ECOSYSTEM, KÄSSBOHRER IS READY TO PRESENT NEW INNOVATIVE PRODUCT LAUNCHES OF EUROPE’S WIDEST PRODUCT RANGE TOGETHER WITH AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTS.
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TOGETHER TO THE NEXT
With Enginuity Kässbohrer has been developing its general cargo series to meet the unmet needs of its customers. Kässbohrer curtainsider series has been developed over the past decade to offer lighter and longer lifetime vehicles enabling operational efficiency, and less TCO. Moreover, over the past decade, Kässbohrer has focused on safe and efficient transportation of special general cargo as well. The widest range in curtainsiders that include Standard, Mega, Coil, Paper, Light, Air Cargo as well as long vehicles and truck-trailer combinations are engineered to meet its customers’ demands in special transport as well. Metting the needs
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Kässbohrer container chassis range presents the Trailer Innovation Award Winner 2019 category chassis, the Multifunctional Container chassis with novel octagonal chassis
of its customers all over Europe, Kässbohrer’s widest curtainsider range is the strongest link in its customers’ fleets.
K
ässbohrer is proud to announce its participation at IAA Transportation 2022 between 20-25 September 2022, in Hannover, Germany. Keeping up with its tradition of years of participation in the sector’s most important and pioneering event, the leading semi-trailer manufacturer with Europe’s widest product range and widest range of innovations will present the finest examples of its product range and new vehicle launches at three different stands. Kässbohrer’s IAA Transportation 2022 marks its biggest participation to date to better accommodate Europe’s widest product range.
Kässbohrer has been welcoming all its stakeholders at the same traditional spot for years. The finest selection of Kässbohrer’s unrivaled intermodal product range with award-winning vehicles and general cargo vehicles along with new features and launch as well as Kässbohrer’s expertise among others, silo series be presented at Stand E11 Hall 27.
design has solved the 30-year long extension problems of the existing vehicles, furthering its customers’ equipment safety, longevity, and efficiency needs. The container chassis range today includes 17 different vehicles in 2 categories, respectively Fixed & Extendable, to meet its customer’s 20’, 2x20’, 20’ tank, 30’, 30’ tank, 40’, 4.0’ and 45’ swap body transportation needs in an efficient and reliableWinnerway.of the most prestigious Trailer
Kässbohrer won the prestigious Trailer Innovation Award for 3 consecutive terms. Firstly, Kässbohrer has won first place in Trailer Innovation 2017 Awards in the category ‘Safety’ with Safety Bitumen Tanker with its wireless remote control automating the vehicles discharge functions and providing operational control from a safe distance hence limiting the health and safety risk of the operators. In 2019 Kässbohrer won 1st place in Trailer Innovation 2019 Awards in the category ‘Chassis’ with Multifunctional Container Chassis with Novel Octagonal Chassis design K.SHG AVMH, was nominated for both in the category ‘Concept’ with K.SSL Smart Non-Tipping Silo with Autonomous Discharge and in the category ‘Safety’ with K.SSK Safety Tipping Silo with Smart Control. In addition, Kässbohrer has received one 1st place and two 2nd place awards in Trailer Innovation 2021. Kässbohrer is the proud winner in the category ‘Component’ with its Multifunctional rear underrun protection device RUPD-5K1, also in second place in the category ‘Body’ with first and only 45’ Coil Swap Body K.SWAU CC and also was in second place in the category ‘Smart Trailer’ with K-ADAS, Kässbohrer Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
FAST FACT
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Innovation Award in the past three consecutive terms, Kässbohrer will also have the opportunity to present the Trailer Innovation Award 2021 winner innovations to the general public which could not be physically achieved since the cancellation of IAA 2020 due to the pandemic.
Europe’s Safest and Lightest Tank and Silo Range at K51 Open Area Kässbohrer tanker and silo vehicles are among the top choice of European
Adhering to its motto ‘Enginuity’, Kässbohrer has successfully engineered its tanker and silo vehicles for safety and robustness over the last decade. Kässbohrer’s ADR Tipping Silo K.SSK series offering the best performance with the optimum discharge has also been engineered for its customers’ valuable dangerous bulk transportation operations over the last decade.
and durable chassis is able to endure harsh environmental conditions such as rough roads and severe temperatures.
The finest re-engineered and improved examples of the lightest range of tipping and non-tipping silos from 30-90 m3, the award-winning safest ADR transportation tankers, and ATP-IN certified fully equipped food tankers will be presented.
Adhering to the motto ‘Enginuity’ with constant innovation to meet customer requirements in construction, infrastructure, energy, and recycling businesses, Kässbohrer offers the complete construction product range that enables safe and efficient transport of heavy and abnormal goods,
powdered granular, liquid chemical dangerous goods and food transporters with the lightest and safest vehicles, presenting the widest range of options for operational efficiency.
Iffet Türken, Kässbohrer Board Member
Over the last decade, Kässbohrer has re-engineered its tipper vehicles with a unique design for efficient transportation. Kässbohrer’s Tipper series K.SKS, with
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Together to the next 125 years
New launch vehicles from Europe’s widest product range including the complete construction range will be presented for the first time to all Kässbohrer stakeholders.
Over the last decade, Kässbohrer has not only developed its vehicles but also widened its offered option range to meet all the specific needs of its customers.
Adhering to its motto ‘Enginuity’, Kässbohrer has successfully engineered its tanker and silo vehicles for safety and robustness over the last decade. Kässbohrer’s ADR Tipping Silo K.SSK series offering the best performance with the optimum discharge has also been engineered for its customers’ valuable dangerous bulk transportation operations over the last decade. In addition, Kässbohrer’s nontipping silo trailer series K.SSL are offered with various volumes that have been engineered to meet the specific transportation needs of our customers that depend on the density of the material to be transported.
“CONTINUING MORE THAN 125 YEARS OF LEADING INNOVATION, KÄSSBOHRER CONSTANTLY IMPROVES ITS VEHICLES AND SERVICES WITH ENGINUITY, PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN ENGINEERING AND INGENUITY, TAKING ITS CUSTOMERS’ BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL.”
Complete Construction and Heavy Haulage Range at M49 Open Area
Founded in 1893, the leading semi-trailer manufacturer with Europe’s widest product range Kässbohrer has always been at the forefront of innovation. Continuing its proud heritage with its motto ‘Enginuity’, the perfect balance between engineering and
At IAA Transportation 2022 fair Kässbohrer will exhibit the finest examples of its vehicles for construction and heavy haulage transportation with its most robust and long lifetime low loader, wheel recess low bed, and hydraulic steering platforms as well as aluminum and steel tippers best in class weight surpassing the limits of engineering. The range includes features for efficiency with higher payload, highest loading height as well as the widest range of options to meet its user’s most specific needs.
www.kaessbohrer.com OptimizationLoad Operational Efficiency Fuel & ReductionCO₂ SafetyAdvanced Driver Comfort & Effectiveness TrailerIntelligentProgram Boost your trailer’s IQ to benefit from… The ZF Intelligent Trailer Program. Intelligent connections of braking system, sensor technology and chassis control enable more than 40 advanced trailer functions. To optimize daily operations and to provide greater safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Everywhere and anytime: at the yard - on the road - at the dock. Learn more at www.intelligenttrailer.com SPECIAL REPORT IAA TRANSPORTATION
Kässbohrer Board Member İffet Türken said: “Continuing more than 125 years of
ingenuity’ Kässbohrer constantly develops new technologies to meet the unmet needs of its customers in more than 55 countries and addresses the changing industry dynamics.
At IAA Transportation 2022 Kässbohrer boldly highlights ‘Together to the next 125 years’, emphasising Kässbohrer’s sustained success achieved together with its customers, meeting their needs together with the competent localised organisation, ever-expanding after-sales network as well as finance solutions with leading leasing companies. ‘Together to the next 125 years’ also emphasises the collective transformation our industry will undertake as we welcome the European Climate Law. Kässbohrer with the widest range of vehicle innovations addresses its customers’ unique lower carbon transition needs and together with its wide ecosystem of R&D partners and its stakeholders keeps developing new products and services.
leading innovation, Kässbohrer constantly improves its vehicles and services with Enginuity, perfect balance between engineering and ingenuity, taking its customers’ business to the next level. Kässbohrer has always been developing vehicles and services with its customers, winning awards for its development as well as addressing the changing industry dynamics with continuing research with universities, associations as well as EU projects. Now more than ever, we should improve connectivity and work together to address challenges and improve our sector. An ambitious transition period awaits our industry while we address the 2050 net carbon zero law. Kässbohrer fully supports its customers’ unique transition needs with its award-winning vehicles for multi-modal transport, the next generation of longer vehicles for more load per trip as well as decade-long pioneering work on smart vehicles and continues working together with its customers, stakeholders, associations, and universities to take our industry further to the next 125 years. We as Kässbohrer dedicate ourselves to working together with all our stakeholders for a better future for transport. IAA Transportation 2022 Käsbohrer will be present with its competent dedicated country teams, a steady development since last IAA, serving the needs of its customers more efficiently at the local level. As a tradition, we will present our newest vehicle launches, innovative solutions and award-winning products and looking forward to meeting all our stakeholders, local and international in the leading fair for our industry.”
