Global Trailer January 2021

56

www.globaltrailermag.com ISSN 1839-5201

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INNOVATION

BUSINESS

NEWS

JOST’s Award-Winning Fifth Wheel Continuous Improvement At Krone Profi Liner And Mega Liner Developments Critical Acclaim For EU Manufacturers

Executive Interview: Van Eck From Twin Deck To AEROFLEX Market Report: Myanmar Industry Voice: Schmitz Cargobull

Logistics Firm Expands In China Aramex Releases Financial Results Mergers & Acquisitions Senior Leadership Changes

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COVER STORY

28

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE READY

Founded in 1912, Van Eck – according to prominent Board Member, Hans van Eck – has a strong tradition of providing innovative logistics solutions in the Netherlands. The company’s successes with its twin deck concept, sustainability goals and aerodynamics advances has seen the manufacturer rapidly expand across Europe and influence trailer design internationally.

“OUR CUSTOMISED TRAILERS ARE DESIGNED AND BUILT WITH UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY IN BEESD FOR THE AIM OF GETTING AN INCREASED RETURN FOR OUR CUSTOMERS. AS A RESULT, WE FOCUS ON MAXIMISING THE LOAD FACTOR WHILE PROVIDING SMART LOADING AND UNLOADING SYSTEMS TO ELIMINATE OPERATIONAL LAGS AND INEFFICIENCIES.”

IN THIS ISSUE

Hans van Eck

BUSINESS

FEATURES

34 MARKET REPORT

38 JOST

Myanmar, the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, with a population of 54 million, is growing in importance in terms of cross-border trucking and its contribution to the global supply chain.

44 TRAILER DESIGN

The most innovative trailer and heavy vehicle component manufacturers of 2021 have received critical acclaim.

48 INDUSTRY VOICE

A drop in trailer demand shaped the 2019-20 financial year for Schmitz Cargobull. The CEO of the leading German OEM, Andreas Schmitz, reflects on the state of the industry and how it continued to prevail under trying circumstances.

The award-winning JSK42-ASW fifth wheel with air release and sensor from JOST Australia is suited to a broad range of freight transport tasks, reduces manual strain injury risks for operators and minimises the likelihood of a dropped trailer.

40 KRONE

Committed to continuous improvement, Krone has overhauled two popular product lines, the Profi Liner and the Mega Liner. Fleets like STERAC are realising the benefits of specifying robust, state-of-the-art trailing equipment technology.

Van Eck

REGULARS

56 EVENTS

04 EDITOR’S NOTE

58 MEGATRENDS

06 NEWS

59 PREVIEW

48

EDITOR’S NOTE

PUBLISHER

John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Luke Applebee luke.applebee@primecreative.com.au

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

ART DIRECTOR Blake Storey

DESIGN

SHIFTS IN DISTRIBUTION BILLIONAIRES IN THE US, contrary to many, have been thriving during the Covid-19 pandemic, growing their collective wealth to a substantial degree. Chuck Collins at the Institute for Policy Studies found that these rich individuals have seen tremendous growth of about $1.0 trillion USD since March 2020, which is more than 34 per cent.

This was certainly not the case during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) when it took Forbes’ 400 richest people three years to recoup their losses from recession.

Collin’s analysis sheds light on 650 individuals who have recorded financial gain during the pandemic.

As Niall McCarthy of German database company, Statista, noted, it seems obscene at a time when nearly seven million Americans are at risk of eviction when moratoriums expired at the end of last year.

Of these 650 billionaires, 47 are new players with 11 dropping out due to financial decline or being deceased.

The most notable financial triumphs here include Amazon’s Jeff Bezos who grew his fortune by $69.4 billion USD between 17 March 2020 and 24 November 2020.

The dramatic shift to shopping online and engaging in contactless deliveries

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

transformed the e-commerce marketplace relatively quickly hence these impressive financial results.

At the time of writing, the richest man on Earth, the boss of Amazon, has $182.4 billion USD. With a surge of funds, it appears Bezos’ company is set to compete in the quantum computing space.

Bloomberg reported that Amazon was using a superconductor model, similar to the likes of Google and IBM, and went on a hiring spree to grow its quantum computing group.

He has a long way to go, though, as IBM is set to deliver a 1,000 qubit quantum computer by 2023.

Bezos is followed up financially by Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX. His gains surged 414 per cent rising from $24.6 billion USD to a staggering $126.2 million USD. To put this into perspective, US billionaires own $4.0 trillion USD or 3.5 per cent of all privately held wealth in the country.

