Global Trailer July 2021

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INNOVATION

BUSINESS

NEWS

ZF Brake Actuation Technology Faymonville’s Valk Welding robot SAF INTRA’s 20 Years Of Success Thermo King Advancer

Andreas Schmitz Talks EcoGeneration Market Report: Japan Factory Tour: Cargo Floor Business Knowledge: Wielton

JOST Truck Stop Video Series GIGANT Commits To E-Commerce Drones, Decarbonisation, Policymaking Trailer Deliveries, Acquisitions

ASIA

AUSTRALIA

EUROPE

USA

GROUPED. FOR SUCCESS.

Combining 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, king pins, fifth wheels and ball races have been designed for one goal only -- to guarantee your success.

GROUP COMPANIES

Join the Group. Join the Revolution.

SINGAPORE

CHINA

fuwa.cn

fuwa.cn

FUWA ENGINEERING FUWA HEAVY INDUSTRIES p: +65 68631806 p: +86 750 5966333

AUSTRALIA

FUWA K-HITCH p: +61 3 9369 0000

khitch.com.au

EUROPE

VALX International p: +31 (0)88 405 8800

valx.eu

AMERICA

AXN Heavy Duty p: +1 502 749 3200

axnheavyduty.com

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COVER STORY

26

GENERATION REVOLUTION

At the beginning of 2021, Schmitz Cargobull unveiled its EcoGeneration portfolio – aerodyamic semi-trailer curtainsiders. These units are designed to save fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions while operating at full internal height for volume transport where needed.

IN THIS ISSUE BUSINESS 32 MARKET REPORT

56 FACTORY TOUR

44 TRAILER MAINTENANCE

FEATURES

While Japan is currently the third largest economy in the world, it faces many challenges from dealing with a global pandemic to persevering with Abenomics.

A new video series, JOST Truck Stop, provides a variety of insights and user tips on the equipment specialist’s products.

46 BRAKING TECHNOLOGY

Global market leader for trailer systems, ZF outlines the importance of high-quality trailer air disc brake and brake actuation technology to improve road safety and optimise operational effectiveness.

48 BUILT TO TASK

After having welded sub-assemblies on robots for many years, Faymonville, which manufactures semi-trailers for heavy haulage, has commissioned a large welding robot system from Valk Welding to weld complete chassis.

50 TRAILER REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGY

Thermo King unveils the future of trailer refrigeration – the Thermo King Advancer – and begins the rollout of its state-of-the-art hybrid systems for trucks and high-loaders.

54

BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE

Mariusz Golec, CEO and First Vice President of the Wielton Group, talks about transport sector recovery and its impact on the Wielton Group.

Excellent quality and service are top priorities for Cargo Floor, the Netherlands-based manufacturer of the CargoMatic system for trucks and trailers.

“IF ONLY 50 PER CENT OF ALL JOURNEYS ARE MADE IN AERODYNAMIC MODE AND 50 PER CENT IN VOLUME MODE, THE ENVIRONMENT IS RELIEVED BY 2.3 TONNES OF CO2 PER YEAR. THE TRANSPORT COMPANY THAT USES ECOFLEX FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW ACHIEVED SAVINGS ABOVE 10 PER CENT.” Andreas Schmitz, Schmitz Cargobull

36 GIGANT

German axle specialist, GIGANT, has expanded its aftermarket sector and added e-commerce functionality to its website to sell spare parts.

38 SAE-SMB

SAE-SMB, based at Ham-les-Moines, in the Ardennes, supplies Europe, North Africa and Asia – and the rest of the world – with a complete selection of axle and suspension systems.

REGULARS

60 EVENTS

40 SAF-HOLLAND

04 EDITOR’S NOTE

62 MEGATRENDS

06 NEWS

63 PREVIEW

The SAF INTRA can already look back at more than 20 years of success. The air suspension system from SAF-Holland is available in many variants for a variety of different transport tasks in the ninetonne sector and has proven itself a million times over.

42 BPW

BPW showcases its latest axle and suspension innovations, quality made in Germany. Between running gear kit improvements and the finetuning of a solid product portfolio, BPW has a solution for every road transport fleet.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

PUBLISHER

John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Luke Applebee luke.applebee@primecreative.com.au

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

ART DIRECTOR Blake Storey

DESIGN

ARC OF INFINITY ENGLISH MATHEMATICIAN, John Wallis, is credited as the inventor of the concept infinity – that is, something unlimited, endless, without bound. He contributed substantially to the origins of calculus, a branch of mathematics focused on the calculation of instantaneous rates of change or differential calculus as well as the summation of infinitely small factors to determine some whole, integral calculus. Such an accomplished fellow was said to be even more influential than 17th century scientific luminary, Isaac Newton. Infinity is distinguished in three varieties: mathematical, where there is an endless sequence of numbers; physical, which is best described as an everlasting universe (my God, it’s full of stars); and metaphysical, asking mind-bending questions of reality itself such as whether a divine deity is or could be infinite and do other entities qualify?

French philosopher, Emmanuel Levinas, reflected on the idea of infinity, in which he wrote every philosophy seeks truth. He would go on to state the traditional philosophical pursuit of knowledge is secondary to a basic ethical duty to the Other – the relation between the personality and the person. To

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meet the Other is to have the idea of infinity. So, what prompted this deep dive? It was the starfield introduction to the 1980s era of classic British science fiction Doctor Who, and a four-part serial titled ‘Arc of Infinity’, that sent my mind into overdrive.

Here, an ancient Time Lord, a pioneer of time travel and a slightly mad entity of anti-matter, Omega, plots to transfer into our realm of matter, threatening total destruction of the universe as we know it. Our hero, a rogue Time Lord known as the Doctor, learns that his bio-data has been stolen and is key to Omega’s schemes. Between trips to their home planet, Gallifrey, and Amsterdam, of all places, the Doctor outwits the villain and continues to travel the cosmos, embodying resilience, determination, good. During trying times, these qualities speak to me.

When we pivot the conversation of something unlimited, endless, without bound, to global logistics and trailer manufacturing, these same qualities stand out – a testament to the chorus of voices in this edition.

It seems this positive mindset in our industry is truly infinite.

Kerry Pert, Madeline McCarty

INTERNATIONAL SALES

Ashley Blachford ashley.blachford@primecreative.com.au

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER

Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au

HEAD OFFICE

Prime Creative Pty Ltd 11-15 Buckhurst Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 Australia p: +61 3 9690 8766 f: +61 3 9682 0044 enquiries@primecreative.com.au www.globaltrailermag.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

+61 3 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au Global Trailer is available by subscription from the publisher. The rights of refusal are reserved by the publisher.

ARTICLES

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

COPYRIGHT

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

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

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA National Aviation Services (NAS), Colossal Africa and a consortium comprised of the current executive management team have signed an agreement to acquire BidAir Services from the Bidvest Group.

The closing of the acquisition is subject to fulfilling final requirements from the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) that manages South African airports as well as other regulatory approvals.

BidAir Services provides qualityhandling services including passenger and ramp handling, load control and operations, cleaning, toilet and water services, among others at nine South African airports. The airports include three main international gateways – O.R. Tambo International in Johannesburg, Cape Town International and King Shaka International in Durban. BidAir’s clientele of over 28 major airlines includes international carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Ethiopian Airlines and RwandAir. Once the transaction is complete and regulatory approvals are obtained, BidAir Services will join the largest airport services network in Africa – NAS. “NAS prides itself on its global expertise and local knowledge,” said NAS Group CEO, Hassan El-Houry.

“We believe that the success of the aviation industry in Africa is tied to its economic prosperity and have made significant investments into the industry across the continent.

“We look forward to adding BidAir Services, the largest South African ground handling company to our expanding network.”

NAS and Colossal Africa are 6 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

Success in Africa’s aviation industry will also support road transport opportunities in the region.

committed to investing into the development of facilities and infrastructure, latest equipment, technology, recruitment and training.

Green technology and paperless digital platforms will also be an important part of the operational landscape. The inclusion of the executive management team as part of the acquiring group will also ensure that there is a smooth transition to the new owners with no disruption to the excellent services that BidAir’s clients have become accustomed.

“BidAir Services is known for its excellent customer service,” said El-Houry. “With its experienced management team and dedicated workforce, we can add value by reinforcing its capabilities, training and investment into the company to further enhance its position in the local market. With NAS, Colossal Africa and BidAir Services joining hands, we will ensure the highest level of airport handling services in South Africa.”

Following the acquisition, NAS will also focus on training to develop the knowledge and skills of local South African youth while offering more employment opportunities and career options with an emphasis on employment equity. One of the key offerings will also include the

integration of IT and healthcare to support civil aviation and government authorities during emergencies such as the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Established in 2003, NAS is one of the leading aviation service providers in 20 countries across Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

“NAS is the largest ground handler in Africa and this acquisition will further cement our position in the continent’s largest market,” said El-Houry. “We will be growing our footprint with a presence in over 55 airports, managing more than 50 lounges with over 8,000 employees of 65 different nationalities at the core of our worldwide network.”

Cingashe Motale, Director of Colossal Africa highlighted: “As a 100 per cent black-women owned (BWO) Investment Holdings company – managed and operating in the South African market – our strategy focuses on the development of local capabilities while building a globally competitive company through strategic acquisitions and partnerships in our chosen sectors.

This transaction involves all the elements that form part of that strategy and working with a partner of such calibre as NAS puts us on a path that fits all the pieces together.”

NEWS

ASIA of €99.2 million and earnings before tax of €58.3 million.

Together, Kuehne + Nagel and Apex offer their customers a compelling value proposition in the competitive Asian logistics industry, especially in e-commerce fulfilment, hi-tech and e-mobility.

“With the acquisition of Apex, Kuehne + Nagel complements its successful organic growth strategy and substantiates its strong position as one of the world’s largest logistics providers,” said Dr. Joerg Wolle, Chairman of Kuehne + Nagel International AG. “With this transaction we are expanding the Group’s service offering, networks

and potential for growth, in Asia and globally.”

Kuehne + Nagel has acquired the majority of the shares in Apex. A minority participation remains with the Apex management, with the parties retaining customary contractual rights to acquire and sell these shares. The purchase price paid at closing amounts to approx. €1 billion and has been financed by the Group’s own funds and approximately 750,000 new Kuehne + Nagel shares issued out of authorised share capital. In addition, over the next three years, Kuehne + Nagel will have the opportunity to acquire all other shares in Apex for a performancebased consideration.

9376

CHINA Transport and logistics company, Kuehne + Nagel, has acquired a leading freight forwarder in Asia.

Following the satisfaction of all closing conditions, including the receipt of unconditional regulatory approvals from the competent authorities, Kuehne + Nagel has completed the acquisition of Apex International Corporation.

In 2020, Apex generated turnover of approx. €2 billion, gross profit of €269.6 million and earnings before taxes of €114.8 million and ranked seventh in terms of global air freight forwarding volume. In Q1 2021, Apex continued to perform strongly with turnover of €506.4 million, gross profit

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE AUSTRIA Direct Parcel Distribution Austria (DPD Austria) is set to expand its depot and delivery network as well as add 50 e-vehicles to its fleet in response to rising demand for its services.

The parcel market has boomed during the Covid-19 pandemic, and to address operational challenges, DPD Austria is strengthening its position as a reliable, stable Austrian parcel service provider according to Managing Director, Rainer Schwarz.

The company expects to invest approx. €11 million into the expansion of its depot.

In the past four years, DPD Austria has invested around €40 million euros in buildings, cargo space, technology, security and the vehicle fleet.

“This year we are taking another eleven million euros into our hands for the expansion of the depot and the expansion of the conveyor technology in eight branches,” said Schwarz.

“This increases the sorting performance by around 30,000 parcels per hour.

“We are certain that with all these measures we will be able to cope well with the further growth in parcel volumes and thus be able to supply our customers’ sales markets again this year.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, parcel volumes have increased significantly – in the first quarter of 2021 DPD saw an increase of 34 per cent and there is no end to this growth in sight.”

Expansion plans also include increasing the company’s pickup network to 2,000 locations. An additional 200 locations will be added to the existing 1,800 parcel shops and stations in the space of a year.

“With this extensive network, we ensure that our customers can post, pick up or return a parcel within a maximum of 15 minutes,” said Schwarz – referring to the cooperation with small retailers, large supermarkets and Austrian technology providers.

Providers who all act as pick-up partners.

DPD Austria has also experienced fluctuations in the quantities of parcels it has been expected to transport.

“At DPD, this challenge was cushioned by network-wide flexibility: shift models were adapted, additional workers were employed, liner transports were added at short notice, appropriate loading areas were provided and customer service teams were increased,” said Schwarz.

“We reacted immediately by expanding the tours and will expand them to a

DPD Austria bolsters network with €20M investment.

8 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

total of 1,500 over the course of the year – this means an increase of 25 per cent,” he said – referring to 45 additional tour supervisors who were specially hired to take care of one to take care of active quality monitoring.

In a move that promotes greater sustainability for the business, DPD Austria is investing in an additional 50 electric vehicles with solar PV systems installed on the rooftops of selected depots to generate energy.

As part of the DPDgroup, DPD Austria can fall back on this robust road network in Europe. It also has access to around 58,000 pickup locations throughout Europe and offers delivery to 230 countries / territories worldwide. 77,000 shipping experts work in this network to move more than 5.3 million parcels every day.

DENMARK Danish transport and logistics company, DSV Panalpina, has agreed to acquire Agility’s Global Integrated Logistics (GIL) business.

The combination is expected to create a top-three global freight forwarder based on revenues.

The acquisition will be an all-share transaction and closing is expected Q3 2021.

Multimodal logistics provider, Agility, will become the second largest shareholder in DSV with an approximate 8.0 per cent stake in the combined company.

Earlier this year, Agility moved its Australasia regional headquarters to Melbourne’s Airport Business Park.

Agility and DSV have reached an agreement that DSV will acquire Agility’s stand-alone GIL business in an all-share transaction. DSV will issue 19,304,348 shares, representing approximately 8.0 per cent of all post-

NEWS

EUROPE transaction outstanding shares of DSV. Based on the DSV share closing price of DKK 1,299.5, and an exchange rate of DKK 1.00 = USD 0.163 and KWD = 0.049, the all-share transaction has an implied equity value of GIL of $4.1 billion USD or approx. €3.4 billion.

The combination of DSV and GIL will fortify DSV’s position as a leading global transport and logistics company with a combined pro forma revenue of approximately 22 billion USD and a combined workforce of more than 70,000 employees.

“This deal creates significant shareholder value and marks a new milestone in Agility’s journey,” said

Agility Vice Chairman, Tarek Sultan.

“Agility remains committed to the supply chain industry, and will become the second largest shareholder in one of the fastest-growing and most profitable logistics companies in the world.

“I want to thank GIL’s leadership and employees for profitably growing the company and steering it through one of the most challenging periods the industry has ever seen during the global pandemic. Agility is proud of what GIL has achieved.

“Agility will be exploring opportunities between DSV and its other businesses, with promising areas of

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DSV’s €3.4B acquisition signals new phase of growth for Agility.

future cooperation potentially including Agility’s Logistics Parks business, Shipa group of companies, and technology ventures. Agility will remain

NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE an emerging markets leader, investor in emerging technologies, and champion of sustainable business.”

DSV Group CEO, Jens Bjørn Andersen, said Agility’s Integrated Logistics business and DSV are an excellent match.

“The combination of our two global networks will provide us with the opportunity to offer our customers an even higher service level,” he said.

“GIL’s global network, industry competencies and strong market position in APAC and the Middle East complement DSV’s network well and will support our long-term value creation ambitions.

“Our two groups of companies already share a culture of entrepreneurship and local ownership, and we look forward to welcoming GIL’s talented staff to DSV.” Scale remains one of the key competitive advantages in freight forwarding with significant operational and commercial benefits. The combination of DSV and Agility GIL is expected to increase DSV’s annual revenue by approximately 23 per cent, which will rank the combined company in the freight forwarding industry top three with a pro forma revenue of approximately 22 billion USD and a combined workforce of more than 70,000 employees. The combined company will have own operations in more than 90 countries, with expected volumes of more than 2.8 million containers (TEUs) and more than 1.6 million tonnes of air freight transported yearly.

“GIL’s presence in fast-growing emerging markets in APAC, as well as Europe and Americas, will be a strong addition to DSV’s existing network,” said Andersen.

GIL will bring additional warehousing 10 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

capacity of more than 1.4 million square metres across the Middle East and Asia, significantly strengthening DSV’s contract logistics capabilities and Solutions division. GIL will also add road freight activities to DSV’s network in Europe and the Middle East.

“This deal is one of the largest private M&A deals made in the GCC to date,” said Sultan.

“We expect that this transaction will have a positive impact on shareholder’s equity and the company’s market value.

“It will give Agility the resources and flexibility to explore new opportunities and reposition the company for the next phase of growth.”

Not part of the deal is Agility’s Logistics Parks business that develops warehousing and lightindustrial infrastructure, and its portfolio of subsidiary companies, covering fuel logistics, commercial real estate, airport services, customs digitisation, and digital logistics, among others. Agility will continue to invest in emerging technologies and companies and remains committed to sustainability across its operations and the companies it invests in.

FRANCE Global transport activity will more than double by 2050 and traffic emissions will rise by 16 per cent compared to 2015 – even if existing commitments to decarbonise transport are fully implemented – according to the International Transport Forum.

Any currently expected emissions reductions will be more than offset by the increased demand for transport.

However, transport CO2 emissions can be cut by almost 70 per cent over the 2015-50 period with the right policies.

