Global Trailer July 2022

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www.globaltrailermag.com ISSN 1839-5201

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INNOVATION

BUSINESS

NEWS

Refrigerated Transport Technology Lifting Middle East Trailer Standards Award-Winning Reefer Builds Body Hardware, Extrusions & Lights

Executive Interview: Kögel Made In Germany Engineering Market Report: Greece Event Review: CV Show 2022

Acquisitions & Mergers Financial Results Executive Appointments Business Updates

he US, of truck and d-leading entire range s and ball

GROUPED FOR

GROUP COMPANIES

.

EUROPE AMERICA

EUROPE

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

VALX International : +31 (0)88 405 8800

valx.eu

CHINA

AMERICA

AXN Heavy Duty p: +1 502 749 3200

SINGAPORE

axnheavyduty.com

AUSTRALIA

Combining decades of experience 4/10/17 5:04 PM gathered in Asia, Australia, Europe and the US, global manufacturing powerhouse Fuwa has forged the strongest network of truck and trailer component specialists in the world.

Merging local expertise with world-leading manufacturing prowess and an irrevocable commitment to innovation, our entire range of axles, suspension systems, landing legs, couplings, fifth wheels and ball races have been designed for one goal only - to guarantee your success.

S I N G AP ORE

C HINA

AUS TR ALIA

EUR OPE

AMERIC A

Fuwa Engineering p: +65 68631806 fuwasin@pacific.net.sg

Fuwa Heavy Industries p: +86 750 5966333 export@fuwa.cn

Fuwa K-hitch p: +61 3 9369 0000 www.khitch.com.au

VALX International p: +31 (0)88 405 8800 www.valx.eu

AXN Heavy Duty p: +1 502 749 3200 www.axnheavyduty.com

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COVER STORY A DUTY OF CARE

30

With its commercial vehicles and transport solutions, Kögel has been providing ‘made-inGermany’ engineering quality for more than 85 years. The OEM upholds its responsibility to design transport and logistics processes in an environmentally and climate friendly manner in consultation with government and industry.

“KÖGEL SUPPLIES INDUSTRY WITH SOME OF THE LIGHTEST VEHICLES AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET TODAY.” Christian Renners, Kögel

IN THIS ISSUE BUSINESS 36

52

MARKET REPORT

Perched at the tip of the Balkans, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, Greece is generally considered to be the cradle of Western civilisation.

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46

EVENT REVIEW

More than 200 exhibitors committed to the 2022 Commercial Vehicle Show.

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FEATURES 40

GORICA

Dubai-based trailer manufacturer, GORICA, calls for regulation and the uptake of modern refrigerated transport equipment to lift standards across the Middle East.

50

BRIANZA PLASTICA

Italian laminate specialist, Brianza Plastica, celebrates 60 years of business.

GRAY & ADAMS

Award-winning cold chain champion, Gray & Adams, stands out in the UK Market.

KRONE

Demand continues to soar for modular trailer refrigeration unit, CELSINEO.

REGULARS

56 WORLD EVENTS

04 EDITOR’S NOTE

58 MEGATRENDS

06 NEWS

59 PREVIEW

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ASPÖCK SYSTEMS

From a humble workshop to an international operation, Aspöck Systems has been making lights for 45 years.

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 / 3

Anzeige EDITOR’S NOTE

PUBLISHER

John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Luke Applebee luke.applebee@primecreative.com.au

JOURNALIST

Peter White peter.white@primecreative.com.au

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

ART DIRECTOR Blake Storey

DESIGN Kerry Pert, Aisling McComiskey

THE FUTURE IS HERE WHEN BROADCASTING COMPANY, BBC, confirmed Ncuti Gatwa would be succeeding Jodie Whittaker as the next Doctor in Doctor Who, he told media he felt a mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and a little bit scared. Exactly how I felt when I took the reins here. Even though Global Trailer is close to celebrating 10 years of publication (next month), the legacy that Gatwa is about to set foot in has run for almost six decades.

Doctor Who debuted on British TV on Saturday 23 November 1963 and ran about eighty seconds later than originally scheduled due to the timely coverage of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. It would entertain as a weekly episodic series consistently for the next 26 years. In 1989 the show was put on hiatus and ‘the wilderness’ years ensued where novels, comics, games and audio dramas would fill the void.

An attempt was made in 1996 to resurrect the show for television. A movie starring Paul McGann as the Doctor and Eric Roberts as his enemy, the Master, failed as a pilot for a new series but that was perhaps a blessing

in disguise. Sure, the production values at the time were great, and the US setting leading up to New Year’s Eve was exciting, but this incarnation of the Doctor matured and was fully realised by spinoff audio adventures.

Another hiatus of sorts followed and then something incredible happened in 2005. Writer and director, Russell T Davies brought the TV series back for a modern audience. It’s hard to believe that 17 years have since passed and multiple Doctors and showrunners have come and gone.

There is a constant in this continuity, though, because RTD has returned once more to bring this beloved franchise back on track.

Gatwa was Born in Rwanda in 1992 and his family fled from horrific civil war in 1994 to resettle in Scotland.

He said Doctor Who means so much to many around the world and endeavours to handle this unique responsibility with privilege and utmost care. As a custodian of Global Trailer, I share that sentiment.

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

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ARTICLES

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

COPYRIGHT

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

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

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL ASIA SINGAPORE Refrigerated warehousing and storage company, Lineage Logistics, has announced an acquisition.

Lineage Logistics is taking over the cold storage service and automated operations of Mandai Link Logistics.

Jeff Hogarth, Lineage Logistics President – Asia Pacific, acknowledged Mandai as a leader in the industry upon its acquisition.

“Mandai established Singapore’s first fully automated cold storage facility and has been long considered a local market leader in the provision of cold storage warehousing and distribution services,” he said.

“Tan Seng Eng, CEO of Mandai, is a visionary who made a huge bet by investing early in automation, and we are pleased that she will stay on as an advisor to Lineage.”

According to Lineage, Mandai serves as a one-stop hub for refrigerated food distribution in Singapore, offering a full range of solutions including procurement, transport and warehousing. The main facility is fully automated and the company has a fleet of refrigerated trucks and a facility that can house 28,000 pallets.

Hogarth said Lineage was focused on building its Asia Pacific footprint further to allow customers to take advantage of their leading global end-to-end logistics capability.

“Mandai’s facilities, combined with our industry-leading technology and innovations, will assist customers to navigate increasing supply chain demands in Singapore and internationally,” he said.

“We look forward to working closely with Mandai’s customers on these new opportunities.”

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CHINA Cross-border e-commerce joint venture, Gebrüder Weiss Express China, is preparing to deliver a service volume of 25 million parcelsthis year.

After focusing on Central and Eastern European countries in the early years, Gebrüder Weiss Express now offers last-mile-delivery services in the whole European Union, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Israel.

In January 2022, a Guangzhou office with 23 employees opened.

Gebrüder Weiss Express was established in 2020 and developed out of the Gebrüder Weiss China e-commerce department which had been set up in 2017. The Joint Venture partner is Global Freight Systems China Ltd (GFS), a cross-border e-commerce company that was established in Guangzhou in 2004.

“We offer customs clearance and efficient, quick last-mile delivery,” said Gebrüder Weiss Express China General Manager, Stan Chen.

“Existing and new partnerships with Chinese and Western e-commerce companies have enabled us to expand our service spectrum. We now cover many of the world’s biggest e-commerce markets.”

With a strong global logistics network, Gebrüder Weiss Express manages the customs clearance locally, at airports close to the destination of the parcel. In the Central and Eastern European countries, one of the last mile delivery partners is the parcel service DPD Austria, of which Gebrüder Weiss is a partner and shareholder. In all the target markets, Gebrüder Weiss Express works with local experts.

“We diversified the choice of service providers, making the overall processes more efficient and targeted to each market,” said Chen.

As for growth potential, he added: “We continue to believe in the big potential of cross-border e-commerce. This sector is growing, and we expect that the volume of parcel shipments between China and Western countries will rise in the coming years. Thanks to our global network and know-how, we can offer specialised solutions to e-commerce companies.”

TAIWAN A leading Taiwan customer in the Rapid Diagnostics sector has turned to Dimerco to deliver Covid-19 self-test kits from Hong Kong as soon as possible.

Dimerco used commercial air freight to transport 165 pallets worth of tests with a total weight of nearly 50 tonnes from to Taiwan within four days, despite the required delivery date following the Hong Kong Easter holiday.

Dimerco also provided its customer with significant savings by fitting the cargo into a single flight, rather than the usual two to three passenger flights. The airline agreed to prioritise the freight and also avoided the express freight charges for peak time on a Friday.

“Our strong relationship with the airline allowed us to meet our customer’s critical time requirements, deliver significant cost savings for them and reduce the transit risk for this temperaturecontrolled commodity,” said Dimerco CSC. “Similarly, we were able to leverage our long-established partnership with the trucking

(A joint stock company incorporated in the People’s Republic of China with limited liability)

Stock Code:1839 (H Shares) / 301039 (A Shares)

INNOVATION, EVOLUTION, PRUDENCE

NEWS INTERNATIONAL ASIA / EUROPE company to optimise dispatch.”

Once the cargo reached its destination, Dimerco also coordinated the assigned customs clearance and trucking vendors onside at Taiwan Taiyuan International Airport to complete the procedure and enable seamless onward transportation.

They also continued to report status of the freight to the customer in real time, maintaining a regular communication throughout the whole process.

Despite a shortage of truck drivers across the industry, Dimerco managed to pick up all 165 pallets from the shipper and transport the freight to HGK airport.

“Dimerco’s powerful combination of a global network, covering 300plus offices in 67 countries including 160-plus company-owned freight forwarding offices and 80+ logistics centres, with strong carrier and partner relationships, and leadingedge IT systems enables us to connect Asia with the world like no other global 3PL,” said Dimerco.

“As 3.5 million people, or about 15 per cent of the population of Taiwan, are estimated to be at risk from being infected by Covid-19, this project was critical and we are proud to have been able to play our part, delivering vital self-test kits to where they were needed, when they were needed, whilst also saving costs for our customer.”

According to Dimerco’s Central Service Centre (CSC), the customer chose Dimerco because of its flexible solution in its previous support on global bidding.

AUSTRIA Commercial vehicle rental company, KLV Rent, has expanded its fleet with 8 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 6 5

Schmitz Cargobull swap chassis.

The A.WF trailer swap chassis, Z.WF central axle swap chassis and S.CF semi-trailer container chassis now strengthen the rental company’s extensive range.

“I am very pleased that Schmitz Cargobull has expanded its range of swap bodies,” said KLV Rent owner and Managing Director, Bernd Kaindlsdorfer.

“Due to the long-standing partnership and our positive experience in terms of reliability and product quality, we have ordered directly from Schmitz Cargobull again.

“We deliberately rely on a strong partner in order to offer our customers maximum durability and operational safety.”

As an extension of its product portfolio, Schmitz Cargobull reintroduced the A.WF and Z.WF swap bodies for the transport of swap bodies after several years, in addition to the semi-trailer container chassis.

These vehicles for swap body operation are particularly adaptable with a wide range of parking heights and are characterised by a simple and robust design. Optimally equipped to facilitate rough swap body operation, they enable economical handling of swap bodies. Optionally, the chassis are also available in hot-dip galvanised design.

“Hot-dip galvanising is an absolute quality feature for us and was one of the decisive factors in our decision to use Schmitz Cargobull products,” said Dietmar Lehner, authorised signatory at KLV Rent.”

The hot-dip galvanised chassis is corrosion-resistant and offers optimum protection against rustthrough. All galvanised parts in the chassis are covered by a 10-year

warranty against rust-through.

This contributes to the high value stability and value retention of the chassis, which is clearly reflected in the resale value. For commercial vehicles, galvanising offers optimum surface protection, as conventional mechanical stresses in everyday transport do not leave any lasting traces.

KLV Rent has been active in the commercial vehicle industry for over 35 years and is one of the leading manufacturer-independent commercial vehicle rental companies in Austria and Germany. Originally focused on the commercial vehicle trade, KLV Rent expanded into the rental business in 1989. KLV Rent currently has four locations in Austria, where a total of approx. 550 vehicles are currently in use.

DENMARK DSV Panalpina Group has released its Q1 financial report showing growth and high productivity across all three divisions.

The report saw a gross profit increase of 61 per cent, supported by the integration of Agility’s Global Integrated Logistics business (GIL), while their earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) more than doubled before special items compared to the same period last year.

The Solutions division’s EBIT grew close to 200 per cent as well, driven by strong gross profit growth.

The Air & Sea division reported an EBIT growth of 109 per cent, while the Road division avoided market conditions with a 24 per cent EBIT growth.

The Group made a gross profit of €1.7 billion for the first three months of 2022, compared to just over €1

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE billion during last year’s first quarter.

DSV CEO, Jens Bjørn Andersen, said the results show profit across all sectors.

“For Q1 2022, we report a strong set of results, with earnings growth across all divisions and a strong cash flow,” he said.

“We are tracking the plans for the GIL integration and are on track for completion in Q3 2022.”

Despite the recent increase of the global economy and disruptions of global supply chains, DSV is expecting a high demand for their services.

Anderson said DSV shipments to and from Russia and Belarus have stopped, except for certain humanitarian shipments.

“We are in the process of divesting and exiting our activities in Russia,” he said.

“The direct financial impact is not material as the combined revenue in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus represents less than 1 per cent of the Group’s revenue.”

FRANCE contract logistics firm, ID Logistics, has sustained sales growth in the first quarter of this year with a total revenue of €539 million, up 23.7 per cent and 15.1 per cent on a like-forlike basis.

“The first quarter of 2022 confirmed the group’s growth momentum, both in France and in international markets,” said ID Logistics Chairman and CEO, Eric Hémar.