This effectively doubles the wealth sitting at the bottom of the economy

by American households (that’s about 160 million people).

Kerry Pert, Madeline McCarty

INTERNATIONAL SALES

Ashley Blachford ashley.blachford@primecreative.com.au

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER

Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au

HEAD OFFICE

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ARTICLES

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COPYRIGHT

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

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

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL ASIA CHINA Netherlands-based bulk logistics service provider, Den Hartogh, has acquired a majority share of Shanghai Xintao Dangerous Cargo Transportation (XT Logistics).

The transaction, announced 29 September 2020, is part of a joint venture that is reported to increase Den Hartogh’s capability to provide end-to-end chemical logistics services in China.

“The majority acquisition of XT Logistics will further enhance our domestic footprint in China,” said Den Hartogh Group Managing Director, Pieter den Hartogh.

“Our integration with an established trucking partner reflects Den Hartogh China’s ambition to offer one stop logistics services for our existing and also prospective customers,” he said.

The joint venture will own and operate an initial domestic fleet of 13 trucks and 20 chassis.

XT Logistics also has the necessary Dangerous Goods (DG) trucking license and permits to transport a wide variety of chemicals.

Den Hartogh Logistics has identified the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region as a key engine of growth. Since 2019, the company has significantly expanded its commercial operations and fleet presence in APAC to facilitate customer demands for intermodal chemical logistics.

Earlier this year, Den Hartogh China assigned a long distance ISO tank trucking order to XT Logistics which crossed six provinces in China (Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Shanxi and Sichuan) covering 1,900km.

The very first laden tank, according to Den Hartogh, was released on 12 September by its Chinese customer after arriving in Shanghai.

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Den Hartogh expands operations in China.

Den Hartogh China’s commercial team visited the trucker at Shanghai Lingang DG warehouse together with XT Logistics’ management.

“Normally we drive eight hours every day and this trip to Mianyang will take us four days in total,” the truck driver, Mr Wu, told Den Hartogh. “However, this is not the farthest trucking trip in my career as I used to drive the truck from Shanghai to Inner Mongolia.”

Den Hartogh was established in 1920. Today it operates in 26 countries and has offices in 47 locations.

The company’s fleet includes more than 20,000 tank containers, 6,100 dry bulk containers and specialised dry bulk trailers, 350 tank trailers and 625 trucks.

INDIA Transport and logistics company, Kuehne + Nagel India, has relocated its head office.

The company has moved its office to AIPL Business Club at Golf Course Extension Road, Gurgaon.

Designed to reduce the building’s carbon footprint, the AIPL Business Club uses solar panels and efficient double glazing with less solar gain.

It also uses 100 per cent recycled water for landscaping.

“By merging the New Delhi head office and operation office into one location, this further promotes

collaboration within the Kuehne + Nagel India teams on delivering solutions that meet customers’ needs,” the company said in a statement. “It also enables the company to make a more significant impact on sustainability.”

“The experience of Covid-19 brings in a new perspective on working in the office,” said Peer Rasmussen, Managing Director of Kuehne + Nagel India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

“It requires organisations to rethink how they can bring out the best of their employees’ day-to-day work with the right balance of technology.

“The new Kuehne + Nagel India office is the flagship of our Indian operation and offers optimal conditions for the future of work.”

THAILAND CEVA Logistics has won a major fiveyear contract with Pernod Ricard to provide the drinks manufacturer with warehousing and distribution support in South East Asia.

Pernod Ricard is one of the world’s leading alcoholic beverages producers and within this new contract, CEVA Logistics’ extensive scope of work in Thailand will include customs brokerage and import haulage, a combination of standard duty paid and bonded warehouse management and domestic transportation alongside a range of value-added services including tax stamping, warning label, gift box and repacking. The operation will manage an annual throughput of 19 million bottles of liquor and spirit across 26 different brands of liquor, champagne and wines.

Pernod Ricard has been operating in Thailand for over 20 years. In January 2020, Pernod Ricard Thailand

NEWS

ASIA conditioning will gather both a duty paid, and a bonded warehouse ‘under one roof’.

Pernod Ricard trusted CEVA Logistics to deliver a seamless solution as a leading logistics provider part of the CMA CGM Group, and because of its existing collaboration with Pernod Ricard for Custom Brokerage and last mile delivery.

The go live was seamless, largely credited to a strong team and disciplined execution of CEVA Logistics’ well-respected zero defect start-up (ZDS) methodology. ZDS is a process that relies both on best practices and accurate planning

for error-free contract start-up, with clear pre-agreed targets between the customer and CEVA Logistics.