A reduction of this magnitude will

reportedly bring the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5˚C into reach. It requires to: put in place ambitious low-carbon policies now; reinforce positive behavioural changes caused by the pandemic; and gear stimulus packages towards decarbonisation.

These are the key findings of the ITF Transport Outlook 2021 which was launched on 17 May 2021.

The report presents three main scenarios for the future of passenger and freight transport, and all transport modes. The scenarios include detailed projections for transport CO2 emissions under different conditions, allowing an assessment of the potential impacts of future transport activity on climate change.

Based on 2015 figures, today: urban mobility generates 40 per cent of all CO2 emissions from the movement of people; non-urban transport is responsible for the remaining 60 per cent; 75 per cent of all emissions from urban passenger transport come from private cars; freight emits more than 40 per cent of all transport CO2 – its share is growing slightly.

If current policies remain in place between now and 2050: passenger transport activity will increase 2.3-fold (measured in passenger-km); freight transport activity will grow 2.6-fold (measured in tonne-km); emissions from urban mobility will fall very slightly, by 5.0 per cent; freight CO2 emissions will grow by 22 per cent.

Under ambitious policies that also lock in CO2 reduction windfalls from Covid-19: cities could cut CO2 emissions from urban mobility by as much as 80 per cent to 2050; regional passenger transport (eg. by air, rail, bus) could more than halve its CO2 emissions;

NEWS

EUROPE freight emissions could be 72 per cent less.

The report gives six recommendations on how governments can set the world on a path towards sustainable mobility, achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals: 1. Align Covid-19 recovery packages to revive the economy, combat climate change and strengthen equity. Recovery from the Covid-19 crisis offers a singular chance to combine economic development with shifting mobility behaviour and scaling up low-carbon technologies while increasing opportunities for citizens by improving access.

2. Implement much more ambitious policies that will reverse the growth of transport CO2 emissions.

Governments must set ambitious targets in the 2021 revision of the Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, underpin them with concrete policies, and reinforce them by leveraging Covid-19 recovery packages to accelerate and deepen transport decarbonisation.

3. Target different transport sectors with strategies that reflect their specific decarbonisation potential and challenges. Not all strategies to ‘avoid, shift, and improve’ are applicable across the sector in the same way.

4. Support innovation to accelerate the technological breakthroughs needed to decarbonise transport.

Technological advances are critical to effectively decarbonise transport, especially in otherwise hard‑to‑decarbonise areas such as aviation and longhaul road freight.

5. Shift the priority to improving accessibility. Transport planning

tends to conflate increased capacity with improved accessibility. Yet travelling more and further does not mean citizens have easy access to where they need to go. Transport planning that serves citizens considers their desired destinations and focuses on how well transport options connect them.

6. Intensify collaboration with nontransport sectors and between public and private actors. Transport decarbonisation is inseparable from developments in other sectors. Sustainable mobility is only possible with clean energy. In turn, low-carbon transport is central to sustainable trade and tourism.

“I am proud to present the 2021 edition of the ITF Transport Outlook,” said ITF Secretary-General, Young Take Kim. “It provides policy makers with insights from cutting-edge ITF research on the three major challenges of our time: the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and inequality.

“It shows how they are linked, but also identifies actions – actions that are critical to ensure an effective and equitable transition to sustainable mobility on an urban, regional and global level in the wake of the pandemic.”

GERMANY Krone has established two new assembly lines at its Herzlake site to ramp up dry freight trailer output.

Capacity has increased to more than 180 units per week, made possible by a site investment of €11.3 million.

Krone said in a statement the Dry Liner with smooth steel body and clinched sidewalls is manufactured on the ‘STG’ (smooth steel body) assembly line.

“This robust all-rounder with full-sided keyhole plates as standard can be equipped with further equipment and load securing variants, for example with a double-deck device,” said Krone.

“On the second assembly line ‘STP’ (steel plywood), the Dry Liner Plywood is the next Highrunner to be produced. Here, too, the Plywood sidewalls can be combined with all the standard equipment variants available on the market. Thanks to the flexible modular system, other body types such as lightweight plastic sidewalls and sandwich panels are also possible on request.

“All body types are equipped with a steel roof as standard, but can also be combined with a translucent plastic roof or an insulated roof if required. The Dry Liner thus always offers the right solution for everyday transport – whether for general cargo, CEP companies (courier, express, parcel), moving and furniture logistics, or the textile industry. In the course of close cooperation with customers from a wide range of industries, Krone has developed a multitude of functions and practical details for a wide variety of applications over the years.

“For particularly theft-prone goods such as cigarettes, electronics and perfume, the Dry Liner STG with its double-walled forklift collision protection and galvanized steel smooth-wall cassettes is the ideal solution. On the other hand, anyone transporting temperature-sensitive goods such as varnishes and paints is on the safe side with the Dry Liner SDK LI with light insulation.

In addition, the Dry Liner not only ensures that the goods arrive dry, but also always communicates the trailer’s W W W. G LO B A LT R A I L E R M AG . C O M / G L O B A L T R A I L E R / 1 1

NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE location and other vehicle-relevant data thanks to Krone telematics.”

Krone’s Herzlake facility is highly automated, using a a driverless transport system for order-picked line supply, which takes over essential material supply tasks directly in the assembly area. New paths are also being taken in gluing technology.

Pre-assembly of the GRP and ISO roof variants is now carried out using an automated gluing table. Also, automated sidewall production has doubled with the addition of another gluing table.

“The new assembly lines focus on work ergonomics, occupational safety and increased efficiency,” said Krone Factory Manager – Herzlake, Sascha Kwiecinski.

“This can be seen, for example, in the new ‘Krone screwdriving technology’, which is characterised by batterypowered screwdrivers and a targeted screw drop design.

“The entire product range had already been fundamentally revised in the run-up to the fair in order to further enhance quality and further increase customer benefits. Numerous robot production lines were also implemented as part of the extensive automation.”

In addition to Dry Liners, Krone also manufactures swap bodies and swap flatbeds as well as CEP vehicles for courier and express trips at its Herzlake site. A key quality feature is the extremely robust corrosion protection provided by the KTL-plus powder coating for the chassis – up to a length of 16m, a height of up to 3.2m and a width of up to 2.6m.

Herzlake is also home to Krone’s automated component production.

Components such as rear doors, end walls, drop sides as well as centre and 12 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

BPW eTransport team.

corner stanchions for the entire Krone vehicle program are produced in the robot-assisted production facility.

GERMANY The German Design Council has recognised BPW’s latest superefficient transport technologies.

BPW was awarded German Innovation Awards for its eTransport drive axle (for light commercial vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes) and tyre pressure control system, AirSave.

The drive solution was reportedly developed for distribution vehicles in inner-city transportation. Unlike conventional concepts, the drive sits right in the axle rather than under the engine bonnet. This means it can be adjusted according to individual requirements or even retrofitted.

Thanks to its scalable design, even larger vehicle classes over 7.5 tons can be equipped with eTransport.

BPW said the driving unit is economical and sustainable, of highgrade efficiency, quiet and emissionfree, and also easy to integrate thanks to its compact design. Moreover, the driving unit is made even better by its

energy recovery and active steering assistance. The first new vehicles with eTransport from BPW should be coming onto the market as early as this year.

“A growing number of cities are implementing driving bans, special requirements, and restrictions on diesel-powered vehicles. With BPW eTransport, transport vehicles – each over 7.5 tons – can be economically fitted or retrofitted,” the German Design Council jury said in a statement. “This is an interesting concept which has the potential to more quickly bring us to a more sustainable, emission-free, mobile future.”

AirSave, depending on mileage, can reportedly save up to thousands of euros worth of fuel and tyre wear annually.

This system improves the ecological balance of road transportation and help operators avoid unplanned downtime due to burst tyres.

AirSave is also compatible with telematics where drivers, dispatchers and other recipients automatically receive a warning via an app, online portal, email or SMS as soon as a tyre

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE weakens.

The German Design Council declared BPW AirSave a ‘Winner’ – a title reserved for “innovations which drive the industry forward with their originality, application and efficacy.”

Dr Markus Kliffken, member of the Technical Development Executive Board at BPW said: “To receive two German Innovation Awards at the same time is not only a win for our company, but also for the entire transport and commercial vehicle industry. It means we can get a wider audience interested in the transformation of transport. We are particularly pleased that the focus on the user plays a central role in the jury’s review. That’s why we are dedicating the award to the freight forwarders, lorry drivers, and other professionals in the practice who have been actively involved in the development of eTransport and AirSave.”

GERMANY Package delivery and supply chain company, Deutsche Post DHL Group, has followed up on its record 2020 results.

The company continued to grow dynamically in Q1 2021. It increased revenue significantly by 22 per cent to €18.9 billion.

Operating profit more than tripled to €1.9 billion making it the strongest opening quarter ever.

All five divisions were able to increase EBIT while the group slightly exceeded the preliminary quarterly figures published in April.

With its broad portfolio of logistics services, Deutsche Post DHL Group benefitted from the continued strong momentum in global e-commerce and the simultaneous recovery in world trade. Against the backdrop of the 14 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

good earnings performance, Deutsche Post DHL Group has raised its shortand medium-term targets: For 2021, the Group expects EBIT of more than €6.7 billion and free cash flow of more than €3.0 billion. For 2023, the company forecasts EBIT of more than €7.0 billion.

“We had the best opening quarter ever and were able to unleash our full strength as a Group,” said Deutsche Post DHL Group CEO, Frank Appel.

“All five of our divisions are on track for growth and are ideally positioned to benefit from the continuing boom in e-commerce and the resurgence in global trade.

“Our 570,000 employees are operating our networks more efficiently than ever before. This makes me optimistic about the future.”

Deutsche Post DHL Group is home to two strong brands: Deutsche Post is Europe’s leading postal service.

DHL offers a comprehensive range of international express, freight transport, and supply chain management services as well as e-commerce logistics solutions. Deutsche Post DHL Group employs approximately 570,000 people in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. The group generated revenues of more than €66 billion in 2020.

GERMANY Logistics company, Dachser, claims there was virtually no dip in company revenue in 2020, with a strong second half offsetting the impact of European lockdowns in April and May. Investments of €190 million were earmarked for logistics capacity, technical equipment, and digital systems.

Last year, according to Dachser, was characterised by the loyalty and

climate of mutual trust between the logistics provider, its customers, and its transport partners.

Dachser’s consolidated net revenue totalled €5.61 billion, a slight decrease of 0.9 per cent compared to the previous year.

“We have delivered on our promise to be a rock of stability during the coronavirus crisis,” said Dachser CEO, Burkhard Eling.

“The enormous encouragement of our customers and partners has been a great source of motivation. Special thanks are due to our staff and all those who drive on behalf of Dachser, who made last year such a success.

Despite the extra burdens imposed

by Covid-19, their performance was remarkable and they shouldered the responsibility that comes with systemic relevance at all times.”

Dachser kept its customers’ global supply chains running without interruption and came up with flexible solutions to capacity bottlenecks, particularly on intercontinental freight services. At the same time, the company provided the best possible protection for its employees’ health and supported its longstanding service partners in Europe.

In contrast to the decline of 2.2 per cent in the Road Logistics business division, the Air & Sea Logistics business unit saw growth of 5.2 per cent. The business field benefited from having air freight charter capacity of its own as well as from high freight rates for intercontinental transport.

At the Group level, the number of shipments dropped by 2.5 per cent to 78.6 million, while tonnage fell by 2.9 percent to 39.8 million metric tonnes.

“Following a solid first quarter, the lockdowns in many European countries meant sometimes drastic declines in

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EUROPE overland transport shipments,” said Eling.

“There was a clear improvement by June, however, with volumes remaining more or less consistently above 2019 levels. Our business model has proved that it can withstand crises, at the same time boasting strong growth potential and adaptability.”

NETHERLANDS Van Eck hosted an online session as part of the Transport Logistic 2021 event to showcase its energy-efficient product range.

The session, which attracted participants from 25 countries, was

titled ‘Discover Van Eck Product Range to meet your CO2 emission targets’.

Van Eck Head of R&D, Ton Bertens, in conversation with Jörg Montag, presented Van Eck’s product range – including LHV and Twindeck vehicles that enable transport and logistics companies to meet their CO2 targets – and the company’s contribution to the Aeroflex Project.

“Our vehicles are built with exceptional quality and high functionality in every detail and are environmentally-friendly and efficient to support you while achieving your CO2 targets,” said Bertens.

“These technologies are available right

now and especially with Twindeck particular transport companies have been using them successfully for years. With our new TCO and CO2 savings calculator we would like to demonstrate to the general public how Twindeck saves on costs as well as carbon emissions.

“Van Eck Twindeck vehicles are setting standards in the industry by allowing two decks with 1.830mm loading height each thus achieving a 60 per cent higher loading capacity. The very first USP is 1.830mm in order to better explain 60 per cent loading capacity, which reduces lateral air resistance and thus contributes to

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE lower fuel consumption. This factor in combination with the 60 per cent higher loading capacity, flows into the balance of the 40 per cent lower CO2 emissions.

“On the other hand, in longer and heavier vehicle segment we focus on maximising the load factor while providing smart loading and unloading systems to eliminate operational lags and inefficiencies.

As the specialist for transport solutions with low TCO, we will continue to do our part to meet the sector’s CO2 targets.”

With the newly established TCO and CO2 calculator available on Van Eck’s website, it is possible to calculate the total vehicle costs and the reduction of CO2 emissions of Van Eck Eckstreme Twindecks.

Van Eck also launched its Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and CO2 saving calculation tool during the presentation, developed with the globally active management consultancy Simon-Kucher & Partners.

The Van Eck TCO and CO2 saving calculator takes several parameters such as purchase price of the trailer, interest rate, term in years, fuel price, driver wages (per 100,000 km) and the number of Van Eck twindecks into account when comparing a conventional box trailer and a Van Eck twindeck trailer.

The calculator uses this framework data to calculate the savings against the additional costs. As a result, the higher acquisition costs and the higher maintenance costs of the Eckstreme twindeck are offset by numerous savings potentials including a third fewer tractor units (two instead of three) to buy and maintain, a third fewer drivers (two instead of three), around a third less fuel consumption, 16 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

lower toll costs, lower insurance costs, lower tire costs and less depreciation.

The concept can demonstrate its strengths above all in full load transport and shuttle transport, and when delivering to supermarkets, the number of stations per tour can be increased significantly. If the framework conditions are right, the investment in a Eckstreme twindeck trailer can pay for itself in just one year. According to calculations

by Simon-Kucher & Partners, the twindeck trailer pays for itself in one year and also saves 55,935kg of CO2. While total savings continue to rise exponentially, one twindeck alone over five years with an annual average mileage of 150,000km with the savings goes up to €344,274 with 229,675kg of CO2.

When it comes to maximum loading volume for a 13.6m trailer, the double-deck trailer cannot be beaten according to the OEM. Thanks to the independent wheel suspension, the special design enables an extremely low floor, a correspondingly high loading space, a second loading floor Furniture distributor specifies custom Talson trailers.

and additional space between the wheels.

“By improving the loading efficiency and other innovations, the load factor of a trailer can be increased by up to 60 per cent on two levels than a standard trailer with space for 33 pallets, resulting in a linear reduction in carbon dioxide emissions,” said Bertens.

“Our twindeck trailer is a good example of our approach: it can hold up to 54 euro pallets, resulting in a 40 percent reduction in CO2 emissions.”

NETHERLANDS Family business, Gering Meubeltransport, has expanded its fleet with single-axle furniture step deck trailers manufactured by Talson.

Talson offers two models to its customers, the multifunctional box TGG TAL and TGM TAL vehicles which are suitable for the transportation of garments, boxes, valuables, fragile goods and musical instruments.

Talson developed customised singleaxle furniture step deck trailer with an internal height of 3,055mm as

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EUROPE a result of its extensive experience in this segment special for Gering Meubeltransport. The design also allows for the creation of a second or third loading floor.

Gering Meubeltransport in Landgraaf has taken delivery of three Talson large-volume trailers and has ordered an additional three units.

These trailers are equipped with a gooseneck construction that gives them a normal coupling height (1,200mm) and a loading height of the previously mentioned 3,055mm over most of the length. In the front part of the trailer the loading height is 2,655mm.

The special feature of Talson trailers, according to the OEM, is the absence of a chassis. The trailers are self-supporting, just like a passenger car, for example.

“We transport cabinets and benches, among other things,” said Gering Director, Guido Keybek.

“The additional ten centimetres of loading height (compared to a trailer with a chassis) serve us well. We can hook in crossbars in the sidewalls.

This creates additional loading floors for goods that cannot be stacked.”

Keybek specified no loading floor for the front of the trailer because their equipment must be able to be

coupled to standard tractors. The low rear is reported to allow manual unloading at street level to be easy.

Also, with the air suspension in the highest position, the trailers can be parked at a loading dock.

His first impression of the new trailers: “Stable, solid, durable.”

NETHERLANDS Welding robot integrator, Valk Welding, supports various customers across Europe and has experienced rapid growth following in-house innovation.

With the establishment of ‘LAS Verkoopmaatschappij’, the father of

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE Remco H. Valk started on 22 March 1961 a company that in 60 years has grown into one of the largest welding robot integrators in Europe.

“Automation of welding technology has always been an important part alongside the sale of welding wire and welding equipment,” said Remco H. Valk. This led to the delivery of the first welding robot in the late 1970s.

The growth that followed was a result of active market developments in the field of welding technology, with branches also being established in Denmark, the Czech Republic, France and Germany from 2004 onwards, enabling Valk Welding to serve its customers far and wide in Europe.