“In addition to maintaining our sales momentum, we are finalising the integration of the two acquisitions made at the end of 2021 and are beginning to integrate Kane Logistics, acquired at the end of March 2022.”

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Wilfried Trepels of SAF-Holland.

In France, ID Logistics recorded a 12.9 per cent increase in revenues to €204.2 million during the past quarter. This result includes the consolidation of Colisweb. Adjusted for this effect, the growth is +7.9 per cent during the first quarter of 2022.

ID Logistics is benefiting equally from the effect of projects started since 2021 and from a positive price and volume effect on historical projects.

Outside France, the strong growth in revenues continued in Q1 2022 to reach €334.8 million, an increase of +31.3 per cent. This includes GVT sales, a company acquired at the end of 2021 in the Benelux, and a favourable currency effect, notably on the US dollar and the Brazilian real.

Adjusted for these amounts, growth remains sustained at +20.3 per cent on a like-for-like basis, of which approximately two thirds is due to the full-year effect of the projects started in 2021 and one third to a positive price and volume effect.

ID Logistics started up four new sites in Q1 2022. The group recalls that

it does not operate in Ukraine and that its revenues in Russia are less than 1.0 per cebt of total revenues.

New investments in this country have been suspended.

GERMANY Truck and trailer component supplier, SAF-Holland, has published its Q1 2022 figures which show additional costs for steel and energy costs affecting sales.

The company reported Group sales of €369.7 million, which were 29.4 per cent higher than last year’s Q1 figure of €285.6 million.

SAF-Holland CEO, Alexander Geis, said the new sales record represents demand in the business’ systems and product range.

“Demand for our axle and suspension systems as well as fifth wheels was very strong in all three regions in Q1 2022 and is reflected in new record sales of €370 million,” he said.

“I am satisfied overall with the adjusted EBIT margin of 6.4 per cent against the backdrop

NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE Krone plant in Turkey under new management.

of cost headwind in steel, energy and logistics.

“For the rest of the year, I expect demand for our products to remain stable despite the gloomy economic conditions. Based on the price adjustments already implemented and negotiated with customers due to the high steel, freight and energy costs, I expect a gradual improvement in our EBIT margin over the course of the year. Accordingly, we have raised the sales forecast for the full year 2022 and specified the EBIT margin guidance.”

Exchange rate effects amounted to €9.0 million, and revenues rose by 26.3 per cent to €360.7 million.

According to SAF-Holland, high steel prices as well as high freight

and energy costs had a strong impact on the cost of sales ratios across all regions, while the share of administrative and research and development costs declined significantly.

This led to an adjusted EBIT of €10.1 million compared to last year’s €16.2 million, an adjusted EBIT margin of 4.9 per cent.

In the EMEA region, Q1 sales improved by 23.9 per cent to €208.5 million, due to the strong trailer OE business. Sales growth of 24.5 per cent to €209.5 million was also recorded, while the company had an adjusted EBIT margin of 4.9 per cent due to additional costs.

In the Americas region, sales increases by 40.8 per cent to €127

million, with sales improving by 30.7 per cent to €117.8 million.

Cost increases for steel and higher freight and energy costs also had a negative impact on the cost of sales, which lead to adjusted EBIT margin of 7.8 per cent to €9.9 million.

The company’s APAC region generated sales of €34.2 million, with sales increasing by 22.7 per cent year-on-year to €33.3 million.

Their adjusted EBIT margin was 10.1 per cent, with a 1.4 per cent margin the year prior.

In other news, SAF-Holland SE welcomed an interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to its executive management team.

Wilfried Trepels accepted the interim position, effective 16 May 2022.

He has previously held the CFO role from 2005 to 2016 and will be responsible for the areas of Finance, Accounting and Controlling, Internal Audit, IT, Legal and Compliance as well as Investor Relations, Corporate & ESG Communications.

“Immediately after Ms Koljonen expressed her wish to leave the company, we started the search for a successor,” said Dr Martin Kleinschmitt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of SAFHOLLAND SE. “We are in promising talks with candidates but can already foresee that a permanent replacement cannot be implemented at a prompt date.

“At the same time, the large number of strategic issues in the area of responsibility of the CFO makes it necessary to have a proven financial expert with industry experience in this position as soon as possible, and thus also to relieve Alexander Geis.

“Wilfried Trepels is a proven expert in the commercial vehicle industry

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE and an experienced CFO, as well as being very well connected and knowledgeable in dealing with international investors. I would like to expressly thank him for making himself available for this important task.”

Alexander Geis, Chairman of the Management Board of SAF-Holland SE, added: “We have both already worked together very successfully and in a spirit of trust on the Group Management Board of SAF-Holland SA from 2011 to 2016. We have set ourselves a lot of goals with our Strategy 2025. To achieve this, we need an excellently managed finance department. With the appointment of Wilfried Trepels, we can ensure exactly that.”

GERMANY The CEO of the Krone plant in Turkey, Riza Akgün, will retire from the Krone Commercial Vehicles Group on 31 July 2022.

He will gradually hand over the management of the Krone production site in Tire, Turkey, to Kartal Erköy, Managing Director Production, and Semih Pala, Managing Director Finance/Sales, from May 2022.

Krone has been producing trailers for the Turkish market and for markets around Turkey at the Tire factory since the end of 2012. With this location, which complements the international production network, Krone is underlining its ‘geostrategic’ approach.

Mediterranean countries and other markets outside Europe are also being supplied from Tire.

The factory has an annual production capacity of 10,000 units. Around 400 people are currently employed at the Krone Tire site.

“We would like to sincerely thank 1 4 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 6 5

Riza Akgün for his many years of successful cooperation and wish him all the best and much success for his next challenges,” said Alfons B. Veer, CTO at Krone Commercial Vehicle SE. “We have to thank Riza Akgün and his team in Turkey for the very positive development of our Tire site over the past years.

“Riza Akgün not only accompanied Krone’s first sales partnerships in Turkey, but was also instrumental in successively expanding the Krone plant in Tire to its current versatility.”

In other news, Krone presented its Box Liner container carrier – a vehicle for greater versatility and easier handling for operators in the UK and Ireland – at this year’s Multimodal show.

The event was held 14-16 June 2022 at NEC Birmingham in the UK. The Krone Box Liner, sliding-bogie skeletal trailer is designed to carry 20’, 30’, 40’ and 45’ containers – two boxes at once or any standard sized tank.

Quick-release twist locks also ensure fast and easy handling for tough, pickup-and-drop container work.

The Box Liner comes in four colours and with Krone’s 10-year guarantee against corrosion perforation.

It also comes with an optional telematics package for performance and location monitoring, which enables operators to benefit from remote tyre pressure monitoring, mileage recording for maintenance intervals, empty or reduced load detection, braking system status and trailer location.

Additionally, an automatic notification can be given to alert regarding ABS or EBS malfunctions, and a further alert made to the customer if any

remedial work has not been carried out within a given time frame.

GERMANY Trailer builder, Kässbohrer, aims to provide the most efficient aftersales and spare parts services for its customers.

In December 2021 the OEM expanded its spare parts warehouse at the Goch production facility which is now a 2,160-square-metre area that houses 156,000 spare parts.

With a team of seven dedicated employees, Kässbohrer continues to serve Central Europe, the Benelux region, Nordic countries, the UK and the Mediterranean.

Alongside Goch, Kässbohrer’s warehouse network includes UlmGermany, serving customers in Central, Western and Southern Europe; Lyon-France serving customers in Europe and the Mediterranean region; and Adapazari campus fully supporting the operations of its customers in more than 55 countries In order to sustain successful spare part operations, Kässbohrer incorporates its comprehensive SAP database into its operations.

Kässbohrer proudly offers fast-moving 95 per cent and 90 per cent in-stock spare parts availability and dispatch within 24 hours, including original parts sourced through the systems and from leading suppliers.

Kässbohrer’s spare parts team takes care of every request personally, at the same time using the comprehensive Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) catalog since 2009.

Home of the extended spare parts depot, Kässbohrer Goch production facility is one of two production facilities in Germany.

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EUROPE The Goch facility operates in a total area of 108,000 square metres. The location serves as the PDI center for Northern Europe, as an aftersales and sales centre for Nordrhein Westfalen Region as well as spare parts warehouse.

In the Goch Facility, Kässbohrer also has a manufacturer’s service that serves broad repair and maintenance services to its customers.

Kässbohrer’s experienced manufacturer’s service team provides repair and maintenance services for all types and makes of trailers. The Kässbohrer Manufacturer’s service offers repair of chassis made of

aluminium, stainless steel, and steel, repair and maintenance of axles, brake systems, repair of sandwich panels and tank and aluminum welding.

The Goch service is equipped with machinery for cutting and bending steel parts. With its 50 metres-long, large-capacity paint cabin, commercial vehicles of all types and sizes, and special parts can be professionally painted and washed.

GERMANY The use of truck telematics provides fleet operators with several benefits.

They can significantly reduce costs, optimise workflows and

increase customer satisfaction. idem telematics’ new truck telematics system is changing the market with its manufacturer-independent system that is less complicated, more versatile and cheaper than ever.

The new hardware is expected to be delivered for the first time in April, following idem telematics’ goal of making system-open and manufacturer-independent truck telematics uncomplicated and affordable for all transport company owners.

BPW said its telematics is easier to install and network, supports the 2G and 4G network, offers new functions

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE So we also integrate systems from market competitors.”

According to BPW, telematics systems are offered by most truck manufacturers, but they come with high monthly user fees and lack of acceptance and commitment among transport companies. The limited range of functions is also problematic, as individual adjustments for order management are not possible at all or only with considerable effort.

A UK-built Schmitz Cargobull semi-trailer.

for speedometer management and is cheaper than previous products.

Its comprehensive hardware means interfaces will allow the vehicle and telematics boxes to be connected without intermediate adapters. idem telematics has also significantly expanded the functional range of its telematics platform cargofleet3. In addition to the classic speedometer download, idem now offers speedometer archiving and violation evaluations. Speedometer data is archived online and can be downloaded at any time, while the system simultaneously monitors the legal driving times and breaks and evaluates regulatory violations.

Using the cargofleet driver app, order and route data, text messages and navigation destinations are transmitted to the driver display and can be answered or edited there.

This feature works even when the ignition is switched off, as the unit now has its own battery.

“In a time when everything is becoming more expensive, we offer real added value with our new truck hardware,” said idem telematics Managing Director, Jens Zeller.

“In this way we are creating significant efficiency gains for all transport companies, regardless of the vehicle type or vehicle brand.

GERMANY Schmitz Cargobull stands for continual growth and greater efficiency in the face of uncertainty.

At the start of Schmitz Cargobull AG’s new financial year, representatives of the shareholders and owner families met to contractually record their cooperation for the next 10 years and to confirm the strategic orientation and continuous development of the familyowned company.

“In these unpredictable times, it is highly important to us that we demonstrate our unity and solidarity to the company and its employees,

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EUROPE Bernhard Schmitz, member of the family council, said: “As shareholders, we are united and think with the future in mind. In the next decade, we will continue the sustainable growth course of the company and together we will push forward the strategic objectives with all our strength.”

Schmitz Cargobull AG is owned in equal shares by the three families of Andreas Schmitz and Dr Heinz Schmitz, Bernhard Schmitz and Peter Schmitz, and Dirk Hoffmann.

Representatives of the three owner families meet periodically to determine the strategic framework conditions for Schmitz Cargobull AG, among other duties.

GERMANY Hellmann Worldwide Logistics closes 2021 as the most successful financial year in its 150-year history.

In a market environment shaped by capacity bottlenecks, rising freight rates, and supply chain disruptions, Hellmann was able to secure additional capacity for its customers as well as offer tailored logistics solutions. As a result, the number of shipments increased by 25 per cent compared to the prior year (16.2 million to 20.3 million).

Consolidated sales increased by €1.5 billion, representing an increase of 61 per cent, and crossed the €4.0 billion mark for the first time 10434

and at the same time provide orientation going forward,” said Andreas Schmitz, Chairman of the Board of Schmitz Cargobull AG, and one of the three shareholders.

Dirk Hoffmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schmitz Cargobull AG, and representative of one of the owner families, said: “This powerful signal of long-term continuity endorses the course set by the company’s management. Together with their staff, they have successfully overcome the challenges and crises of recent years. This is also an expression of our confidence that the Strategy 2025 sets the right focus for the successful future of the company.”

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE in company history.

In addition to the increase in volume and the significant industrywide rise in freight rates, the main growth drivers were future-oriented acquisitions executed during the reporting period. In terms of products, growth in the areas of air and sea freight, in particular, contributed to the increase in revenue. As for the result by geography, the Hellmann regions Latin America, Asia-Pacific and North America achieved organic aboveaverage growth.

Despite a significant increase in investment activities, liquidity was enhanced by a total of €69.9 million due to an improved cash flow from operating activities of €117.5 million.

EBIT for the year 2021 amounts to €160.1 million (vs. €74.2 million during the prior year). To cover market-related additional expenses and ensure the maintenance of first class service levels for customers, Hellmann also invested in its workforce during the reporting period, increasing staff by more than 16 per cent to a total of 12,348 employees by the end of the year 2021.

The strategic development of the company has also been marked by many successful milestones during the past year. In addition to the openings of several new country offices in Asia and the Middle East, the expansion within France, as one of Europe’s largest markets, was also of strategic importance. Throughout 2021, Hellmann finalised numerous strategically critical acquisitions including the purchase of the joint venture Rhenus & Hellmann, acquisitions made by the Hellmann East Europe Group, and the procurement of minority shares of the Hellmann company in Australia.