WIELTON GROUP – A LEADING MANUFACTURER OF SEMI-TRAILERS, TRAILERS AND BODIES – WILL BE PRESENTING ITS ORIGINAL SOLUTIONS AND TAKING THE FLOOR AT IAA TRANSPORTATION IN HANOVER, GERMANY, TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY AND THE ECOLOGICAL CHALLENGES IT FACES.
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Visitors to the fair will be able to visit the stands of the two brands comprising the Group – Poland’s Wielton and Germany’s Langendorf. The adjacent stands will showcase a wide range of products and solutions valued by customers, including the Curtain Master semi-trailer with many innovative solutions, the Strong Master tipper and Container Master from Wielton, as well as the smart
“During this time, a lot has changed in our business environment,” he said. “The automotive industry is currently facing a lot of challenges, including price pressures, disruptions in supply chains, rising production costs, but also the quest to reduce the carbon footprint. We are constantly looking for the most optimal solutions to decarbonise transport because both the environment and our customers’ needs are important to us. Our customers’ fleets already have vehicles with reduced weight or aerodynamic solutions. For this reason, we appreciate that the theme of IAA Transportation is climate-neutral logistics and infrastructure. We are delighted to be part of this event and will present our proprietary solutions to these challenges.”
ariusz Golec, the CEO of the Wielton Group, is pleased that the IAA trade fair is returning after a four-year hiatus.
line low loader, and the two-axle Flexliner from Langendorf. Not only will there be semi-trailers on display but there will also be many options for their configuration and personalisation such ascargo securing systems. Furthermore, at the IAA, you can see the first products with the Aberg Service logo, i.e. high-quality components and spare parts for semi-trailers from the Wielton Group. Aberg Service is the umbrella brand for all Group companies in terms of aftersales service. In addition, the Wielton Group’s new brand and its first solution, Aberg Connect, responsible for its telematics and TPMS solutions dedicated to products of all Group brands, will also be presented for the first time.
M
FOCUSED TOMORROWON
Wielton Expert on the road
semi-trailer has Modul E-Drive electric support legs and the Optilink system, providing communication with the vehicle using a mobile device. The Container Master SL can also be seen at Wielton’s indoor stand.
The Polish semi-trailer and trailer manufacturer bases its business on a close relationship with its customers and the joint development of new products and innovative solutions. Wielton constantly listens to customers’ needs and suggestions, responding comprehensively to them and creating tailor-made products. Customers both participate in the design process and test prototypes.
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Wielton will also present two tippers, the Strong Master and the Bulk Master. The first of these, the steel Strong Master, is a product dedicated to working in heavy conditions and responds to the needs of the construction sector. It has a strong and robust design with an optimised weight, starting from 5850kg, thanks to the abrasion- and dent-resistant body made of high-quality Hardox HB450 steel. The Strong Master has a conical body shape which is wider at the rear, that is available in various cubic capacities (from 22 to 38m3), to facilitate the unloading of sticky materials, among other things. The product is characterised by exceptional stability, as well as resistance to tilting and twisting of the chassis during tipping. On the other hand, the Bulk Master tipper with increased capacity is designed for the agricultural sector. It has a load body made of high-quality aluminium Endur-AL. HB110 with a volume up to 67m3. The use of a gooseneck design in the construction of the chassis guarantees a lower centre of gravity for the semi-trailer, resulting in greater stability when driving, manoeuvring, and unloading. A distinctive feature of the Bulk Master is the reduced overall height of the vehicle, which contributed to the lowering of the loading sill of the floor and the upper edge of the load box. Both tipper models have a range of equipment
Mariusz Golec, CEO of the Wielton Group
The Polish semi-trailer and trailer manufacturer bases its business on a close relationship with its customers and the joint development of new products and innovative solutions. Wielton constantly listens to customers’ needs and suggestions, responding comprehensively to them and creating tailormade products. Customers both participate in the design process and test prototypes. Some customers come directly to Wielton with a request to design and produce a dedicated solution for them that solves their everyday problems. Personalisation and the delivery of unique products set Wielton apart from its“Providingcompetitors.high-quality products and perfectly tailoring them to our customer’s requirements is our priority,” said Wielton S.A. Managing Director, Piotr Kuś. “At Wielton, we are not afraid of challenges and we are willing to take on non-standard solutions. Our business partners are aware of their needs and signal them precisely. As a result, we tailor our products to their requirements, equipping them with unique, personalised solutions. An excellent example of products
Wielton’s lightweight and multifunctional Coil Master Strong Light semi-trailer is a vehicle that enables both the safe transport of steel coils and the cost-effective transport of palletised loads, thanks to its reduced weight (down to the minimum of 6200kg) and the possibility of closing the coil with a platform. In this way, haulers can reduce the number of journeys, thereby reducing fuel consumption and minimising the number of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere. The semi-trailer has a robust design yet is significantly lighter (by more than 600kg) than a standard coil type semi-trailer while maintaining a universal coil channel length of 9.0 metres. The presentation of the Coil Master Strong Light will take place at Wielton’s indoor stand – hall 27, stand-no. F03.
Another product presented by Wielton in Hanover is the Container Master Super Light (SL). It is a lightweight (from 3,050kg) container semi-loader dedicated to the transport of 20’ sea containers. It has a strong and durable construction – the chassis is made of S700 steel. The semi-trailer has been equipped with modern automatic locks that enable the container to be quickly fastened without the driver having to leave the truck. The main benefits of this solution include improved safety and ergonomics for the driver’s work and time savings. In addition, the
FAST FACT
developed together with our customers is Dry Master and Coil Master Strong Light, which we will present at this year’s IAA Transportation.”
Wielton Group CEO, Mariusz Golec.
“WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR THE MOST OPTIMAL SOLUTIONS TO DECARBONISE TRANSPORT BECAUSE BOTH THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS ARE IMPORTANT TO US.”
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Wielton will also showcase the Air Cargo Master Mega closed box semi-trailer, which is another example of tailor-made product, and the Volume Master high volume combination at its outdoor stand. The new Air Cargo Master Mega is a specialised semi-trailer with a rolling system dedicated to the transport of air containers. It has a special system of pneumatic rollers and locking system to load and secure containers and electronic locks in compliance with requirements to secure the rear doors. The Air Cargo Master Mega has a rigid, robust and durable body to guarantee safe and trouble-free transport and protection from the weather. On the other hand, the Volume Master is designed for transporting goods with large volumes, for example from the automotive, food or furniture industries. The high-volume combination is equipped with a double floor system that allows you to take more goods that cannot be stacked. High Volume Combination allows operators to load up 38 pallets (comparing to 33 in a standard semi-trailer) and thanks to the second floor level this amount can be doubled resulting in the ability to carry 76 pallets in total. In this way, the number of journeys is reduced, thus improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The presentation of the Air Cargo Master Mega and Volume Master will take place at Wielton’s outdoor stand – outdoor area, stand-no. S07.
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“We are glad to attend the IAA-show and to meet again with our customers f2f as we were now suffering so much from all the isolation during corona-times,” said Klaus Strautmann, Managing Director of the Langendorf Group. “Even though the current times are very much challenging transport will still succeed. And maybe all circumstances around will help the transport-business to show to anybody the requirement of a modern and efficient transport-sector. Hopefully, this situation helps our customers to receive the social perception they are worth.”
Langendorf exhibits a low-bed trailer SATÜ30 of the smart-line series and a Flexliner on the indoor stand area. The smartline product range is a modular system that enables the customer to configure his low-bed from a variety of options.
