OFFICAL IRISH JOURNAL OF TWO INTERNATIONAL TRAILER INNOVATION AWARDS
Volume 8. No.1. AUTUMN 2011
IVECO Magirus
Goldhofer SAF-Holland
DENNISON
www.fleet.ie
contents AUTUMN 2011 34 News • Entries open for Trailer Innovation Award 2012 sponsored by Texaco Lubricants • Thermo King honoured again • Golfhofer moves it! • SAF-Holland at Tip-Ex • BPW’s Eco Wheel plus Body & Builder. 36 Interview With Gero Schulze Isford, Krone Group. 37 Events
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Previewing Trailer 2011 and Temperature Controlled Storage
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& Distribution and Frozen & Chilled Foods Show. 38 Product Feature on Iveco & Magirus
FT&BB 09.11
P 29
P 30
• Vehicle Wash Systems - Manual & Automatic • Water Recycling, Rainwater Harvesting & Pollution Control • Steel Safety Gantries and Platforms • High Pressure Wash Systems
Consultation, Manufacture, Supply and Service FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT P.E Services, Unit 1, Crubany Business Park, Crubany, Co. Cavan. Tel: 049 4379144 / 4360109 Fax: 049 8545032 Email: info@peservices.ie Web: www.peservices.ie
Call to your nearest MAN Dealer for further details: MAN Importers Irl, Dublin 12. Tel: 01 419 1300 Dennehy Commercials, Limerick. Tel: 061 229900 Cork. Tel: 021 488 3344 MS Commercials, New Ross. Tel: 051 422277
O’Reilly Commercials, Ballinalack. Tel: 044 93 71360 Newtown Trucks, Newtowncunningham. Tel: 074 91 56666 Athenry Truck Centre Ltd., Galway. Tel: 091 849 375
FLEETTRAILER & BODY BUILDER | SEPT 11
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NEWS 1
BODY & BUILDER Abhann invests in first Fitzgerald Double-Deck Trailer A bha n n L og ist ics, Limerick, which has been involved in the transport business for over three decades has put into operation its first double-deck curtainside trailer. Manu fact ured and supplied by Fitzgerald’s Vehicle Body Builders, Mallow, County Cork, the trailer will be used to increase Abhann’s efficiencies in its UK Express Service. Affi liated with TPN – The Pallet Network, Abhann Logistics, located at Raheen Business Park, Limerick has just ordered another example of same, according to Gary Fitzgerald, for delivery in October.
Westward Scania’s success in specialist vehicle sectors With over 90 years of experience building chassis for fi re-fighting vehicles, Scania has achieved increasing success in markets around the world, working with many of the leading bodybuilders and equipment suppliers. No more so in Ireland as Westward Scania, the importers for the Swedish Truck & Bus brand here, has made great strides in this specialist area in recent years. Two of these customers, which have been purchasing fi re tenders from them since 2002, have acquired new additions to their fleet this Summer. Mayo Fire Service and Monaghan County Council Fire Department have put into operation two similarly specified Scania P-Series CP31 Crew Cab versions. In the case of the Mayo appliance the 280hp 4x2 rigid is fitted with Xenon lights, bumper and visor spots, and electric windows. The Monaghan unit is powered by a 320hp engine, with the Crew Cab accommodating eight fi re-fighters. Both bodies were built by Browns Coachworks, Lisburn. Speaking to Fleet Trailer & Body Builder on the success of the brand in specialist sectors, Joe Crann, Managing Director, Westward Scania said, “ Westward Scania has a long tradition with specialist vehicles including the sale of Fire appliances. Many of the County Councils who run fi re appliances became acquainted with Scania quality and longeviety in the early 1990’s. At that time many Councils changed over to Scania, which was a break with the tradition of buying based on price alone. Many of those trucks and fi re appliances sold in the early '90s are still in operation, the “total operational economy” that Scania focuses on has paid off in the long run. He added, “Scania fi re appliances are regarded as having one of the safest cabs around and the Scania Crew Cab, built in-house to tough Swedish standards, is well liked by crews as a very safe place to be travelling at speed. That together with the strong driveline offering comparatively large engines (9.3 litres minimum!) with high torque and no Ad Blue, means that the Scania fi re appliance is an operators' favourite.” “While all Scania Specialist Vehicles are sold centrally from Westward by Eric Treacy, the Scania dealer network supports their local appliance,” he concluded. 34