“We are delighted to be working with Pernod Ricard and providing them with our warehousing, distribution and delivery services across Thailand as they expand their global business,” said Elaine Low, CEVA Logistics’ Regional Managing Director South East Asia & Pacific Region.

“Our experienced team has created a robust solution which is both compliant and scalable and will ensure reliable, value-added services and delivery across their range of famous brands.”

9376

issued a competitive tender with the objective of uplifting the storage quality and service standard, in which CEVA Logistics was the successful bidder. This win further extends CEVA Logistics’ existing contract with Pernod Ricard in the Philippines and paves the way for future collaboration in other SEAPAC countries.

CEVA Logistics’ winning offer is based on the conversion of an existing CEVA Logistics multi-user site at Bangna-Bangkok, into a 7,600-square-metre facility completely dedicated to Pernod Ricard. This high quality, Good manufacturing practices (GMP) compliant site featuring air

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE EAST DUBAI Transport and logistics company, Aramex, has released its Q3 2020 financial results.

For the third quarter ended 30 September 2020, Aramex’s revenue increased 19 per cent to 1,507 million AED (approx. €346 million) compared to 1,270 million AED (approx. €291.7 million).

International Express rebounded from the previous quarter as global business activities have generally started to pick up with Covid-19 related lockdowns, mobility restrictions and border closures easing over the three-month period.

Revenue for the nine-month period ending 30 September 2020 increased by 7.0 per cent Aramex triumphs amid e-commerce growth, increased operating costs.

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to 4,035 million AED (approx. €926.7 million), compared to 3,782 million AED (approx. €868.6) in the corresponding period of 2019.

Net profit fell by 59 per cent to 46.2 million AED (approx. €10.6 million) in Q3 2020, compared to 113.8 million AED (€26.1 million) in the corresponding period of 2019.

Excluding the previously announced non-recurring provision booked during the period because of the damages caused by two major incidents, namely Lebanon’s blast and the warehouse fire in Morocco, Net Profit would have been down by only 13 per cent year-on-year to 99.1 million AED (€22.8 million).

Net Profit for the nine-month period decreased by 40 per cent to 208

million AED (approx. €47.8 million) compared to 344.94 million AED (approx. €79.2 million) in the prior year period.

Excluding the provision, nine months Net Profit would have been 260.89 million AED (approx. €59.9 million), a 24 per cent decline from 344.94 million AED (approx. €79.2 million) made in the same period last year.

More generally, to enable the company to manage a robust increase in volumes, costs related to scaling operations rose over the period. Additionally, some crossborder costs including line haul rates remain high relative to their historical averages. Those costs have been pushed higher since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL DUBAI

Aramex has made inroads into the food and beverage market and sees it as a growth market segment.

“We witnessed a very strong set of results over the three-month period, achieving the highest Q3 revenue on record supported by growth across most of our business lines,” said Aramex CEO, Bashar Obeid.

“Covid-19 has accelerated growth in the e-commerce industry, which remains the dominant driver of our top line growth. We also managed to capture new opportunities from other industries, namely healthcare and pharmaceutical as well as retail and food and beverage. This has enabled us to further diversify our revenue mix, which is a core part of our commercial strategy to ensure we continue to grow sustainably through various market cycles.

“However, Covid-19 has also increased our overall operating costs across multiple parts of our business including costs related to scaling last mile operations and cross border transportation. While we believe the operating capital that has been deployed to expand our last mile capacity will normalise in 10 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 6

the coming quarters, relatively higher line haul costs are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Moreover, given the increased price sensitivity of our customers, a trend which we have been experiencing over the last few years, our pricing strategy is to remain competitive while ensuring we continue to provide efficient and highquality service,” he said.

“We experienced an exceptional 35 per cent growth in total volumes over the period, with the majority of the contribution coming from our core markets including Saudi Arabia and UAE,” said Othman Aljeda, Regional CEO for Aramex in Europe, North America and Asia.

“Over the period we continued investing in our last mile infrastructure to support the strong growth in e-commerce activities including hiring more couriers, increasing our fleet, expanding our warehouse capacity and upgrading our clearance gateway capabilities. We also invested in several IT solutions to help automate and digitise certain processes. These

investments are crucial to ensuring we are in a stronger position to efficiently handle current and future higher volumes and improve our level of service to customers.”