Langendorf – High tech on wheels
Since 2021, Langendorf has been able to offer the complete range from three-axle drawbar trailers to four-axle telescopic trailers. The SATÜ30 is a modern model of a three-axle low-loader semi-trailer with an extendable deck, guaranteeing versatility of use depending on the size and weight of the intended load. It is a specialised vehicle with a robust construction in premium quality, which is dedicated to the transport of access equipment or forklifts, with reinforcements to withstand the highest point loads. The semi-trailer chassis is made from high-strength S700 steel, allowing the vehicle’s relatively low unladen weight to be maintained while guaranteeing the strength and rigidity of the structure. Many options allow customising the trailer exactly to customers’ transport needs. Langendorf will also present a twoaxle Flexliner, which is intended for city or branch operation mainly for parcel-transport or serving pharmacies as well as food logistics. Langendorf will continue to expand its position in this area, as the Flexliner is the ecological answer to higher fuel costs and driver shortages. The Flexliner is a box trailer based on an inloader chassis, which means that a through axle can be dispensed, and the space gained is used for additional cargo, resulting in up to 66 per cent more cargo being transported. In this way, we also reduce
Langendorf is an expert in the production of high-tech specialised vehicles. It is one of the leading manufacturers in Europe with a wide range of products, including tipper trailers, in-loaders for the transport of prefabricated construction elements, low loaders, double-deck trailers, and in-loaders for the transport of technical glass and special vehicles. Currently, Langendorf is continually working on expanding its product portfolio and thus meeting the increasing demands of the modern market. Among other things, it is focusing on the development of ‘smart-line’ low-loader products. Langendorf will be presenting selected models from its offer at the IAA Transportation in Hannover.
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Aberg Service, which was founded two years ago is constantly expanding and covering more areas. The primary focus is to support customers with an uptime of their vehicles. To secure that, Aberg will authorise 18 Aberg premium service partners across Europe this year.
Aberg Connect – Telematics and TPMS solutions
First Aberg Premium service points will be located in Poland, Germany, France, Italy, and CEE markets. All of them will have the
Aberg Service – upporting the uptime and modern aftersales service
The Wielton Group invites everyone to visit its spaces at IAA Transportation in WeHannover.inviteyou to join us for discussions in hall 27, stand-no. F03 and F04. www.wieltongroup.com
At IAA Transportation 2018, the Wielton Group announced the introduction of its own telematics solution. The response to these announcements is a new company, Aberg Connect, which will provide its telematics and TPMS solutions for all Group products, i.e. all brands and all markets. Starting in 2024, these solutions will be standard equipment for the Group’s new trailers and semi-trailers. Aberg Connect will offer real-time monitoring and vehicle data analysis as part of its digital offering. Aberg Connect solutions will be presented on Wielton products – hall 27, stand no. F03.
ECOLEDIII HALLEHALLEwww.aspoeck.com2092592410301026|STANDD24A5|STAND418 Standlicht Kreuzschaltung | Tail light cross wiring ECOLED III SPECIAL REPORT IAA TRANSPORTATION
“I am delighted that we will present our own telematics solutions under the Aberg Connect brand for the first time at the IAA,” said Aberg Connect CSO, Michał Skorupowski. “This is an important moment for us.”
competencies to maintain and repair any vehicle belonging to Wielton Group. Following the strategy, Aberg Service is also in the process of implementing parts and components under its label. Aberg Service will present some of its products at the Wielton stand – hall 27, stand-no. F03.
the carbon footprint. Both models will be on display at the Langendorf stand: hall 27, stand-no. F04.
“It’s the first time Aberg Service attends an IAA event,” said Aberg Service Director, Sergiusz Mitek. “We are looking forward to meeting customers, service partners and suppliers to further discuss mutual opportunities.”
In the outdoor area, Langendorf will exhibit an in-loader for the transport of concrete elements type SBH and a range of tippers that shows the German producer’s competence in tipper-built in aluminium or steel according to its wide range of programs. The product presentation will take place at Langendorf’s outdoor stand – outdoor area, stand-no. S09.
SAF TRAKr e-axle.
:
How is the business tracking with its longterm strategic goals?
to increase the capacity for trailer axles at our Turkish plant in Düzce by up to 70 per cent. This will allow us to react even more flexibly to seasonal fluctuations in demand and supply our customers in EMEA even faster.
AFTER A LONG, PANDEMIC-RELATED DRY SPELL WITHOUT TRADE SHOWS, ALEXANDER GEIS, CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD AND CEO OF SAF-HOLLAND GROUP, IS PLEASED TO WELCOME GUESTS ONCE AGAIN AT THE UPCOMING IAA TRANSPORTATION EVENT IN HANOVER, GERMANY.
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intendWe
Q
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A: On both the regional and global level, our long-term strategies are tracking extremely well with the direction and demand of all our markets.
At our Mexican site in Querétaro, we have completed the first stage of the expansion of the fifth wheel production lines for the spare parts business in the Americas region. In the next step we will expand the capacities for the original equipment business in Mexico and the United States of America.
In India we intend to realign our production this year and expand production capacity. It is not just the market projections that remain bright, but also an increasing demand for our sophisticated products using disc brake technology and air suspension. With our additional production capacities in Pune, we are perfectly equipped to meet customer wishes in the OE business and the aftermarket and to grow profitably.
RIGHT FROM THE START
SAF TIRE PILOT is already in use, a system for systematically monitoring the tyre pressure of semi-trailers and trailers and making automated adjustments if the pressure is too low. Return on invest is achieved in less than a year. Our TrailerMaster telematics system provides the relevant operating data to drivers and fleet managers in real time. Fleet managers are able to view the condition of the entire fleet at a glance and can document and optimise their trailer and transport processes. As a result, we now offer the first digital solution which customers can subscribe to for a monthly fee, regardless of use. Such continuous revenue streams are new for traditional commercial vehicle suppliers and at the same time offer new opportunities for retaining customers.
In the field of trailer axle electrification, series production of our SAF TRAKr
SAF-Holland Group CEO, Alexander Geis.
With our Sustainability Roadmap which lays out numerous short and mid-term action plans through to 2030 we have set course for our sustained success in future. In our 2021 CSR strategy workshop, we defined a plan to concentrate on the two fields of environment and social engagement, thereby supporting the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. On the one hand, our goal is to position ourselves as an employer of choice worldwide and, on the other, to establish trend-setting goals for CO2-emissions and the circular economy. We intend to roll out this strategy globally.
Q: How has SAF-HOLLAND adapted to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and disruption in the supply chain?
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A: First, I want to thank our excellent employees for the effort, commitment and hard work and their willingness to work together in steering SAF-Holland on a stable course through this difficult time. We have managed the challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic and the disrupted supply chains very well.
increase the content of SAF-Holland products installed per vehicle.
“A MILESTONE FOR US AND A OPPORTUNITYGREATFOR THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY IS OUR RECUPERATION AXLE SAF TRAKR. IT REDUCES NOISE AND CO2 EMISSIONS AND HAS EXPERIENCED A STRONG INTEREST AND BENEFIT TO REFRIGERATED TRAILERS.”
Alexander Geis, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of SAF-Holland Group
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In addition, we are constantly developing our portfolio of mission-critical products and digital solutions. Our current focus lies on the digitalisation of trailers and the electrification of trailer axles. In terms of digitalisation, the focus of development activity lies on optimising operating time and improving safety. New laws and regulations are additional drivers for both digitalisation and electrification.
We are also in the process of refining our sustainability strategy and are building on what we have already achieved. The latest ESG ratings show that we are on a very good path. For example, we were given the secondhighest rating of AA from MSCI and a grade of 13.4 (low risk) in the ESG risk rating from Sustainalytics.
A: A milestone for us and a great opportunity for the transport industry is our recuperation axle SAF TRAKr. It reduces noise and CO2 emissions and has experienced a strong interest and benefit to refrigerated trailers. After intensive development work and extensive, successful tests in real haulage operations and on test rigs, the trailer axle for recuperation is now ready for series production. Preseries production has been in full swing since June 2022, and series production is scheduled to start before the end of 2022.
Q: Also, has your team thought about what the next 10 years might hold? Are there any megatrends we should monitor going forward?
Q: Are there any production milestones that you would like to celebrate?
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Schräg ist uns ganz egal.