FLEET TRAILER & BODY BUILDER | SEPT 11
Entries Open for Trailer Innovation Award 2012 in association with Texaco Lubricants & Fleet Transport Awards 2012
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or the third occasion the Fleet Transport Awards 2012 programme includes a Trailer Innovation Award. Sponsored by Texaco Lubricants, this honour goes to the trailer manufacturers or body builder that creates ‘a new method, idea or product of a technological nature designed to enhance operations for the company or their customers’. The product that contributes to the efficiency of the transport of goods by road must be new or incorporate significant technical improvements to an existing product. Innovations of any kind and size can be entered under Concept, Chassis, Body, Components or Safety. The product innovation must be in operation no longer than two years and be on sale in the Republic of Ireland. Entries must be submitt ed by completing an application form and accompanied by two photos or drawings (300dpi). Contact 094 9372826 or email marian@fleet.ie for further details. The overall winner will be announced at Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner on 3 October 2011 at Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, Co. Meath. As a follow-on to this initiative the winner will go forward to represent Ireland at the Trailer Innovation Awards to be held at the 2012 European Commercial Vehicles Show from 20-27 September in Hanover, Germany.
O’Brien Oil Products Ltd, proud sponsors of the Fleet Transport Trailer Innovation Award 2012 O’Brien Oil Products Ltd is a family run business selling Texaco lubricants for over 26 years. The business is based in Newport, County Tipperary just minutes from the M7 allowing service to customers across all sectors nationwide. Its success to date can be att ributed to: • Strong reputation • Professional, dedicated, educated and friendly staff • Provision of quality products, on time and at the right price • Additional services including product information and technical support • Continued appreciation of its customers and their loyalty over the years Look out for their advert in this edition with a special offer that you won’t want to miss… Contact Details: P: 061 378399 F: 061 378404 E: sales@obrienoil.ie W: www.obrienoil.ie
NEWS 11
Thermo King recognised again as ‘Best Brand’
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hermo King’s continuous efforts in driving greener transportation solutions have been recognised by a Readers Poll for the seventh consecutive year. Readers of three German trade magazines have again recognised Thermo King as the top brand in the refrigeration units category in the 2011 annual ‘Best Brands’ readers poll conducted by DEKRA , based in Stuttgart. More than 7,500 readers, representing Germany’s commercial vehicle professionals, responded to this year’s poll, which was organised by three trade magazines – Lastauto Omnibus, Fernfahrer and Trans Aktuell.
“We are honored that commercial vehicle professionals have recognised our commitment to providing services focused on increasing operational and energy efficiency,” said Alexander Zankl, Director of Aftermarket for EMEIA for Thermo King, after accepting the award at a ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany. “Th ank you to our sales and service team and to our dealers and workshops for their commitment to service and our success.” Thermo King, the leading manufacturer of transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications with its European
manufacturing headquarters in Galway, was first recognised in 2005 when DEKRA (Germany’s automotive governing body) extended the survey from the truck and bus industry to cover markets supplying commercial vehicles. Today, Thermo King’s main focus is about developing customer driven solutions such as 1) increasing energy and operational efficiencies 2) improving sustainability, and 3) helping steer through the current difficult economic climate.
Goldhofer – shaking that tree!