The Logistics & Supply Chain Solutions business rose by 6.0 per cent to 94 million AED (approx. €21.6 million). This business line has recovered from Q2 2020 as regional retailers have witnessed a recovery in their sales activities since the loosening of Covid-19 lockdown measures and is also benefitting from solid growth from the healthcare industry. Of note, Aramex has made inroads into the food and beverage market and sees it as a growth market segment.

Obeid anticipates online shoppers will turn to online channels to buy goods and send gifts for the upcoming holiday period.

“As such, we expect healthy demand for our Express business, and we are confident that our operations and dedicated teams are well prepared to handle the expected surge in volume in a timely and efficient manner,” he said. “Separately, over the last several quarters, we have been executing on our digital transformation to help realise efficiencies and improve the level of service. We believe our efforts on that front are starting to bear fruit and will continue to reflect positively on our financial performance helping unlock more value to our shareholders in the quarters to come. We also believe the regions’ transportation, logistics and last mile delivery industry is ripe for consolidation and we are actively seeking potential opportunities that will realise synergies to enhance the sector’s efficiency, reliability and end-to-end service level.”

NEWS

EUROPE DENMARK FREJA Transport & Logistics Holding and SDK, owned by USTC, have announced a merger.

SDK and FREJA will reportedly bring approx. 1,300 people and carry an annual turnover of more than 5.0 billion DKK (approx. €671.4 million).

Pending relevant approvals, SDK will become a 75 per cent shareholder in the newly merged company.

The remaining 25 per cent will be held by the current majority shareholder and founder of FREJA, Jørgen Hansen, along with the management team.

“Since I founded the company in

1985, it has been our ambition to grow the business and expand our reach,” said Jørgen Hansen.

“I am very proud to find our company in a situation where we will become part of the USTC Group by merging with SDK. “Our family values align with the values of the Østergaard-Nielsen family, and I have full confidence that the new ownership is a perfect fit,” he said.

The SDK Group is owned by the Østergaard-Nielsen family and has a long history in transport and logistics.

The company was founded in 1876 under the name Julius Mortensen

Shipping. Many years later, it became the first company that USTC owner Torben Østergaard-Nielsen acquired.

USTC is a global conglomerate with more than 2,500 employees, covering more than 100 offices in 33 countries and headquartered out of Middelfart, Denmark. In the last fiscal year USTC reported a turnover of 76 billion DKK (approx. €10.2 million).

“We have been looking for a strong company with equal values to join forces with in order to achieve our long-term goals,” said SDK CEO, Søren Gran Hansen.

“This merger will create a platform for further growth, both organically and

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE by acquisitions.

“When the merger is finalised, we will be better positioned to compete in the market through scale and by combining existing competences and knowledge from our experienced and valuable employees in both FREJA and SDK’s logistic companies,” he said.

FREJA CEO, Ulrik Rasmussen, also welcomed the merger and is very aware that this move puts the joint company in a great position to approach customers with an even better service, quality and a broader portfolio.

The merger will result in changes to the company structure.

All of FREJA’s current business units will merge with SDK’s logistic activities into a new entity called FREJA Transport & Logistics.

As a consequence, the majority of the current SDK logistic activities will be rebranded to FREJA. All other SDK activities within shipping, agency, chartering, stevedore, and cruise will continue unchanged under the SDK brand and will remain under the full ownership of the USTC Group.

Current CEO of SDK, Søren Gran Hansen, will continue in this role as well as taking on the role of Chairman of the Board for the new entity FREJA Transport & Logistics.

The founder of FREJA, Jørgen Hansen, will join the SDK Board of Directors.

Ulrik Rasmussen, who is currently the CEO of FREJA, will continue as CEO of FREJA Transport & Logistics.

FREJA Transport & Logistics will have offices in eight different countries, namely Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland, Holland, Spain and China.

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The agreement is conditioned upon the approval of the relevant competition authorities and the transaction price has not been disclosed.

GERMANY Braking specialist, Knorr-Bremse, and trailer builder, Schmitz Cargobull, have finalised a multi-year supply agreement for trailer brake and chassis control solutions.

In the future, Knorr-Bremse will also supply premium functionalities such as electro-pneumatic air suspension and RDC ramp distance control.

“We are delighted that, going forward, we can continue to supply Schmitz Cargobull with our trailer brake and chassis control system solutions,” said Knorr-Bremse Executive Board Member responsible for the Commercial Vehicles Systems division, Dr Peter Laier.