In addition, we enabled mobile working for our employees. Work can be performed with full office support, from a variety of remote locations through a mobile end-user device (smartphone, tablet, laptop). The results were very encouraging and we have therefore concluded a corresponding company agreement.
coupling and uncoupling operations via a sensor-based process. For the spare parts business, we will be showing the new NFC technology for the first time in Hanover, with which spare parts can be identified even more easily and securely.
Diesen Kipper kannst du auch dort abladen, wo es für andere zu schwierig wird. Denn er hat die bessere Kippstabilität! Schwarzmüller fahren heißt: Sicher arbeiten, einfach bedienen, effizient erledigen. Also, take it easy! Wir haben die Lösungen, die Fahrer lieben. Alle Infos unter www.schwarzmueller.com/bestuse
Q: SAF-Holland has a broad portfolio of road transport equipment and components. Are there any new products on the horizon that you can mention? Alternatively, which core products will you be focusing on at IAA?
Q: This edition of the magazine is also reflecting on 10 years of Global Trailer. Would your team like to share any reflections from the past decade about the SAF-Holland business? It would be interesting to compare the company’s growth journey from 10 years ago to today.
Due to our forward-looking health management – comprising self-testing kits and masks, the set-up of test centres and company vaccinations – we have succeeded in keeping the Covid-19 case rate in our global workforce at a very low level. At the same time, we have been able to adjust our production flexibly to match the demand of our customers and prove our outstanding delivery performance. This was only possible because of the tremendous team spirit and dedication of the entire workforce.
A: First of all, even the recent global distortions haven’t changed existing megatrends. They will still be valid and we hope that we will serve them with our e-axle family, our connectivity solutions, our smart products and our automated coupling like we do today with our existing product portfolio. The recent
A: We can look back on an eventful decade, with growth and innovations in all our business areas worldwide. For Global Trailer, which also has a global claim, SAF-Holland has been a partner from the very beginning. Since the first issue, we have worked together in a spirit of trust and appreciate the internationally oriented, well-researched reporting – we will continue to rely on this in the future.
SlantedENGLISCH:–who cares? oder: SPECIAL REPORT IAA TRANSPORTATION
A: At the IAA Transportation, we are bringing a whole range of new developments and product innovations that address and reflect the current megatrends in the industry: As far as digitalisation is concerned, we will be presenting the concept of the networked SAF Smart Axle and the new SAF-HOLLAND I.Q. Customer Portal at the trade fair. The new SAF TIRE PILOT I. Q., a digitised tyre pressure monitoring system, can be optionally connected to the TrailerMaster telematics.
In the area of electrification, we are focusing on our e-axles, with the emphasis on the SAF TRAKr recuperation axle, which will start series production this year. Our Automated Coupling concept takes up the trend of autonomous driving, with the aim of automating and accelerating
Thanks to our multi-supplier strategy, we were able to secure our material inflow even when individual suppliers had difficulties providing us with their products. At the same time, we made a conscious choice to increase our inventories. This way, we ensured that we could always deliver enough spare parts to our customers.
Alexander Geis, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of SAF-Holland Group
important as autonomous vehicles will be able to operate 24/7. This finally leads to data driven business models for example pay by mile requiring predictive and preventive maintenance solutions from our side. www.safholland.com
This will become more and more
Secondly, we see a rising need for more localised products that minimise the carbon footprint of our products and we expect that in the CV industry this trend will influence the whole supply chain. Another trend we see on the horizon is the touchless technologies that are gaining momentum and that means for us that our end customers – fleets, spare part dealers and workshops – will seek for a seamless integration of digital services into their daily business. Therefore, we are already working on first enablers like NFC and RFID technologies that empower the customer to digitise workflows, processes and to further optimise uptime and minimising downtime with a fully automated supply chain.
“AT THE IAA TRANSPORTATION, WE ARE BRINGING A WHOLE RANGE OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND PRODUCT INNOVATIONS THAT ADDRESS AND REFLECT THE CURRENT MEGATRENDS IN THE INDUSTRY: AS FAR AS DIGITALISATION IS CONCERNED, WE WILL BE PRESENTING THE CONCEPT OF THE NETWORKED SAF SMART AXLE AND THE NEW SAF-HOLLAND I.Q. CUSTOMER PORTAL AT THE TRADE FAIR.”
Slanted – so what? You can unload this tipper even there where others shy away. This is due to its superior tipping stability! To drive a Schwarzmüller means: Safe work, easy handling, efficient management. Thus, take it easy! We have got the solutions, and the drivers will love them. For more info see schwarzmueller.com/en/bestuse SPECIAL REPORT IAA TRANSPORTATION
developments on the markets show a shift towards alternative drives especially e-mobility and the autonomous driving projects are pushed a little bit further out.
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CARGOBULLSCHMITZ
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INNOVATIONS ON SHOW AT THIS YEAR’S IAA TRANSPORTATION FROM SCHMITZ CARGOBULL WILL FOCUS ON AERODYNAMICS, COOLING EFFICIENCY, OPTIMISED VEHICLE WEIGHT AND THE USE OF TELEMATICS DATA FOR GREATER
Z.KI, a three-sided tipper.
F
or aerodynamic road transportation, the German OEM offers its EcoGeneration vehicles with lathefree Power Curtain for rapid loading and unloading, sensors that detect height adjustments and transfer this data to the telematics system, an aerodynamic storage box and interior lighting for improved occupationalRefrigeratedsafety.transport options include the S.KO COOL deep-freeze semi-trailer which features a new air distribution system. Uniform cooling for the entire cargo area and it is reported to be efficient, durable and suitable for pharma-certified applications. Also, TrailerConnect telematics system is fitted as Schmitzstandard.Cargobull
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even supplies its own line of trailer refrigeration units including: S.CU 2.0, with its efficient common rail diesel engine and new performance mode – in MonoTemp and MultiTemp design; S.CU 1.0 with its robust and well-known Perkins diesel engine in MonoTemp-design; and S.CUe – the electric Cooling unit does not generate any emissions and is designed especially for use in urban Schmitztransport.Cargbobull trailer refrigeration unit.Anew dry freight box boxy, S.BO PACE, is now available across Europe and is produced in the Manchester factory for the UK and in Spain for the mainland European market. It is stable and features a lightweight body made of STRUKTOPLAST. The OEM said S.BO is the new product name for its dry freighters.
The S.BO PACE is primarily geared towards transport companies in the package and dry freight sector. It is certified to DIN EN 12642 code XL and offers a wide range of options, such as load securing rails, a translucent roof, a tail lift and two different door options: a
An electrified Schmitz Cargobull trailer axle recovers energy when braking, for instance, thereby increasing the cooling unit’s operating time and reducing the time needed to recharge the battery from the mains grid. This also reduces waiting times at the distribution centres. An intelligent battery charging management function ensures that the battery’ charge level remains as high as possible to provide greater reliability when the vehicle is stationary, e.g. in traffic jams. The generator performance of the electrified axis is precisely matched to the requirements of the
remaining range, remaining charging time, etc., to be monitored via the telematics portal.
For emissions-free operation in temperature-controlled transport, Schmitz Cargobull offers the fully electric box body semi-trailer S.KOe. It is a refrigerated box body with a battery-powered cooling unit and energy trailer axle.
The Piek-certified vehicle is also extremely quiet, so that delivery can take place both early in the morning and late at night in urban areas.
The electric S.CUe cooling unit is designed to cool and heat freight without generating any emissions and offers a cooling output of up to 15,900 W and heating output of 9,100 W. Batteries on the landing gear replace the diesel tank.
STI (Deutschland) GmbH, a leading provider of temperature-controlled goods transport in Europe, uses one of the fully electric refrigerated box body semi-trailers. CEO, Drazan Malesevic, explained what motivated them to add a zero-emissions S.KOe COOL to their fleet: “We don’t just want to raise awareness that something needs to change, we want to be proactive and use technological solutions to significantly reduce our CO2 emissions. That’s why we decided early on to use an all-electric S.KOe reefer semi-trailer from Schmitz Cargobull.”
Oliver Exner, Senior Operations Manager STI, added: “We want to understand how the trailer works in everyday operations and, through consistent data collection over the next two years, determine how sustainable the
tailgate or aluminium doors.
The vehicle can be equipped with a number of load securing components, such as package securing nets or gates at the rear. The floor load capacity is 5.5 tonnes as standard or there is the option to increase it to 7.1 tonnes or 8.0 tonnes in vehicles that have to transport heavy loads or floor conveyors.