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t was a momentus, monumental occasion. Goldhofer trailers and Berard Transportation wowed television viewers and onlookers as the heavy-haulage experts moved a 150-year-old oak tree weighing over 400 tonnes and measuring more than 20 metres high. Two self-propelled, parallel coupled PST/ SL-E 12 heavy-duty transporters, which are usually used to transport ships or oil platforms, carried the giant over a distance of about two kilometers near the city of New Liberia, Louisiana (population 33,000). Moving the tree took an hour and-a-half. Th is meant closing the route to through traffic. For the massive tree, named “Big Al” by locals, to be positioned on the Goldhofer module to an accuracy of millimeters, and lashed down so the “tour de nature” could start, another three hours
technology again worked together perfectly. All those involved put in an awesome performance,” said Johnny Berard, head of the eponymous U.S. transport specialist.
were expended. Unloading took as long again. “Th is was a spectacular undertaking, where the combination of man and state-of-the-art
SAF-Holland at Tip-Ex
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mong the vast array of new products and services on display at TipEx 11 was from SAF-Holland with its unique SAF 80 one-wheel end brake systems that offers weight savings of up to 201kgs on a three-axle semi-trailer chassis. In effect, 20kgs is shaved on each side; 27kgs due to the smaller wheel, minus 7kgs due to the larger rim. Also new from SAF-Holland is the SAF Titan landing gear that has a 55,000 kg maximum coupling load and a 25,000 kg lift ing capacity. Another development is the new low maintenance fi ft h-wheel SK 36.20. Using NoLube ‘No Lubrication’ technology, it is light, clean and efficient. With an overall weight of 116kg, it is considerably lighter than comparable products for standard applications in the 20 tonne category. In addition, the SK 36.20 NoLube has a special performance guarantee over a period of three years for up to 500,000 km. SAF-Holland’s Tire Pilot tyre pressure monitoring system for trailers can be retrofitted. The system continuously monitors pre-set pressures and when pressure reduces it utomatically raises to pre-set pressure levels. A warning light on the trailer automatically alerts the driver if a tyre is severley damaged. SAF-Holland products and services are provided by IMS limited for the UK and Ireland.
The giant oak, had to give way because it was preventing construction and road extension work near a highway service road. In addition, drivers previously had to put up with a detour of over two kilometers. In the State of Louisiana, the work was seen as a symbol for environmental protection, as the original intent had been to fell the tree. However, a petition from a local resident ensured that lots of people would witness one supersize tree transplant, and gave Goldhofer and Berard a unique logistical task of gigantic proportions.
BPW’s shining bright with ECO Wheel
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id you know that there is a link between trailer component manufacturer BPW and Porsche? Well, now there is, in the shape of a big shiny alloy wheel. BPW has launched its own lightweight aluminium wheel, the ECO Wheel. It has been developed and produced in partnership with OTTO FUCHS KG, a company long established in the hand and die-forging sector and known above all for the iconic Fuchs wheel developed for Porsche in the 1960s. M a nu f a c t u re d i n Germany, the robust, forged alloy, compared to a steel wheel, is around 50 percent lighter. For a tri-axle trailer this leads to a weight savings, of around 120kgs. ECO Wheel, in all standard sizes, is available with either a brushed or polished finish, and requires no further surface treatment. FLEETTRAILER & BODY BUILDER | SEPT 11 35
INTERVIEW
One-to-One Gero Schulze Isford, Managing Director, Sales & Marketing, Krone Group with Gianenrico Griffini, Chairman ITOY - International Truck of the Year Jury Let’s start by talking about what the first quarter of this year is compared to last year. Do you see the market improving now? GSI. First of all we are back to more than 50 percent of our workload in our factory so we have in-store capacity over the year of a maximum of 220 units per day with external painting support. Our painting system can do 200 units per day, which we did produce at the beginning of 2008. The lowest point in October 2009 was 15 per day and now we are back to 105 per day, which is more than 50 percent. So the answer is ‘yes’, only talking about this plant now. With an instore capacity of 50,000 units, we are back to 50 percent workload at this factory. So that means compared to the situation then we only have 50 percent of the work force we had in 2008, we were 1,254 people and we are 638 now. So this is exactly half; this is not bad at all. What do you expect for the end of this year 2011? GSI. This is the one million dollar question, which you would have to ask everybody. Currently we have an order book, which is far more than four weeks, and we are very lucky that is the case. We need to do everything so that the lead-time for our products is not going to increase more than we have today, but we are reluctant to increase the capacity because we are not 100 percent