“This order makes Schmitz Cargobull one of our first customers for the new-generation trailer EBS and the new universal trailer HMI. “Our trailer EBS systems deliver the very highest quality and reliability, while our new HMI promises to enjoy Knorr-Bremse HQ.

strong market acceptance among fleet operators and drivers.

“With this agreement, we are not only intensifying our partnership with Schmitz Cargobull, but also expanding our market share in the trailer brake and chassis control segment.”

The multi-year supply agreement also includes conversion of the current version of the POS parking and manoeuvring valve to the new generation (POM) valve with raising/ lowering functionality, as well as the new modular suspension control (CSM) for conventional and electropneumatic air suspension systems.

So in addition to parking and manoeuvring, the height of the load bed can be easily and conveniently adjusted with the same control unit.

The new, harmonised trailer HMI solution is remarkably easy to use, and by integrating the parking and manoeuvring functionality and the raising and lowering functionality it also minimises the installation effort involved for vehicle manufacturers.

Also included in the scope of supply are a variety of subcomponents for premium functionalities in the trailer

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE brake and chassis control segment, as well as ABS sensors, coupling heads and conventional valves.

“We are constantly driving forward the development of our trailers in order to help trucking companies achieve the lowest possible [Total Cost of Ownership – TCO] with our reliable and innovative solutions. In the interests of efficient operation, user-friendliness and safety, in our trailers we rely on innovative HMI solutions for the specific functionalities,” said Schmitz Cargobull CEO, Andreas Schmitz.

At the signing ceremony in Altenberge, Dr Laier and Andreas Schmitz were joined by Dr Jürgen Steinberger, Member of the Management Board of Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems and Schmitz Cargobull CTO, Roland Klement.

GERMANY A new leader is leading ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Controls Systems Division (CVCS) this year Jon Morrison, President, CVCS, Americas, has retired. He was succeeded by Julien Plenchette, who previously served as the Americas Region OEM Truck, Bus, Car & Fleet Business Leader.

As the new Vice President, Americas, CVCS Division, Plenchette will have full P&L responsibility for the division in the region and will oversee all planning, finance, sales, marketing, engineering, product development and manufacturing activities. He will continue to lead the sales organisation in North America including OE Truck, Bus, Specialty, Car and Fleets. He will report to Fredrik Staedtler, Executive Vice President of the Division CVCS. 14 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 6

ZF Commercial Vehicle Controls Systems Division President, Julien Plenchette.

Plenchette joined the company in his current position in May 2019. As a member of the regional leadership team, he has been instrumental in developing Americas strategy and driving service excellence that has strengthened customer relationships and led to key commercial wins. He brings to this new appointment an expansive background in commercial sales, finance, engineering, manufacturing operations management and executive leadership. He has extensive global experience within the automotive and commercial vehicle industries that makes him superbly qualified to lead the Americas team.

“In the short time that Julien has been with ZF, he has been instrumental winning new business and building relationships with new customers,” said ZF CVCS Executive Vice President, Fredrik Staedtler.

“Equally important has been his emphasis on developing his sales team through training and mentoring.

“Julien will bring that same passion as he continues to pursue new opportunities for the CVCS division

and its employees in the Americas,” he said.

Morrison and Plenchette worked together during a transition period that ended 31 December 2020.

After more than 14 years leading the business in WABCO and ZF, Morrison is passing the torch of leadership for the commercial vehicle control systems business as the Americas region transitions from a period of rapid growth highlighted by several key acquisitions, to a phase in which the business fully deploys its end-to-end capabilities to achieve an even higher level of commercial success and industry leadership.

Of Morrison’s impact on the commercial vehicle industry in North America, Fredrik Staedtler said, “Jon’s vision and leadership made it possible for WABCO and ZF to introduce products to the market that have fundamentally changed commercial vehicles. Key innovations such as the introduction of OnGuard, the industry’s first ‘Always On’ collision mitigation system, changed the way OEMs and fleets approach safety”.

ZF’s CVCS Division in the Americas has a clear roadmap for success going forward with continuity of strong leadership, full capabilities to serve OEMs, fleet and off-highway customers with advanced technology.

GERMANY Equipment specialist, SAF-Holland, has released its latest financial results.

The company has reported on the first nine months of 2020 as well as the raised guidance for the adjusted EBIT margin for the full year 2020.

“Our operations performed extremely well in the third quarter of 2020 in a market environment that is still very

NEWS

EUROPE XXX challenging,” said Alexander Geis, Chairman of the Management Board of SAF-Holland.