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“Not only was 2021 our anniversary year, but also an exceptional year in many ways: Our employees showed once again that Hellmann is a reliable partner and proved that we can generate record growth even during a challenging time, in which we also successfully managed through a cyber-attack,” said Hellmann CEO, Reiner Heiken.

“Despite all political and economic uncertainties, we want to continue this positive development in 2022.

Among other things, the focus for us as the Management Board is on the continuation of our digitisation roadmap and the development of a long-term sustainability strategy.

“At the same time, we will continue to emphasise the targeted development of our employees and expand our Sales and Customer Service departments.”

Hellmann Chief Financial Officer, Martin Eberle, said: “After the steady profitable growth over the past three years, Hellmann is well-positioned to continue its further expansion.

Our goal is to expand business in existing but also in new markets by making future-oriented acquisitions in order to generate further organic and sustainable growth.”

ITALY Transport and logistics company, Kuehne + Nagel, has partnered with sportswear multinational corporation, Adidas, on a new fulfilment facility in Mantova, Italy.

The 130,000-square-metre automated facility, capable pf processing at least 18,000 packages per hour, is expected to launch in 2024. It is expected to create around 700 jobs to supply Adidas stores, retail shops, wholesalers and e-commerce

customers in 19 countries throughout Southern and Eastern Europe.

Kuehne + Nagel Management Board member, Gianfranco Sgro, thanked Adidas and the company’s network of partners for supporting the challenging project.

“The project’s combination of technology, service levels, sustainability and of course its exceptional scale has made it one of the most challenging ever faced by our team,” he said.

“The majority of it was also developed during lockdown, proving the capabilities of remote work and digital collaboration. Many thanks to adidas and our network of partners supporting us.”

The entire centre is set to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy sources, and the company plans on using only the most sustainable packaging materials and processes to reduce total resource consumption and carbon emissions.

Mantova Mayor, Mattia Palazzi, said the new logistic hub confirms Mantova’s strategic role in the logistic landscape.

“We supported this extraordinary project at full speed and determination due to the strategic relevance on our community and the extraordinary innovation for our country,” he said.

NETHERLANDS TIP Trailer Services has agreed to acquire JS Laadtechniek, a specialist and leader in hydraulic tailgates and tail-lift maintenance in the Netherlands.

According to TIP, acquiring JS Laadtechniek will increase its service offering to customers by expanding and diversifying its customer base.

It will also expand TIP’s number of

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EUROPE workshops in the Netherlands to 17, with the transaction expected to be finalised in May 2022.

TIP President and CEO, Bob Fast, said the deal will allow the company to accommodate its customers a lot more, while also growing its footprint.

“Acquiring JS Laadtechniek will increase our service offering to customers and grow our footprint in the Netherlands. We now can offer our customers specialism in hydraulic tailgates and tail-lift maintenance,” he said.

JS Laadtechniek CEO, John van der Spek, said TIP is a great partner which guarantees a successful future for the business.

“The acquisition will ensure continuation of the business, no disruption to customers and business partners along with providing our 29 employees with a great future to thrive and grow in a global company,” he said.

TIP Vice President (Benelux Region), Peter Jan Troost, said the company is looking forward to working with JS in a smooth transition to its merge.

“Over the next months, both companies will work on the integration to manage a smooth transition with customers and suppliers,” he said.

“We are delighted to welcome all JS Laadtechniek employees into the TIP family.”

In other news, TIP has agreed to acquire the trailer leasing and maintenance business of Ryder, a commercial vehicle rental, contract hire, maintenance and dedicated delivery solutions firm in the UK. TIP will integrate Ryder assets and contracts from its mobile maintenance services division into its existing UK business, enriching its fleet with approx. 3,550 additional trailers and expanding the number of workshops in the country to 18 which will now include a site in Lichfield and two parking locations in Shepshed and Manchester.

This deal is expected to close in June 2022.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE “Acquiring the trailer leasing and maintenance business of Ryder Ltd is another key milestone in our growth path,” said TIP President and CEO, Bob Fast.

“It increases our UK & Ireland footprint, allowing us to improve service offering and infrastructure in areas where we have gaps today.

“It will increase our service offering to customers, expand and diversify our customer base in the UK.” David Hunt, Vice President & Managing Director – FMS Europe, Ryder, said the acquisition will ensure continuation of the business with no disruption to customers and business partners along with providing 133 Ryder UK employees with continuity of employment.

“With TIP we have found a great partner to guarantee a successful future for the mobile maintenance services part of our business,” he said.

Both companies in the months to follow will, according to Michael Furnival, TIP Vice President UK and Ireland Region, work on fleet integration to manage a smooth transition with customers and suppliers.

“A significant portion of the Ryder Ltd mobile maintenance services employee base are mobile technicians which will be a great addition to TIP’s maintenance and repair business,” he said. “We are delighted to welcome the mobile maintenance services staff of Ryder UK into the TIP family.”

SPAIN Lecitrailer presented its multimodal solutions at the 18th National Congress of Transport Entrepreneurs in Alicante, Spain, in May. On 5 May 2022, Lecitrailer

Commercial Director for Spain and Portugal, Karlos Martínez, showcased Lecitrailer’s different intermodal transport solutions which help businesses reduce their carbon footprint.

The solutions focus on combined transport by rail with the P400 Multi x3 range of vehicles, which includes tarpaulins, refrigerators and swap bodies.

Martínez began the presentation by explaining the current situation at the level of regulations and the search for transport solutions focused on decarbonisation.

Martínez elaborated on the special construction of these semitrailers, which include solidarity reinforcements in the chassis, special suspension and different signs that these vehicles must have to be transported in the wagons of the P400 lines.

The 18th CETM Congress saw more than 650 transport and logistics businessmen attend the event, seeing first-hand a P400 Multi x3 canvas that was exhibited outside the Alicante Auditorium.

profit, reached 38.1 per cent.

In response to the war in Ukraine, Kuehne + Nagel pledged emergency aid of €9.7 million, available on short notice, in the form of relief goods and free transport services.

“Strong demand for capital and consumer goods continued in the first quarter of 2022,” said Kuehne + Nagel International AG CEO, Dr. Detlef Trefzger.

“In parallel, the already strained supply chain situation deteriorated further.

Kuehne+Nagel was well prepared for this scenario and we were able to reliably meet customer demands for high-quality logistics services.”

The business unit Road Logistics once again was able to significantly increase volumes in the first quarter of 2022 which resulted in a well-utilised network.

In the first quarter of 2022, net turnover of the business unit improved by 13 per cent year-on-year to €954.7 million and EBIT by 25 per cent to €29.1 million.

In other news, during Kuehne + Nagel’s 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM), all proposals were approved by a large majority.

The shareholders approved the status report, the financial statements and the consolidated financial statements, as well as the annual financial statements for the 2021 business year after taking note of audit reports.

They also approved the distribution of a gross dividend of CHF 10.00 per registered share and the carry forward of retained earnings less dividend to new account.

In addition, the AGM granted discharge to the Board of Directors and the Management Board for the 2021 business year with a high approval of results.

Because my customers want to know when their goods will arrive.

SWITZERLAND Strong demand for Kuehne + Nagel’s transport services continues according to Q1 2022 results.

The group was able to improve all key figures compared to the same period last year.

Net turnover increased by 68 per cent to approx. €11.7 billion, EBIT by 160 per cent approx. €1 billion, earnings by 162 per cent to approx. €808.9 million and free cash flow by almost €972.1 million.

The group’s conversion rate, which reflects EBIT as a percentage of the group’s gross

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Krone_Au

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EUROPE By an overwhelming majority of votes, Dr Joerg Wolle was re-elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors for another one-year term of office.

The company held the AGM in accordance with Art. 27 para 1 Covid-19 Ordinance 3 of the Swiss Federal Council without shareholders being in present. Voting was done through the independent proxy representing 83.29 per cent of the voting shares.

UK Schmitz Cargobull’s new lightweight fully-modular semi-trailer – the S.KO Pace Smart – has made its exhibition debut at ITT Hub, alongside the

popular S.CS Fixed Roof curtainsider.

Built in Manchester, the S.KO Pace Smart is targeted primarily at the parcel delivery and dry freight market in the UK and Ireland, and combines Schmitz Cargobull’s renowned build quality with innovative composite Strucktoplast panels.

The lightweight panels mean each trailer weighs around 600kg less than competitor models, and the design ensures they do not absorb moisture, even if damaged. As a result, the tare weight of the trailer remains consistent over time, ensuring the payload potential on day one is maintained for the life of the asset. It also comes with

a 12-month body warranty.

The S.CS Fixed Roof curtainsider has a straight front wall for free side loading and tarpaulin tensioning, an XL load securing side curtain with standard anti-theft protection and a Schmitz Cargobull aluminium roof which allows a side loading height of up to 3,100mm.

Both trailers are fully EN 12642XL certified, are built on Schmitz Cargobull’s fully galvanised Modulos chassis which comes with a 10year warranty against rust-through and have Rotos axles covered by a 1,000,000km or six-year warranty.

“Since launching the S.KO Pace Smart in November last year, I am

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE EAST / NORTH AMERICA pleased to say our order book has been filled with household name parcel delivery companies and general haulage businesses,” said Schmitz Cargobull UK Managing Director – Operations, Paul Avery.

“With an increase in fuel costs, it’s never been more important for operators to use lightweight and reliable trailers to save money and reduce carbon emissions.

“And as all S.KO Pace Smart trailers are built in our Manchester factory, we can also provide favourable lead times for UK and Irish operators, while also eliminating import costs.”

The S.KO Pace Smart comes fitted with Schmitz Cargobull’s TrailerConnect telematics as standard, and offers a variety of options including load securing rails, translucent roof, tail lift, 5.5 tonne, 7.1 tonne or 8.1 tonne rated floors according to EN 283 and two choices of rear closures – shutter or aluminium barn doors. The load restrain rails are compatible with bars, straps or rear parcel safety nets to protect the packages and different loads.

The S.CS Fixed Roof curtainsider has flexible points for load securing with continuous lashing holes and optional 15 pairs of 5t lashing rings. It also comes with Schmitz Cargobull’s TrailerConnect telematics fitted as standard.

Schmitz Cargobull’s Manchester factory opened in April 2021, creating 40 production jobs to-date and is now home to the entire UK team.

DUBAI ‘Atlas’ Al Shirawi Equipment Company has delivered a fleet of 48 tippers to a quarry operator in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The vehicles will reportedly be 2 2 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 6 5

used to service the construction, cement, steel and mining industries in the Gulf region.

The high lift tailgate feature, according to the OEM, allows for a significant increase in the vertical opening at the rear which reduces the risk of damage from large rocks and other abrasive materials that might get caught during an unload.

DUBAI Transport and logistics company, Aramex, has announced its Q1 financial results for 2022.

The company reported a revenue of €379,318, 2 per cent higher than the year prior.

Net profit in Q1 rose by 3 per cent to €12,383, with an EBITDA margin of 11.7 per cent, just below the company’s 2021 Q1 figure.

Aramex CEO, Othman Aljeda, said the figures demonstrate a positive outcome of the company’s first quarter.

“Aramex is off to a strong start in 2022,” he said. “We produced a solid financial and business performance as we continue to execute on our ambitious growth strategy delivered through our recently redesigned and more focused operating model.”

Aramex reported an operating profit margin of 5.2 per cent, which Aljeda said can be attributed to the company’s decision to boost contribution to their revenue mix.

“Notably, we are starting to see a stabilization in our profitability margins,” he said. “This is predominantly attributed to the strategic decision to boost contribution from the FreightForwarding and Logistics Business to our revenue mix.”

Aljeda said the company will continue

to serve its customers to the best of its ability despite increasing cost inflationary pressures, ongoing supply chain disruptions and pandemicinduced lockdowns in Asia.

“We remain agile and competitive to ensure we continue to grow and defend our market share across the business while delivering exceptional service to all our customers,” he said.

In other news, Aramex has announced the opening of a new branch in Laâyoune area, further growing the company’s footprint in Morocco.

The expansion follows Aramex’s plans to expand its presence and branch network to address the increasing demand from B2B and B2C customers for faster and more reliable delivery solutions.

Aramex Vice President, Hussam Al-Baraqouni, said with Morocco’s logistics and transportation industry developing at such a fast pace, the expansion highlights Aramex’s reliability and commitment to its customers.

“The launch of this new branch reaffirms our commitment to the Moroccan market and marks an important milestone as we strengthen our market position in North Africa by expanding and ramping up operations in a key market,” he said. “We will continue to invest in more branches and facilities in the Kingdom and leverage its strategic geographic location and infrastructure to serve a wider customer base.”

US US trailer manufacturers are rapidly filling available 2022 production slots with both dry van and reefer build-to backlog stretching deep into December, ACT Research reports.

ACT Research CV Transportation

Ou wi lar

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NORTH AMERICA Analysis and Research Director, Frank Maly, said orders and production are expected to travel in lockstep until 2023 order boards officially open.

“We expect backlog to contract as we move through late spring and early summer, but the yet-to-bedetermined date for opening the 2023 orderboards will reverse the backlog contraction and likely quickly extend the backlog well into next year,” he said.

“While OEMs continue to negotiate with fleets, that effort is building a large group of staged/planned orders that are not yet officially posted to the backlog. Once OEMs gain sufficient confidence in their supply chain and labor availability to open 2023

production slots, expect a surge of orders to be ‘officially’ accepted.”

According to Maly, discussions have shown that larger fleets might be getting better reception by the OEMs than the small and medium fleets and dealers.

“Component and material challenges are certainly a driving force, as are staffing issues, but less so than in the previous quarter,” he said.

“There was some supply chain relief that occurred at the end of the first quarter. While we would expect that to continue during the next few quarters, progress will still likely be a bit choppy.”