The Valk Welding Group has 170 permanent employees and a permanent group of about 25 externals.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, last year the company established a Swedish, subsidiary Valk Welding SE, commissioned a new sales, training and assembly facility in the Czech Republic, developed of Management Information System (MIS2.0) and the established Valk Welding Precision Parts where the welding robot specialist produces robot torches, cable assemblies and shock sensors entirely in-house.

Robot torches, sensors and cable assemblies are reported to be a crucial component of the All-in-One Valk Welding welding robot systems.

“These have been developed inhouse and are made exclusively for Valk Welding welding robot systems,” the company said in a statement.

“With its own production facility for these products for the robot torch systems, Valk Welding is now 100 per cent independent from third parties.”

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POLAND Wielton has observed a positive trend in increasing sales of semi-trailers and trailers throughout the country.

After last year’s pandemic slowdown in the industry, according to Wielton, April’s results show an upward trend.

It is also optimistic that, in accordance with the assumptions of the sales recovery plan in Poland, Wielton’s results are growing not only year to year, but also month to month.

Wielton entered 2021 with ambitious plans and clearly defined goals. The results achieved in the following months of this year show that, like the entire market of trailers and semitrailers, the company is constantly strengthening its position, reducing the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision to use the lockdown time to modernise the plant in Wieluń also turned out to be right, which resulted in an increase in production efficiency and profitability.

These activities are reported to be of key importance due to the production of products and their components for the domestic market and for foreign plants belonging to the Wielton Group.

“The record-breaking recovery on the trailer and semi-trailer market in Poland has been going on for another month in a row,” said Piotr Kuś, General Director, Vice President of the Management Board of Wielton SA. “Currently, our goal is to focus on the implementation of the plan to increase sales volume, effective order fulfilment and rebuilding shares in Poland. We assumed that we are aiming for 44 per cent year-on-year growth in 2021. We intend to achieve this plan in a stable and sustainable manner.

“By analysing the data of the Polish Automotive Industry Association, we can assess that each month we are

getting closer to achieving ambitious goals, thanks to the effective use of the demand on the domestic market.”

Wielton General Director, Piotr Kuś, said the company recorded an almost four-fold increase in the number of registrations of new trailers and semitrailers.

“We should remember, however, that last year was extremely specific, and therefore it eludes frames and comparisons,” he said.

“For this reason, it is crucial for us to confront the number of registrations in the coming months. Comparing March and April this year, we recorded an increase of 1.2 per cent. This result places us on the podium on the Polish market and shows the systematic rebuilding of our position. It is also very important for us that we have again become the leader in the subcategory of tippers, with a total number of 1,110 vehicles, including 173 vehicles under the Wielton brand, which means an increase of 73 per cent. After the extremely difficult 2020, we can see that we can look into the future more and more boldly.”

POLAND Semi-trailer manufacturer, Kässbohrer, is supplying Poland’s P.U.H Lipinski Transport with 15 Mega Curtainsiders.

Established in 1987, Lipinski Transport is a dynamically developing company that offers transport and forwarding services for domestic and international markets.

During the delivery ceremony where all necessary precautions against the pandemic were taken, Adam Lipinski, Owner of P.U.H Lipinski Transport, and Jakub Dolaniecki, Kässbohrer Poland Country Manager, shared their thoughts about this partnership.

“As Lipinski, we rely on the quality and

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EUROPE Kässbohrer partners with Lipinski Transport.

robustness of Kässbohrer vehicles,” said Dolaniecki.

“The vehicles we recently added to our fleet are perfect fit for our fleet and are available for multipurpose transportation. Moreover, we are very glad about the support we receive from Kässbohrer’s sales team. I’m sure that our newly-established partnership will continue to grow.“ Kässbohrer Poland Country Manager Jakub Dolaniecki stated: “As Kässbohrer, we are offering vehicles equipped with cutting-edge technology and a wide range of options that fully support our customers’ versatile operations.

“Our Mega Curtainsider K.SCS M is the best choice for intermodal transportation with its robust, KTL coated chassis and is equipped with 4 x 2 ferry rings.

“Our K.SCS M vehicles are equipped with anti-theft curtain and with this feature, our customer Lipinski can securely transport its goods.

“K.SCS M vehicles are also offered with Tyre Transport Certificate. Next to that, we offer six rows – aluminium side rows are offered with two rows of perforated steel side rows for the secure transport of tyre loads.

“In addition to these side rows, eight pieces of loading security spansets with five tonnes, eight pieces of

connectors with two tonnes capacity, one unit of load stopper bar between steel rows were also provided.

“Moreover, the vehicle is also equipped with mechanical roof lifting system that offers 500mm lifting for loading and 100mm lifting for driving operations.

“As Kässbohrer, we are determined to continue to meet the needs of our valuable customer Lipinski Transport with our award-winning vehicles and growing after-sales services network.”

UK Long-standing Schmitz Cargobull customer McGregor Logistics has taken delivery of ten new S.KO COOL reefers to meet increasing work volumes, with each asset offering increased durability and payload.

The new trailers, manufactured in Vreden, will run on multi-drop fresh and frozen work across the UK and internationally and are expected to cover up to 150,000 kilometres a year.

They join McGregor Logistics’ existing fleet of 40 multi-temp units and 70 fixed roof curtainsider trailers – more than 70 per cent manufactured by Schmitz Cargobull.

“We have been lucky enough to have experienced an increase in customer demand recently, and had a need to extend our trailer fleet,” said McGregor Logistics Managing

Director, Keith Law. “We’ve been purchasing assets from Schmitz Cargobull for many years and knew we would be going back to them due to the robustness and exceptional build quality of all their trailers.

“The vehicles hit the mark each time, and we can always rely on them to do the job well. They’re also the lightest we’ve come across, which means an increase in payload on each journey.

That easily makes them the best value trailers you can get.”

The box bodies are constructed using Schmitz Cargobull’s patented FERROPLAST technology – a high-quality expanded, closed-cell, polyurethane foam housed between steel skins. This technology ensures a complete vapour diffusion-tight surface, meaning each S.KO COOL trailer is energy efficient, hygienic, ageresistant and easy to repair.

Each trailer is built upon a MODULOS galvanised and bolted chassis which reduces weight without compromising on strength, and individual components can be easily replaced, ensuring inexpensive repairs in the event of damage.

When repairs are needed, McGregor Logistics relies on Schmitz Cargobull’s Parts and Services team to rapidly provide replacement components.

“We’re very pleased with the level of service and support Schmitz Cargobull offers,” said Law. “If we ever have any problems, the team are always on hand and everything is turned around in lightning time.”

Established in 2004, McGregor Logistics works across mainland UK, Ireland and Europe, with depots in Doncaster, Cardiff and at Tilbury Docks. The team transports and stores a wide range of goods including full loads, part loads and pallet distribution.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL NORTH AMERICA US Dry van trailer manufacturer turned transport and logistics solutions provider, Wabash National, is preparing for strategic growth.

Brent Yeagy, Wabash National CEO, reflected on 2020 and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in a letter to shareholders published last month.

“The year 2020 will be remembered as an unprecedented period as the business world navigated through a global health crisis, softening markets, supply chain disruptions and global economic uncertainty,” he said.

As a business, Wabash National remained focused on it goals and will action its first to final mile strategy as part of its purpose – ‘Changing how the world reaches you’.

It will also re-organise its structure to be ‘One Wabash’ by prioritising ease of doing business with customers, creating a growing portfolio of innovative engineered solutions that span from first to final mile and design a culture that continually seeks to improve process via the Wabash Management System to create value for customers, employees and stockholders.

“Our new organisational structure based on value streams and customer centricity is yielding early and significant wins of reducing friction for customers and is allowing us to think in new and interesting ways,” said Yeagy.

“Our purpose, vision and mission provide common direction throughout our organisation, and the growth of a values-based culture that is also shaped by our Wabash Management System helps us act with renewed strategic purpose.”

US Meritor, a mobility solution provider, has 20 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

appointed a Class II Director.

Elizabeth Fessenden accepted the appointment, effective 1 June 2021, which increased the size of the Board of Directors to 11 members.

The term is expected to expire at the company’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders.

Fessenden spent more than 25 years in P&L management roles throughout her career. From 2005-2007, she served as principal at American Capital, a publicly traded, private equity company.

Before joining American Capital, Fessenden spent 28 years at Alcoa, Inc., a Fortune 100 global industrial manufacturing company, where she served as president of the company’s Flexible Packaging business, and prior to that, president of its Primary Metals Allied Businesses.

“We are excited to have Elizabeth join Meritor’s Board of Directors,” said Meritor CEO and President, Chris Villavarayan.

“With her significant experience on corporate and not-for-profit boards, in addition to her background as a business leader, she is a valuable addition to the company and will support our efforts to deliver long-term value for shareholders.”

Fessenden currently serves as a board member for Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation, Quarles Petroleum and Plan International USA. She earned a Master of Science in systems engineering, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.

US The organisers of the North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV

2021) plan to reschedule the event due to Covid-19.

NACV 2021 was originally slated for 28-30 September at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center.

Registered exhibitors were informed of the postponement earlier through a letter from the joint owners of the biennial event – Newcom Media and Hannover Fairs USA. The decision was made after discussion with both manufacturers and fleets, citing the lingering effects of Covid-19 on willingness to travel and attend large gatherings. Additionally, the growing number of events competing with one another in the fall of 2021 also factored into the decision.

“Each organisation and individual attendee has made choices over the past months based on a variety of factors, health and safety being the most pressing. While many exhibitors demonstrate commitment to the show and vaccination rates continue to rise, our research shows that the trucking industry will not be ready to attend large events like they traditionally have this fall,” said Ed Nichols, Vice President of Hannover Fairs USA. “While we are disappointed that we cannot produce the NACV show this year, we are eager to start working on the future event, focusing on reconnecting the trucking industry and delivering value to our customers,” stated Joe Glionna, President of Newcom Media Inc. The NACV Show will be rescheduled.

Organisers plan to share more information regarding future plans in July 2021.

US Transport and logistics solutions provider, XPO Logistics, has announced a deal running through to

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NORTH AMERICA 2023 with a premier organiser of massparticipation sports.

XPO Logistics is partnering with IRONMAN Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and will transport IRONMAN tents, fencing, staging and other essential infrastructure from race to race and country to country, installing it on-site each time. Teams of XPO drivers will operate a dedicated truck fleet across Europe to set up in advance of the more than 20 races scheduled in 2021.

“We know we can count on XPO to provide transport services of the highest quality across Europe,” said IRONMAN Group Sales Director EMEA, Thibault Vellard.

“XPO’s decades of experience with world-class events makes them the ideal logistics partner to support our IRONMAN competitions,” he said.

“We thank IRONMAN for entrusting us with the critical logistics required to organise their renowned races in Europe,” said XPO Logistics – Europe CEO, Malcolm Wilson.

“We’re looking forward to doing our part in making these events a success for everyone involved.”

XPO has a long track record of serving as an official partner for worldclass sporting events, including 40 years with the Tour de France, with responsibility for transporting critical equipment between race stages and venues. XPO provides similar services for the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon, Tour Voile (sailing), Evian Championship (golf), Arctic Race of Norway (cycling), Freeride World Tour (skiing and snowboarding), Coupe de France (soccer) and other prestigious competitions.

US Supply chain solution provider, SEKO

Logistics, has opened new regional distribution hubs on the US east coast to manage growth in Baltimore and Charlotte.

The new Baltimore operation offers over 160,000 square feet (approx.

14,865 square metres) of warehouse space to support clients in the medical, e-commerce and defence sectors. The move significantly enhances SEKO’s defence and commercial logistics solutions in Baltimore, which include specialist inspection and acceptance, packaging and labelling, reverse logistics, and last mile services. The facility is also ISO 13485 certified for handling and managing logistics for medical devices.

SEKO has also invested in the ten-fold expansion of its facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, led by Managing Director and SEKO Strategic Partner, Jim Duffy.

To satisfy demand from finance, furniture, apparel, automotive and industrial clients, SEKO’s new warehouse operation is reported to be fully C-TPAT compliant. With 24 dock doors, the facility combines the technology, equipment and security systems needed to scale any client’s project requirements.

SEKO’s growth in Baltimore and Charlotte will also increase the business’ focus on white glove and cross dock for value-added freight forwarding services in both locations.

“Our need for warehouse space is growing rapidly in the United States and our new facilities in Baltimore and Charlotte are the first of many we will be opening over the next 12 months to stay one step ahead of our clients’ growth,” said SEKO Logistics Chief Growth Officer, Brian Bourke.

“This latest expansion follows the opening of larger SEKO Ecommerce

and Omni-Channel hubs in other prime locations such as Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey and Atlanta.

“These investments demonstrate how fast we are growing outside of our main gateways in the US and emphasise the importance of Baltimore and Charlotte as strategic distribution hubs.

“Baltimore is a market where we are seeing particularly strong growth from e-commerce clients who recognise the Port of Baltimore as a low cost alternative that enables them to achieve next day distribution to their customers in New York. Charlotte is also a key investment area for SEKO because it is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, and we are seeing a significant increase in demand in this market. SEKO’s ongoing growth positions us to make these investments and to support opportunities from clients who see us as a competitive differentiator in their supply chains.”

Robert Shearer, Managing Director of SEKO’s Strategic Partner in Baltimore, added: “Our infrastructure investments in the Baltimore/Washington operations are reflective of the strategic advantage of the Mid-Atlantic region for high quality, high-speed distribution capacities within one of the USA’s most dense population centres. Our Mid-Atlantic location means that we can deliver to over 120,000,000 people in 18 States with a one or twoday ground service. There continues to be tremendous demand for Class-A warehouse capacity. For many clients, working with SEKO in a sharedlogistics operation is the most efficient and capital-friendly way to get their products to market.”

SEKO Logistics commenced business in 1976 and operated from a single office in Chicago. It has since grown into a global enterprise.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL SOUTH AMERICA BRAZIL Business diversification, acquisitions and assertive management boosted Randon’s positive performance last year.

In 2020, Randon Companies saw an increase in their consolidated net revenue, reaching $5.4 billion BRL, 6.5 per cent higher than the revenue obtained in 2019. In line with this progress, there is the growth of gross revenue, before consolidation, being 5.6 per cent higher than that recorded in the same period last year, totalling $7.7 billion BRL. Additionally, the company reached a consolidated EBITDA of $1.2 billion BRL, with a consolidated EBITDA margin of 22.1 per cent, and a 2020 adjusted EBITDA of $774.2 million BRL, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.2 per cent.

For the company, 2020 was marked by relevant acquisitions, such as the conclusion of the purchase of Nakata Automotiva by Fras-le, which contributed to the company’s growth in the Brazilian after market and to a direct increase in revenue for the year. During that time, Fundituba was purchased by Castertech, a foundry company that will expand the company’s production capacity, thus further strengthening its participation in the auto parts market.

Furthermore, 2020 saw the consolidation of the joint venture that created Randon Triel-HT, and the conclusion of the acquisition of metallurgical company Ferrari by Master. In order to reinforce innovation, technology and automation-related actions, companies Randon Ventures, Conexo and Randon Tech Solutions Industry – RTS Industry were created and incorporated, in addition to the creation of initiatives such as the CTR Innovation Lab. Another highlight of the year was the admission of Suspensys 22 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

to the select group of companies that make up the modular consortium of Volkswagem Caminhões e Ônibus, an important step towards the continuity of this growth process.

“Even in a challenging year, we performed very well, supported by our expansion plans and our investments in innovation, which continued as a focus point,” said Randon Companies CEO, Daniel Randon.

“In addition, last year gave us opportunities to accelerate projects involving our cultural and digital transformation, analysing in more detail emerging topics and issues such as ESG, reviewing environmental initiatives and continuing to improve our corporate governance.”

Business diversification also proved to be a strategy that boosted the positive performance of Randon Companies throughout 2020. This wide scope of the company’s activities takes into account its geographic presence, the product portfolio and the segments served, which allows the company to take advantage of opportunities in more favourable markets, such as the agribusiness segment, which in 2020 represented more than 70 per cent of the portfolio orders of the company’s assembly division.

The fourth quarter was also marked by solid results.

With regard to the results presented

by Randon Companies in the fourth quarter of 2020, its total gross revenue totalled $2.6 billion BRL, 44.2 per cent higher than the revenue obtained in the same quarter in 2019. Consolidated net revenue increased by 40.7 per cent when compared to the same period in 2019, totalling $1.8 billion BRL. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2020 totalled $483 million BRL, a 58.8 per cent increase when compared

to the same period the previous year.

Consolidated EBITDA reached $668.5 million BRL, with a 37 per cent margin.

Adjusted EBITDA totalled $278.9 million BRL while the adjusted EBITDA margin was 15.5 per cent, a 3.2 percentage increase when compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, when the margin was 12.2 per cent.

According to Randon Companies Chief Financial Officer, Paulo Prignolato, the figures for the fourth quarter of 2020 were surprising in a good way and were better than what was expected for the period.

“A strong demand for semi-trailers and the recovery of the truck market made it possible for the company to move forward in terms of volumes and revenues,” he said.

“Segments such as agriculture and consumer goods, the latter being mainly driven by an increase in e-commerce transactions, remained strong, and the recovery of the industry gave additional momentum to the automotive segment.

“Furthermore, the foreign market has improved when compared to previous months, due to borders being reopen, the normalisation of logistical processes and a steady exchange rate for exports.”