“With Group sales of slightly more than EUR 232 million (previous year: EUR 313.2 million) we generated an adjusted EBIT margin of 6.4 per cent and clearly exceeding the preCOVID-19 figure of the previous year of 5.4 per cent.

“The recovery seen in the business environment that set in over recent weeks continued through into October. Assuming that there are no new, unexpected impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, which continues unabated, on our production and supply chains in the remaining weeks of the financial year 2020, we expect to achieve an adjusted EBIT margin in a range between 5 and 6 per cent (formerly: between 3 and 5 per cent),” he said.

Group sales 29.7 per cent below the previous year due to market conditions and Covid-19; adjusted EBIT margin of 5.4 per cent.

Due to market conditions and Covid-19 Group sales in the first

SAF-Holland CFO, Inka Koljonen.

nine months of 2020 came to EUR 708.7 million, 29.7 per cent below the previous year’s level of EUR 1008.6 million. Currency effects amounted to EUR -10.3 million and resulted primarily from currency changes of both the Russian ruble and the Brazilian real against the Euro. Consequently, after eliminating the effects of exchange rates and acquisitions, sales decreased by 28.9 per cent to EUR 717.4 million.

Despite the sharp decline in sales, SAF-Holland generated an adjusted EBIT of EUR 38.5 million in the first nine months of 2020 (previous year: EUR 66.9 million). This corresponds to an adjusted EBIT margin of 5.4 per cent (previous year: 6.6 per cent). The savings realised in selling and administrative expenses had a positive effect.

The adjusted net profit for the first nine months of 2020 of EUR 21.6 million lies 49.7 per cent below the previous year’s level (previous year: EUR 42.9 million). Based on approximately 45.4 million ordinary shares outstanding, unchanged on

the previous year, adjusted basic earnings per share for the reporting period from January to September 2020 amounted to EUR 0.47 (previous year: EUR 0.94).

Investment ratio: 2.3 per cent.

Additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, including capitalised development costs of EUR 2.7 million (previous year: EUR 3.4 million), totalled EUR 16.1 million in the first nine months of 2020 (previous year: EUR 36.9 million). This breaks down into EUR 7.2 million (previous year: EUR 15.1 million) for the EMEA region, EUR 6.7 million (previous year: EUR 15.6 million) for the Americas region and EUR 2.3 million (previous year: EUR 6.1 million) for the APAC region. The focus of investing activities was on the further automation of production processes at various locations in the Americas region and Germany. The investment ratio fell from 3.7 per cent to 2.3 per cent.

Number of employees adjusted to the market environment.

As of September 30, 2020 SAFHolland employed 3,113 people worldwide (previous year: 3,923 employees). Compared to the previous year, the number of employees has therefore decreased by 20.6 per cent. The reduction in the headcount was spread over all regions in order to address the changed market conditions.

Significant improvement in operating free cash flow.

The net cash flow from operating activities in the first nine-months of 2020 came to EUR 79.8 million, significantly above the level of the comparable period of the previous year of EUR 44.7 million. The increase is mainly attributable to the 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 / 15

NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE positive contribution from working capital management. It should be noted that the volume of factoring increased only slightly from EUR 35.2 million in the previous year to EUR 35.5 million in the reporting period from January to September 2020.

The net cash flow from investing activities in plant, property and equipment and intangible assets of EUR -15.4 million lay EUR 17.0 million, or 52.4 per cent, below the comparable figure for the previous year.

The operating free cash flow improved from EUR 12.3 million to EUR 64.4 million. The total free cash flow of EUR 43.2 million (previous year: EUR 1.4 million) was affected by the cash outflow associated with the purchase of the remaining shares in V.Orlandi of EUR 21.2 million.

Net financial debt (including lease liabilities) decreased by EUR 19.3 million to EUR 232.4 million as of September 30, 2020 compared to the reporting date of December 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2020 SAF HOLLAND carries cash and cash equivalents of EUR 185.1 million (December 31, 2019: EUR 131.2 million).

“The development of operating free cash flow is very pleasing,” said SAF-Holland CFO, Inka Koljonen.

“Our ‘Cash-is-King’ project made a significant contribution in this regard, as it almost fully attained the quantitative goals for the year by the end of September already. We will continue to optimise net working capital and push the cash focus further.”

EMEA region: Adjusted EBIT margin very robust despite Covid-19.