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The underride guard meets all the criteria set out in ECE-R58.03. The weight has been reduced here, too, and handling has improved. The folding mechanism allows for easy operation from one side and, when folded up, provides good ground clearance of 728 mm. This enables easy manoeuvring up to the road paver. The electro-pneumatic underride guard with sensors for the LED position indicator has also undergone a makeover with optimised mechanics and cable guide. The sensors record the driving and unloading position, which means that the underride guard can be operated safely from
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The new LIGHT frame of the S.KI variants was specifically developed for payloadoptimised use on roads, construction sites, and light off-road routes. This innovation is one of the lightest steel chassis frames on the market. It offers both greater stability and torsional rigidity while tipping, and also better economic efficiency during day-to-day use.
thanks to lower loss of value.
Four different frame lengths are available (system lengths 7.2, 8.2, 9.6, 10.5), depending on the application, load level and desired body volume. In addition to the STANDARD version, a LIGHT version for especially high payload or a HEAVY-DUTY version for particularly heavy-duty use are also available.
For greater payloads with its S.KI tippers, Schmitz Cargobull has released a new generation of bodies and frames boasting weight savings of up to 230kg. New bodies are also available for the M.KI truck tipper. These tippers come with an overhauled underride guard for simpler handling and clearance. There’s also a 10-year warranty against rust-through for the S.KI frame generation with a galvanised design. Production of the new S.KI tipper semi-trailer is scheduled for the beginning of Q1 2023.
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The S.KI tipper trailer’s steel chassis frames have always been characterised by an ideal balance between weight optimisation, robust durability and tipping stability during day-to-day use. The fundamental redesign of the modular frame has enabled weight savings of 45 to 110kg to be achieved in the S.KI tipper semi-trailer depending on the length and frame design. The new modular frame system for all trailer lengths is available in a Standard, Light or Heavy-Duty design depending on the level of use. The design of the crossbeams provides even greater stability and ensures a longer service life of the chassis due to optimum corrosion protection. The frame design has also been enhanced for painting and galvanisation. Schmitz Cargobull grants customers a 10-year warranty against rust-through for the galvanised S.KI frame generation. Painted frames also offer better protection against corrosion. Customers benefit from a high resale value
The standard tail light position has once again been modified for transporting bulk
In this we work together closely with Schmitz Cargobull. If the testing is successful, we will equip most of our fleet with e-trailers in the future. This potentially means that more than 200 trailers would legitimately carry the Zero Emission logo.”
The weight of the new rounded steel body with a loading volume of 24m³ has been optimised for use on building sites. Weight savings of up to 180 kg have been achieved here (reference vehicle (S.KI Solid 7.2 with dropside height of 1,460 mm and floor/side wall combination of 5/4 mm with external tailgate). The wide flat floor ensures a lower centre of gravity, helping to deliver optimum handling and even wear. The upper lips have been redesigned with an enhanced crosssection to increase vertical and horizontal rigidity, which makes the rounded steel body even more stable. Lateral deformation of the upper lips as a result of load pressure has been significantly reduced, meaning they run a lot better and sliding-tarpaulin-style body covers
Thanks to the flexible Schmitz Cargobull module system, an even greater range of variants are now available here, too. For instance, in addition to the existing construction lengths of 5.5m and 5.8m, a vehicle with a construction length of 5.2m is now available to be used with tractors with a shorter wheelbase or longer driver’s cab. The Gotha-based product experts managed to save 87kg of weight compared to the similar SR14 body here, too. With a range of floor thickness options from 5 to 10 mm, side wall thickness options from 4 to 8 mm, and various dropside heights of 1,300mm, 1,460mm, 1,560mm, 1,660mm and an array of rear wall options, the tipper truck bodies are suited to almost any transport job.
SPECIAL REPORT IAA TRANSPORTATION
axle tipper trailer is easy to manoeuvre, even in areas where space is tight. Due to its new design, it weighs 50 kg less than its predecessor. This means more payload and, as a result, increased profitability for business owners. The Z.KI is suitable for a range of applications, thus offering a great deal of flexibility for day-to-day transport operations. It can transport bulk or piece goods. But pallet goods can also be easily delivered thanks to the standard pallet-width design. Additional safety is provided by lashing points optionally integrated in the body floor.
For the rear panel, Schmitz Cargobull offers either internal tailgates with a chute or external tailgates with a full seal. Both options are available with either a slider or a hydraulic system. The body cover can be opened and closed either conventionally from the floor as a rolling tarpaulin or safely and conveniently by remote control as an electric sliding tarpaulin.
The OEM even has a three-sided tipper, the Z.KI, which is lighter (unladen weight reduced by 50kg), easier to handle and offers increased flexibility for day-to-day transport operations.
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truck bodies is a rounded steel body made of highly wear and dent-resistant steel.
The tailgate and dropsides are pendulummounted. In addition, raised tailgate hinges provide for a larger pouring opening. For the simplest possible handling when folding down the wear-resistant dropsides, they can
Inside the S.BO.
www.cargobull.com
A new generation S.KI tipper.
The system is reported to offer a high standard of safety due to automating of the locking and unlocking processes. Once configured in the TrailerConnect portal, risks are minimised and manual work as part of the transport process is reduced. This results in a higher level of control for dispatchers and lowers the demands on drivers. All of the locking and unlocking processes are fully documented and can provide proof that the trailer was locked continuously during the entire transport.
be equipped with a lifting spring mechanism,
The OEM also provides Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) for smart trailers, ‘proactive monitoring’ via TrailerConnect and better safety for cargo and drivers with the new TL4 door locking system.
SPECIAL REPORT IAA TRANSPORTATION
Via the TrailerConnect portal, users can define loading and unloading locations where the door locking system automatically unlocks the trailer on arrival or locks it when leaving. Geofence-areas only need to be configured once, simply and conveniently in TrailerConnect portal. Furthermore, once the trailer door has been closed, a general automatic lock can be activated at the touch of a button in the TrailerConnect portal or beSmart app.
“As a key participant in the logistics sector, Schmitz Cargobull will provide solutions to help forwarders and transport companies safely and reliably share data in future,” said Cargobull Telematics Head of Product Line Digital Services, Marnix Lannoije. “Forwarders will only share their fleet data if they have control over how their data is shared. This is what motivates Schmitz Cargobull. We will enhance further functions to assist forwarders and their customers in improving transparency and supporting automation in the logistics sector.”
As for digital services, Schmitz Cargobull offers a controlled approach to automated data transparency with its Data Management
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The benchmark for on- and off-road heavy duty transportation.
DUBAI-BASED TRAILER BUILDER, GORICA, BUILDS BESPOKE ALUMINIUM FUEL TANKERS TO ACCOMMODATE THE ENVIRONMENT AND ROAD CONDITIONS OF EACH COUNTRY IT SUPPLIES TO.
controlled temperature logistics within selected trailers to uphold food safety procedures.“GORICA is a leading partner to key food producers and perishable goods transporters by designing and producing entire road parts of the cold chain with warehouse integration,” Bocker said. “Some clients also opt for automatic loading systems built into the trailers and matched with their automated warehouses.”
he standard GORICA road tanker range includes aluminium fuel tankers for the transportation of liquid petroleum products, aluminium flour bulkers fitted with discharge blowers for the transportation and distribution of flour, aluminium grain hoppers for moving bulk commodities, aluminium animal feed bulkers for carting various grades of feed and aluminium food grade tipper semi-trailers for bulk wheats.
HEAVY DUTY IN MIDDLETHE EASTDUTIES
However, GORICA’s target market in the Middle East has incurred widespread change in the transportation of goods over the last 5-10 years, sparking the need for flexible custom-made tankers to be available for clients.
Trends in the transportation of food and perishable goods have shown a sharp steer towards European standards and specifications, where shipping efficiency and sustainability has been a central focus. According to European Food Network, Switzerland uses the first hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric trucks to transport food. This demonstrates the country’s environmentally conscious leap to a sustainable future, with neighbouring countries following in their GORICApath.Group General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Domen Bockor, said the implementation of technology within selected trailers that provide cold chain transport solutions have enticed global clients. This includes having
While beneficial technology has added great value to GORICA’s products for food transport operators, another key highlight includes the extremely durable material used in the process of building their trailers.