Other elements, according to Prignolato, such as more working days worked last year when compared to 2019 and relevant gains from tax processes (removal of the ICMS tax from the PIS/COFINS calculation basis) as experienced by some Randon Companies units, also contributed to these results.

In terms of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 presented a new social and economic scenario.

Randon Companies adopted measures to protect its people.

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MIDDLE EAST DUBAI Logistics company, Aramex, has appointed a new CEO following Bashar Obeid’s resignation.

Obeid, whol is being replaced

by Othman Aljeda, will support a smooth transition of responsibilities.

Othman joined Aramex 1994, and over the last two decades, he has stepped up in several leadership roles to strengthen the Company’s business in the GCC, Asia, and North America and Europe.

From 2007 to 2017, Othman set up Aramex’s first regional office in Asia and spearheaded its expansion plans in the region, establishing major hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore.

In 2015, he played an integral role in leading Aramex’s first successful acquisition of Mail Call in Australia.

In 2016, Othman was at the forefront of Aramex’s most significant acquisition of Fastway Couriers in Australia and New Zealand.

In 2017, he was named Aramex’s Regional CEO in Europe, North America and Asia. In 2020, in addition to his Regional CEO responsibilities, he also served as Interim Chief Operating Officer for six months, ensuring stability and continuity through a challenging, unprecedented pandemic.

“We congratulate Othman and welcome him as the new CEO of Aramex,” said Captain Mohamed Juma Alshamsi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aramex.

“Othman’s knowledge and wealth of experience in the industry, coupled with his deep understanding of what drives Aramex and its people will help further progress our journey and reinforce our leading position in our core markets.

“In his new role, Othman will

continue to focus on driving our ambitious growth strategy, build on our global partnerships and guide Aramex through this new and exciting chapter.”

In welcoming Othman to his new role Obeid said: “It has been my pleasure and privilege to be part of the Aramex family for the past 28 years, and I am honoured to pass the reins to Othman.

“He has been with Aramex for over 27 years, and we have worked closely together on strengthening Aramex’s network and presence in Asia and Europe.

“Othman is a well-respected leader with a proven track record of driving change and constantly innovating to consistently deliver results year after year. He is deeply committed to the Aramex vision, and its values, and I am confident his extensive experience, coupled with the support of the Aramex team of exceptional leaders and talented employees will ensure Aramex is on course to deliver on its promise to its people, customers, and shareholders.”

Othman Aljeda, CEO of Aramex, said: “I am honoured and excited to be appointed as the CEO of Aramex and look forward to working closely with the rest of our team to continue to develop the business and create stakeholder value over the coming years.

“I would like to thank the Board of Directors and the leadership team for this opportunity, and show my gratitude to Bashar as well as the inspirational legacy he leaves behind, notably the digitally transformed and people empowered business he helped take to new heights.

“Aramex is a trusted market leader with a powerful growth story and

is well-positioned to navigate and thrive in these unprecedented times. Along with the rest of the management team, we will continue to build on our solid foundation, capitalise on our strengths, grow our industry verticals, and take the lessons we learned from the pandemic to find the most innovative solutions and create greater value for our customers.”

Obeid, who announced his decision to step down on 29 April 2021, reflected on his last 28 years with the company with great pride.

“I am grateful and humbled to have had the privilege of growing within this organisation and serving as CEO. “When I joined Aramex in 1993, I remember immediately being absorbed by the entrepreneurial and innovative culture.

“I have had the opportunity to learn, mentor, and spend time with so many talented people who are truly passionate about what they do and are unstoppable in developing seamless experiences that connect the globe.

“Working shoulder to shoulder with my fellow Aramexians and helping build the Aramex of the future is one of my most cherished experiences.

“I am grateful to our Founder Fadi Ghandour, the Board and the Aramex Management team, who have played an integral part in driving the Aramex growth story.

In a challenging global environment, our company is well-positioned to achieve its strategic vision, scale new heights and strengthen its place as a leading industry player in its core markets.”

Last year, Aramex managed 21 per cent growth in express volumes.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL OCEANIA AUSTRALIA Trevor Heinrich commenced during the week of Brisbane Truck Show, bringing with him close to 30 years of industry experience to the JOST team.

An experienced transport professional, Heinrich has demonstrated success working in bulk, Dangerous Goods (DG), agricultural, pastoral, mining and metals sectors, most recently as General Manager for Martins Stock Haulage.

With a strong operations focus, and history of achieving commercial success for various transport operations, Heinrich is well positioned to support JOST Australia’s customers throughout New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory.

JOST is a leading global producer and supplier of safety-critical systems for the commercial vehicle industry. Under the umbrella brand JOST, the comprehensive range of products is divided into systems for road and agriculture.

In Australia, the JOST brand offers

JOST Australia Managing Director, James Mackie, and JOST Australia NSW Branch Manager, Trevor Heinrich.

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fifth wheel couplings, landing gears, ball bearing turntables, king pins and container locks as well as alloy rims and a full range of hydraulics components for trucks and trailers.

Earlier this year, JOST Australia added TRIDEC specialised steering and suspension systems to its product portfolio.

AUSTRALIA Logistics company, DP World, has announced changes to its executive leadership team to support its continued growth and expansion across the Asia-Pacific region.

Current DP World CEO and Managing Director of Australia, Glen Hilton, will take on an expanded role as CEO and Managing Director of the DP World Asia-Pacific and Australasia region and will vacate his current position.

In addition, Hilton will assume the role of Chairman of DP World Australia.

Andrew Adam will assume the role of CEO of DP World Australia following several years as Chief Operating

DP World Australia prepares for growth.

Officer of the business.

Andrew has over 25 years’ experience in executive leadership roles across both the ports and container terminals and rail intermodal industries. These roles include COO DP World Australia, SVP, Global Operations at DP World and President, Freight, at Pacific National.

“On behalf of the Board we’d like to congratulate Andrew on his new role as Chief Executive Officer at DP World Australia,” said Hilton.

“Andrew’s understanding of both DP World’s Australian and Global businesses is un- matched, and he has played a critical role in ensuring the ongoing strength and efficiency of our Australian business over recent years.”

Adam is reported to bring to the role a strong commercial acumen and decisive leadership – strengths honed across nearly three decades of experience working within the industry.

“I am excited to be taking up the role of Chief Executive Officer at DP World Australia – a business I am immensely proud to be a part of,” said Adam.

“I am buoyed by the ongoing strength and success of our DP World Australia – the benefits of which will continue to flow to Australia’s businesses, consumers and the broader economy.”

AUSTRALIA Allegro has obtained $500 million

NEWS

OCEANIA (AUD) in funding to complete the separation and transformation of the business. Allegro believes that Toll Global Express’ people and its assets can deliver strong growth in the future. This business has a crucial role to play as an enabler for e-commerce which will underpin the economic recovery of Australia and New Zealand post Covid-19.

Allegro has appointed Adrian Loader, one of Allegro’s founding partners, as Chair of the new company. Allegro has an outstanding track record as Australia’s most awarded turnaround fund.

“The business has faced challenges, but we are excited by the opportunity ahead and have great confidence that Toll Global Express can realise its full potential,” said Loader.

“Allegro is committed to a transformation program, underpinned by $500 million [AUD] in funding to support and grow the business.

“The business has high quality assets, is number one or two in its core market segments and will be supported by strong local management,” he said.

Toll Chairman, John Mullen, said the agreement is consistent with Toll’s strategy to focus on its Asia-Pacific logistics strengths and fits with Allegro’s investment thesis of investing in Australian and New Zealand companies to realise their potential.

“We have spent the last three years transforming and strengthening Global Express and today the business is a market leader,” said Mullen.

“I am confident that under Allegro’s ownership, Global Express will have the support and focus it needs to reach its full potential.

“The divestment is consistent with Toll’s strategy to focus on being a preeminent Asia-Pacific logistics provider

through its core businesses in contract logistics and freight forwarding.”

Loader thanked Toll and Japan Post for its stewardship of and recent investment in the business and said Allegro looked forward to working with Toll Group in the future.

Allegro said its plan to continue to transform Toll Global Express would begin by listening to the company’s customers, employees and partners.

“We are acutely aware that the business plays a vitally important role for its stakeholders across both sides of the Tasman, and on both sides of Bass Strait,” said Loader.

“We are confident that with strong local focused management the business can achieve operational and financial improvement at the same time as enhancing the experience for customers.”

In the weeks until completion, Allegro will focus on satisfying the remaining sale conditions, and then meeting key stakeholders to understand their insights on the business. After completion, Toll Global Express will be renamed.

The transaction is fully funded through a combination of Allegro funds and debt backed by Commonwealth Bank, Scottish Pacific and Gordon Brothers.

The transaction is targeted for completion on 30 June 2021.

NEW ZEALAND The Auckland Council-owned company that administers Auckland’s commercial freight and cruise ship harbour facilities changed leadership last month.

Ports of Auckland CEO, Tony Gibson, stepped down at the end of June 2021.

He cited “persistent and sometimes personal attacks” over the last few

months on him as CEO which is why he opted to move on.

“It is taking our focus off what is really important – delivering change,” he said.

Gibson reflected on the company’s accomplishments over the past decade.

“Our people have transformed the business from one which couldn’t afford to invest in necessary infrastructure to one which has earned hundreds of millions of dollars for Aucklanders,” he said.

“They have successfully delivered multiple projects such as the new deep-water container wharf, a new car handling building and three container handling cranes.

“There is more diversity in the business, with more women in stevedoring here than at any other port in the country. Our people are innovative and have put into practice many ideas which have made our workplace safer and more effective.

Our people are passionate about sustainability, leading the way in zero-emission technology with our hydrogen project and Sparky the world’s first battery-powered shiphandling tug.”

Ports of Auckland Board Chair, Bill Osborne, said: “Tony has been a transformational CEO for Ports of Auckland over the last 10 years. His vision, drive, skills, and leadership have been essential in delivering the change that was desperately needed when he started in 2011. I am sad to lose someone of his calibre, especially at a time when the company is again going through major change. However, I understand and accept his reasons and wish him well.”

Deputy CEO and CFO, Wayne Thompson, will be Interim CEO until a new CEO is appointed.

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GENERATION

REVOLU 26 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

COVER STORY

TION

AT THE BEGINNING OF 2021, SCHMITZ CARGOBULL UNVEILED ITS ECOGENERATION PORTFOLIO – AERODYAMIC SEMI-TRAILER CURTAINSIDERS. THESE UNITS ARE DESIGNED TO SAVE FUEL AND REDUCE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS WHILE OPERATING AT FULL INTERNAL HEIGHT FOR VOLUME TRANSPORT WHERE NEEDED. W W W. G LO B A LT R A I L E R M AG . C O M / G L O B A L T R A I L E R / 27

P

roduction of the EcoGeneration trailers from Schmitz Cargobull are in full swing. There are three product variants that enable the road transport operators to improve their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and environmental footprint.

EcoFLEX – ideal for general cargo and beverage transport; if the full interior volume is required for transports, the rear roof height can be easily adjusted to get from the aerodynamic rear position to 4m total height from front to rear.

EcoVARIOS – suitable for high-volume transportation for the automotive industry; body height can be adjusted in front and rear for up to 3m internal height and flexible for coupling heights.

EcoFIX – ideal for transporting horizontal, flat, and heavy goods like steel and paper rolls; the aerodynamic shape is fixed.

As for standout features of each variant, EcoFLEX has an adjustable rear (500mm) that can be lifted to 4m total rear height if full interior volume is required for the load and there is also an adjustable curtain height to match the body.

EcoVARIOS has an adjustable rear (400mm) and front. The adjustable curtain height also matches the body, up to 3m internal height is achievable and it is flexible for coupling heights. A total height at the front and rear of 4m is possible when set at maximum capacity.

Height cannot be adjusted on the EcoFIX model because it is a fixed aerodynamic body, with curtain height that matches the lowered rear end (4m total front height to second post, from there descending to 3.5m at the rear. This is reported to save fuel due to the weight reduction and aerodynamic design.

Schmitz Cargobull CEO, Andreas Schmitz.

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Andreas Schmitz, Managing Director of Schmitz Cargobull details the aerodynamic advantages of these trailers.

“The aerodynamic shape of the new EcoGeneration curtainsiders reduces aerodynamic drag and therefore fuel consumption and CO2 emissions,” he said.

“According to the aerodynamic principles, the EcoGeneration trailers with their aerodynamic rear reduce the Cw-value by reducing the rear surface area and creating thus a smaller trailing area and less vortex formation (air flow converges behind the trailer).

“With the EcoFLEX and EcoVARIOS, the body height can easily be raised to 4m, in case the full interior volume is required for volume transports. This concept offers potentially high savings without additional expenses, especially when transporting heavy goods. All of this without significantly changing the trailer functions, transport performance and the familiar handling. The increased efficiency and effectiveness of the aerodynamic body is providing excellent sustainability through maximum fuel savings and it does not come at the cost of expensive, easily damaged attachments.”

Sustainable cost savings and green solutions have always been a part of Schmitz Cargobull’s DNA, accross all generations of the family business, according to Andreas Schmitz.

COVER STORY

The ExoFLEX is particularly suitable for general cargo and beverage transport.

“Early on, we incorporated sustainable aspects into our developments. To name a few examples: Schmitz Cargobull launched the bolted and galvanised chassis in 2002, which increases the useful life of a trailer, we developed trailer telematics already at the end of last century bringing now the 4th generation to the market. Since 2018 our TrailerConnect system including certified temperature control and remote temperature control is included in our reefers as a standard equipment. Now we also make it available in our semi-trailer curtainsiders and dry freight vehicles.

And finally weight reduction without compromising robustness and longevity has always been the focus of our developments.

We can easily summarise it: All our practical CO2 solutions reduce TCO for our customers and thereby the environmental impact.”

As an innovative market leader, Andreas Schmitz said it was natural to enable the company’s customers to become more efficient and to lower the environmental impact, for example with completely new vehicle concepts.

“The pioneer of our EcoGeneration is the ‘Transformers’ trailer, a project which was funded by the European Commission in 2017. Together with 13 partners from the commercial vehicle industry, Schmitz Cargobull designed the energy-efficient Transformers trailer, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 15 per cent. From the beginning, the prototype vehicle was not developed as a special design. It was developed based on a standard trailer with adapted series parts. We have derived our further developments from this project, and this led to the development of the EcoGeneration, which is now ready for series production.”

A key factor for fleets across Europe investing in more energy efficient trailing equipment is generally in direct response to that CO2 tax which commenced in the beginning of 2021 in Germany.

“In the 2015 Paris Agreement, with other countries Germany committed to reduce its GHG emissions,” said Andreas Schmitz. “The CO2 levy regulation

Load securing and loading/ unloading can be carried out as usual without any additional work.

(carbon tax) was introduced in Germany in 2021, so that the federal government can achieve its CO2 reduction targets. In 2021, the price per tonne CO2 starts with €25 and will be raised successively to reach a price corridor of €55 to €65 from the year 2026.

This CO2 tax is applied to all CO2 emitters.

“Beginning of 2021, the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure launched the so-called ‘Fleet Renewal Program’. This program promotes the purchase of intelligent trailer technology that reduces the CO2 emissions of the entire tractor and trailer combination, and thus contributes to a cleaner environment.

The inclusion of trailers is an important signal to the entire transport industry to strive for more environmentally friendly and sustainable processes and results. We

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are particularly proud that the vehicles of the EcoGeneration and our super-insulated reefer trailer S.KO COOL SMART with S.CU cooling unit and a K-value better than 0.36 are included.”

EcoGeneration trailers are expected to improve the bottom line of road transport businesses through productivity and environmental efficiencies.

The fuel saving potential of the EcoGeneration depends highly on how many transports can be driven in the aerodynamic mode.

“In our conservative approach we calculate the fuel saving up to 5.0 per cent,” Andreas Schmitz said. “However, in a first customer field test with EcoFLEX, savings of 10 per cent have been achieved. The transport company used the aerodynamic position in more than 75 per cent of its transportation. The higher the proportion of journeys in aerodynamic mode, the higher the savings.

“If only 50 per cent of all journeys are made in aerodynamic mode and 50 per cent in volume mode, the environment is relieved by 2.3 tonnes of CO2 per year. The transport company that uses EcoFLEX for several months now achieved savings above 10 per cent.”

Better yet, these vehicles, according to Andreas Schmitz, meet the requirements of the German fleet renewal program. This means asset owners are eligible for subsidies.

“Up to €5,000 (or a maximum of 60 per cent of the purchase price of an intelligent trailer technology) can be claimed with the purchase of an EcoFLEX, EcoVARIOS or EcoFIX,” he said. “Our German sales team is trained to support customers in all questions regarding trailers and the subsidy program.”

The ability to adjust the height of the EcoFlex and EcoVARIOS variants is impressive in terms of tailoring the trailer to meet the needs of the operator

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Simple and quick height adjustment with no additional tools required.

while also remaining aerodynamic and efficient. So, how challenging was this to incorporate in the trailer design?

“Obviously, it took some development time and we had to do some extensive testing,” said Andreas Schmitz. “However, with the long experience especially regarding the Schmitz Cargobull VARIOSbody which can be flexibly adapted to any coupling height, and the experience out of the ‘Transformers’ project, the innovative EcoGeneration is – in a way – the logical evolution. Again, the customer gets the best of both in one trailer: Full height when needed and maximum fuel savings.”

COVER STORY

The chassis and van bodies in the EcoGeneration range have seen some recent innovations.