In the EMEA region, sales declined in the first nine months of 2020 16 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 6

by 17.8 per cent to EUR 404.6 million (previous year: EUR 492.5 million) due to market conditions and COVID-19. Organic sales fell by 17.2 per cent to EUR 407.6 million. Despite the significant sales decline, the EMEA region generated an adjusted EBIT of EUR 35.1 million (previous year: EUR 46.7 million) in the reporting period from January to September 2020 and an adjusted EBIT margin of 8.7 per cent (previous year: 9.5 per cent). The spare parts business had a strongly positive impact on the gross margin whereas the OE business had a slightly negative impact. This includes inventory write-downs of EUR 4.7 million in response to the decrease in inventory turnover because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Americas region: EBIT margin positive despite massive slump in sales.

In the Americas region, sales declined in the first nine months of 2020 by 39.9 per cent to EUR 250.3 million (previous year: EUR 416.1 million) due to market conditions and Covid-19. After eliminating the effects of exchange rates, sales decreased by 38.8 per cent to EUR 254.6 million.

Despite the significant sales decline, the Americas region generated a positive adjusted EBIT of EUR 8.7 million in the first nine months of 2020 (previous year: EUR 26.1 million) and an adjusted EBIT margin of 3.5 per cent (previous year: 6.3 per cent). The spare parts business had a significant positive impact on the gross margin whereas the OE business had a significantly negative impact. This includes inventory writedowns of EUR 4.1 million in response to the decrease in inventory turnover

because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The savings realised in selling and administrative expenses had a positive effect, which was more than offset by cost stickiness. In addition it should be noted that the figure in the previous year of EUR 26.1 million significantly benefited from the contractually agreed passing on of the rise in the price of steel in 2018 coupled with lower purchase prices for steel.

APAC region: Lockdown and delayed ramp-up burden.

The APAC region generated sales of EUR 53.8 million in the first nine months of 2020 (previous year: EUR 100.0 million) due to market conditions and Covid-19. After eliminating the effects of exchange rates, sales decreased by 44.8 per cent to EUR 55.2 million compared with the previous year. The reason for this sharp sales decline was mainly the lockdown in China, Australia, India and Singapore, which lasted a number of weeks, the ceased export business as a result of the trade dispute between China and the US and the delay in ramping-up the new Chinese plant in Yangzhou due to Covid-19.

Adjusted EBIT improved by EUR 0.6 million to EUR -5.3 million. The adjusted EBIT margin amounted to -9.9 per cent (previous year: -5.9 per cent). The spare parts business had a slightly negative impact on the gross margin whereas the OE business, by contrast, had a significantly negative impact. The savings realised in selling and administrative expenses had a positive effect.

Guidance for adjusted EBIT margin for the full year 2020 raised to 5.0 to 6.0 per cent.

The Management Board of SAF-

NEWS

EUROPE Holland continues to anticipate a decline in Group sales of between 20 to 30 per cent on the previous year.

Based on the preliminary figures for October 2020, the Management Board of SAF-Holland has decided raise the guidance for the adjusted EBIT margin for the full year 2020.

The company now expects an adjusted EBIT margin in a range between 5.0 and 6.0 per cent (formerly: between 3.0 and 5.0 per cent).

The positive trend in the adjusted EBIT margin is primarily based on the continued recovery of the trailer and truck markets in North America and Europe, gaining market shares, the high-margin spare parts business, which is less affected by economic cycles, as well as on significant savings in selling and administrative expenses.

The new guidance for the adjusted EBIT margin is made on the premise that there are no new, unexpected impacts from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic on the production and supply chains in the remaining weeks of the 2020 financial year.

In order to support the strategic objectives, SAF-HOLLAND is still planning to make investments equal to approximately 2.5 per cent of Group sales in the 2020 financial year. These will focus primarily on the continuing introduction of a Global Manufacturing Platform and further automation in Germany and North America.

GERMANY The Supervisory Board of KnorrBremse has appointed a new Chairman of the Executive Board.

Dr Jan Michael has taken the position

by unanimous appointment for a period of three years, effective 1 January 2021.

The Supervisory Board also decided to extend the appointment of Dr Jürgen Wilder, member of the Executive Board and responsible for the Rail Vehicle Systems division, by five years, setting the course for longterm and future-oriented alignment of this division.

“I am delighted that in Dr Mrosik we have gained a highly experienced manager who has extensive expertise in the management of complex corporate units at Siemens”, said Prof Dr Klaus Mangold, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Knorr-Bremse.