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The Middle East and North Africa (MENA), according to the UN, are among the most vulnerable places in the world to
FAST FACT
TRAILER DESIGN
climate change with rising temperatures and unexpected weather impacting purchase decisions. Therefore, the demand for robust infrastructure and vehicles is high in such areas.Since GORICA attracts widespread clientele predominantly from Golf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, an important aspect of their trailers is the increased shell thickness of each tanker. The
Backed by innovative design and bolstered by an array of special features, the market resale value of GORICA’s tippers is exceptionally high according to GORICA Group General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Domen Bockor.
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“Aside from the environment, we also need to understand the type of road conditions in Middle East and Africa, along with undefined road regulations and very poor driver quality,” Bockor said. “Therefore, our tankers must be in line with international safety standards but upgraded to a higher standard both from a safety perspective, and a longevity standpoint.”
average body builder thickness is 5mm however GORICA offers a 6.1mm external shell. This is to endure the harsh environments of the different countries they supply to, including soaring temperatures of up to 55 degrees Celsius and over 80 per cent humidity, according to Bockor.
The only Middle East-made aluminium flour bulk road tanker.
“We only use European high-end components ranging from axles, brake systems, tank fittings and more,” he said.
The non-uniform road regulations that are apparent throughout the Middle East has made GORICA’s range of tailored purchases their most popular option for clients, as they are unable to use a standardised trailer design in their country.
GORICA’s substantial customer-driven innovations means their trailers remain as practically beneficial as they can be for clients. Such improvements include optimising the weight of bulkers to allow operators to carry heavier loads whilst still within the road regulation limits.
Bockor said GORICA’s constant upgrade to their semi-trailers instils a
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“We have our own GORICA service and after sales points with complete parts available, along with mobile service teams who give greater support to those in certain markets,” he said. “The focus is not solely on the warranty side of after sales support but also on the product lifetime support overall.”
“GORICA IS A LEADING PARTNER TO KEY FOOD PRODUCERS AND PERISHABLE GOODS TRANSPORTERS BY DESIGNING AND PRODUCING ENTIRE ROAD PARTS OF THE COLD CHAIN WITH WAREHOUSE INTEGRATION.SOME CLIENTS ALSO OPT FOR AUTOMATIC LOADING SYSTEMS BUILT INTO THE TRAILERS AND MATCHED WITH THEIR AUTOMATED WAREHOUSES.”
While GORICA’s semitrailer product line has been popular across Europe and Middle East, they are no stranger to success.
Domen Bockor GORICA Group General Manager of Sales and Marketing
GORICA’s heavy haulage low bed semitrailer series is a type of legacy product series, offering heavy duty haulage of up to a 130-tonne payload. The premium product uses various axle and tyre design configurations for a wide range of usage including construction equipment, oil and gas equipment, nontowable construction parts, and other niche applications.
The Dubai-based manufacturer has seen a spike in sales in recent years for a variety of the trailers it designs and produces. Superstructures like semitrailers have been a popular purchase for some time across segments including general cargo logistics, food distribution, fuel distribution, waste management, oil and gas segment and perishable goods transportation.
competitive advantage within the brand as they offer preferred quality products and provide genuine aftersales support to clients.
TRAILER DESIGN
FAST FACT
GORICA is a leading developer and manufacturer of semi-trailers in the Middle East and Africa. For the past three decades the OEM has also specialised in the production of tipping semi-trailers and rigid mounted tipping bodies.
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“Beside rear loading low bed semitrailers with hydraulic ramps, we also offer front loading low bed semitrailers for specific equipment that requires a very low approach angle, such as trenchers,” Bockor said.
“GORICA’s ability for customisation in our base product lines gives a major competitive advantage, as seen in low bed semitrailers where 90 per cent of produced products are manufactured to fit specific market and client needs.” Their heavy-duty haulage range eliminates a niche challenge within the transport industry, particularly experienced by companies that operate on different sites with limited equipment. GORICA’s low bed trailers help fleets overcome transporting difficulties to bring necessary equipment between sites on Giga Projects. These projects have become a major focus as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2023, including development happening in Amaala, Aseer, and Diriyah Gate. www.goricagroup.com
An industry leading aluminiumchassis-lessfueltanker.
he Global Trailer editorial team embarked on an ambitious journey back in mid-2016. In a world-first, it attempted to catalogue the world’s leading trailer manufacturing businesses and rank them by output, bringing a new level of transparency to an industry traditionally known for being fiercely discreet.
The response to the inaugural listing was overwhelmingly positive, according to then-Editor, Sebastian Grote, with many an OEM and supplier using it is as a global performance benchmark ever since.
FAWORLD
“IN THE SPACE OF SIX YEARS THERE HAS BEEN WETHEBEINDUSTRIESANDROADGROWTHTREMENDOUSWITHINTHETRANSPORTMANUFACTURINGWHICHCANCLEARLYSEENWITHNUMBERSTHATPRESENTHERE.”
Of course, in more recent years, the world has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic
Over the years, the format of this Global OEM Ranking List has changed, with the inaugural edition compiling a top 30 in celebration of the magazine’s 30th edition. The following year it was scaled back to a modest top 20 and it has since grown to a top 25, top 35, top 40 and now a top 50.
In the space of six years there has been tremendous growth within the road transport and manufacturing industries which can be clearly seen with the numbers
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We can confirm that this annual fixture in Global Trailer has also proven to consistently perform as our most popular piece of content both in print and online. We are glad this is the case because behind-the-scenes a great deal of work goes into making it. Between editorial and sales, we reach out to our industry contacts, months in advance, to ask a simple set of questions. The responses are collected, the data is extracted, follow-up questions are asked to verify the veracity of submissions, and before you know it the material deadline looms, and we curate a list based on the information we have gathered.
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that we present here. In celebration of our 10th anniversary, we also collated figures from a decade ago for comparison.
Hyundai Translead checks in So, it turns out our 2021 production estimate (34,700) was way off. The amended figure direct from the team at Hyundai Translead was actually 51,573 – this would have drastically altered last year’s line-up, elevating the OEM to position two. The North American trailer builder has moved from position six right up to second place with a 2022 production figure of 79,262. Absolutely incredible result and we also welcome this direct communication on annual trailer output.
Last year, Hyundai Translead enhanced its dry and refrigerated trailer range
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While the difference between production in 2021 (161,066) and 2022 production (194,248) is a solid 19 per cent (based on estimates) we are curious to see how these numbers will balance out in the years to follow.
and supply chain disruption. Trade shows were cancelled or postponed, freight forwarders had to contend with new challenges, while the shortage of spare parts and critical materials directly impacted manufacturer productivity. We also saw new trends emerge to alleviate these pain points. And yet, trailer OEMs worldwide stepped up and delivered. Here is our running commentary on this year’s ranking.
“As CIMC Vehicles is a listed company, the sales volume of the second quarter in 2022 has not been disclosed for the time being, and we cannot make any sales prediction,” CIMC told Global Trailer. “Nevertheless, we do see the market is getting better compared to the first quarter of 2022. With the breakthrough point of strategic development, CIMC Vehicles will unleash greater advantages and potential for performance growth, create room for profit growth and strategic mobility, provide good customer services, scale new heights under the ‘Intercontinental Operation’ strategy, and actively deliver superior business performance.”
CIMC takes the crown
group’s production volume last year was reported to be 194,248 units – this is the estimate that we used for 2022 production.
MOUS
It comes as no surprise that CIMC Vehicles has once again topped our Global OEM Ranking List. This year, though, the Chinese juggernaut was only able to provide sales volume data from financial reports due to company disclosure restrictions. The manufacturer revealed sales volume in the first half of 2021 was 126,583 units; sales volume in 2021 was 199,984 units; and sales volume in the first quarter of 2022 was 33,205 units. The
THE 2022 GLOBAL OEM RANKING LIST REVEALS THE TOP 50 SEMITRAILER MANUFACTURERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD BASED ON PRODUCTION OUTPUT FOR THE PERIOD 1 JULY 2021 TO 30 JUNE 2022.
At the beginning of 2022, Krone’s spare parts brand turned over a million euros. Meanwhile, for the 2020-2021 financial year the business reported sales revenue of 2.2 billion euros which Bernard Krone said was a remarkable feat against the backdrop of pandemic and the uncertainties that come with it.
Wabash also holds position
and teased a lightweight polymer core composite panel with the aim of lowering the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for fleet operators.