“The body of the EcoGeneration is compatible with any chassis and with almost all features of the body such as for EcoFIX, the lath-less POWER CURTAIN,” said Andreas Schmitz. “Furthermore, we have brought out new chassis generation with further weight reductions into the market. Part of that new Chassis and with it the X-LIGHT is a further significant weight reduction while complying with our reliability and longevity objectives.”

All EcoGeneration vehicles are fitted with TrailerConnect CTU trailer telematics as standard.

“With ‘100 per cent SMART’, Schmitz Cargobull is pursuing the strategy of introducing TrailerConnect trailer telematics as standard across the entire product range,” said Andreas Schmitz. “The telematics systems and the various services are tailored to the respective requirements of

the transport task and the vehicle. The S.KO COOL SMART refrigerated semi-trailer was already presented at the IAA 2018 equipped with telematics including certified remote temperature monitoring. Now the curtainsider semitrailer S.CS SMART and thus also the vehicles of the EcoGeneration will follow. The standard telematics equipment creates a broad basis for the optimal control of a networked and integrated logistics chain and thus for optimal vehicle use and more efficiency. It also increases transparency and helps to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership. We make our Telematics Hardware and Portal as a White-label-solution available to partners and other trailer manufacturers, so that they can bring those benefits to their customers using their own brand.”

More broadly, the Andreas Schmitz sees sustainability as a global concern and has looked closer at its plan in Australia as well as its cooperation with South African partner, GRW. “In Australia, for example, we have just expanded our product portfolio to include a variety of different chassis lengths,” said Andreas Schmitz. “These include the PBS (Performance-Based Standards) tested 26-pallet semi-trailer.

The trailers, especially in the 26-pallet version, are characterised by high safety standards and enable larger transport capacities, which in turn increases customer productivity and minimizes transports due to the higher volume.”

Andreas Schmitz has a positive outlook for the remainder of 2021: “We plan to reach 2.5 billion euros in sales, hope to visit our customers again soon and have a drink together without the worry of Covid.” www.cargobull.com

These EcoGeneration trailers enable fuel savings of up to 5.0 per cent and carbon emission reductions without compromising performance.

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LIFE

IN THE FAST LANE EAST ASIA’S ISLAND COUNTRY, JAPAN, IS A LEADER IN THE AUTOMOTIVE AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES. WHILE IT IS CURRENTLY THE THIRD LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD, IT FACES MANY CHALLENGES FROM DEALING WITH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC TO PERSEVERING WITH ABENOMICS.

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n the months leading up to Tokyo 2020 mainstream media speculated on whether the already postponed international multi-sport event – which was shifted to 23 July to 8 August 2021 – would ultimately be cancelled due to an ongoing health crisis throughout Japan.

The country extended its coronavirus state of emergency in the capital and other areas in response to hospitals overflowing with Covid-19 cases.

Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, said Osaka, western Japan, was the hardest-hit area with medical systems overburdened.

There is a plan, apparently, to prioritise vaccinations for Japanese athletes however following news of new virus variants and the country’s slow vaccine rollout, there is a chorus of voices from the public, medical professionals and a sponsor from the Olympics calling for the event to be cancelled.

Bureaucratic and planning errors have been cited as factors in the vaccine delay.

At the time of writing, Japan had reported about 730,000 coronavirus cases and more than 12,700 fatalities.

Suga assumed office on 14 September 2020, following Shinzo Abe’s resignation, and outlined a policy agenda to tackle the pandemic and revitalise the economy.

The economic policies dubbed Abenomics, Abe’s namesake, would continue under Suga’s premiership, ideally paving the way for an economic revival as well as a digital transformation and review of the nation’s supply chains.

This Abenomics model relies on stimulus policies although the Covid-19

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pandemic has severely impacted progress here.

Bank of Japan Member of the Policy Board, Suzuki Hitoshi, spoke at a meeting with local leaders in Yamaguchi via webcast on 26 May 2021. He said Japan’s economy is likely to recover.

“Although the level of economic activity, mainly in the face-to-face services sector, is expected to be lower than that prior to the pandemic for the time being. That is, with the impact of Covid-19 waning gradually and the economy being supported by an increase in external demand, accommodative financial conditions, and the government’s economic measures, a virtuous cycle from income to spending is expected to operate. Thereafter, as the impact subsides, the economy is projected to continue growing with the virtuous cycle intensifying. Given these factors, in the Bank’s April 2021 Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices (Outlook Report), the forecasts of

MARKET REPORT

the majority of Policy Board members for the real [Gross Domestic Product – GDP] growth rate are in the range of 3.6 to 4.4 per cent, 2.1 to 2.5 per cent, and 1.2 to 1.5 per cent for fiscal 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively.”

The outlook for economic activity and prices, however, remains unclear according to Hitoshi.

“In particular, the impact of Covid-19 on domestic and overseas economies continues to require close and careful monitoring. The outlook is based on the assumption that the impact of Covid-19 will wane gradually and then almost subside in the middle of the projection period. However, the pace of the vaccine rollout and the effectiveness of the vaccines entail uncertainties, and thus there is a risk that downward pressure on economic activity will increase. It is also uncertain how firms’ and households’ appetite for spending and their behaviour, including price setting,

will change due to the shock caused by Covid-19 that has pushed down the economy considerably. Moreover, if Covid-19 has a larger impact than expected, attention should be paid to the risk that deterioration in the real economy will affect financial system stability, thereby exerting further downward pressure on

FAST FACT In 2020, Hino Motors and Volkswagen’s heavy truck division Traton SE agreed to form a joint venture.

The two companies partnered on a plan for e-mobility products to offer customers the highest value per Traton, the parent company of both Scania and MAN. Drawing on their unique strengths, Traton and Hino have committed to developing electric vehicles including Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV), and relevant components as well as creating common Electric Vehicle (EV) platforms including software and interfaces. A team of advanced specialists from both companies are going to be formed to launch activities in Södertälje (Sweden) and in a second step in Tokyo (Japan). The two companies are convinced that both technologies will be needed in the future. Based on their shared principle of offering customers the highest value possible, they established a procurement joint venture in 2019, and have now solidified their collaboration in e-mobility.

According to a media statement both companies have agreed to explore each other’s capabilities and investigate further possibilities to collaborate in other future fields of technology.

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Aerial view of interchange highway and overpass in Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

FAST FACT Professor Masakazu Sugiyama was appointed Queensland’s Hydrogen Envoy in Japan during the World Hydrogen Technologies Convention in Tokyo in 2019.

Speaking from the convention, Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said Professor Sugiyama’s work on Queensland hydrogen projects made him an obvious choice for the role.

“Professor Sugiyama has extensive knowledge and experience in hydrogen technologies and heads a research group within the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) at the University of Tokyo,” said Dick.

Sugiyama, who is leading the industry-university collaborative research unit for a global network of renewable hydrogen, recently partnered with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) on a pilot plant where hydrogen technologies were tested for at-scale production, storage, use and export.

It is anticipated that Sugiyama will prove a valuable champion for Queensland hydrogen in global markets.

Queensland, Australia, which aims to be the hydrogen exporter of choice in the Asia Pacific region has launched the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy in Japan where a group of delegates have met with the key players in Japan’s hydrogen industry and another 600 other international guests from 45 countries.

This year, Queensland signed a memorandum of understanding with a major Japanese multinational in Gladstone.

Sumitomo Corporation has formalised its partnership with Gladstone Ports Corporation, Gladstone Regional Council, CQUniversity Australia and Australian Gas Infrastructure Group to develop Australia’s first hydrogen ecosystem in Central Queensland.

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the real economy.”

Effective, sustainable monetary easing is expected to support Japan’s economy, especially when economic activity and prices, according to the Bank of Japan, are projected to dip for a prolonged period due to the impact of Covid-19.

On the bright side, industrial production in Japan rose by 2.5 per cent month-over-month in April 2021, after a final 1.7 per cent gain a month earlier and compared with market consensus of a 4.1 per cent rise, preliminary data via Trading Economics showed.

Industries that mainly contributed to the increase were general-purpose and businessoriented machinery (16.1 per cent versus -4.9 per cent in March), electrical machinery, and information and communication electronics equipment, and production machinery (10.9 per cent versus -4.2 per cent), and production machinery (7.8 per cent versus -2.8 percent).

On a yearly basis, industrial output jumped by 15.4 per cent in April, accelerating sharply from a 3.4 per cent growth in March.

For the world’s third largest economy, Japan is highly dependent on exports. The country is struggling economically even after the US has been generous with stimulus funds to import

MARKET REPORT

their goods in bulk.

Japan’s GDP shrank at an annualised rate of 28.8 per cent in Q2 2020 which was its largest decline to date and despite a rebound of 21.4 per cent quarter-on-quarter in Q3 and 12.7 per cent in Q4, the nation’s annual accounts are falling short of mid 2019 levels. Spending by households with at least two people fell by 5.3 per cent for all of 2020 due to the Covid-19 impact, while all households were down 6.5 per cent which is reported to be the most severe plummet since comparable data made available in 2001.

These economic statistics indicate the country is still catching up, especially at it also experienced negative growth in Q1 2020 and Q4 2019.

Prior to the state of emergency being called to combat Covid-19, domestic tourism and accommodation slumped.

This struggle to stay afloat against the real threat of recession is made more challenging by increases in debt. Japan has a debt/GDP

ratio of about 240 per cent – the highest in the industrialised world.

Some economic observers are even drawing comparisons between Japan and Greece, referring to steep government financing.

Looking back at its trade arrangements with the likes of the US and China, these relationships, which were critical to Japan’s growth, seem to be waning now.

What will Japan do to balance the difference when China ramps up industrial production but trades elsewhere? Similarly, the US has struck deals in the past that have favoured Japan considerably but with the cascading downturn effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, those trading partners across North America will be hard pressed to spend in the short term.

Interestingly, Japan experienced multiple recessions between the current global health crisis and the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). An earthquake and tsunami hit Japan in 2011 causing the first economic calamity, while the other two were simply negative growth quarters. Following these crises, Japan, predictably, was substantially out of pocket due to the debt it accrued and has had to deal with it since.

Reviving the economy is a struggle for Japan because its arguably over reliance on exports and investing overseas has not helped the cause and instead the promise of relief via Abenomics has not lived up to its expectations of improving economic conditions. It could be said that under Abe’s reign, his administration pushed for easing monetary policy and increased government spending however this was balanced by talk of structural reform that never fully eventuated. www.globaltrailermag.com

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AXLES & SUSPENSIONS

NEW GIGANT SPARE PARTS SERVICES GERMAN AXLE SPECIALIST, GIGANT, HAS EXPANDED ITS AFTERMARKET SECTOR AND ADDED E-COMMERCE FUNCTIONALITY TO ITS WEBSITE TO SELL SPARE PARTS.

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IGANT has restructured its technical catalogue, which now includes an online shop and a technical directory.

Registered users can access product information, technical drawings and can place orders via the online shop.

“The required spare parts can be quickly identified and ordered by scanning the QR code on the axle body or by entering the article number directly,” said GIGANT. “The technical directory contains the entire GIGANT product portfolio from the last few decades, so that older generations of axles can be assigned without any problems and suitable spare parts can be quickly reordered. The displayed availabilities optimise the entire ordering process, generating time and cost savings for GIGANT aftermarket customers.”

Additionally, a new video area on the

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See GIGANT’s service videos online.

GIGANT website and YouTube channel provides short tutorials and service videos that explain the main maintenance and repair processes of GIGANT products in different languages. This area is to be regularly supplemented and expanded with additional videos offering customers the best possible service and advice even in times of pandemic. www.gigant.com

Valk Welding Group Tel. +31 (0)78 69 170 11 info@valkwelding.com www.valkwelding.com

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Flexible automation of your welding production The engineering team at Valk Welding develops customized solu�ons according to specific requirements to achieve the highest produc�on efficiency. Both small and medium-sized companies throughout Europe use these solu�ons to improve both welding quality and flexibility. Valk Welding has also become one of the largest independent suppliers of welding consumables in Europe. For example, Valk Welding supplies over 600 tons of (solid) welding wire every month.

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AT THE HEART OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION SAE-SMB, BASED AT HAM-LES-MOINES, IN THE ARDENNES, SUPPLIES EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA AND ASIA – AND THE REST OF THE WORLD – WITH A COMPLETE SELECTION OF AXLE AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS.

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n 1947, three technicians specialising in mechanical engineering began the production of axles for industrial vehicles with the support of Thomé Industries.

The new company, Société Ardennaise d’Essieux, grew rapidly due to the reputation of the Thomé Industries group in the heavy industry sector as well as the technical knowhow of its three creators.

Over the years, SAE has become a leader in the production of industrial axles in the French market, gaining a prestigious position on the European market, thanks to the quality and reliability of its products.

Specialised in assemblies and founded in the 1970s, the company SMB later became the exclusive supplier of axles and suspensions for all trailers of the General Trailers group (FRUEHAUF, BENALU, TRAILOR), Titan – including Fruehauf in Europe, Africa and Japan.

Since the 1990s, SAE has become a reference brand and united with the German group GIGANT, which specialises in the production of mechanical and pneumatic suspensions. This transaction enabled SAE to provide its customers with axles equipped with suspensions. Over time, the company has specialised in the supply of undercarriages for

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special or lowbed trailers, tanks, skips and forestry trailers by equipping them with steering axles with drum brakes or disc brakes.

In 2006, the two companies SAE and SMB merged to found a large group of axles and suspensions, reaching the maximum production of 50,000 axles in 2008 for a turnover of €90,000,000.

In 2013, the ADR Group, the world’s leading agricultural axles, purchases SAE-SMB Industries and injects more than eight million euros. This investment enabled the business to renew its production tools by making it more functional and by adding a cataphoresis unit for anti-corrosion treatment of the axles.

In 2018, launching new markets, SAE-SMB Industries established its Middle East entity under the name SAE-SMB Middle East.

In 2019, in its race for international development, SAE-SMB Industries moved into the strategic Asian market with entities in India and China.

Following the strength of its engagements with its partners and good relations with its suppliers, SAE-SMB Industries launched a spare parts brand, NOS, that offers products test-approved by ADR Spa group.

AXLES & SUSPENSIONS

“The bodies of the axles have monolithic tubular structure, with the integrated hotforged spindles,” said SAE-SMB. “The absence of welding in critical areas of the product ensures maximum reliability, durability, and optimized performance to weight ratio.

The cataphoresis finishing coating gives the maximum protection and great effectiveness over time and sustainability as well.

“The process to produce the body axle led the designers to innovative choices about materials and mechanical solutions, focusing on the size of bearings, in view of the construction of a product suitable both for the western markets to the extreme working SAE-SMB Industries delivers a broad range of axles (steering, self-steering, pendular, bogie) and suspensions (mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic) from 5.5- to 20-tonne loads responsive to client needs.

The company also supplies a complete range of pneumatic suspensions from 11-14 tonnes and mechanical suspensions from 12to 20-tonne for heavy loads.

SAE-SMB has a vast service network that covers all geographic regions where it sells.

In Europe, there are more than 1,000 parts distributors and repairers across 20 countries including France. In North Africa, there are three independent distributors in three countries, while Asia has importers that ensure the availability of spare parts in eight countries.

During 2020, SAE-SMB remained open during the Covid-19 pandemic to supply its customers.

“We realised a turnover of 20 million euros with a net income close to balance thanks to these adaptation and the efforts of all,” said SAE-SMB. “For 2021, we have defined our budget at 22 million euros. The objective for this year is to continue to focus on our business core with the axles and suspensions for specific application and in addition we will continue to provide our nine-tonne axle to the manufacturers and customers who have already experienced of our know-how in the past, when the axle SMB was the leader.”

The strength of SAE-SMB’s product offering is its eco-friendly processes.

conditions of in some areas.

“In the testing centre axles and suspensions are tested both for the structural effectiveness and brake efficiency. Finally, the final verdict is on the road, where tested vehicles face their true conditions every day. “ Research carried out in the SAE-SMB Industries design offices has shown results for technological innovation.

“All new technical solutions undergo a series of continuous tests that simulate the most critical working conditions and thus help the development of new products and the improvement of production,” said SAE-SMB. “Once product features and functionalities are defined, whether for axles or safety parts, each product is tested for strength and durability. The simulations thus make it possible to select the best technical configuration to propose on the market.

“SAE-SMB Industries can thus select the best product at the best price.

The selection of spare parts is made not only by the fame of the brand of the manufacturer but also by concrete comparative tests simulating the whole lifetime of the part.”

The manufacturer benefits from a fully refurbished ADR test centre which is part of the Uboldo plant near Milan, Italy, to carry out complete axle tests at the structural level as well as braking performance.

SAE-SMB Industries’ ADR Group Research Center collaborates with worldrenowned academic institutes, the most qualified vehicle manufacturers, and the world’s leading standards bodies.

Component development has led to improvements in durability and maintenance frequency intervals.

The manufacturer can also incorporate hydraulic motors with its axles.

“Our pendular axles allow a good adaptation to the chassis by the adjustable positioning of the cylinder bracket,” said SAE-SMB. “Furthermore, the oscillation axis may be equipped on the customer’s choice with a bronze or composite bush.” www.sae-smb.com

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THE

WEIGHT OF

SUCCESS THE SAF INTRA CAN ALREADY LOOK BACK AT MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS. THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FROM SAFHOLLAND IS AVAILABLE IN MANY VARIANTS FOR A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT TRANSPORT TASKS IN THE NINE-TONNE SECTOR AND HAS PROVEN ITSELF A MILLION TIMES OVER.