In other news, ACT Research analysts are less confident that supply chain

issues will subside enough for commercial vehicle manufacturers to fully meet demand this year and next.

“Recent commentary from leaders in the semiconductor industry point to a more cautious outlook for longer,” said ACT Research President and Senior Analyst, Kenny Vieth.

“ASML, a key supplier of semiconductor production equipment, recently called out a ‘significant shortage of semiconductor manufacturing capacity this year and next’.

“In light of this and other industry commentary, we believe lower-forlonger chip availability is likely to restrain the industry’s ability to meet otherwise-strong customer demand.”

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL NORTH AMERICA Vieth mentioned additional downside risks.

“Moreover, about half of the global supply of neon, critical for chipmaking, is concentrated in Odessa, Ukraine, where production has been down since February,” he said. “The gases that were purified in Ukraine were generated by Russian steel manufacturers. A scramble to re-source is on and inventories arelimited.”

ACT Research expects an increase in commercial vehicle builds despite these production challenges.

“Carrier profitability is robust,” he said. “We expect any recession to be shallow and short-lived at this point, and our Class 8 models are indicating pent-up demand, as well as pre-buying potential in advance of CARB’s costly Clean Truck mandate.”

In April dry van orders were reported to be responsble for the decline in US trailer net orders.

Trailer orders of 19,614 units decreased more than 48 per cent from the previous month, but were 23 per cent higher compared to April of 2021.

“Order placement remained choppy in April, and dry vans, with a 64 per cent month-over-month slide in net, were responsible for the total industry decline,” said Frank Maly, Director– CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT Research.

“Despite April’s drop, OEMs continue to negotiate with fleets and that effort is building a large group of staged/ planned orders that are not yet officially posted to the backlog.

“Once OEMs gain sufficient confidence in their supply chain and labor availability to open 2023 production slots, expect a surge of orders to be ‘officially’ accepted.”

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The industry, according to Maly, has normally not been willing to push their commitments past 12 months, and crossing into a new calendar year this quickly would not normally be under consideration.

“However, recent years, including the pandemic-battered 2020/21, have been anything but normal, leading us to expect some OEMs to begin viewing deeper orderboards, with appropriate cost/price protections, which would result in both a competitive advantage and improved fleet relations,” he said.

“The orderboard slid sequentially in April, and we expect the backlog to contract as we move through late spring and early summer, but the yet-to-be-determined date for opening the 2023 orderboards will reverse the backlog contraction and likely quickly extend the backlog well into next year.”

US Wabash has announced the creation of its new tech-enabled Wabash Parts Distribution Network.

The network is expected to unify and expand Wabash’s parts distribution capabilities across all product lines, while providing immediate scale to grow.

Wabash Parts and Services Vice President, Nick Adler, said the company is able to act as a one-stopshop for customers, providing in-class parts and services.

“As an end-to-end solutions and service provider, we’re able to offer customers the convenience of working with a one-stop-shop through the entire product lifecycle,” he said.

“We’re excited to bring our customers best-in-class parts and services including a simplified experience, an

extensive selection of well-stocked parts, and faster deliveries — all through Wabash.”

Over time, the single distribution network is expected to include the entire Wabash aftermarket portfolio as well as a wide range of transportation parts with increased inventory and faster shipping.

According to Adler, Wabash Parts distribution will leverage the company’s network of equipment dealers’ service capabilities and their national wholesale distribution partners for aftermarket heavy-duty truck and trailers parts, utilising multiple distribution centres across the country.

“Wabash is connecting across the transportation ecosystem to facilitate interactions and improve operations,” he said. “The new Wabash Parts distribution network is leveraging the power of Wabash’s unique position at the intersection of suppliers, dealers and customers, while increasing the distribution capabilities needed to enhance speed and availability to market.”

US Equipment specialist, SAF-Holland, is opening a new Cincinnati Aftermarket Distribution Centre (DC) next year.

The facility is expected to open Q2 2023 and will provide more space and improve efficiency. It is located within the Fairfield Commerce Park and was designed for an improved flow of material. It provides more square footage for material storage and dedicated areas for value added services such as kitting.

The larger facility allows SAF-Holland to stock a broad range and ensure appropriate safety stock levels on fast moving parts. As a result, this

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL NORTH AMERICA will improve availability and therefore reduce lead times for distribution customers and end-users.

Aftermarket (Americas) Vice President and General Manager, Matt Wolfe, said the new DC will allow SAF-Holland to further meet its customers’ needs.

“Our investment in the Cincinnati Distribution Centre enables us to better meet customer demand because we can increase our product availability and reduce wait times,” he said.

“With better space utilisation we can serve our customers better and provide for growth with future customers.”

The facility features numerous dock doors to maximise shipping and receiving efficiency and has direct access to I-275 and I-75 in the heart of Cincinnati’s largest industrial area.

SAF-Holland has also announced the appointment of Kevin Layton as Director – Aftermarket Sales.

Layton will report to SAF-Holland VP & GM – Aftermarket (Americas), Matt Wolfe.

In his role, Layton will be responsible for leading the US aftermarket sales and service team to pursue sales growth through all channels, including OES, Independent aftermarket, OE dealers and regional fleets.

Layton joins SAF-Holland with over 30 years of automotive and heavy duty truck parts sales experience.

From 1990 to 2011, he worked for Delphi in a variety of sales positions, ranging from Sr. Product Manager to International Sales Manager. In the past, he has also held positions that include Sales Director for Allison Transmission and Remy International.

Most recently, Layton served as 2 6 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 6 5

National Sales Manager at ZF Commercial Vehicle Technologies.

“We are excited to welcome Kevin to the Aftermarket team at SAFHolland,” said Wolfe.

“With his many years of experience building strong relationships in the commercial vehicle market, he brings a wealth of expertise to our customers.”

Layton received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University and his MBA from the University of South Florida.

US XPO Logistics has confirmed record-breaking financial results for the first quarter of 2022.

The company generated $200 million USD of cash flow from operating activities and a further $66 million USD of free cash flow, a nonGAAP financial measure.

Revenue increased to $3.47 billion USD, compared to the company’s $2.99 billion USD the year prior. Net income from continuing operations was $489 million USD, a major increase from $63 million USD for the same period in 2021.

XPO Logistics CEO, Brad Jacobs, said the company saw a first quarter record with improvements across the board.

“We delivered a record first quarter, with significant beats across revenue, net income, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS,” he said.

“We’re executing on multiple avenues for value creation — the spin-off of our tech-enabled brokered services platform, the sale or listing of our European business, our continued deleveraging, and company-specific initiatives for the

ongoing transformation of our North American LTL business.”

The company also reported an operating income of $625 million USD compared to $139 million USD last year.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) increased to $321 million USD, higher than the company’s previous Q1 result of $279 million USD. Jacobs said the company aimed to reflect its moment by raising its fullyear financial outlook.

“Following our eighth straight beat on adjusted EBITDA in the quarter, our April results accelerated both sequentially and year-over year in many of our key metrics,” he said.

“We raised our full-year financial outlook by more than the beat to reflect our momentum.”

US Transport and logistics company, Werner Enterprises, has appointed Michelle Livingstone to the company’s Board of Directors.

The meeting took place on 10 May 2022, which increased the company’s number of directors from eight to nine members.

Werner Enterprises Chairman, Derek Leathers, said he is very excited to welcome Livingstone to the team.

“Michelle’s extensive supply chain and transportation experience, along with her proven success leading environmental and inclusion initiatives, will further strengthen the diversity of thought and expertise of our Board of Directors,” he said.

The additions increased the company’s female board representation to 44 per cent, while bringing its gender and diversity

NEWS

NORTH AMERICA rate to 56 per cent.

Livingstone will serve on the company’s Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and ESG Committee.

Livingstone brings more than 30 years of transportation and supply chain experience to Werner, after serving as an officer in a Fortune 50 company for more than 13 years.

US Wabash has released its Q1 2022 results which shows growth across the board.

Net sales for the first quarter of

2022 were $546.8 million USD, a 39.5 per cent increase compared to the prior year quarter.

Consolidated gross profit was $58.1 million USD, with an operating income of $20.1 million USD. As of 31 March 2022, the total company backlog was approximately $2.3 billion USD, an increase of $800 million USD compared to Q1 last year. The backlog represents a first quarter record for the company, exceeding the prior Q1 high by 42 per cent.

Wabash President and CEO, Brent Yeagy, said the results show demand across the business’ portfolio.

“Evidenced by record first quarter backlog, demand across our portfolio of solutions remains strong,” he said.

“With our customer base and supply chain both overwhelmingly levered to the United States, we are largely insulated from international volatility and fortunately situated to benefit from improving labor market trends and new and existing customers that are utilising trailers in new and interesting ways.”

For the full year ending 31 December 2022, Wabash increased its outlook for revenue by $200 million USD to $2.5 billion USD.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL NORTH AMERICA / OCEANIA “As we achieved strengthening financial results throughout the first quarter, our confidence in the trajectory for our full year has increased and we are excited to raise our EPS outlook by more than our first quarter outperformance,” said Yeagy.

“While our prospects for 2022 are bright, I am most enthusiastic about the increasing rate of change I see within the development of sustainable, customer-centric products and services throughout our portfolio.

These are some of the solutions that will chart the course of our strategic growth over the next decade.”

AUSTRALIA An Australian billionaire has donated a significant sum to support the creation of a new cultural landmark.

The National Gallery of Victoria has announced an extraordinary donation of $100 million AUD towards the construction of NGV Contemporary from supporters Lindsay Fox, Paula Fox and their family.

This funding supports the Victorian Government’s commitment to the project.

In recognition of their longstanding philanthropic support of the NGV, combined with this transformative gift, the NGV Council of Trustees wishes by way of appreciation to name Australia’s largest gallery of contemporary art and design, The Fox: NGV Contemporary.

“This incredible act of generosity sets a new philanthropic benchmark for Australia, making it the most significant cash donation made by living donors to an Australian art museum,” the National Gallery of Victoria said in a statement.

“We are immensely grateful to the Fox family for this transformative donation.”

This new Australian landmark will celebrate the central role of art and 2 8 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 6 5

design in contemporary life. It will have more than 13,000 square metres of dedicated display space for art and design, including exhibition galleries and an expansive rooftop terrace and sculpture garden.

With pathways through the building that connect the parklands to Southbank, The Fox: NGV Contemporary will unify the surrounding Melbourne Arts Precinct by connecting together the wider neighbourhood and reshaping the urban experience of this part of the city.

In other news, Lindsay Fox took the top spot in the transport segment of Australia’s richest 250 list.

‘The List: Australia’s Richest 250’ was published earlier this year by News Corp Australia. It is reported to be the biggest annual study of Australia’s wealthiest individuals and living philanthropists undertaken in the country.

Lindsay Fox secured an overall ranking of 20 but takes the top spot in the transport segment with a valuation of $4.36 billion AUD. He founded logistics company, Linfox, in Melbourne, 1956, with one truck and has since grown the business which now has more than 24,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

According to the Prime Mover Premier Commercial Fleet Guide, Linfox topped the ranking for total trailers (approx.

2,500) and prime movers (2,000) compared to all other fleets in the country.

AUSTRALIA Transport and logistics company, Toll, has achieved ISO 27001 – the only auditable international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).

With this certification, the business has proven its readiness and proactivity to provide a high standard of security governance in the face of volatile and everchanging global threats.

It also improves customer and business partner confidence and provides a competitive edge in the marketplace.

“Being certified to ISO 27001 is acknowledgement that as an organisation, Toll has a clear, systematic, risk-based approach to managing the security of our information assets, and those of our partners and customers”, said Toll Chief Information Security Officer, Berin Lautenbach.

To be recognised for ISO 27001 certification, Toll had to demonstrate that a system of controls, namely ISMS, is in place.

“This certification represents the culmination and reward of over two years of hard work that has taken place as part of our cyber resilience uplift, where we have invested heavily to carry out a comprehensive overhaul of our cybersecurity posture, following an integrated approach through people, processes and technology,” said Toll.

“Gaining ISO 27001 certification is a great reminder of the important role everyone plays in improving our cyber resilience, as well as strengthening relationships with our customers, and we look forward to your continued support for this vital work.”

AUSTRALIA Australian transport and logistics company, Wiseway, aims to establish a new cargo hub in Chicago which marks

NEWS

OCEANIA the latest stage in its strategy of diversification, integration and expansion.

The move will see the organisation increase its global network to encompass 11 cities across five countries.

The creation of this new branch follows the successful opening of Wiseway’s Los Angeles hub in 2H 2021, its first in North America. It also capitalises on momentum created through the awarding of an Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) certificate to the Company by the US Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration. This accreditation entitles the company to deal with airlines directly and on preferential terms.

Establishment of the new branch is expected to be achieved under a budget of $300,000 AUD, and is expected to be funded with business-as-usual operating cash flows.

Wiseway said steady revenues generated across the US West Coast can be replicated, and economies of scale harnessed to boost growth across the region.

“The creation of this new branch will supercharge our expansion across the US, deliver supply chain efficiencies and provide further revenue synergies for our global network,” said Wiseway Executive Chair, Florence Tong.

“This hub is expected to deliver sound revenues within its first year of operations and is easily expandable as business volumes increase.”

Following the Board’s decision to back the strategy, Wiseway will seek to sign contracts to obtain use of customs bonded and quarantine

compliant secure warehousing facilities close to Chicago’s main airport, obtain all necessary licensing and regulatory permits and begin a process of recruitment for several full-time employees.

“This is the latest step in Wiseway’s journey from a simple air-exporter to an agile, dynamic and dependable logistics solutions provider which delivers synergies and cost-savings through our global network of interconnected business divisions,” said Tong.