sure if the growth rate we are currently having is that sustainable. We have high diesel prices; we have different systems between Russia and Poland. Now Russian drivers can do more than they could do in the past. So there is a lot of movement in Europe and we still have some markets, that have still not really recovered, especially Spain, France and Portugal, so there are still some reserves even in Europe. So my personal conviction is ‘yes’ the markets are going to increase further, but we are very careful and we are prudent so that we are not doing the same mistake as we may have done in 2008. We thought that everything was moving up again and again and again, and we thought the sky was the limit – it was not. We had the situation like someone cut off the cable in the elevator, we were falling down from floor number 10 to ground zero. So do you see a ‘two speed’ recovery in Europe, different countries with different behaviour? GSI. What happened in Eastern Europe, Russia especially, Poland and Russia peaked up
very fast. The markets have increased very quickly and we are enjoying good activities over there, but there are still some other markets that have to recover. Do you think that the key factors that led to the crisis are completely over? GSI. Yes, the problems are still there. It has slightly changed compared to a year ago. The banking system is getting a little bit more flexible, but they are as well reluctant and prudent. They turn the paperwork of their customers three times before they make a decision. Th is is clear. The answer is ‘yes, this problem is still there’. Money is available, that is not a problem, but the interest rate is increasing and it still takes a relatively long decision-making process to fi nalise. Do you think in the future when the market recovers you will face a shortage in the component supplies or an increase of the prices? GSI. We are currently facing this now. Th is is a disastrous situation that we currently are in, so we are between a rock and a hard place. The customers, in many cases, don’t get significantly more monies from the companies loading any goods to their vehicles. They’re still fighting. The most difficult situation we have for the time being is the tyres. The steel market, the steel price increase – we are not sure if that is sustainable. It may be that all of a sudden the steel prices are going back again, but who knows this? For the time being, no, all the indicators are going up, but it could be that later in the year this is decreasing as well. So this is speculation. What kind of product line gives you most satisfaction now and what is still in trouble – curtainsiders, reefers? GSI. Well, the container chassis market is dead. There is no need for container chassis, not for the time being, but it will come back. As soon as the volume of the containers going to Hamburg or Bremen is going up again then, one year down the road we will have a market for container chassis again. So this is the segment that is dead. What is extremely good, extremely positive, is the swap poly market. So whatever its distribution, parcel distribution we are talking about DHL, UPS,
36 FLEETTRAILER & BODY BUILDER | SEPT 11
FedEx – all the big ones, their business is growing and really we can say in a very short period of time the year 2011 will be sold out. So the swap poly segment is the opposite of the container chassis market. After the swap poly market is the reefer trailer market. Food transport and food distribution is very good and it’s very good all over Europe. It is good in Spain and it is good in Russia, without any difference. Even in France, Lamberet is doing a good job, so that is the next segment, and then I think it is general cargo of course. Curtainsider is general cargo too. In the reefer sector you have two solutions – steel and fibre-glass. Why did you choose to have two different solutions? GSI. It is the customer that decides what is going to happen. So if you try to sell a steel-sided, covered reefer trailer or steel-coated reefer trailer to your friends in Italy, most likely they will say no we don’t want it, we don’t need it. If you go to Portugal and try to convince a customer in Portugal, they say it is difficult to repair and I don’t want it, they say because it’s metal it is getting too hot because of the sun and so on. Th is is a philosophy. There are people who drive a diesel engine, they prefer a diesel engine. In this position we can supply whatever the customer wants, so if the customer prefers, like the Italians they prefer a GRP trailer – we’ll get it, we’ll make it. Finally in which countries are you market leader and in which regions do you want to still improve your market share? GSI. We are the market leader in many markets, especially with the curtainsider. We are extremely strong in Scandinavia with the reefer trailer. We are not strong enough by far in France and the UK. In Holland it depends whether we have rental companies buying from us or not. If the big rental fleets are buying from us, we are number one in Holland. If they are not buying, we are not number one because we deal with the big ticket items there, but not the many existing smaller customers. So as far as the distribution is concerned we are hemorrhaging heavily, especially in Italy. Because my Italian friends are here today, I need to sell more!