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AF-HOLLAND develops new products and upgrades to existing ranges not behind closed doors, but with a close eye on the requirements of the market. The best example: the millions of SAF INTRA air suspension systems that have been on the road for more than 20 years.

From the outset, the suspension has been continuously optimised and expanded, turning the originally rigid unit into a complete family of axles, with self-steering and forced-steering axles, a hydraulic wheel hub drive or an electric generator as a drive.

– such as durability, safety or reliability – are integrated into the development.

Before the new products go into production, they are put through their paces on test beds and during test drives in everyday transport situations. This ensures high product safety.

Furthermore, SAF-Holland continuously optimises its components to ensure low operating and maintenance costs for the customers. During the practical tests, the new developments then have to prove that they can live up to the customers’ expectations on the road as well.

Continuous further developments pay off for the SAF INTRA family. On the test beds, the durability of the suspension has nearly doubled in the past 20 years, while the mileage is 1.8 times higher than for the original unit. At the same time, the weight has reduced significantly: Lightweight components, for example, mean that each SAF INTRA axle weighs about 70 kilogrammes less – on three axles, that saves 210kg which the fleet operators can convert into a higher payload.

Product development together with fleet customers

The dialogue with the fleet customers plays a key role for every innovation. Their wishes

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SAF INTRA: low wear – high safety

The axles from the SAF INTRA family follow a special design principle that ensures

AXLES & SUSPENSIONS

SAF-Holland suspension is continuously developed.

lower wear and more planning reliability. The functional suspension arm and the axle tube, for example, form a permanently connected, maintenance-free unit. The patented SafeGuard design of the functional suspension arm additionally protects the brake cylinder against damage. The shock absorbers, which are positioned directly in the functional suspension arm, are also well secured.

With a robust and weight-saving design, the different axle variants feature sophisticated technical details and ensure that trailers travel safely on the road in all nine-tonne applications. The latest developments in the SAF INTRA family are the hydraulically driven axle, two electric axles and a specially coated axle for maximum corrosion protection.

SAF INTRA keeps setting new technological standards.

is used to run auxiliary consuming units in the trailer, for example the cooling unit in refrigerated trucks. In addition, SAF TRAKe uses the stored energy to support the main drive of the tractor unit, for example in difficult road conditions.

SAF INTRADISC plus INTEGRAL with two-part brake disc

The two-part brake disc of the SAF INTRADISC plus INTEGRAL is a world first. The special compound casting process prevents the formation of hot spots which can cause tensions and cracks in the material and ultimately a failure of the disc. This design therefore extends the service life of the brake discs and pads. Fleet operators benefit from planning reliability, higher efficiency and higher cost effectiveness.

10-year warranty for SAF INTRA PC PREMIUM COATED

SAF INTRA CD TRAK – the drive for trailers

The SAF INTRA CD TRAK moves the drive into the trailer. With a hydraulically driven motor, the axle supports the tractor unit, for example on hills and when setting out on difficult terrain – at the press of a button in the driver’s cab. The integrated auxiliary drive has a durable, low-maintenance design and guarantees a particularly long service life for the trailer axle.

Electrified: SAF TRAKe and SAF TRAKr

SAF-Holland launches two electric trailer axles so trucks and trailers can drive without emissions in the near future. The SAF TRAKr regenerative braking axle recovers motion energy which is converted into electricity. This

The three-layer PREMIUM COATED process promises corrosion protection and great durability for the INTRA range. A high zinc content in the coating achieves high corrosion protection and preserves the value of the trailer in the long term.

SAF-Holland underlines this by offering a 10-year warranty against corrosion.

The greater durability and the well-maintained appearance of the axles additionally provide fleet operators with a higher resale value, in particular on high-quality tanker and silo bodies. PREMIUM COATED is since a short time also available as an option for the SAF INTRA self-steering axle.

The coating is applied using the optimised three-layer PREMIUM COATED process. The axle is sandblasted, and a cathodic dip coating is applied. The component is then primed with a zinc-based powder coating, which protects against corrosion and offers good mechanical properties. As the zinc-based paint is applied using an electro-static process, it reliably reaches even hidden corners, recesses and cavities. The process is completed with a cover layer and a grey topcoat which can be painted over individually. www.safholland.com

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RUNNING THE GAUNTLET

BPW SHOWCASES ITS LATEST AXLE AND SUSPENSION INNOVATIONS, QUALITY MADE IN GERMANY. BETWEEN RUNNING GEAR KIT IMPROVEMENTS AND THE FINETUNING OF A SOLID PRODUCT PORTFOLIO, BPW HAS A SOLUTION FOR EVERY ROAD TRANSPORT FLEET.

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ngineers at BPW Bergische Achsen KG announced an industry breakthrough in April this year. They achieved weight savings of up to 60kg thanks to their new generation Airlight II running gear kit which now covers an even wider range of applications both on- and off-highway with one single axle beam type. It’s the axle and suspension specialist’s digital DNA, laser technology and intelligent modules that has led to this development.

Trailer running gear systems are generally precisely designed for their intended freight task whether it be transporting Covid-19 vaccines or heating oil.

BPW’s technologies enable vehicle manufacturers to build highly specialised and outstandingly economical trailers. The new Airlight II kit supports of the best-selling trailer running gears in Europe.

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The generation change is being introduced in the Airlight II kit for the ninetonne axle load range with clamped spring seat arrangements, as they are typically used

FAST FACT Airlight II, the suspension solution for all applications ranging from nine to 12 tonnes is easy to install, robust for on- and off-road use and is weight optimised to allow for more payload.

AXLES & SUSPENSIONS

FAST FACT Mechanical running gears from BPW are designed to allow assembly and maintenance with simple tools. Even in regions with poor infrastructure, the high availability of spare parts worldwide ensures that vehicles can be kept up and running when repairs are necessary.

for tipper, tank and silo vehicles or also for special box bodies. For the first time, all components of Airlight II are also based on the ‘digitial twin’ principle. The digital DNA enables vehicle manufacturers to determine the perfect running gear configuration for highly specialised applications online from countless options.

A new feature is the combination of the clamped spring seat arrangement of the Airlight II air suspension in conjunction with a round axle beam. This is made possible by the patent-pending laser processing of the contact surfaces in the spring seat arrangement. This extremely robust mounting, combined with a round axle beam used in both nine-tonne onroad and off-road applications, enables offroad weight savings of up to 60 kilograms compared to previous versions.

“BPW sets standards in this combination,” said BPW Trailer Solutions & Mobility

Services Product Manager, Denis Wierwille. “We combine unshakeable sturdiness with a new lightness.”

In on-road weight-sensitive transport, the two lightweight design options LightTube trailing arm and aluminium hub can still be used. In this way, a module weight of less than 370kg can be achieved, which is the benchmark in the range of running gears for nine-tonne axle loads.

BPW already heralded the revolution in running gear design in 2019 with the ECO Air running gear kit. This kit covers standard running gears for the 9-ton segment. The laser process celebrated its premiere with ECO Air and has since proven itself hundreds of thousands of times over.

Looking for a modular revolution? The BPW ECO Air is reported to be the first modular running gear of its kind.

It not only streamlines the configuration, design and production of trailers, but also opens up new flexibility for vehicle manufacturers and significantly reduces both weight and costs. From the moment it is ordered, ECO Air carries a unique digital DNA that stays with the running gear throughout its entire life, from production to maintenance. This digital DNA makes highly efficient processes and intelligent services possible across its entire life cycle.

A patented laser welding process not only makes the running gear much lighter, it proves that at BPW, innovation is not only considered in terms of digital processes, but that renewal is also possible in the traditional field of metal processing.

Meanwhile, BPW’s SL air suspension is a tougher option for off-road use suited for axle loads between 12 and 14 tonnes. Ride heights can range between 230mm to 600mm, trailing arm width is 100m and single and double leaf trailing arms are available. Welded axle mounting comes as standard.

Also, air suspension hanger brackets have 8mm wall thickness.

And then there are the mechanical suspension options.

In many markets, mechanical suspensions play a major role according to BPW. The durability, ease of maintenance and emergency running properties of these running gears are critical to their utilisation – especially in situations where tough operating conditions, long distances between service points or long operating lives with low mileage are the order of the day.

The BPW product portfolio covers axle loads from 5.5 tonnes to 20 tonnes.

The equipment specialist has appropriate solutions for every market, and in the case of mechanical suspension, can cater for those heavy duty trailers built to ensure challenging road conditions and long term use. www.bpw.de

FAST FACT BPW’s SL air suspension is a tough performer. The axle beam, axle spring seat arrangement and trailing arm are combined with the air suspension hanger bracket to form a highly robust unit that can withstand extremely tough conditions.

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In the new JOST Truck Stop series useful information about JOST World is presented.

ON THE

RIGHT TRACK A NEW VIDEO SERIES, JOST TRUCK STOP, PROVIDES A VARIETY OF INSIGHTS AND USER TIPS ON THE EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST’S PRODUCTS.

F JOST’s new social media series provides many product details.

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rom May 2021, JOST World – the manufacturer and supplier of safety-relevant systems for the commercial vehicle industry – will publish a new clip on the JOST World social media channels on YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook every 14 days on Wednesdays.

Practical tips, helpful information and further insights into the JOST World are now available in the new JOST Truck Stop series.

Facts and application tips for the JOST products are shown in short video clips.

The first episode is about the central lubrication system LubeTronic 5Point and JOST’s biodegradable high-performance

TRAILER MAINTENANCE

JOST Truck Stop takes place in various practical settings.

lubricant.

The question of how the LubeTronic 5Point distributes the lubricant equally and sustainably is answered in the clip.

The new series will take place in various practical settings near JOST’s headquarters in Neu-Isenburg, Germany, in order to provide an authentic insight into the daily work with JOST products.

JOST reaches users in the commercial vehicle industry directly with

useful information about its various products and provides a further digital added value service complementing existing information channels.

Interested parties are encouraged to engage with the program by asking questions via the comment sections of each social media platform.

JOST World Head of Marketing Communications, Holger Koch, is very pleased about the launch of the new program.

“With JOST Truck Stop, we are now presenting our innovative and reliable products even more closely,” he said.

“This is extremely exciting for different target groups because JOST’s strong brands cover a diverse product portfolio.

“We are happy to be able to provide comprehensive digital information and to remain loyal to our service concept ‘around the world – around the clock’ because all the interested parties can view the videos at any time.” www.jost-world.com

FAST FACT JOST developed a completely biodegradable high-performance lubricant for its fifth wheel couplings “Under normal operating conditions, a fifth wheel coupling requires about 10 kilograms of lubricating grease per year,” JOST said in a statement. “With a vehicle fleet of around 600,000 vehicles in Europe, this makes around 6,000 tonnes per year. This high amount of grease requires an eco-friendly solution like the biodegradable organic grease.”

With the development of minimal lubrication with LubeTronic, JOST already succeeded in reducing the amount of grease needed to about 1.6 kilograms per year. JOST is now taking the next step by introducing a grease that is biodegradable in accordance with the OECD 301 B biodegradation test.

A workshop provides an authentic insight into the daily work with JOST products.

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TURNING THE WHEELS OF TRAILER SAFETY AND COST EFFICIENCY GLOBAL MARKET LEADER FOR TRAILER SYSTEMS, ZF OUTLINES THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGH-QUALITY TRAILER AIR DISC BRAKE AND BRAKE ACTUATION TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY AND OPTIMISE OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS.

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o bring optimal brake force to the road, an effective wheel-end solution with quality braking and brake actuator technology is of critical importance according to ZF, global expert for commercial vehicle control systems.

The strength of complete wheel-end-solutions engineering

Having supplied over eight million single-piston air disc brakes and more than 70 million brake actuators to the commercial vehicle market worldwide, ZF understands the importance of wheel-end solutions for OEMs, fleets and drivers.

The trailer systems leader is building on its WABCO Trailer Solutions portfolio with a relentless focus on safer operations and an overall reduction in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Its wheel-end solutions offer customers a wide range of benefits for daily operations. This includes enhanced safety, regulatory compliance, more vehicle uptime, less maintenance, reduced repair costs and increased payload capabilities.

Powering safety and efficiency with brake actuators

There are two main types of brake actuators. An onboard service brake chamber reliably actuates the service brake, while a spring brake chamber also enables parking and fail-safe braking. In addition to the proven reliability of UNISTOP service brake chambers, ZF’s TRISTOP D spring brake chambers enable all three braking functions: service, parking and fail-safe braking.

TRISTOP D spring brake chambers feature a double diaphragm and provide Taking Trailer Braking to the MAXX – ZF’s latest MAXX 2.0 Trailer Air Disc Brake offers premium safety and braking efficiency. Providing a one-stop solution for brake actuation and air disc brakes, ZF is helping OEMs and fleets improve road safety and reduce the Total Cost of Ownership of trailing equipment.

a tailor-made and cost-efficient solution for trailer applications that must meet specific space and performance requirements. A range of options is available, from a basic application with open-hole design and external release bolt, to premium variants with an internal breathing valve (IBV), a coil clash-free power spring and a new Integrated Release Bolt (IRB).

This latest premium IRB design for trailers eliminates the need for an external release bolt and dust plug, helping to significantly improve serviceability. It also increases protection against exterior contamination offering superior inner component protection which helps extend brake chamber life and vehicle uptime. In addition, ZF’s IBV technology helps further extend product life by enabling the brake chamber to ‘breathe’ using clean air from the service side of the chamber. The combination of IBV and IRB technologies fully seals the parking chamber and provides optimal protection.

Today, ZF provides service and spring brake chambers designed for various brake applications. This includes air disc, cam and wedge types featuring different brake chamber sizes and output forces to meet customer needs and whether service, parking and fail-safe braking functions are required.

Accelerating air disc brake technology makes a world of difference

Foundation braking technology varies across global regions. Air disc brake (ADB) technology is already standard across Europe with only some drum brake applications left.

Driven by an increased focus on safety and TCO, air disc brake penetration is increasing across North America. ADB penetration is also rising across Asia, particularly driven by regulatory requirements, notably in China.

Compared to traditional drum brakes,

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BRAKING TECHNOLOGY

SU PPORTI NG TRAI LE R BU I LDE RS AN D FLE ETS G LOBALLY As a leading global integrated systems provider for commercial vehicle technology, ZF is further building on WABCO Trailer Solutions’ global market leadership. This is helping drive advanced safety, operational efficiency, fuel and CO2 reduction, load optimisation and improved driver comfort. ZF offers comprehensive solutions in the technology domains of Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, Automated Driving and Electric Mobility. With the integration of WABCO, ZF is creating a new level of capabilities to pioneer the next generation of solutions and services for original equipment manufacturers and fleets globally.

Taking trailer air disc braking to the MAXX

ZF’s latest TRISTOP D Spring Brake Chamber with Integrated Release Bolt provides complete protection of the parking chamber from exterior contamination, enables easier servicing, increased vehicle uptime and an extended operational lifetime.

ADB technology helps enhance road safety with shorter stopping distances, provides consistent braking performance even in demanding conditions, offers greater straight-line stability with improved driver comfort and increases vehicle uptimes. A strong exponent of the enhanced safety and efficiency of ADB, ZF is at the forefront of the global commercial vehicle industry’s conversion from drum brakes to air disc brake technologies.

Specifically designed for all types of trailers, ZF’s fifth-generation single piston air disc brake MAXX 2.0 offers a 2kg weight saving compared to the previous generation. This, combined with a design which requires up to 40 per cent fewer parts, enables increased transport payloads while reducing TCO. Additionally, its low drag-torque design, with smooth guiding system, contributes to pad resetting in brake-off condition, further boosting fuel efficiency. Engineered with an active taper wear mitigation system, it reduces uneven pad wear and extends pad life.

In addition, a newly designed carrier and brake pad system offers improved serviceability for quick and easy pad replacement.

MAXX 2.0 features a unique adjuster mechanism to quickly adapt running clearance during both brake application and brake release. This increases clearance stability to help maintain optimal running clearance. It also provides rapid restoration of brake performance in extreme and long downhill operations and minimises the risk of over-adjusting, a common issue for hot runners. ZF offers solutions for all rim sizes from 17.5” to 22.5” and enables consistent performance of up to 30,000 Nm brake torque.

The non-stop, one-stop shop

Pioneering single-piston air disc brakes

Within the ADB sector ZF’s long mastered single-piston air disc brake technology has been proven to be more reliable and achieves higher braking efficiency levels with consistent brake performance throughout their lifespan compared to other ADB designs. The piston is a vital element of the brake’s clamping unit, responsible for transferring output force by pressing the brake pads against the disc. ZF’s pioneering, smart and compact single-piston technology achieves the same high output forces as double-piston designs, even in the most demanding applications. As a result of the benefits of this advanced technology, ZF has sold over eight million single-piston ADB systems world-wide, including more than three million systems for trailer applications.

ZF offers an extensive portfolio of tailor-made service brake chambers, spring brake chambers and air disc brakes, including single-piston PAN, MAXX and MAXX 2.0. Based on its extensive engineering experience, ZF provides longterm truck and trailer wheel-end solutions that are proven time and time again to literally go the distance.

Building on widely trusted WABCO braking and brake control solutions, ZF is committed to developing the technologies of the future. This includes advanced braking and vehicle control systems that support the commercial vehicle industry’s increasing adoption of autonomous driving, connectivity and electrification (ACE) technologies. ZF is also powering wheel-end advances to support both conventional and electrified vehicles. This includes the development of continuous wear sensors and smart axles which enable continuous real-time monitoring and wheel end diagnostics.