“The creation of a cargo hub in Chicago will harness Wiseway’s already established relationships with US airlines and is expected to provide the foundations for further expansion across North America and the Asia Pacific – from where we expect the majority of growth in the global freight industry will come.”

AUSTRALIA New registrations remain strong but there are mixed messages in the details according to ARTSA-i.

The March quarter (Q1) 2022 new heavy vehicle registrations were down 0.5 per cent compared to the Q1 results for new registrations in 2021.

A total of 8,867 new heavy vehicles were registered in the quarter. Prime movers had strong 10.6 per cent growth and heavy trailers had a modest 1.9 per cent growth when compared with the first quarter in 2021, however rigids, special purpose vehicles and buses all had negative growth compared with the equivalent quarter a year earlier. This trend was also evident in this Q1 report a year ago and underscores the two-speed market that is occurring with heavy vehicles.

When comparing the annual new heavy vehicle registrations to the end of March 2022 compared to the equivalent period to the end of March 2021, a different story, according to ARTSA-i, emerges.

The comparison in annual growth in annual new registrations across the heavy vehicle sector shows that all categories other than buses enjoyed strong growth. This 16.2 per cent total annual growth is well above the 0.8 per cent recorded a year earlier and shows that the heavy vehicle market is continuing to strengthen.

Total heavy and medium duty registrations exceed 40,000 units per annum which is a significant milestone.

Annual new heavy vehicle registrations have not topped 40,000 units before in Australia. For many years annual new registrations were in the low to middle 30,000s but this ceiling has now been raised to new heights.

Going forward, ARTSA-i points to a comment it made 12 months ago which remains valid: “Whilst Covid disruption to world supply chains has impacted on the supply of critical components there is a strong sense that order books are full and that new heavy vehicle registrations in the remaining three quarters of 2022 are likely to be strong.”

ARTSA-i Data analytics can supply a range of custom heavy vehicle reports that provide considerable detail by manufacturer, but can also be analysed by State, by year and other variables such as registration category, VIN, postcode, age and more. ARTSA-I Data also offers an interactive Tableau driven analytics package that allows users to build their own data reports.

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COVER STORY

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hrough its guiding principle ‘Economy meets Ecology – Because we care’, Kögel supports its customers with outstanding expertise, in-depth industry knowledge and durable, lighter weight, ecologically and economically sustainable products.

“Kögel supplies industry with some of the lightest vehicles available in the market today,” said Kögel CEO, Christian Renners “As per the standard spec, the base weight has reduced by around 1.0 tonnes to just 5.9 tonnes in the space of a decade. As for the light segment, the vehicle tare weight is actually under 5.2 tonnes now.”

Here, lightweight construction is essentially used in all Kögel models – always precisely tailored to the application and requirements of the respective vehicle.

Lightweight construction reduces the weight of the trailer. Vehicles thereby consume considerably less fuel – especially on empty runs – which saves money for forwarders when fuel prices are high in particular. At the same time, lighter vehicles can carry a higher payload. Sometimes, according to Renners, this means customers are even able to reduce the number of additional trips needed.

Combining economic efficiency and sustainability

WITH ITS COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS, KÖGEL HAS BEEN PROVIDING ‘MADE-IN-GERMANY’ ENGINEERING QUALITY FOR MORE THAN 85 YEARS. THE TRAILER MANUFACTURER UPHOLDS ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO DESIGN TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS PROCESSES IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY AND CLIMATE FRIENDLY MANNER AND DELIVERS ALL-ROUND SOLUTIONS, EXPLAINS KÖGEL CEO CHRISTIAN RENNERS IN AN INTERVIEW WITH GLOBAL TRAILER MAGAZINE.

Sustainable transport solutions are essential for road freight companies to maintain their competitive edge as well as commit to reducing their carbon footprint. “Kögel trailers are a major factor in achieving these ambitious targets,” said Renners. At the same time, the trailer manufacturer from the Bavarian Swabia region has made every effort to ensure the economy doesn’t fall by the wayside – true to its guiding principle.

Kögel supports its customers with exceptional expertise, in-depth industry knowledge and, above all, durable products that are both ecologically and economically sustainable. Kögel supplies innovative transport solutions for every application, whether volume- and payload-sensitive, temperature-controlled transport, or trailers and swap bodies for combined transport or bulk goods.

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FAST FACT In addition to establishing targeted sales segments, Kögel in recent months has also established a new branch in Austria which means the OEM is marketing its own transport solutions without the need for a third party dealer.

This new branch is based in Schärding (Upper Austria).

Thomas Dorfer, Head of the Austrian branch, and Roland Mayer, Sales Manager for Austria and Switzerland, are responsible for sales in the Alpine republic. They are supported by an eleven-strong team of proven market experts with 20 years of experience in trailer sales.

By deciding against dealer sales and in favour of direct sales via Kögel’s own field sales force, Kögel is breaking new ground in Austria and emphasising its claim that Kögel focuses on the customer.

Kögel Lightplus

With the NOVUM generation trailers including the Kögel Lightplus and Kögel Mega Lightplus, Kögel has been setting standards for many years when it comes to weight-optimised trailers that are used in a wide range of transport sectors.

With the Kögel Mega Lightplus, the Burtenbach-based vehicle manufacturer covers a wide range of tasks. A combination of volume- and payload-optimising features and a wide variety of tailored equipment options make this possible. As a result, Kögel Mega Lightplus is perfectly streamlined for economic efficiency.

Another net positive of the volume specialist: The low tare weight of this trailer saves fuel, resulting in reduced carbon emissions.

Kögel EuroTrailer

The extended Kögel EuroTrailer NOVUM semi-trailer also excels in these categories and sets the bar high in relation to climate-friendly transport solutions: It is 1.38 metres longer than conventional trailers and, depending on the body version, offers up to ten cubic metres more volume or up to four additional pallet spaces which is a particularly good volume-to-payload ratio. This results in a substantial reduction in fuel consumption of up to ten percent per pallet transported. The EuroTrailer (the so-called long truck type 1 in Germany) can now be used even more efficiently and economically.

Kögel trailer axle KTA Novum

Not only trailers, but also axles are put to the sustainability test at Kögel. The result: The Kögel Trailer Axle KTA NOVUM. Perfectly matched to the trailers of the NOVUM generation, it combines the best quality premium components with an innovative overall concept and is particularly durable.

Kögel has also shed weight here: Lighter brakes, direct clamping of the axle pipe by the wishbones, and two instead of four guide bolts have made it possible to omit certain components and thereby noticeably reduce the overall weight of the KTA NOVUM compared with the first generation of the Kögel Trailer Axle.

Retrospective 2021: A year of challenges

Despite record vehicle sales of more than 20,000 units, Renners anticipates challenges ahead due to supply bottlenecks in the procurement of important components as well as increasing costs for raw materials. Nevertheless, the OEM is committed to its ambitious investment plans at its Burtenbach site which includes a new administration building and a new SKD loading facility. Also, later this year, a public commercial vehicle workshop will also be established.

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Committed to its corporate motto, innovation only prevails if it brings economic benefits to fleet operators. Sustainability must therefore be in harmony with the economy.

“This, the OEM asserts, is exemplified by payload-strong and multifunctional trailers,” said Renners.

Most recently, Kögel was awarded the Reputation Winner prize by German business magazine, Focus Money, in the so-called ‘major Germany test’ in the commercial vehicle manufacturer segment. The mediumsized vehicle manufacturer came out on top

COVER STORY

Kögel CEO, Christian Renners.

against well-known companies and groups such as the Kion Group, Scania, Deutz and MAN as well as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, to name but a few. For this purpose, the Institute for Management and Economic Research (IMWF), commissioned

by DEUTSCHLAND TEST, examined almost ten million online opinions such as experience reports, customer opinions, comments in social networks on the 14,500 largest companies in Germany and determined from these sources the companies with the best reputation among

FAST FACT The company headquarters and main production facility of Kögel Trailer GmbH is located in the Bavarian town of Burtenbach. Kögel also has factories and sites in Ulm (Germany), Duingen (Germany), Choceň (Czech Republic), Verona (Italy), Gallur (Spain), Kampen (Netherlands), Corcelles-en-Beaujolais (France), Schärding (Austria) and Moscow (Russia).

customers. Focus Money writes: There are five topics that decide a company’s reputation: Management, Sustainability, Product and Service, Performance as an Employer and Profitability. “This award fills us with great pride and confirms us in our actions,” said Renners.

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FAST FACT In October 2021, Kögel announced a change to its leadership.

The partners of Kögel Trailer named Christian Renners as its new CEO and Chairman of the Board. He is also responsible for sales, marketing and business development.

Renners is an experienced top manager with decades of expertise in B2B. Most recently, he spent six years as Managing Director of Vossloh Fastening Systems GmbH, a subsidiary of Vossloh AG. The Vossloh Group is a worldwide leading company in the rail infrastructure industry.

“In the course of his career, Renners learned the business from the bottom up,” said Kögel.

“The qualified machine fitter and graduate mechanical engineer and MBA (Master of Business Administration) has held numerous managing roles in the industry, also gaining experience in the automotive-adjacent industries and in transport and logistics.”

Renners said Kögel offers a highly innovative portfolio of transport solutions, backed by a motivated team with exceptional expertise across every area of the company.

“All this combined means the company has outstanding prospects,” he said. “It is especially important to me that we are a reliable partner to our customers and deliver the best transport solutions in terms of economy and sustainability, so that they can succeed in the face of intense competition.”

Honing the sales organisation

In order to further strengthen the company and its flagship, the curtainsider, Kögel has restructured its sales. In the process, sales were divided into the segments of freight forwarding and construction.

In addition to establishing targeted sales segments, Kögel in recent months has also established a new branch in Austria which means the OEM is marketing its own transport solutions without the need for a third party dealer.

This new branch is based in Schärding (Upper Austria). Thomas Dorfer, Head of the Austrian branch, and Roland Mayer, Sales Manager for Austria and Switzerland, are responsible for sales in the Alpine republic. They are supported by an elevenstrong team of proven market experts with 20 years of experience in trailer sales.

“We have adapted Kögel’s sales structure to the demanding needs of the Austrian market and local customers,” said Renners.

By deciding against dealer sales and in favour of direct sales via Kögel’s own field sales force, Kögel is breaking new ground in Austria and emphasising its claim that Kögel focuses on the customer.

“We are thus raising the advisory service to a completely new level and

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are now also a one-stop shopping contact in Austria,” said Renners.

Dorfer explained that only with direct sales can the OEM meet demanding customer requirements.

“This includes direct and comprehensive advice on the entire transport solution,” he said. “In addition to the trailer, this includes information on value-added services such as trailer telematics, full-service contracts, rental offers, financing solutions, and even used vehicle marketing.”

With this new site in Austria, Kögel aims to double its previous market share in the country.

A one-stop shopping partner for the transport industry

Kögel is increasingly positioning itself as a one-stop shopping partner for the transport industry as it is no longer enough to just sell the trailer. Customers demand all services

COVER STORY

from a single source, from financing, rental, telematics, and full-service contracts to after-market services and used vehicle recycling.

The telematics and full-service offers in particular, which in combination allow full cost control, are becoming increasingly popular with customers.

Kögel is also successfully expanding its aftermarket offering.

Kögel Original Parts are fast movers in original equipment quality and stand for optimum operating costs and high value retention.

In addition, customers are increasingly buying spare parts online, which is why Kögel has optimized the Online Parts Shop and introduced common payment methods on the Internet as well as online tracking of the delivery.

IAA preview

At the upcoming IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover, Germany, Kögel is focusing on sustainable transport solutions that combine economic efficiency and environmental friendliness. In this way, Kögel is also responding to the EU’s ambitious carbon emission reduction plans and will provide customers with the best possible support. The tools include innovative lightweight construction concepts and multimodal trailers.

Kögel has been committed to the optimal combination of transport modes

and rail for many years in order to make the best use of the respective advantages.

“With the new products we will further increase the attractiveness of rail as a mode of transport,” said Renners. “This is due on the one hand to the excellent dead weight of the vehicles and on the other hand to the simplified handling.”

An outlook for 2022

According to the company boss, the order books are well filled for the whole year.

Nevertheless, it will not be an easy year.

The war in Ukraine and subsequently rising energy prices, increasing inflation and tightened supply bottlenecks will continue to pose major challenges for any company in the vehicle manufacturing sector. There are and will be further price rounds at all manufacturers.

Kögel supports Ukraine relief convoys

There are times when profitability takes a back seat. The conflict in Ukraine has also greatly affected companies. This was also the case for Kögel and owner Ulrich Humbaur.

The entrepreneur from Gersthofen donated 100,000 euros in the name of his companies Humbaur and Kögel to the Bild Hilft e.V. campaign ‘A Heart for Children’ to help the weakest. Kögel also provided curtainsiders and refrigerated vehicles for several aid transports free of charge.

While support for Ukraine has arrived, there is more work to be done. www.koegel.com

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THE GREEK PERCHED AT THE TIP OF THE BALKANS, AT THE CROSSROADS OF EUROPE, ASIA AND AFRICA, GREECE IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE THE CRADLE OF WESTERN CIVILISATION.

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Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister of Greece, in recent months has urged Europe to address the rise in gas and power prices which is impacting the domestic economy. Soaring energy prices correlate with the conflict in Ukraine which has exacerbated the issue. This in turn has prompted the European Union to cut its use of Russian gas by about 77 per cent this year and increase imports from other countries as well as expand its renewable energy capabilities.

Emerging from a decade of financial crisis and Covid-19 pandemic, Greece has spent nearly four bilion euros since 2021 to subsidise energy bills for households and businesses.

Mitsotakis called on Europe to agree on a joint response to this energy crisis.

“It is not sustainable to impose this burden on our citizens, especially when we’re talking about prices of natural gas that do not reflect the fundamentals of supply and demand,” he said during a meeting with EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson in Athens.