EVENTS
Awards galore at Trailer 2011 Kortrijk, Belgium 25-29 November
The Future of Trailers & Equipment exhibited
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or the fourteenth running of the bi-ennial International Trade Show in Kortrijk, Belgium, Trailer 2011 will appeal to a broader audience featuring trucks alongside the latest in semi-trailers, trailers and bodies for goods handling and logistics. Th is coincides with the presentation of the ‘International Truck of the Year 2012 Award’ during the opening ceremony on 24 November. The winner of the International Van of the Year trophy will also be announced there with both holders of this prestigious title being exhibiting at the 5-day event in the XPO Arena. In addition, Trailer 2011 will honour exhibitors with its own Trailer Awards. Th is is the sixth occasion that the organisers Transport en Logistick Vlaanderen (TLV) are encouraging and promoting ‘innovations in the use of transport equipment’ and ‘innovative solutions for road transport in general’. As Lode Verkinderen,
Secretary General TLV explains, “The Trailer Awards are att ributed to two different categories: The ‘Trailer Award for the best vehicle’ for the entire vehicles driven by other vehicles and the ‘Trailer Award for the best accessory’ for the superstructure, the spare parts and also other products exhibited at the Expo.” An International jury composed of professional journalists (including Fleet’s Jarlath Sweeney) together with a number of users of the participating products will evaluate the candidacies in the following areas: the relation between the costs and the benefits; the fully or partially innovative character; the influence on the weight; the different applications; the safety characteristics; the ergonomics; the presentation and meeting the need for training where applicable.
During the fi rst selection round a score will be granted by the jury on the basis of the submitted candidacy. In the second selection round, the jury will inspect the innovation visually whereby the candidates may provide additional commentary and demonstrate the innovation. Th is second selection round will take place on the day of the official opening of the Trailer Exhibition and at the stand of the participant. And to top it all, the winner of the European Transport Company of the Year 2011 will also be announced on the eve of the opening day. Trailer 2011 takes place at Kortrijk, Belgium next to exit No. 2 (Kortrijk Zuid) off the E17/ A1 motorway.
Temperature Controlled Storage & Distribution and Frozen & Chilled Foods Show Exec Exhibition Centre, Peterborough – 14/15 September ptember new exhibition to showcase solutions designed to improve efficiency and reduce costs in the cold supply chain is to be staged in Peterborough from 14-15 September. Jointly organised by Quartz Publishing & Exhibition and Sherwin Publications, over 80 of the industry’s major players will exhibit a broad range of products and services from forklift truck manufacturers such as Doosan Industrial, Jungheinrich, Crown Lift Trucks, Translift Bendi and Toyota Material Handling UK.
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lutions Several exhibitors will demonstrate solutions curity, for product protection and cargo security, sing on while many stand holders will be focusing the potential savings in the cold supplyy chain. Other exhibitors include refrigerated vehicle ers such manufacturers, bodybuilders and converters ers UK as Schmitz Cargobull (C9), Krone Trailers on (C21), Gray & Adams (C17), Montracon (A20), Thermo King (E9), Paneltex (D17) and The Cold Consortium (A21).
Irish Telematics specialists Blue Tree Systems Ltd has supplied this comprehensive solution to AF Blakemore, one of the UK’s leading transport companies, which distributes for SPAR supermarkets.
The afternoon Seminar programme will feature a range of speakers on hot topics in the cold supply chain. Complimentary refreshments will be provided to the audience between speakers on both days. Taking place at the end of the fi rst day of the show, the TCS&D Dinner will make a welcome return after a break of some 15 years. Exhibitors and visitors are invited to enjoy a three-course meal with entertainment and the opportunity for some valuable networking. For more details, call Richard Cogan on 0044 1732 868 288.