“This is a special milestone for Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, and the 715 dedicated employees at this plant,” said Utility Plant Manager, John Oliver. “We are also grateful for Target’s continued trust in us. As the new Plant Manager, I look forward to many more successes from our team for years to come.”
On the back of a rebrand, US-based OEM, Wabash, has enjoyed great success. A 25 per cent increase in year-on-year output has set the trailer builder up for strategic growth. The rebrand itself, which is now being physically realised via the delivery of rebranded trailers, follows key milestones including a management system to scale excellence, reorganising into a customer-centric operating model and alignment with the company’s financial structure with the new organisation design and ‘go-to-market’ strategy. By the end of this year the OEM’s complete portfolio of van trailers, platforms, tankers, truck bodies, process systems, parts and services should all be rebranded with the new blue logo.
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Earlier this year, Utility’s Paragould, Arkansas, manufacturing facility produced its 200,000th trailer, a 4000D-X Composite dry van. The facility marked this production milestone when Target Corporate purchased its 200,000th trailer.
With smart trailers and other high productivity vehicles rolling out, we will be monitoring Hyundai Translead’s activities with keen interest.
This OEM has been collaborating with Liebherr on the development of modular trailer refrigeration units which have since exceeded customer demand expectations.Afacilityin Turkey which has been producing since 2012 – and is reported to have an annual output of 10,000 units – changed management earlier this year. Road transport businesses including Spedition Ludwig Pall in Austria, took delivery of Profi Liners following the success it has achieved with Mega Liners in 2020.
On top of its industrious work, Krone is also committed to a supply chain study which is investigating how bottlenecks affect the industry and how they can be solved.
Utility climbs the ladder
Sérgio L. Carvalho Randon Companies CEO
Schmitz Cargobull bounces back Germany’s trailer building powerhouse, Schmitz Cargobull, enters third place with a total production figure of 61,032. This was a 22 per cent improvement from last year (49,137), building on the ongoing success of its innovative range of products and services. The entire portfolio which demonstrates advances in aerodynamics, cooling efficiency, optimised vehicle weight and telematics will be on show at this year’s IAA Transportation in Hanover, Germany.
Krone is catching up Trailing by about 12.5 per cent, fourth generation family business, Krone, maintains position four. With a production total of 53,841, the trailer builder, headquartered in Werlte, Germany, has improved its year-on-year output (45,000) by 18 per cent.
Also improving output by 25 per cent yearon-year, Utility benefits from growth. The boost pushes the North American OEM up from position seven to six. In addition to opening new dealerships the business also celebrated a milestone trailer.
Target received the 4000D-X Composite dry van that includes a Target graphic decal on the trailer, and standard features such as 80K flush steel logistics posts and Utility’s aerodynamic side skirt.
“WE WORK TO MAINTAIN (RANDON’S) SUSTAINABLE GROWTH, AND WE BELIEVE THAT ENTERING THE LARGEST SEMITRAILER MARKET IN THE WESTERN WORLD WILL BE A FUNDAMENTAL FACTOR FOR US TO FOLLOW THIS ROUTE, ENHANCING SYNERGIES AND EXPANDING THE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND THE CHALLENGES OF MARKET VOLATILITY AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.”
This year the company’s leadership team reaffirmed its commitment and strategic focus to its people. It also unveiled a UK-built and fully modular semitrailer – the S.KO Pace Smart – at ITT Hub, and won three awards in three distinct trailer categories. This elephant refuses to be caged.
This year, the OEM empowered its customers with the HT360 experience, a series of tools for ‘turning data into doing’. This system is reported to offer deeper integration with fleet operations and covers finance, fleet utilisation, aftermarket genuine parts and other service solutions.
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executive interview to learn more about their history and solid performance. Watch this space.
A new entrant, South America’s Facchini has blitzed the ranking list with an annual output of 33,150 units, snatching position eight. Interestingly, a decade ago this OEM produced 25,300 units. Global Trailer is actively chasing the team at Facchini for an
OEM RANKING LIST
The disruptor from Brazil – Facchini
GLOBAL
Great Dane commits to connectivity
Despite falling in the rankings from three to seven, it should be stated that we are using an estimate, and so the final figure may be more favourable.
Rebranding seems to be on-trend as another North American trailer builder has embraced change. In February 2022, Great Dane launched a new vision – a commitment to end-to-end solutions for the transportation industry as well as a horizon defined by digital connectivity. To complement this pivot, the US-based OEM also unveiled a fresh logo design. In addition to restructures, the business has also won safety awards and expanded its dealer network.
Randon closely follows Beaten by a mere 3.0 per cent, Randon has slipped to position nine. Although, that could all change next year. In July, this Brazil-based OEM announced it was investing $40 million to acquire US-based trailer builder, Hercules. Following the completion of this transaction, Randon will have bolstered its US operations, joining other verticals such as Fras-le and Auttom which meet local demand and export auto parts from Brazil.
Wielton takes top 10 Poland-based OEM, Wielton, has tracked well following the launch of AGRO trailers suited for agricultural applications, its acquisition of Spain-based business, Guillén Desarrollos Industriales SL, for €4.6 million, and 2021 group revenue of approx. €591,376,647. The group plans to continue expanding its production capacity and increasing operational efficiency. Also, the expansion and modernisation of its European plants (Poland, France and the UK) is high on the agenda. Despite dropping from position nine to 10, Wielton has demonstrated strong trailer output (26,111) which comes it at 26 per cent year-on-year. Again, the group’s focus on growth should see these positive trends continue to be reflected in annual production figures.
“We work to maintain the company’s sustainable growth, and we believe that entering the largest semi-trailer market in the western world will be a fundamental factor for us to follow this route, enhancing synergies and expanding the ability to withstand the challenges of market volatility and the global economy,” said Randon Companies CEO, Sérgio L. Carvalho.
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İ
Randon also maintains a manufacturing plant in Argentina and works with
partners to assemble semi-trailers at several strategic global logistics points in Central America and Africa.
“(TIRSAN GROUP) ACTIVELY WORKED WITH OTHER OEMS AND MANUFACTURERS TO CREATE THE FUTURE OF ROAD TRANSPORT WITH EFFICIENCY, SAFETY, AND SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND BUT ESPECIALLY WORKED TO FINALISE THE BOOK OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE IMPLICATIONS COLLABORATING WITH INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS AND REPRESENTATIVES BOTH AT EUROPEAN AND REGIONAL LEVELS. ffet Türken, Kässbohrer Board Member
“In 2021 we concluded the European Union backed Aeroflex project which has been ongoing since 2017,” said Kässbohrer Board Member, İffet Türken. “We actively worked with other OEMs and manufacturers to create the future of road transport with efficiency, safety, and sustainability in mind but especially worked to finalise the book of recommendations for future implications collaborating with industry stakeholders and representatives both at European and regional levels. As the challenge we face is urgent, we all need to work together.”
Reflecting on last year’s achievements, Kässbohrer celebrates market success, the appointment of new country managers, the expansion of its product portfolio and aftersales network as well as the launch of its K-Finance leasing partnerships.
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At ranking position 12, Germany’s Kögel pushes onwards with a total production figure of 15,457. US-based OEM, Stoughton holds the 13th position with an estimate of 15,000 trailers. Meanwhile, Brazil’s Librelato manages to maintain year-on-year output, taking 14th place in line with this year’s disrupted line-up. Austria’s Schwarzmüller slips into position 15.
GLOBAL OEM RANKING LIST
This year, Talson also celebrated its 40th anniversary. It was established by a university graduate of aviation technology, Ir. Kees Thunnissen, in 1982. Thunnissen successfully merged aircraft design with box trailers and gave rise to the Talson trailer made of aluminium and self-supporting upper structure delivering lower weight and internal heights.
Welcome in newcomers Expanding the Global OEM Ranking List to top 50 meant that some of the smaller-scale trailer builders had an opportunity to represent, including Tremcar and Western Trailer Co. of the US, Autocom (Pakistan) and Ekeri (Sweden), Al Shirawi Equipment Company (United Arab Emirates), FTE (Australia) and TMT International (Italy). From the top down we welcome Facchini (Brazil), South Africa’s group Henred Fruehauf and SA Truck Bodies, Koluman Automotive Industry (Turkey), Fruehauf North America (note: this is Fruehauf de Mexico rebranded) and Panus (Thailand). www.globaltrailermag.com
Tirsan Group follows through Kässbohrer, Talson Trailer and Tırsan Treyler of the Tirsan Group has posted a 10 per cent improvement on last year’s total output.