“If we don’t succeed in addressing this issue, forces of populism would reemerge in Europe,” he said adding that the EU should consider several options, including a Greek proposal for capping gas prices and quickly breaking the link between gas and electricity prices.

Governments across Europe are scrambling to establish a store of gas ahead of the next winter to prepare for potential supply disruptions from Russia which is reported to supply about 40 per cent of the EU’s gas requirements.

The European Commission earlier this year proposed legislation requiring EU countries to fill their gas storage to 80 per cent capacity by this year’s end.

More broadly, Greece’s economy is seen expanding by 3.8 per cent this year under a baseline scenario, a slower pace than a previous projection of 5.0 per cent, the head of the central bank told its annual meeting of shareholders.

“The war in Ukraine is a new, major exogenous supply-side shock to the global economy that also affects, through various channels, aggregate demand,” said Bank of Greece Governor, Yannis Stournaras.

He added that Greece’s main economic policy objectives this year should be to maintain growth momentum and keep up efforts to regain investment grade.

Under the central bank’s adverse scenario, economic growth is seen limited to 2.8

FAST FACT No part of Greece is more than 137 kilometres from the ocean.

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per cent. The economy rebounded strongly last year with gross domestic product growing by 8.3 per cent. Ultimately, the economy’s performance will depend on the extent and duration of the shocks in international prices of energy and food, as well as deterioration in confidence and financial market turmoil according to Stournaras.

Under the central bank’s baseline scenario, consumer inflation is projected at 5.2 per cent this year while a further increase to 7.0 per cent is projected under an adverse scenario.

“Although the main drivers of growth this year are domestic demand and tourism, there is significant uncertainty: The negative

MARKET REPORT

LABYRINTH impact of inflation on households’ real disposable income will drag down private consumption,” said Stournaras.

Greece’s annual consumer inflation accelerated to 7.2 per cent in February, hitting its highest in 25 years on the back of surging costs of energy, housing and transport.

A conversation with Mary Efthymiatou

Mary Efthymiatou graduated from Panteion University – Syngrou Avenue, Kallithea, close to the centre of Athens – and has been a professional journalist since 1999. She has worked for financial newspapers and magazines and has also been writing about logistics and supply chain management since 2002. From 2007 onwards, Efthymiatou has had the honour of serving as Editor of SC&L and regularly engages in international and domestic news media on supply

FAST FACT About 80 per cent of Greece comprises mountains.

management and logistics issues.

Since 2009, she has been responsible for the organisation of Logistics Conferences, LOGI.C (a well-known logistics event brand which is held annually) and a coordinator for professional conferences for the transport and logistics sector. She has also have been an external media partner of Piraeus University for the dissemination plans of the University’s European Projects (Transport Systems Lab).

A recent survey from EEL the Hellenic Logistics Association shows that Greece employs approximately 200,000 employees in the transport industry.

In the upcoming years, the industry’s contribution to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to reach a rate of 12 per cent.

Also, the port of Piraeus

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 “THE USE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS IS AT A SATISFACTORY LEVEL, WHILE THE REPORTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AUTOMATION AND 4.0 LOGISTICS TECHNOLOGIES ARE ENCOUR AGING. ACCORDING TO A SURVEY GREEK COMPANIES ALREADY USE INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN STOR AGE SUCH AS: WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND RF-SCANNERS, VOICE/ LIGHT PICKING TECHNOLOGY, ROBOTIC SYSTEMS AND CONVEYOR BELTS.” MARY EFTHYMIATOU

dominates the Mediterranean – the port of Thessaloniki has significant prospects to become a Balkan hub; and 3PL storage spaces have increased significantly.

However, outsourcing shows significant growth potential.

“Road transport is the dominant mode (69.5 per cent share) in Greece,” said Efthymiatou. “Nevertheless, the fleet is old and of limited capacity. Synergies in road transport are necessary, and there should be programs to help owners to modernise the fleet.”

She added the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the launch of supply chain reorganisation and modernisation activities.

“After the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses have been observed to make a turn (in a rate of 80 per cent) towards e-commerce, with only 20 per cent of the sample

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stating that they do not intend to become active in the field of e-commerce,” she said.

“Meanwhile, 40 per cent of businesses are already active in the field, while the remaining 40 per cent have already started preparations in order to become active in the field of e-commerce.”

As for what the future may have in store for Greece, Efthymiatou is optimistic.

“The use of information systems is at a satisfactory level, while the reports for the implementation of automation and 4.0 logistics technologies are encouraging,” she said. “According to a survey Greek companies already use Information systems in storage such as: Warehouse management system and RF-scanners, voice/ Light picking technology, robotic systems and conveyor belts.”

She added that information systems for delivery in Greece include vehicle routing systems, fleet management through telematics, mobile terminals on trucks, Proof of Delivery (PoD) and in-vehicle voice systems (Ex-Van). “Soon, most businesses plan the implementation of strategic investments in information systems in the reorganisation of logistics procedures and in training/ specialising of staff.” www.globaltrailermag.com

DRIVING

POSITIVE CHANGE DUBAI-BASED TRAILER MANUFACTURER, GORICA, IS CALLING FOR REGULATION AND FOR THE UPTAKE OF MODERN REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT TO LIFT COLD CHAIN SERVICE STANDARDS ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST.

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R E FR I G E RATE D TRAN S P O RT TE C H N O LO GY

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he United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of countries currently lack regulation for the transportation of perishable goods.

GORICA Group would like to see something similar Europe’s ATP in action.

There are practically zero regulations for refrigerated transport like refrigerated semi-trailers.

Refrigerated delivery vans that work in the supply chain allow transport companies to import outdated reefers that have expired their eight-year European ATP Standard. Such equipment would not be legally approved for service in Europe but are instead only alloed to function as dry box semi-trailers or exported for sale. As a result, fleets that operate in these countries unfortunately use trailers that cannot adequately hold temperature.

GCC traffic is busy with reefers that have been in service for a decade with many cases of units being up to 20 years old.

“It is unfortunately common to see many of these units having internal fungus accumulation growth which goes without saying that the impact on health and safety is detrimental,” said GORICA. “In our view GORICA would like to bring

attention to these issues and hope that the region’s cold chain will soon be regulated with guideline by the relevant authorities to ensure health and safety standards, especially to consumers.”

Lifting the standard

Food manufacturing companies who run their own fleets within the cold chain are becoming increasingly aware of cold chain issues when using outdated refrigerated semi-trailers. Some have even started to invest in their own reefers.

The market is slowly starting to understand the key benefit, which is safety of their products and positive implication on their subsequent brands.

Also, are numerous transporters of perishable goods that are solely driven by their own profits. They choose to disregard the health and safety elements.

Such practices will unfortunately continue until firm regulation is in place for the transportation of perishable goods.

On a positive note, GORICA saw in April this year in KSA where authorities have prohibited the importation of any trailers and trucks which are older than five years. In view of the overall GCC landscape, this is still a small step but a rather important one going in the right direction.

An economic outlook

It is important to first understand the structural economic transformation of the region coming from its primary economy, Oil/Gas based GDP to evolving into a secondary economy that is more service based, and focuses more and more on non-oil revenues. How does this translate into market tends? Basically, the service sector and sub sectors among the transportation of perishable goods is gaining importance and generating first base demand for quality and safe products. More scale of educating the market on the health and safety aspects needs to be done, but there are already beginning signs of cold chain players placing importance on this.

Change is necessary

GORICA has witnessed drastic changes in last 20 years. Back in the late 1990s a lot of fresh food was still transported in cargo bodies, with seafood/meat buckets covered by ice, to then using second- and third-hand insulated bodies/ trailers that expired their eight-year ATP Standards in Europe but were still permitted to be imported to the GCC. In the past few years there is much greater awareness of the importance to have adequate quality products and safety of the cold chain, but due to lack of regulations many companies and clients are operating old cheap imports from Europe especially when it comes to refrigerated semi-trailers. This will need to change, especially due to the harsh hot weather conditions that can reach up to 50-plus degrees Celsius in the region, and where transporters are required to run long distances route.

FAST FACT GORICA is rapidly expanding our customer based, initially out of UAE in all the GCC markets (especially in KSA), following by the expansion in East African markets like Sudan, Ethiopia and further. Beside that we have a strong presence with institutional clients and other agencies who are focused on the transportation of medicine and vaccines.

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GORICA positions fleets to be competitive

The OEM’s focus together with European truck manufacturers and cooling unit suppliers is on the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the refrigerated semi-trailer and other types of trailers for transportation of perishable goods.

When a company/fleet invests in new refrigerated semi-trailers with new cooling units there will be practically zero down time, zero result in rotten foods at destination, and very low maintenance cost, not to mention the positive image generated in the eyes of their clients. Furthermore, despite the fact that there is higher initial investment into the assets, the overall total cost of ownership in a period of 7 years will be by a minimum of 25 per cent lower when they operate their brand new GORICA fleet.

A look at GORICA’s design and manufacture capabilities

The GORICA Frigo division was founded in 2010 when GORICA group bought its first machinery line for Frigo body and Frigo semi-trailer manufacturing. The purchase of the Canon polyurethane injection machine with a Manni hydraulic press, as well as the metal (PPGI) de-coiling line marked the beginning of this era.

The GORICA Frigo division then went through vast expansion in 2013 when plans took place to set up a new Factory in Dubai Industrial City (DI) that would specialise in the manufacturing of reefers and trailers. The milestone took place when GORICA Industries LLC acquired a Krone GRP Reefer factory that was based in Denmark. This acquisition marked the establishment of GORICA Industries’ fourth factory which was finalised at the end of 2015, and which now specialises in the manufacturing of reefers, dry box semi-trailers, refrigerated bodies and dry cargo bodies. These products complement the existing GORICA Industries products by adding to the full range of products which includes all types of trailers.

The GORICA Frigo factory is unique to the Middle East, as it is one of the few trailer and body factories that specializes in the manufacturing of products that are made of Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer of Plastic (GRP), alongside the typical Polyester coated galvanised steel (PPGI).

The OEM’s line-up on GRP skin insulated refrigerated semi-trailers starts with the standard 12.4m and 13.6m semi-trailer, with the most common being at 15m and up to 16m long single peace/seamless GRP panel. These units are without joints which helps to eliminate any possibility of thermal bridges. This same line is also diversified into different application trailers.

For example, GORICA’s applications are many, and can cater to the medical/ vaccine transportation requirements, to different applications such as for fresh and frozen meat transportation where the entire trailer is equipped with roof hanging system for meat carcasses. In recent years GORICA has produced more and more special refrigerated semi-trailers for automatic loading with autonomous operation of loading and unloading the refrigerated semi-trailer.

Solid aftersales support

One of the key competitive advantages of GORICA products including but not limited to trailers for perishable goods is the complete aftersales support

FAST FACT GORICA refrigerated semi-trailers operate all across GCC and Middle East.

Beside that with new supplies in recent years they operate in East Africa.

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that it provides through its local GORICA entities in UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman. Beside that the OEM has mobile service teams supported by five regional spare parts hubs with the main one being located in Dubai, UAE. GORICA focus on strong aftersales support of its products and even more when it comes to transportation of perishable goods being in many cases temperature controlled trailers where prompt and adequate support gives a complete new dimension to overall product experience. clients will feel the peace of mind when working with GORICA. Industry partnerships

GORICA has a strategic global partnership with Carrier Transicold for all type of cooling units used on refrigerated semi-trailers, rigid mounted refrigerated bodies, sales vans – so basically a cold chain road freight business needs.

GORICA also has a regional partnership for several markets in the Middle East and Africa with Thermo King.

In both cased clients get a ‘turn key’ solution from GORICA for a simple and transparent buying process along with the complete aftersales support via GORICA service centres in the region along with cooling unit manufacturers service centres. www.goricagroup.com

R E FR I G E RATE D TRAN S P O RT TE C H N O LO GY

GORICA RE E FE R TECH N ICAL SPECS GRP panels are the key in construction of GORICA refrigerated semi-trailers with unique technical details. GORICA refrigerated semitrailers are unique and exclusive in the region (locally produced in state of the art factory in Dubai) specially produced and made of GRP – Glass reinforced Polymer of Plastic.

• GRP panels are much lighter in weight and NON conductors of heat.

• Insulated (internally) with high density extruded Polystyrene (sides and front) with low ‘K’ value of thermal migration.

• Internal and external GRP laminate skins are seamless – without joints; so single piece.

• Fully repairable if damaged due to accidental or incidental reasons – no need for complete replacement of the panel. Repairs are economical and faster and the repaired area remains strongly bonded together.

Being seamless they are very suitable for regular washing and very suitable for any kind of branding if required.

• Fully water and moisture resistant and abrasion proof.

• Highest value in industry in temperature retention and temperature recovery.

• High impact resistance and does not dent on normal impact.

• Lightweight which results in saving on fuel, reduced tyre wear, vehicle service duration and reduction on maintenance costs.

• All railing for movable partition and for side panel lashing profiles is recessed into the panel giving complete loading height and width • Five lip custom designed seal gasket for all doors (rear and side) – made of extruded rubber. All corners are machine welded (not glued) which is unique.

• GRP coated floor of 5mm is seamless – no joints to prevent any water or moisture to enter the floor or side panel which could cause delamination comparing to ALU chequred plate floor with high impact resistance and does not dent on normal impact.

• Proven track record by high demanding clients in Middle East.

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BRIANZA PLASTICA CELEBRATES BRIANZA PLASTICA, WITH FIBREGLASS REINFORCED LAMINATES PRODUCTION IN SHEETS AND ROLLS, CELEBRATES ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR AND CONTINUES TO INVEST IN CONSOLIDATING ITS PRESENCE IN THE COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE SECTORS. THANKS TO AN INCREASINGLY WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS, IT IS NOW ABLE TO MEET THE MOST DIVERSE NEEDS OF THE MARKET.