Text: Rob Van Dieten - rob@fleet.ie
FLEETTRAILER & BODY BUILDER | SEPT 11 37
PRODUCT
Iveco and Magirus ‘Climbing the Ladder to Profitability’
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n the automotive world the name 'Maggi' is well known, though when mentioned it is usually associated with the Duetz brand. Together they formed a company famed for air-cooled engines: Magirus-Deutz. This merger was only one small facet of a long history, and is far from the whole story. Magirus is now part of the Iveco Group but remains true to its original core business.
Based at Iveco’s Ulm plant in Southern Germany, Magirus has created a niche market in the provision of specialist fire-fighting appliances. This is not a recent move into the market, Magirus’ involvement in fire appliances began back in 1864. In that year the Chief Fire Officer of Ulm, Herr Conrad Dietrich Magirus, became convinced that there had to be a better way of getting a long ladder to the scene of a fire than to carry it on your shoulders. He set to work and invented the mobile turntable ladder we are all familiar with today.
emergency vehicle from the Ulm factory, including all ancillary equipment, such as hose reels, mixing systems and monitors, needed to tackle all manner of fires in different conditions throughout the world. Added value includes training and certifying the appliance operatives using the equipment. Magirus provides standard fire training for about 1,000 people per year. The cost of these specialist vehicles is as wide ranging as the catalogue of accessories available for fitment. Though expensive the vehicles' working life averages around 10 to 15 years with full-time professional service, after which they are recycled to part-time regional stations that extends their life to approximately 25 years in total. So the initial
Back in 1864 the first Magirus ladders were pulled by hand, today however the majority are mounted on all manner of trucks from the Iveco range. Iveco Magirus constructs dedicated appliances from small equipment-carrying support vehicles based on Iveco’s Daily, to the immensely powerful and futuristic looking Airport fire tenders. Taking one standard Iveco Trakker or Eurocargo, and converting it into a fire rescue unit turns out to be a little more detailed than attaching the ladder of your choice to a turntable mounted over the rear axle. First there is the ladder, which can range from 25 to 60 metres long. The unit may have to be feature a high-pressure delivery system to pump the appropriate fire suppressant, or operate as an equipment transporter or a simple pumping unit. Added value and the principle of one-stop shopping is one of the reasons for the success of Magirus appliances throughout the world. Customers can specify the complete 38 FLEETTRAILER & BODY BUILDER | SEPT 11
capital investment can realise fair value for money over such a long period. With modern engineering techniques you would expect that fabricating a steel ladder is a simple process. However at the Iveco Magirus plant, they don’t use modern techniques, they have tried them with very mixed results. It appears that computers are no match for the eye of an experienced metal fabricator who sees flaws and stresses in the ladder that no computer can detect. The fabricator corrects the flaws by applying heat and slight pressure to the metal with a practised hand until perfect. Each fabricator is responsible for the production of one bespoke ladder from start to finish, which ensures full traceability over the life of the unit. All hydraulic components are fully inspected on a special test bench before assembly, since repairing any faults after the turntable has been fitted is a near impossible task. Once assembly is complete, the new appliance is delivered to the test area for testing and final quality control. Here every imaginable working condition is replicated and operational performance assessed before the unit is signed off. The Magirus test cycle for the turntable ladders and fire appliances takes a full 10 days. The final part of our visit to the Iveco Magirus plant was to view the facility from the cradle of a ladder under testing. Fully extended 30 metres up in the air not only gave a different view of the factory, but also gave a different view and appreciation of the work fire fighters undertake on a daily basis when rescuing people from high buildings. From a transport perspective, it might seem strange to equip a vehicle at great expense to the highest specification possible, park it in a garage and hope that it will never be used. Nonetheless it’s comforting to know how well they have been put together.
Text: Paul White – paul@fleet.ie
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