With an industry-leading Aftermarket product portfolio and dedicated support delivered across an unparalleled worldwide service network, ZF is committed to supporting OEMs and the entire fleet and logistics ecosystem with the very latest solutions to further advance safety and operational efficiency – today and tomorrow. www.zf.com / www.wabco-auto.com

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HEAVYM E T A L AFTER HAVING WELDED SUB-ASSEMBLIES ON ROBOTS FOR MANY YEARS, FAYMONVILLE, WHICH MANUFACTURES SEMITRAILERS FOR HEAVY HAULAGE, HAS COMMISSIONED A LARGE WELDING ROBOT SYSTEM FROM VALK WELDING TO WELD COMPLETE CHASSIS. THIS HAS ENABLED THE COMPANY TO GREATLY IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF ITS SMALL SERIES WELDING PRODUCTION, MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVE EDGE IN BELGIUM AND STRENGTHEN ITS POSITION IN EUROPE.

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mploying 760 people over 5 locations in Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland and Russia, Faymonville produces over 2,000 units a year. The company specialises in customised trailers for exceptional transport, which are built in a large variety. The COMBIMAX is the latest concept – a semi-trailer system for heavy haulage made up of standardised modules.

Faymonville thus offers a semi-trailer system that can be flexibly assembled according to customer requirements. Together with the universal coupling, this concept is unique and revolutionary in the world of transport.

Designed for welding robot technology

“Welding is a crucial part of our production,” said Faymonville COO

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and co-owner, Yves Faymonville. “That’s why we’ve been using Valk Welding robots for 20 years for the welding production of ‘smaller’ components up to 1,500 kg. The introduction of COMBIMAX brought to the idea of using the robot to weld complete assemblies. Each module is therefore designed to be welded with the robot. The COMBIMAX modules are still being welded by hand at the moment, but since the market launch we’ve been

B U I LT T O T A S K

A low loader innovation designed and manufactured by Faymonville.

robots. This is reported to guarantee very deep penetration, so that the welding seam preparation can also be adapted in such a way that the welding costs are greatly reduced. A perfect welding position is of major importance here, which is why a system with a total of 22 free programmable axis has been chosen.

Offline programming

Faymonville chassis production is enhanced by Valk Welding robots.

working on the concept for a new welding robot system.”

8.5 x 27 metre welding robot system

Valk Welding ultimately built a welding robot system comprising multiple stations so that the robot could also weld sub-assemblies during the chassis changes. The overall system measures approximately 8.5 x 27m, conforming to CE specification.

The large and heavy chassis are positioned using two synchronously driven positioners that are able to handle a total of 10,000kg with a total chassis length of 12 metres. Two welding robots are mounted on a gantry structure based on the XYZ concept, so that all welding positions are optimally accessible.

In view of the heavy transport on public roads, welding quality is of major importance to Faymonville. That’s why the OEM applies the ‘deep penetration’ welding process, which comes as standard with the Panasonic WGH

Offline programming was reportedly necessary in view of the very small series and sizes/weights of the products. This was also one of the decisive reasons why this project was carried out together with Valk Welding. Both the ease of use of the software and Valk Welding’s know-how are of great importance. The DTPS software is the common thread running through the ongoing evolution towards greater flexibility.

Thick plate

Heavy duty construction calls for both intelligent search algorithms to stay within the product tolerances and multiple-layer welds in virtually all cases. Traditional programming would take up a huge amount of time. Panasonic offers ‘Thick Plate Software Solutions’ especially for applications such as these. Faymonville uses this software to program a new product every day and is based on Faymonville’s experience which is unique in its class.

Staying competitive

The welding robot system is installed at the Belgian facility.

“The high salary costs make Büllingen our most expensive production location,” said Yves Faymonville. “The best way to overcome this situation was to increase robot welding. We have been able to greatly reduce the turnaround time and delivery time and have also achieved cost savings. Valk Welding has done this for us from design to implementation, and also provides aftersales support.”

Throughout Europe

The Faymonville trailers are sold worldwide via a dealer network. Faymonville even has an establishment in Russia.

“We’re planning to assemble a specific type of lowloader there, making the sub-assemblies for this here,” said Yves Faymonville. www.valkwelding.com

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OPPORT FOR ADVANCEMENT FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS THERMO KING HAS DELIVERED THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY. THIS YEAR, THE TEMPERATURE-CONTROL SPECIALIST UNVEILS THE THE FUTURE OF TRAILER REFRIGERATION – THE THERMO KING ADVANCER – AND BEGINS THE ROLLOUT OF ITS STATE-OF-THE-ART HYBRID SYSTEMS FOR TRUCKS AND HIGH-LOADERS.

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n 1938 the founders of Thermo King developed the first successful mechanical transport refrigeration unit thus creating a completely new industry and a whole new standard of living. Fresh food, available any season, has greatly improved the quality of life, and enormously improved people’s health.

This technology has advanced dramatically through these 80-plus years.

Innovation in areas like precision temperature control, telematics, and electrification contribute solutions to big challenges posed by the current pandemic, food loss, and climate change adapting to meet efficiency, environmental and customer requirements.

Thermo King Advancer A-Series

In June 2020, Thermo King unveiled its re-imagining of the trailer refrigeration unit, the Advancer A-Series trailer refrigeration unit that was designed to meet customers aspirations for reliable, responsive, and cost-effective technology. An innovation meeting Thermo King’s vision for developing refrigeration capabilities

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that are ready today but built for tomorrow – redefining what’s possible in cold chain logistics.

The ambition behind Advancer is to move beyond incremental enhancements and to create a trailer refrigeration unit that features innovations never before seen on the market.

Equally, the performance delivered by the A-Series is unrivalled, featuring groundbreaking temperature control, superior load protection, and unmatched fuel efficiency.

Combined, these capabilities deliver greater operational flexibility, while helping customers achieve significant improvements in fleet uptime and total cost of ownership.

TR A I L E R R E F R I G E R ATI O N TE C H N O L O GY

UNITIES Performance to push boundaries

The new architecture incorporates the expectations of customers that were gathered in detail and factored into the design from the outset, along with decades of Thermo King’s knowledge and experience. As a result, Advancer includes unique features that comprehensively address a wide range of operational and financial challenges, including: • Fully variable airflow that can be regulated for each journey and cargo and is independent from unit engine speed.

• Advancer is up to 40 per cent quicker to pull down and up to 30 per cent more fuel-efficient than the market average.

This unrivalled electrical and fuel efficiency contributing to lower CO2 footprint and engines with 50 per cent less emissions than the maximum allowed by latest NRMM Stage V emission standards.

• Electronic engine speed control on the A-400 and A-500 units, which makes them the first units on the market to give complete

transparency of fuel levels and fuel consumption. The fuel consumption data will be recorded, displayed, and made available remotely via telematics.

• Lower maintenance costs and enhanced serviceability compared to the predecessor, thanks to sensors offering more insight into the engine, fuel, battery and the performance of other key components.

• Future-ready power agnostic capabilities that can utilise diesel, axle generator, or shore power sources with ease.

• Fleet intelligence as standard, with Advancer being the first-ever unit to offer 2 years of full telematics connectivity in the purchase price.

Modular design for being power agnostic

With a modular design, Advancer offers future-ready power agnostic capabilities that can utilise diesel, axle generator, or shore power sources.

Today, Advancer can run from the diesel engine; plugged into an electrical power source at a distribution centre; as a hybrid, using a generator on the engine of the tractor that powers the refrigeration unit. Thermo King is also collaborating with BPW to develop a zero-emission, axle-powered solution. This technology will use the energy recovered via the trailer axle to operate the refrigeration unit in electric mode. Combined with new and future battery technology, this will enable the operators to switch to electric drive, independent of vehicle motorisation.

The response to this product representing Thermo King’s vision for the future of trailer refrigeration has been very positive. Advancer won the first place in ‘Smart Trailer’ category of Trailer Innovation 2021 Awards – a renowned industry prize, which has been promoting outstanding ideas and product innovations from

W W W. G LO B A LT R A I L E R M AG . C O M / G L O B A L T R A I L E R / 5 1

the trailer, semi-trailer and body industries since 2002. The Advancer Project was also awarded

by Engineers Ireland in Engineering Innovation and Sustainability category in recognition of its engineering vision and creativity and for its impact on the environment.

Sustainable manufacturing

Not only does Advancer deliver superior performance for our customers, it pushes Thermo King forward to deliver on its sustainability commitments.

Advancer units are manufactured at a Thermo King plant based in Galway, Ireland, a facility Greggs trials the new hybrid regarded as a pioneer of sustainable manufacturing refrigeration system from practices. The site was one of the first in the Thermo King. company to send zero waste-to-landfill and has implemented vital water harvesting practices to reduce water use – with the goal of becoming net positive in water use.

When it came time to design Advancer, the team was diligent about designing the product itself for more efficient manufacturing to reduce energy use, move the needle toward carbon neutral production and source as much renewable energy as possible.

Now fully operational, the production line for Advancer uses 65 per cent less energy to produce than previous trailer units. Some of the key changes that created these efficiencies include reduced time to build each unit, a smaller manufacturing footprint and more electrical testing instead of diesel testing.

In addition to reduced overall energy use, the energy that is used to manufacture the Advancer units is more sustainable. Advancer is manufactured in the Galway plant on a 100 per cent carbon neutral manufacturing footprint, and 65 per cent of the energy consumed to manufacture the product is from renewable sources.

The team continues to look for opportunities to create efficiencies within the manufacturing process, with a goal to deliver a production line that is 100 per cent carbon neutral and 100 per cent renewable energy by July 2021.

T- and UT-Series Hybrid

Thermo King is also delivering hybrid refrigeration systems for trucks and high-loaders across Europe. The new T- and UT-Series Hybrid refrigeration systems seamlessly switch between diesel and electric mode allowing transporters to operate in inner cities, residential areas and low emission zones with the unit’s diesel engine turned off.

Greggs, UK’s leading bakery food-on-the-go retailer with more than 2,000 shops nationwide and serving over six million customers a week, is one of the first customers in Europe to experience the benefits of the new hybrid refrigeration systems from Thermo King. Three new trucks with Thermo King Hybrid systems will contribute to lowering the environmental impact and reducing operating costs of their truck transport operations in central London.

“Thermo King units have been our systems of choice for several years now,” said Greggs Group Logistics Manager, Richard Penna.

“Their units have delivered good flexibility and work efficiency to our operations, and we could also always count on the Thermo King dealer

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service network to support us.

“We’re very conscious about the sustainability of our transport operations.

It is paramount for us to operate in inner cities with as little noise and emissions as possible. It was a natural choice to work with Thermo King and equip our trucks with these new units that can easily switch from diesel operation to electric, reduce the sound level and eliminate emissions.

On top of that we expect to benefit from the lower daily fuel consumption.”

The new hybrid single and multitemperature solution for trucks feature Frigoblock alternator and inverter-drive technology. The nose-mount T-Series Hybrid and under-mount UT-Series Hybrid refrigeration automatically switches between electric and diesel operation as required or necessary. This enables the transport companies to operate in inner cities, residential areas and low emission zones with the refrigeration unit’s diesel engine turned off. The system is also very well accepted by drivers, mainly due to the simple and smooth transition from one drive technology to the other. The driver only needs to set the vehicle when leaving the depot and the system will switch electric and diesel modes seamlessly during the working day depending on the unit’s requirements. www.thermoking.com

NEW: SPARE PARTS ONLINE SHOP

GIGANT SPARE PARTS

In the new online shop for GIGANT spare parts, as a registered user you can identify all spare parts and order them directly.

In the Technical Directory you will also find all technical information, exploded views and assemblies and you can place the required spare part directly in the shopping cart.

www.gigant.com

TRANSPORT SECTOR

RECOVERY MARIUSZ GOLEC, CEO AND FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE WIELTON GROUP, TALKS ABOUT TRANSPORT SECTOR RECOVERY AND ITS IMPACT ON THE WIELTON GROUP.

T

he European market for trailers and semi-trailers has experienced a significant recovery in 2021. This situation favours the rebuilding of the Wielton Group’s results. The key is the sustained high demand for our products. The market revival was already visible in the second half of 2020 and is continuing all the time. As a result, we have gained a large number of orders from our customers. We are working intensively to fulfil them, fully utilising the production capacity of our plants. However, despite this, the lead time for orders has increased slightly, and can now range from three to even six months. We are concentrating our efforts on maintaining the momentum of the recovering trailer and semi-trailer market. This is not an easy task, especially due to the automotive industry’s supply problems and the high prices of raw materials. At the same time, we are aware that it will not be possible for us to maintain the level of market growth in all countries, resulting in a decline in market shares.

This situation takes place, for example, in Poland. However, it results from the necessity for the plants in Wieluń to service the growing demand for products in many foreign markets.

The increased demand for trailers and semi-trailers is the result of postponed demand from previous years, as well as accelerated purchasing decisions by customers. It is worth noting that in previous years, transport companies held back on purchasing and replacing their fleets with new ones. Their decisions, even before the outbreak of the pandemic, were influenced by the uncertainty related to Brexit and the planned introduction of the Mobility Package. However, the industry is now coping well with these challenges. It should also be noted that companies operating in the freight transport market have not been strongly affected by the pandemic. Apart from a short period during the first lockdown, they have continued their activities without major obstacles. For this reason, the condition of transport companies is relatively good, which translates into new investments.

We are seeing a significant recovery across Europe, although the pace of market recovery varies from country to country. Some of the markets in which

54 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

Wielton Group CEO and First Vice President, Mariusz Golec.

the Wielton Group operates are on track to generate volume sales similar to those achieved in 2019. The Polish market is one example. In the first four months of this year, nearly 10,000 units of new trailers and semitrailers with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 3.5-tonne were registered in Poland. We anticipate that the positive market trend will continue in our country in the coming months, but in the medium to long term, further growth in demand will take place in a stable and sustainable manner.

Taking into account the positive market trends, the growing demand for trailers and semi-trailers in Europe and the full order backlog for the second and third quarters of this year, we conclude that the Wielton Group’s sales dynamics should remain at a high level. Moreover, the order backlog for the last quarter of 2021 is also filling up

BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE

steadily. On this basis, we predict that results for the whole of 2021 should reach high double-digit increases and goal of returning to the sales results of 2019 is realistic to achieve this year. We are gradually and consistently approaching the achievement of our annual targets, feeling relatively comfortable with the assumed levels of sales volume and revenue, as well as the level of the EBITDA margin. However, at the same time, we expect that sales dynamics may slow down somewhat towards the end of the year.

Furthermore, we operate under the pressure of unstable raw material prices, which is a significant difficulty due to their lack of predictability. The biggest challenge for us is the increase in steel and aluminium prices, which translates into higher prices for components necessary for the production of trailers and semi-trailers. For this reason, in recent months, we have struggled with difficulties in the supply of certain components. Maintaining the continuity of the supply chain is still a challenge for us, but one that we are managing efficiently.

It is important to emphasise that thanks to our long-standing cooperation with reliable suppliers, we are kept informed about changes so that we can react appropriately

if necessary and, for example, look for substitutes. We are more concerned about the lack of stability of prices of raw materials and components, which we also effectively mitigate by securing price levels with long-term supply contracts. Although their clauses allow for certain deviations, it is much easier to manage the purchasing and supply process when we are not negatively surprised by suppliers.

We try to minimise the impact of rising component prices on our margins. For this reason, it is reasonable to increase the prices of our products on a regular basis to be able to pass on at least part of the additional costs incurred to our final customers. So far, these price increases have been met with understanding by our customers, who are well aware of the situation on the raw materials market. In addition, we are benefiting from favourable euro and pound exchange rates, which gives us greater comfort in shaping product prices.

Therefore, on the one hand, we are struggling with the pressure of rising raw material costs, which we are trying to mitigate by increasing product prices. On the other hand, thanks to the modernisation carried out during the downtime during the pandemic, we were able to increase the capacity of the production plant in Wieluń. As a result, in conditions of growing volumes, we are able to take advantage of the operating leverage effect, which ultimately translates positively into the achieved margin.

Among other things, our goal in 2021 is to further improve the efficiency of our production plants. The assumed expenditure for the current year is approximately PLN 50 million (€ 11.2 million). We focus primarily on eliminating bottlenecks and increasing the efficiency of production processes.

The largest funds are earmarked for fully equipping the new innovative Langendorf Polska plant in Wieluń, which will ultimately take over full responsibility for the product development of low-loaders throughout the Wielton Group. We plan to complete this project still in 2021. www.wieltongroup.com

W W W. G LO B A LT R A I L E R M AG . C O M / G L O B A L T R A I L E R / 5 5

AUTOMATIC

FOR THE PEOPLE EXCELLENT QUALITY AND SERVICE ARE TOP PRIORITIES FOR CARGO FLOOR, THE NETHERLANDS-BASED MANUFACTURER OF THE CARGOMATIC SYSTEM FOR TRUCKS AND TRAILERS. THE SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY GAINS OF USING THIS TECHNOLOGY IS BOOSTING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES OF THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE.

F

or 20 years, Paul van der Does has been a member of the Cargo Floor team. In his current role as Senior Sales Manager he is responsible for the sales of the CargoMatic system, a mobile floor system for trucks and trailers. It appears to be very efficient for dock-to-trailer work with fully automatic loading and unloading in about 90 seconds. The manufacturer claims a standard trailer transporting 33 pallets can be unloaded in under three minutes.

Optimising the logistics process, according to van der Does, is more important than ever.

“The CargoMatic system is the solution for this,” he said. “The CargoMatic is one of the fastest logistical volume transport systems that exists. The transport speed of the CargoMatic is, depending on the cargo to be transported,

5 6 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

variably adjustable from zero to maximum and moves about nine metres per minute.