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Brianza Plastica was founded in 1962 to produce fibreglass laminates in sheets and rolls for commercial, industrial and agricultural applications.

Over the years, the production was expanded with more sites in Italy, introducing new products able to meet the most varied roofing and cladding needs.

In the 1980s, the Company entered the field of thermal insulation for roofs and walls in the residential and industrial sectors: the Isotec system was born in 1984, an innovative thermal insulation panel, made from rigid polyurethane foam with an integrated stiffener and exceptional insulating properties.

Over the years the Company has continued to produce, research and develop new products in the fibreglass sector, expanding its range, with straight and curved sheets and rolls, in the corrugated, ribbed or flat, opaque or translucent versions, for applications in the most varied sectors from agricultural to farming, from commercial to industrial, up to commercial vehicle sector (trucks, buses, coaches) and recreational vehicles (camper vans and caravans).

The acquisition of the two production sites in Rovigo and the one in Ostellato to produce Elycold laminates with discontinuous cold-

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OF BUSINESS Brianza Plastica HQ.

R E FR I G E RATE D TRAN S P O RT TE C H N O LO GY

lamination procedures – respectively in 2006 and 2008 – and the inauguration in 2009 of a new production line in the Carate Brianza site dedicated to Elyplan continuous hot-lamination products, has made Brianza Plastica one of the most important players in the global market of fibreglass laminates, with an extremely flexible production capacity able to meet the most varied market requirements.

The new logistics-sales headquarters of Brianza USA Corporation in Elkhart, Indiana, was opened in 2014 to serve the US market and to strengthen the Group’s commercial presence in the territory.

In the summer of 2016, a new production site was opened in Rovigo for the production of Elycold grp laminates and a new Elyplan continuous production line was inaugurated in the Carate Brianza site.

At the beginning of 2019, the new chemical laboratory was inaugurated, almost tripling the previous surface area and significantly improving the equipment used to carry out most of the chemical-physical tests on both raw materials and finished products. The new facility is equipped with the most advanced instruments to support the production processes of the insulation panels and composite laminates.

These investments, together with a qualified and increased professional team, have allowed increasing the production capacity by more than 40 per cent, which in turn will allow Brianza Plastica to meet the market demands in the years to come.

In 2021, to complete its offer for roofing and curtain walls for agricultural and industrial buildings, Brianza Plastica started producing Elysol, the compact polycarbonate sheet at its production site in Ferrandina, Matera, Italy.

Elycold is a combination of polyester resin (orthophthalic and isophthalic) and glass fibre; over the years, this composite material has replaced aluminium in the production of refrigeration panels for commercial vehicles, campers, caravans and motorhomes, providing manufacturers with excellent long-term properties and UV protection.

Elyplan grp laminates, produced by continuous lamination, are available in different versions, to allow customers to choose the laminate that best meet their needs.

The main advantage of continuous production is that it allows achieving the highest possible polymerisation of the composite material, coming from the use of technologies that best maximise this value. The result is a perfectly flat product with very tight dimensional tolerances, that guarantees excellent quality at very competitive prices.

Different are the types of fibreglass that can be combined with composite materials as reinforcement, from the fibre cut in a length of 5cm evenly distributed on the laminate, to the orthogonally woven fabric, from MAT to TISSUE. For customers who request an additional protective layer, gelcoat is optional.

In general, all fibreglass laminates of the Elycold and Elyplan ranges are lightweight – a feature that is increasingly important and in demand in the transport industry as lighter vehicles pollute less, are faster and more environmentally sustainable. All products are intended for use as external skins of sandwich panels to construct the walls of commercial, recreational and passenger vehicles.

The Elycold range is wide and diversified; over time, products have been

Elycold rolls.

developed to meet specific needs, starting from Elyplan SUPER, for better aesthetic performance and Elyplan SUPER HF, with the best surface finish; Elyplan EXTRAGLASS, which combines low weight with high impact resistance; Elycold XLITE, the ultralight laminates suitable for ultra-light vans and recreational vehicles. Elycold ANTI-SLIP, is the grp laminate with the addition of quartzite, designed for the interior floors of vans and trucks, in order to prevent slipping of loads; Elyplan EMBOSSED with its characteristic finish, is well appreciated for its easily washable surface; Elyplan DESIGN, featuring the bonding of materials such as PVC directly during the production process, ensures maximum aesthetic freedom.

Elycold VELO is the new entry: ideal for interior applications (both on walls and floors), without gelcoat protection, the product is available in different thicknesses, from 0.9 to 1.4 mm, only mat. www.flatlaminates.com

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DRIVING CHAIN

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY AND GRAY & ADAMS

UK MARKET LEADER IN THE REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT INDUSTRY, GRAY & ADAMS, IS CELEBRATING ITS 65TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2022. FOUNDED BY JIM GRAY SNR IN 1957, THE BUSINESS REMAINS IN THE FAMILY AND IS NOW MANAGED BY HIS SONS, JOINT MANAGING DIRECTORS, JAMES AND PETER GRAY. THE ORGANISATION HAS ALSO RECENTLY WON TWO PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS AT THE NORTHERN STAR BUSINESS AWARDS, FAMILY BUSINESS & BUSINESS OF THE YEAR.

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ray & Adams is a long-established business with 750 employees, based out of a head office and main production facility in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire and has operational sites across the UK and Northern Ireland. As a business, Gray & Adams has been renowned for championing innovation the cold chain industry, an example being the partnership with Carrier Transicold that brought the first autonomous, fully electric trailer, to UK roads in 2021.

When looking at new technology within the industry, we must understand what drives certain trends to make viable business cases for these changes to industry standards to take place. More often than not, they can be customer led but often legislation is what drives innovation.

Group Engineering Manager at Gray & Adams, Ian Smith is involved in these discussions within Gray & Adams and his expertise allows innovative ideas and futuristic proposals to be fully considered before a trailer moves into production.

“Environment and sustainability is a huge driver to innovation in the temperature-controlled vehicle market,” Ian says. “Gray & Adams understand that not only is it important to the customers to reduce their environmental

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impact, but multiple industries across the globe are being encouraged to do the same through government legislation and that is one of the key drivers that pushes us as engineering professionals to innovate.”

While the environmental topic of conversation is not exactly recent news, Ian’s expertise offers insights on whether marrying up ‘green’ technology and efficient outputs can be as successful as the tried and tested methods such as diesel engines and single deck trailers.

“Gray & Adams have considered the environmental impact that the transportation and logistics industry has had for a long time,” he says. “It was something we discussed back in the late 1990s when the first double deck trailers were designed by us and released to the market in the UK – the driver behind this was to reduce journeys, thus enhancing efficiency for businesses and reducing C02 emissions.

“However, we always advise the customers about the pros and cons of utilising different technologies within their fleet, as whilst certain innovations may provide significant environmental benefits, they may provide downsides that have not been considered.

“Solar panels on the roof of trailers is something that is becoming more common, this is perfectly viable to be built into your G&A trailer, however we ask the customer to

R E FR I G E RATE D TRAN S P O RT TE C H N O LO GY

COLD INNOVATION

consider what would happen if one of the panels were to stop working? If a change of panel or repair was required, this could damage the build integrity of the trailer and increase downtime when you want to be maximising time on the road. If this is something a customer is considering, we would advise the best solution is to over subscribe on the panels to the power needed, then if something goes wrong, you can be kept moving.”

With this advice in mind, some operators choose to consider the overall vehicle weight when ruminating over their next fleet upgrade.

To this argument, Ian says: “Some of my industry peers believe lighter to be better, however, I would challenge this with the proven success of the double deck trailers.

That is a large trailer, and bigger was better in this case, as journey numbers and operational costs could be significantly reduced. There is also the issue with lighter bodied vehicles not being quite as robust – if you frequently have to upgrade your fleet, think about the impact that would have not only financially but also environmentally.

A robust build, even if the body weight is higher is my recommendation when considering all the variables – if efficiency in operations and environmental outputs is the objective.”

Lastly, Ian shares his thoughts on traditional versus alternative fuel usage in the industry.

“As a business, Gray & Adams has championed bringing fully electric

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“GRAY & ADAMS HAVE CONSIDERED THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THAT THE TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS INDUSTRY HAS HAD FOR A LONG TIME.IT WAS SOMETHING WE DISCUSSED BACK IN THE LATE 1990S WHEN THE FIRST DOUBLE DECK TRAILERS WERE DESIGNED BY US AND RELEASED TO THE MARKET IN THE UK.” IAN SMITH, GROUP ENGINEERING MANAGER AT GRAY & ADAMS

refrigerated transport to the industry with the release of the Vector eCool, in partnership with Carrier Transicold, last year,” he says. “However, the buck doesn’t stop with having a fully electric fleet and then claiming carbon neutrality throughout your business. When we talk about carbon in the industry, I want to stress that we are speaking about it in the terms of tailpipe emissions and not the cradle to grave of a trailer lifecycle. There is still much to be done in terms of finding a suitable way to recycle batteries before any very bold claims from an organisation can be made. Traditional combustion engines that use fuel such as diesel have had longer periods to mature, so we know how to recycle all the components at the end of life. However, in the industry we are aware that other factors such as the red diesel tax and increasing prices move our focus further away from this method.”

Ian works with the sales team at Gray & Adams to ensure that from an engineering perspective, customers are continuously informed on the pros and cons of each bespoke component they choose for their fleet, getting the best for their operations with the purchase.

Ian adds: “It’s one of the reasons that we have such great customer loyalty at Gray & Adams, not only do we put innovation at the heart of everything we do, but trust and integrity is also there. If we don’t think something is the right route, we’ll discuss and advise rather than getting the sale through as quickly as possible. Our culture is one of the reasons we have been so successful for the last 65 years.” www.gray-adams.com

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ABOVE EXPECTATIONS

THE CELSINEO MODULAR TRAILER REFRIGERATION UNITS – THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH KRONE AND LIEBHERR – HAVE ALREADY BEEN SUCCESSFULLY USED BY NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS SINCE THEIR MARKET LAUNCH IN 2021.

AND DEMAND IS CONTINUOUSLY INCREASING.

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he responsible Managing Directors at Krone and Liebherr draw a positive first balance with a thoroughly confident outlook.

“After series production in Germany and Austria in 2021, the order intake in 2022 is above expectations,” said Dr Frank Albers, Managing Director Sales & Marketing at Krone. “With over 500 units delivered at the end of 2022, we will more than meet our targets. My thanks go to the many renowned customers who have placed their trust in us.”

Dirk Junghans, Managing Director Liebherr – Transportation Systems GmbH & Co KG, explained the Europe-wide dimension: “This year, we will continue to market CELSINEO primarily in Germany, Austria,

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Switzerland, and the Benelux countries. In Spain we took up some days ago the selling activities. Starting from 2023 we want to internationalize then further and take for example the Scandinavian countries into the focus.”

Both managing directors particularly emphasize the successful establishment and expansion of a comprehensive service network.

R E FR I G E RATE D TRAN S P O RT TE C H N O LO GY

FAST FACT The Liebherr Group is a family-run technology company with a broadly diversified product range. The company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction machinery, but also offers high-quality, benefit-oriented products and services in many other areas. Today, the Group comprises over 140 companies on all continents, employs around 48,000 people and generated total consolidated sales of over 10.3 billion euros in 2020.

Since its foundation in 1949 in Kirchdorf an der Iller in southern Germany, Liebherr has pursued the goal of impressing its customers with sophisticated solutions and contributing to technological progress.

Service network as a success factor

CELSINEO uses the close-knit Krone service network in Europe, which is being equipped step by step with CELSINEO service expertise. Around 200 service points along the main European traffic routes are already CELSINEO-certified, and in 2022 this network is to be expanded significantly further. For new service partners, the effort is comparatively low because specifically trained refrigeration personnel are not required. The minimum of two service technicians per company undergo a free two- day training course to acquire the necessary know-how. An overhead crane is required in the workshop, and the investment volume for a starter kit is in the low fourdigit range. This enables service partners to

expand their scope of services at a manageable cost.

Compared with conventional refrigeration systems, CELSINEO service is simpler because the trained service staff can replace a defective refrigeration module quickly and cost-effectively within an hour. Thanks to its unique concept, CELSINEO’s cooling capacity is distributed among three identically designed plug-and-play refrigeration modules, each of which contains an independent, hermetically sealed refrigerant circuit with only a few components. This means another significant advantage for transport companies, because the intelligent control of the three refrigeration modules allows the operating modes cooling and defrosting at the same time. While two modules are cooling, one can be in defrost mode, effectively minimizing unwanted temperature spikes during defrost cycles.

Krone Cool Liner as a training centre

To make training as effective as possible, Krone and Liebherr are breaking new ground with the CELSINEO training trailer: A Krone Cool Liner is set up as an education and training centre. In addition to the existing CELSINEO online training offers, this also makes it easy to implement on-site training and mobile product demonstrations for customers as well as for service and maintenance personnel. The trailer is equipped with a CELSINEO demonstration unit outside and a CELSINEO viewing unit inside. A training diesel engine is also on board.

The training trailer offers space for nine participants as well as trainers and interpreters. Power sockets and USB power supplies at all seats and a large 4K flat screen complete the equipment. Large windows and air conditioning ensure a bright and comfortable ambience. www.krone-trailer.com

ABOUT CE LSI N EO The modular cooling unit CELSINEO is a development of Krone and Liebherr and has three cooling modules. The modules of CELSINEO can all be controlled individually. This results in more precise control of the temperature in the loading area. Uninterrupted cooling is ensured by simultaneous cooling and defrosting. The system covers numerous application areas, making the overall trailer system even more versatile.