Cracking 10K
86 / GLOBAL TRAILER / ISSUE 66 RANKOEM COUNTRY 2022PRODUCTIONTOTAL 2021 RESULT RANK2021 2012PRODUCTIONTOTAL DIFFERENCE MOVEMENT 1CIMC China194,248*161,0661- 19% ↔ 2Hyundai Translead US 79,262 34,700 51,573Correction:| 628,355 78% | 42% ↑ 3Schmitz CargobullGermany61,032 49,137242,274 22% ↓ 4Krone Germany53,841 45,0004 36,049 18% ↔ 5Wabash US 46,674 36,400547,600 25% ↔ 6Utility US 42,379* 33,800733,289*25% ↑ 7Great Dane US 38,200* 48,651339,000*24% ↓ 8Facchini Brazil33,150 -25,300 NEW 9Randon Brazil32,198 31,5348 27,973 2% ↓ 10Wielton Poland26,111 20,20096,733 26% ↓ 11Tirsan Group Turkey16,950 15,34010- 10% ↓ 12Kögel Germany15,457 12,797 1112,909 19% ↓ 13Stoughton US 15,000* 11,0001312,000*31% ↔ 14Librelato Brazil11,734 11,800125,448 0.60% ↓ 15 Schwarzmüller Austria10,629 9,600145,758 10% ↓ 16Lecitrailer Spain8,619 8,080153,701 6% ↓ 17 Manac Canada7,450 7,800166,650 ↓ 18EnTrans International US 6,939* 6,05018- 14% ↔ 19Tonar Russia6,846 5,436192,894 23% ↔ 20 GORICA UAE 6,900 6,200 17 3,100 11% ↓ 21MAC Trailers US 6,200* 4,100232,839* 40% ↑ 22 Henred Fruehauf and SA Truck Bodies AfricaSouth 5,542 2,748 NEW 23Afrit AfricaSouth 5,117 5,117203,632 1% ↓ 24Koluman Automotive Industry Turkey5,046 - - 609 - NEW 25Fontaine US 4,735* 2,420283,478* 65% ↑ 26Pitts Trailers US 4,645* 4,40022- 5% ↓ 27 Fruehauf North America US 4,411 2,59925- 33% NEW 28Timpte US 4,037* 3,25024- 22% ↓ 29The Reefer GroupFrance3,739 4,938215,407 28% ↓ 30 Panus Thailand3,100 NEW
DISCLAIMER
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While the annual Global OEM Ranking List has been compiled with the utmost commitment to accuracy and professionalism, it is still supplied without liability. All up, we reached out to more than 100 OEMs globally since June 2022. The official data submission deadline was 26 July 2022. If we were not able to obtain an official production number directly from the OEM – which was our preferred source – we consulted a range of industry resources to obtain an estimate. If no estimate was available, or the number could not be verified via follow-up questioning, the brand was not considered. Total production 2022 numbers cover the timeframe between 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 unless stated Numbersotherwise.marked with an asterisk indicate estimates based on information obtained via other industry sources. The editorial team recognises the date range for many of these are out of sync with the preferred reporting period which may cause slight variations compared to actual results. The editorial team encourages these trailer builders to contact Global Trailer so that we can work towards 100 per cent data accuracy.
There is a chance that some OEMs may have included truck bodies and intermodal containers when they submitted their data. Also, some entries were based on estimated sales figures in lieu of solid build numbers. Global Trailer was not able to verify if any other figure was biased and thus decided to trust in the respective OEM as a source. Also, year-on-year reporting in some instances has been impacted by late submissions and/or amendments received from participating OEMs. Where applicable, we address this in our special report.
METHODOLOGY
RANKOEM COUNTRY 2022PRODUCTIONTOTAL 2021 RESULT RANK2021 2012PRODUCTIONTOTAL DIFFERENCE MOVEMENT 31Reitnouer US 2,627* 1,500 36 1,539* 55% ↑ 32East Manufacturing US 2,604* 2,010 30 1,601* 26% ↓ 33XPO Logistics US 2,515* 2,020 29- 22% ↓ 34 Grunwald Russia2,284 1,856 34 737 21% ↔ 35PremierManufacturingTrailer US 2,046* 2,425 27 17% ↓ 36 Kentucky Trailer US 1,853* 1,965 321,469* 6% ↓ 37 Trail King Industries US 1,850* 1,750 351,892* 6% ↓ 38 Strick US 1,800* 2,000 315,200* 11% ↓ 39 Felling Trailers US 1644* 1,960 33 566* 18% ↓ 40 Talbert Manufacturing US 1,230* 1,269 37576* 3% ↓ 41GRW Engineering South Africa1,224 1,096 39580 11% ↓ 42Doepker Industries US 1,175* 1,000 40 1,100* 16% ↓ 43Tremcar US 1,090 - - 978* - NEW 44 BERGER Austria1,040 1,200 38 465 14% ↓ 45Western Trailer Co. US 945 915 NEW 46 Autocom Pakistan800 150 NEW 47 Granalu Spain 720 240 NEW 48 Ekeri Sweden 700 250 NEW 49 Al Shirawi Equipment Company UAE 464 - - 182 - NEW 50 FTE Australia285 202 NEW GLOBAL OEM RANKING LIST
20-23 SEPTEMBER
BAUMA 2022
www.fenatran.com.brAmerica.
www.bauma.de
INNOTRANS 2022
Brazil
Munich, Germany
The future of mobility is here. This trade event showcases the latest in transport technology.
The Bauma trade fair is dedicated to innovations in the construction, mining and agriculture industries.
Berlin, Germany
24-30 OCTOBER
7-11FENATRANNOVEMBER
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While the self-driving semi-truck was not at fault, the incident does raise concerns about how ready the public and law enforcement are to cope with heavy vehicles without a driver holding the wheel.
According to Waymo, its truck was travelling at 62 miles per hour – just under the speed limit, when the other truck intercepted its travel path. It wasn’t carrying any freight either, as it was conducting ‘standard’ testing with a weighted load.
“WE NEED TO TALK A LOT MORE ABOUT WHAT THEY MEAN FOR SUPPLY CHAINS, FOR WORKERS AND FOR THE HIGHWAY. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO DO STUPID AND AGGRESSIVE STUFF AROUND THEM BECAUSE THEY DON’T LIKE SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES.”
THE MOST SERIOUS COLLISION TO DATE INVOLVING A SELF-DRIVING TRUCK SUGGESTS GOVERNMENTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT MAY NOT BE READY TO DEAL WITH THE NEW TECHNOLOGY.
Putting self-driving trucks on the road may be a huge plus for transport industries around the world at this point, but it seems there’s still much more to be done before the driver can leave the wheel.
“It’s what happens with the family on vacation and the tire’s off, or when there’s construction that changes the shape of the road, or debris on the highway,” he said. “It’s when you have confidence in those issues that’s going to determine when they’re on the road. But I would not be surprised to see trucks without drivers on lanes next year.”
In February, a similar crash involved a Waymo semi-truck. A Waymo Peterbilt 579 was travelling southbound on Interstate 10 near Sacaton, Arizona, when it was struck by a box truck travelling in the adjacent lane – which had also just hit a motor coach. The Waymo was going 50 mph in a 75-mph zone.
90 / GLOBAL TRAILER / ISSUE 66 MEGATRENDS
O
n 5 May 2022, a Class 8 Waymo Via truck operating in autonomous mode was hauling a trailer on Interstate 45 towards Dallas, Texas. At 3.11 pm at Ennis, the truck was travelling in the far-right lane when a passing truck entered its lane.
Viscelli believes automated trucking companies have got the basic driving components down, but situations involving different scenarios and road conditions may need to be taken further into account.
There was a human safety operator behind the wheel, who told police that the other semitruck continued to manoeuvre into her lane, forcing the Waymo off the roadway. She was taken to hospital with moderate injuries, while the other truck drove off without stopping.
“We need to talk a lot more about what they mean for supply chains, for workers and for the highway,” he said. “There are a lot of people who are going to do stupid and aggressive stuff around them because they
Steve Viscelli, sociologist studying trucking at the University of Pennsylvania
SAFETY FIRST
don’t like self-driving vehicles.”
Steve Viscelli, a sociologist studying trucking at the University of Pennsylvania, said there’s a mountain of work that needs to be done to be able to integrate these autonomous vehicles into society.
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