However, the optimum appears to be about six metres per minute.”

“A standard trailer (13,600mm) transporting 33 pallets will be unloaded in 2.5 minutes.

This compared to conventional loading and unloading will save the operator at least 30 minutes. Because of this, the CargoMatic system is especially suitable for short-distance and shuttle transport from A to B.

FACTORY TOUR

In reinforced execution able to drive over with a electro hand pallet truck.

CargoMatic Dock-to-Trailer, 13.6m loaded/ unloaded within 2.5 minutes.

Cargo Floor manufactures its products in a factory based in Coevorden, the Netherlands, and exports CargoMatic worldwide including Scandinavia, Australia and every country in between.

“The main export market for the CargoMatic system is Western Europe, with Germany leading the list, followed by Spain,

FAST FACT Cargo Floor uses high quality materials and components in its CargoMatic builds.

The system also features maintenance-free bearings, reducing grease nipples to a minimum, and offers a fully automatic chain lubrication system that lubricates the chains during loading / unloading. Extra strong HD chains fitted as standard result in mininal maintenance required and contributes to a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

France, Belgium, Poland, Italy, Sweden as well as the Middle East and the US,” said van der Does. “Wherever there is an automotive industry, food and beverage and chemical industry, there are potential markets for the CargoMatic system.”

Cargo Floor undertakes rigorous quality assurance and product testing in-house.

It is an ISO 9001 quality certified company, a requirement for customers in the automotive and chemical sectors.

“Every CargoMatic system is produced according to high quality requirements and standards, using the highest quality materials and components,” said van der Does. “Cargo Floor has developed a unique test wizard for the CargoMatic system. This test wizard is included in the software and helps the installer to commission and test the CargoMatic system step by step, guiding them through the different steps of the process and this is graphically supported on the colour display. The wizard ensures that all sensors and signal transmitters are properly connected and the CargoMatic system works completely reliably and safely wherever it is installed in the world.”

CargoMatic also has some important features that emphasise productivity and safety.

“The CargoMatic system is the safest automatic loading and unloading system available on the market,” said van der Does. “By using a safety PLC and the associated safety sensors, a very high safety level is achieved for this application

W W W. G LO B A LT R A I L E R M AG . C O M / G L O B A L T R A I L E R / 57

– something that is achieved in certain market segments including the chemical industry which is an absolute must.”

In addition to the high quality safety components that are used as standard, the CargoMatic system for trucks and trailers can be fitted with slats comprising a unique patented anti-slip rubber cord, which in combination with a reinforced bulkhead, ensures increased friction between the floor and the load.

“This gives you the option of obtaining a certificate for securing loads in accordance with DIN EN 12642 (Code XL),” said van der Does. “This is particularly important when transporting light, slippery and fragile cargo such as plastic pallets, IBCs, steel crates and boxes.”

The good news is a trailer builder or body builder can assist with new and retrofit CargoMatic installations.

“The CargoMatic system can be installed in both new and existing trailers,” said van der Does. “The system is mounted on the existing

Trailer equipped with high end electrical controls.

floor of the trailer and therefore does not require any major modifications to the vehicle. A body builder can easily and quickly build the CargoMatic system in their vehicles; Cargo Floor has assembled the CargoMatic system in such a way that it is easy to transport the kit so that it can be installed locally. There are event fleet owners with a workshop who install their own trailer systems.”

There is also scope for customisation to accommodate specific freight tasks or types of materials to be transported.

“One of the great advantages of the CargoMatic slat system is that it can transport all kinds of solid goods,” said van der Does. “These can be the most Anti-slip rubber cord, for optimal load security.

5 8 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 9

FACTORY TOUR

diverse pallet types from a standard euro to a dusseldorfer or goods without a load carrier (paper, cardboard, furniture). Steel crates for the automotive industry and IBCs can all be easily transported without special CargoMatic system options. Also, the CargoMatic can easily be expanded with a number of options that are customer-specific, such as communication with transport systems (AGV / Rollertracks), contour control gantries, automatic oil lubrication and remote service module (to monitor the status of the system).

Another important aspect of the CargoMatic system is the chain driven slat floor and the drive unit.

“The CargoMatic chain floor is very suitable if only one type of load carrier is transported,” said van der Does. “The hard-to-hard distance of the chains is chosen in such a way that the pallets are always optimally supported.

This system is less flexible in terms of a load carrier but has the advantage of being lighter and simpler to mount. The CargoMatic chain system has also proven itself in the automotive industry where an extra strong HD chain has been developed specifically for the supply of electric car batteries in extremely heavy steel crates, four tonnes per pallet.”

Cargo Floor backs its products with a solid aftersales and support network.

“In addition to our own after sales service and a very clear website with exploded views and instructions, Cargo Floor has a worldwide service network,” said van der Does. “If there

Static CargoMatic system standard equipped with safety PLC and sensors.

is an installation and there is no service point available within a desired radius, we will find and educate one in consultation with the customer. It also happens that the workshop or technical service of the customer is trained to be able to carry out the service itself.” www.cargofloor.com

FAST FACT

Patented chain protection caps, protects the chain against dirt, nails, wood etc.

The CargoMatic is equipped with safety sensors as standard which monitor the status of safety devices. Upon detection of an unsafe situation, the safety relay will provide a signal that will cut power to the potentially dangerous machine / machine movement or safely interrupt the safety circuit. The use of these components prevents an unsafe situation from occurring in the event of a sensor failure. This helps to protect people and prevent product damage.

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WORLD EVENTS

TRANSPORT LOGISTIC CHINA 2022 15-17 JUNE 2022 Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai, China Transport logistic China 2022 attendees can expect transport logistic China, one of Asia’s biggest trade fairs, to showcase the entire spectrum of logistics products, technologies and services.

ELMIA LASTBIL 2022 24-27 AUGUST 2021 Jönköping, Sweden The national and international venue for the haulage and transport industry at Elmia, Jönköping. www.elmia.se/en/lastbil

www.transportlogistic-china.com

INTERMODAL ASIA

MEGATRANS2021

Shanghai, China The Intermodal Asia exhibition and conference will bring together the leading international decision-makers from over 90 different countries, from all areas of container transport and logistics, making it the most important industry annual meeting point in Asia according to the event organisers.

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia MEGATRANS returns in 2021 as an important industry event, facilitating cross-industry collaboration in a multidimensional and integrated conference and exhibition for the freight and logistics industry. The event will showcase the latest in artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, automated racking, telematics and route optimisation, warehouse automation, intelligent fleet systems, blockchain, Internet of Things, big data and advanced analytics.

20-22 JULY 2021

www.intermodal-asia.com

8-10 SEPTEMBER 2021

www.megatrans.com.au

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KEEP A LOOK OUT InnoTrans 2022 20-23 September Berlin, Germany www.innotrans.com

TRANSPORT SCANDINAVIA 2021

16-18 SEPTEMBER 2021 Herning, Denmark Transport 2021 is an inspiring fair for all those with roots in the transport industry. This is the place to find new vehicles, new equipment, new services and new ideas. The Transport trade fair was launched in 1988. Since then more than 450,000 professionals from the transport industry have attended the event. www.transport-messen.dk

IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES SHOW 2022

SEPTEMBER 2022 Hannover, Germany One of the world’s leading trade fairs for mobility, transportation and logistics. www.iaa.de

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M E GATR E N D S

POLICY

OF TRUTH WHILE THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT FORUM SHARES ITS POLICYMAKING CONSIDERATIONS FOR INTEGRATING DRONES ACROSS THE ENTIRE SUPPLY CHAIN, THE INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT UNION CLAIMS FLAWED POLICIES JEOPARDISE COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT DECARBONISATION.

D

rones should be treated as part of the whole transport system according to a representative from the International Transport Forum (ITF).

ITF Secretary-General, Young Tae Kim, spoke about the economic and social benefits of using drone technology as part of a keynote speech at an online event organised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on 13 April 2021.

Kim outlined five areas that should be at the forefront of thinking when considering how to integrate drones into a transport system.

1. Economics – A question for policymakers, particularly with reference to economic regulation – would it be beneficial to integrate under existing frameworks or would it even be necessary?

2. Public acceptance – Kim said the benefits need to be clear for citizens to embrace new technology. He warned that if drones services were accessible to but a few, while downsides like noise had to be borne by all, acceptance might suffer.

3. Environmental impact – Kim said drones need to be judged on their lifecycle emissions.

4. Case studies – Kim is keen to explore how drones can fill gaps in today’s transport offer in ways that serve broader societal goals. He said drones could complement existing services such as last mile delivery or could be a more efficient and safer option compared to other transport modes.

5. Infrastructure – The planning required for busy urban drone landing zones as well as connecting remote communities. Kim said there may be a case for government funding or regulation when access to drone services is not equitable due to access to landing hubs.

Meanwhile, measuring carbon dioxide emissions from commercial road transport only at the tailpipe, depending on the region, could double the true carbon picture in future fuel scenarios according to the International Road Transport Union (IRU).

The IRU estimates, based on IEA and OICA data, that heavy duty commercial vehicles, including coaches and trucks, emit just 950 million tonnes of CO2 annually at the tailpipe, using the tank-to-wheel standard, about 2.5 per cent of global emissions.

While hydrogen and electricity are often mistakenly seen as zero emission fuels, if all CO2 emissions are considered, including well-to-tank, a more

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Drones have potential to play a larger role in supporting road transport logistics.

realistic carbon picture of these alternative fuels emerges, IRU claims.

In Europe, the US and China alone, on average, this would add 45 per cent more CO2 for electricity and 72 per cent more for hydrogen versus conventional diesel, based on today’s energy mix.

A transition to fuels such as electricity and hydrogen for heavy-duty vehicles, without using low or zero-carbon energy sources, would therefore fail to account for between 400 and 700 million tonnes of annual CO2 emissions.

“Decarbonising commercial transport is a huge and expensive job,” said IRU Secretary General, Umberto de Pretto.

“The right mix of incentives and investment to accelerate low and eventually net zero carbon alternatives to meet 2030 and 2050 targets can only be achieved if CO2 is accounted for correctly.

“The biased tank-to-wheel standard, measuring emissions at the tailpipe instead of doing a thorough well-to-wheel assessment, will continue to distort policy action to reduce CO2 in commercial road transport.

“Road transport operators need certainty as they continue working on the enormous challenge of effectively decarbonising their fleets and operations, not unworkable fantasy options.” www.globaltrailermag.com

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OUT OF

MIND

ON THE QUEST TO BECOMING THE FIRST TRULY GLOBAL ORGANISATION IN THE HISTORY OF TRAILER MANUFACTURING, CIMC VEHICLES HAS LEARNED THAT STAYING TRUE TO A GRAND VISION DOESN’T PRECLUDE STRATEGIC FLEXIBILITY.

PERSE VERANCE D [Story & Interview by Sebastian Grote]

avid Li, General Manager of CIMC Vehicles, the trailer building arm of China’s International Marine Container (CIMC) Group, isn’t quite what you’d expect of a man who has built a €1.93 billion industrial empire from the bottom up.

Distinctly humble in his bearing and refreshingly unpolished in his language, the industry veteran is enveloped in an aura of authenticity and adventure that is much more Silicon Valley than Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (the official jargon for a giant business incubation area the Chinese government has set up across the bay from Hong Kong to help local businesses connect more easily with the western world).

As such, there is nothing imperious about Li laying out his plan to build the world’s first international trailer building company – only genuine excitement in an idea so captivatingly grand that it would arguably suit an intrepid start-up more than an asset-rich manufacturing firm operating FAST FACT in a time of extreme economic volatility.

CIMC Vehicles’ US subsidiary, Understanding the phenomenon that is Vanguard, is currently finalising CIMC Vehicles is therefore not so much a construction of a second factory in question of mapping out the business itself Trenton, Georgia. The €32 million as it is one of getting to know the man manufacturing plant will eventually employ 400 people and produce behind it – a scenario akin to US start-up 10,000 semi-trailers annually.

Tesla, which is largely dependent on the

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A KEY TALKING POINT OF THE 2014 IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW, THE BRUISED RUSSIAN ECONOMY HAS FAILED TO TURN ITSELF AROUND IN TIME FOR THE NEXT EDITION OF THE ICONIC EVENT. WILL IT STILL CONTINUE TO OWN THE CONVERSATION, THOUGH? [ Story by Sebastian Grote ]

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uddling through the longest recession since the turn of the century, Russia has racked up a sizeable budget deficit and is on track for yet another year of negative growth. Meanwhile, the prospect of fiscal relief is growing distant, with oil in a bear market after closing below $40 a barrel in August – theoretically making for a highly dramatic narrative in the lead-up to the largest transport industry gathering on the planet.

But if you ask Denis Krivtsov, head of Russian OEM, Tonar, the country’s fragile economic state doesn’t necessarily mean it will become as prominent a topic as it was in 2014, when the Ukraine conflict and the annexation of Crimea were still fresh in mind and the European Union (EU) put an abrupt hold on west-east trade.

According to Krivtsov, much of the western trailer community has since found

new growth potential in the heart of Europe and the still-sprawling east of the continent, leaving Russian businesses alone in dealing with what could be the most severe market slowdown in a decade or two. As a result, he says it is now up to the domestic transport equipment community to consolidate ahead of the parliamentary election in mid-September, which is hoped to give the battered economy a much-needed boost.

“The Russian economy hasn’t really improved much since the last instalment of IAA. In fact, many local businesses have since folded as they simply refused to learn from the last crisis,” he explains – pointing to the EU’s recent decision to prolong economic sanctions against Russia until 31 January 2017.

In August 2016, the Financial Times publically wondered whether Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was intending to drive everyone else in US retail crazy. The reason: Bezos is on a mission to re-define the classic concept of retail logistics. Instead of outsourcing the whole process, he set up a complex in-house transport network that has been aggressively expanding its reach, capabilities and capacity in the logistics and distribution arena over the past year or so. As part of the process, the Seattlebased company is now operating thousands of trailers emblazoned with Amazon’s logos acrosss North America. In Europe, Amazon is expanding rapidly as well, potentially making it a key talking point of the next IAA.

PEOPLE TO WATCH

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ALEXANDER DOBRINDT, GERMAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

ELEMENT ALBEIT A SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS EXPENSE, VISITING A TRADE SHOW LIKE IAA IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET SOME OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN COMMERCIAL ROAD TRANSPORT IN THE FLESH – A KEY ADVANTAGE IN THE DIGITAL AGE. [ Story by Sebastian Grote ]

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rom wireless connectivity to electric mobility, the digital world is slowly infiltrating every aspect of commercial road transport. Yet although high technology is expected to dominate the conversation at this year’s IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Germany (see page 52), it will be people that ultimately set the narrative. In fact, there is a distinct irony to the rise of technology in the manufacturing, according to best-selling US author, Daniel Pink, who has found that forging personal relationships is becoming ever more important as skill-sets evolve and demand more cognitive proficiency.

So-called ‘thought jobs’, as Pink puts it, require a higher level of creativity, problem-solving prowess and out-of-the-box thinking, meaning that in order for a business to be successful, leveraging the unique human element behind each employee is key.

FAST FACT According to Russian Economy Development Minister, Aleksey Ulyukaev, the country’s economy is set to grow in the near future, as “the situation in the real sector of economy is improving and the dynamics of industrial production are positive”.

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As such, he says fostering personal relationships in real life, for example in the context of a trade show, will ultimately help businesses become more profitable.

In line with Pink’s assumption, Global Trailer has selected ten prominent individuals that have the potential to put their mark on the 2016 edition of the largest global transport industry gathering – either by attending it or as the subject of intense discussion. www.globaltrailermag.com

Germany’s Federal Minister for Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Alexander Dobrindt, is slated to officially open the 66th IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover.

Dobrindt recently made headlines in Germany when he proposed self-driving vehicles in Germany should be fitted with a black box that is able to record specific details of an accident, much like in the aviation industry. According to newswire, Reuters, his proposal would require drivers to stay seated in front of the steering wheel, even tough they may not have to pay attention to traffic or actually steer. Despite that cautionary measure, Dobrindt approved six German cities – Hamburg, Munich, Ingolstadt, Düsseldorf, Dresden and Braunschweig – to become testing grounds for self-driving vehicles as part of a US$89 million (€80 million) project.

İIFFET TÜRKEN, KÄSSBOHRER As the Executive Board Member responsible for Business Development at German OEM Kässbohrer – which is part of the Tirsan Group, the largest trailer manufacturing company in Turkey – Türken is considered one of the most influential personalities in European trailer building, and one of the most powerful women in the global transport equipment industry. The now 44-year-old joined the Tirsan Group in 1996 after graduating from Bogaziçi University in Istanbul and has since been stirring up Europe’s trailer building landscape – helping establish the Kässbohrer brand amongst the top ten in Europe.

PETER SIJS, TIP TRAILER SERVICES Overseeing the procurement processes for a 71,000-unit strong fleet that covers some five billion kilometres every year, Sijs, Services and Sourcing Operations Leader Europe at TIP Trailer Services, is considered one of the most influential people in Europe’s transport equipment industry. Having to replace up to 15,000 trailers annually, TIP Trailer Services spends an average of €30 million per year on parts alone – prompting Sijs to work closely with component suppliers and OEMs to leverage the latest in technology and develop new strategies to create competitive advantages. Most recently, he collaborated with German braking specialist Knorr-Bremse on the development of the company’s awardwinning iTAP system with FleetRemote functionality.

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