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ASPÖCK MAKING LIGHTS THE ‘BIG IDEA’ STARTED ON A SMALL SCALE AND LED TO INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS. WITH THE INTENTION OF REVOLUTIONISING VEHICLE LIGHTING, INVENTOR FELIX ASPÖCK SCREWED TOGETHER THE FIRST LIGHTING SYSTEM IN HIS PRIVATE BASEMENT WORKSHOP IN 1977. IN DOING SO, HE PAVED THE WAY TOWARDS BECOMING A GLOBAL COMPANY.

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oday – 45 years later – it is almost impossible not to see an Aspöck lighting system on the road, as the company has a 65 percent share of the European car and truck trailer market. The manufacturer successfully produces sophisticated lighting solutions, still based on the ‘simple’ concept from way back then: the complete system of a lighting installation.

After 45 years, nine expansions at the Austrian headquarters and numerous expansions at the production sites, Aspöck is now producing at three European locations: in Austria, Portugal and Poland. Eight sales subsidiaries currently represent Aspöck Light Visions in Brazil, Germany, England, France, Italy, Sweden, Spain and Turkey. An enormous product portfolio has been developed for the truck & trailer, agricultural, automotive, motorbike and caravan sectors, and LED strip technology and special developments round out the range. Today, 1550 employees worldwide belong to the Aspöck family. With annual sales of 197 million euros and an export ratio of 93%, the last fiscal year was the most successful in Aspöck company history.

The solution is simple: from inventor to global player

There was a lack of material and space. The one-man show also did not have any

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customers yet. His technical understanding and a remarkable ‘it must be simpler’ way of thinking spurred Felix Aspöck on. For every problem there is a solution – and in this case, there was even a patent for it.

The prefabricated lighting system was so easy to assemble that new business areas opened up over time, says Karl Aspöck, son of the company founder. The son built up sales in Spain and France for many years before taking over the management from his father in 2006. From this point on, the company grew in leaps and bounds to become a globally active player.

A clever move was made in 2007: A previous supplier and partner, Fabrilcar, was taken over and became part of the company as Aspöck Portugal in 2008. This secured

BODY HARDWARE, EXTRUSIONS AND LIGHTS

SYSTEMS FOR 45 YEARS a significant production volume, and with two expansions in the following years, the site became the largest production facility in the Aspöck Group. Today, 900 employees work there, producing 80 per cent of all the company’s lamps.

Being an international partner in the automotive industry means guaranteeing extremely high quality criteria on a permanent basis. It was clear that a location had to be found that was strategically close to Austria and also had significant communication and transport routes within Europe. Southern Poland was selected in 2016. For Aspöck Automotive Poland, the way to the ‘next level’ is definitely through an even higher degree of automation. A constant level of quality and safety is a requirement for innovative overall solutions with a high degree of individualisation. That is why the Polish production site in the Opole region is already being expanded for the second time – it has just almost doubled in size!

Felix and Karl Aspöck.

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“THE SIMPLER THE SOLUTION, THE EASIER IT IS TO SUCCEED.” FELIX ASPÖCK, FOUNDER

The steady growth of the light manufacturer and the very good turnover forecasts since its foundation indicate that the internal and external processes have become much more complex. There is a consensus that the only way to achieve the company goals today is through the successful interaction of transport, storage, provision, procurement and distribution of the raw materials required for production and the manufactured end products with the associated monitoring mechanisms. A logistical tour de force is the foundation of any successful trading and production company, which Aspöck Systems definitely is. A brief look back shows that the cornerstone for successful intralogistics was laid back in 2009: the construction of the high-bay warehouse rising 24 metres into the sky with a surface area of 3,000m² made Upper Austria the logistics hub of the Aspöck Group even back then. It makes it possible to secure large stocks for just-in-time production of all segments the company serves.

Full order books, new product developments and the repeated reaching of capacity limits justified the latest expansion of the storage capacity. Two new floors for the incoming goods department and the picking warehouse were recently completed. They each offer an additional 2,200m² of space over a length of almost 45 metres. The manufacturer of sophisticated lighting systems has thus expanded the existing automated warehouse logistics in order picking for palletised handling units and integrated it into the internal conveyor system.

Another automated small parts warehouse is also being completely rebuilt for the storage and order picking of small items, which will be updated and harmonised with the SAP landscape. This major renovation project at the headquarters is to be completed by January 2024.

The habit of thinking big gave the company the courage to establish international subsidiaries in the past. This decision made Aspöck Systems what it is today. An internationally active, successful family business with bright visions already in the process of making plans for the future. www.aspoeck.com

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A LOOK AT THE

2022 CV T

he 2022 Commercial Vehicle show was held 24-26 May at NEC, Birmingham, UK. The event organisers said visitor registration opened in February and the response proved strong with operators keen to explore the latest developments in road transport.

“We have attended the Commercial Vehicle Show since 2016, ever since we announced we were ‘Back in Business’ with commercial vehicles,” said David Crouch of Toyota GB. “Each year we have used the show to highlight a new element of our commercial vehicle strategy. It provides a platform for us to engage with both

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new and existing customers about current and future products as we look to increase our position in the UK commercial vehicle market.”

Diya Patel, of ProtectaVan/TVL Group also commented: “We are delighted to be back at the Commercial Vehicle Show this year, where we will be showcasing our latest security products and a unique interactive experience with the TVL Innovation Team.

EVENT REVIEW

SHOW

MORE THAN 200 EXHIBITORS – INCLUDING BPW, CARRIER TRANSICOLD, GRAY & ADAMS AND SDC TRAILERS – COMMITTED TO THE 2022 COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW.

panel discussions which addressed important topics concerning commercial vehicles, workshop equipment, aftermarket, refrigerated transport solutions and cost-effective technologies.

Tackling driver shortages

With a national shortfall of drivers, there is a lot of work to be done to recruit into the industry.

At the beginning of May, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that record numbers of HGV driver tests have taken place over the last six months.

Policy lead for skills at the RHA, Sally Gilson, - who participated in the Theatre presentations during the three days of the show - has been encouraged by the news: “These record results show what happens when a government prioritises and promotes a sector. If the numbers continue to look this good, it shows the extent to which bringing a flexible, fully-funded training program can impact the HGV and logistics industry.”

Improving facilities

Alongside TVL is ProtectAVan’s complete offering of commercial vehicle accessories.

We also have a very exciting initiative to share with visitors at the show, come and see us to find out more.”

Two live Theatres – Workshop Theatre, in association with Commercial Vehicle Workshop, and the Road Ahead Theatre – were used as platforms for keynote presentations on industry megatrends and

In addition, at an exclusive Live Theatre session, the RHA’s Tom Cornwell presented on the provision for adequate driver facilities being ‘a right, not a privilege’. The RHA has launched a petition calling on the government to fast-track a program to improve facilities such as toilets, showers and food.

Approximately 11,000 more spaces are needed for drivers parking overnight and this shortfall is resulting in lorries being parked up in unsafe laybys and on industrial estates nationwide.

Glen Mullins, Managing Director of exhibiting company VUE Systems, said: “For over 20 years, VUE has provided fleets with the necessary tools to keep their drivers, vehicles, and others on the road safe. Driver shortage

FAST FACT Commercial Vehicle Show is owned and operated by The Commercial Vehicle Show LLP whose members are the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE), the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

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Diversity and inclusion

FAST FACT Commercial Vehicle Show is the leading, most comprehensive and best-attended commercial vehicle and road transport event in the UK.

and inadequate driver facilities are bigpicture issues, needing the cooperation of government, haulage companies and representative bodies. Vehicle safety and telematics technology helps road transport companies recruit and retain drivers by offering security, tracking and support.

We’re delighted to play our part in tackling these important issues and look forward to exploring more ways in which VUE can help businesses upskill their drivers and streamline their fleet operations more cost-effectively.”

RHA Managing Director, Richard Smith, said: “Commercial vehicle drivers continue to put up with poor facilities out on the road and it’s just not good enough. People at work should feel safe and respected; our drivers expect better and deserve better.”

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Facilities issues are also compounding an ongoing discrepancy in gender representation in the road transport sector, with women still accounting for only 1.0 per cent of the UK’s driver workforce. With sophisticated automatic transmission technology available in all modern trucks, coupled with dedicated cargo handlers at distribution centres, any misconceptions over physical handling requirements for a HGV driving job are outdated.

Murray Ellis, Show Director, was hopeful that the 2022 Commercial Vehicle Show would deliver answers for large operators and SMEs to take their business successfully into the next decade of change. www.cvshow.com

CELEBRATING

10 YEAR’S OF GLOBAL

TRAILER

CALLING ALL TRAILER

BUILDERS Feature in the 2022 Global OEM Ranking List

Global Trailer is urgently collating data for the upcoming Global OEM Ranking List which is set to feature in our September edition.

If you are eligible, submit your total production number today. Scan the QR code below to complete the showcase questions.

In September 2022, we celebrate a decade of Global Trailer Magazine, and for the first time in the history of this publication we are reaching out to all past cover story participants to ask: How has your business changed over the last 10 years?

Are there specific milestones over the past 10 years that you would like to discuss in detail?

What do you expect to see in terms of manufacturing and logistics trends a decade from now?

Be a part of this special IAA edition which aims to reflect on the past, discuss the present and explore what the future of our industry might hold.

To participate scan the QR code below or contact:

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 Luke Applebee, Managing Editor, Road & Transport Group Luke.applebee@primecreative.com.au +61 0478 001 448

WORLD EVENTS

MEGATRANS2022

ELMIA LASTBIL 2022

Melbourne, Australia MEGATRANS returns in 2022 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.

Jönköping, Sweden The national and international venue for the haulage and transport industry at Elmia, Jönköping.

24-26 AUGUST

24-27 AUGUST www.elmia.se/en/lastbil

www.megatrans.com.au

INTERNATIONAL CROSSBORDER ECOMMERCE SUPPLY CHAIN FAIR 2022

22-24 SEPTEMBER Shenzhen, China The first exhibition began in 2015 and focused on crossborder e-commerce, covering mainstream cross-border e-commerce platforms and upstream and downstream service providers. www.ciefair.com

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BAUMA 2022

24-30 OCTOBER Munich, Germany The Bauma trade fair is dedicated to innovations in the construction, mining and agriculture industries. www.bauma.de

KEEP A LOOK OUT Fenatran 7-11 November Brazil www.fenatran.com.br

IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES SHOW 2022 20-25 SEPTEMBER

Transport Scandinavia 2023 20-22 April Herning, Denmark www.transport-messen.dk

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

INNOTRANS 2022 20-23 SEPTEMBER Berlin, Germany The future of mobility is here. This trade event showcases the latest in transport technology. www.innotrans.com

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M E GATR E N D S

GATES OF STEEL EUROPE HAS SOME URGENT MATTERS TO ADDRESS FROM THE STATE OF ITS ROAD FREIGHT BENCHMARK TO A LACK OF LEADERSHIP ON ELECTRIC AND HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE.

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oad freight rates hit an all-time high in Europe at the beginning of this year.

The International Road Transport Union (IRU) attributes this to rising cost pressures, supply and capacity disruptions, regulatory change and the Ukraine conflict.

The effects of inflation on the supply side of the European road freight market have led to substantial increases in rates in Q1 2022. The war in Ukraine and the restriction of oil supplies from Russia into Europe has led to further upward pressure on prices.

The Q1 2022 European Road Freight Rate benchmark is 7.5 points higher than this time last year, increasing 4.3 points since the last quarter.

The Europe-wide weighted average of a litre of diesel has risen sharply since Q3 2021. Compared with the low €1.10 price induced by the COVID-19 pandemic in Q2 2020, the weighted average cost of diesel was 52.7 per cent higher during this first quarter.

Thomas Larrieu, CEO of business start-up, Upply, said freight rates are gradually increasing, with no signs of abating.

“In addition to the factors that have been known for several months (dynamic demand with the reopening of the post-Covid economies, rising fuel prices, pressure on capacities and driver shortages), there is now a parameter that is exogenous to the usual problems of the sector: The war in Ukraine,” he said.

Larrieu said these factors are contributing to Europe’s supply chain issues, while more increases are to be expected.

“This conflict is disrupting European supply chains, affecting driver availability, and causing an unprecedented spike in fuel costs. In the coming months, we can expect further increases in transport costs, which could fuel a subsequent rate increase,” he said.

Upply anticipates the worst may be yet to come, as the price spike in fuel did not occur until after the war started in Ukraine on 24 February. This means carriers were able to make use of fuel purchased prior to this at lower prices.

With lower-cost fuel reserves now depleted, the impact on rates is likely to increase even more in the near term.

Meanwhile, four organisations have rallied to urge the European Parliament to agree on targets for electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

These organisations include the International Road Transport Union (IRU), European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), Transport & Environment (T&E) and Hydrogen Europe.

IRU, representing commercial road transport operators, together with ACEA, representing vehicle manufacturers, T&E, a non-government organisation, and Hydrogen Europe, an association grouping companies and public sector authorities, have signed a joint letter to EU leaders.

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The four organisations are concerned that current targets set by the European Commission’s proposal for a regulation on alternative fuels infrastructure may be substantially weakened during the legislative process.

In a letter to transport ministers from the 27 Member States of the EU and key European Parliament Rapporteurs, the organisations called for ambitious and timely targets for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure.

“Road transport operators are concerned that policy makers may not give them a fair chance to play their role in decarbonising the EU,” it read. “A solid infrastructure for charging/fuelling zero-emission vehicles, evenly spread across the EU, is a basic enabler for transport operators to do the shift. If infrastructure building is delayed, how can transport operators buy the new vehicles starting to hit the market?” www.globaltrailermag.com

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29.03.22 08:38