“In addition to his experience in strategic and operational management, Dr Mrosik has a distinct expertise especially in the areas of automation and digitisation. The

Schmitz Cargobull CEO, Andreas Schmitz, Schmitz Cargobull CTO, Roland Klement, Dr Peter Laier of Knorr-Bremse, Vice President Systems & Vehicle Technologies, Andreas Wimmer and Dr Jürgen Steinberger of Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE Supervisory Board is convinced that Dr Mrosik, together with the successful Knorr-Bremse Executive Board team, will lead the company into the future.”

Dr Mrosik was most recently Chief Operating Officer of the Digital Industries (DI) division of Siemens AG with global sales of around €16 billion and 76,000 employees. Dr Mrosik studied at the RWTH Aachen University and holds a degree in electrical engineering. He received his doctorate in engineering from the same university.

“I am very much looking forward to the new tasks at Knorr-Bremse,” said Dr Mrosik. “It is a great company with high strategic potential, both in rail and commercial vehicles. We have the best prerequisites to expand our market position globally. With my special experience I will drive forward the digitalisation in particular.”

The Supervisory Board also decided to extend the contract of Dr Jürgen Wilder, member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse since 2018 and responsible for the Rail Vehicle Systems division (RVS), early for five years with effect from 1 September 2021.

“During his term of office to date, Dr Wilder has made a major contribution to his division,” said Dr Mangold.

“With this decision, we are ensuring that Dr Wilder will continue to actively translate the special challenges in the growth market of mobility into successful business models for KnorrBremse in the future. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with him.”

GERMANY Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is stepping up its cooperation agreement with Siemens.

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Hellmann has held contract logistics agreements with Siemens since 2013.

Starting in November, Hellmann will manage around 26,000 active items for the Electrical Products business unit at Siemens Smart Infrastructure in Bor, Czech Republic. Services include warehouse management, picking and packing and worldwide shipping.

This represents an increase in the contract volume of around 50 per cent. Siemens is transferring another part of its own warehousing to the expertise of Hellmann.

To accommodate the additional volume, the a Hellmann subsidiary will be expanded by renting 6,000 square metres of additional storage space. At the same time, the existing 20,000-square-metre-hall will be optimised by construction modifications, so that parts of the new business can also be handled there.

In order to optimise the flow of goods and supply chain management, Hellmann is establishing a digital warehouse management system for its long-standing customer in Bor. By introducing digital warehouse

Lecitrailer expands in northern Europe.

software that is integrated into the existing warehouse management system, material flows are controlled even more efficiently by means of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“For seven years now, Hellmann has been a very reliable partner for us, who understands how to meet the complex requirements of our contract logistics in a smooth and qualified manner,” said Andrea Mandler, Head Supply Chain Logistics at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, Electrical Products.

“This also factored into the decision for the current expansion of our cooperation up to 2025, and we are currently considering further joint projects,” she said.

“We are pleased that Siemens AG has not only extended its longstanding cooperation ahead of schedule, but has also significantly expanded it,” said Hellmann Worldwide Logistics Contract Logistics COO, Volker Sauerborn.

“This clearly shows that our tailormade contract logistics solutions are convincing in the long term and that we look into the future together,” he said.

NEWS

EUROPE THE NETHERLANDS Spanish OEM, Lecitrailer, has signed on two new dealers in the Netherlands.

The new Lecitrailer dealers are Simons European Trailer Care and Visser European Trailer Care.

Simons European Trailer Care, based in Echt, is located in the Eindhoven area and Visser European Trailer Care, based in Uithoorn, is close to the capital, Amsterdam.

Simons European Trailer Care was founded in 1998 by Denny Simons.

It is an innovative and dynamic family business that currently has 30 employees at its two locations in Echt and Eindhoven. They have 12 fully equipped service bays for all types of vehicle operations.

Visser European Trailer Care has an 8,000-square-metre sale and repair facility in Uithoorm, 1,800 square metres of which are covered, with 16 fully equipped service bays for the repair of semi-trailers and industrial vehicles, and another facility in Aalsmeer, with three service bays. It currently has 18 employees.

The two companies have an excellent reputation in the market, complement each other perfectly and will provide Lecitrailer with coverage throughout the country.

They also operate 24/7 and provide advice on trailer and semi-trailer sales along with maintenance, aftersales service, spare parts sales and repairs.

With this partnership agreement, Lecitrailer has set itself the goal of continuing to grow in the Dutch market, where it has managed to market more than 150 units a year thanks to the high level of customisation of the trailers and semitrailers it manufactures. This allows it to take on complex designs that are

Kässbohrer delivers 15 vehicles to Tempo Invest Romania.

perfectly adapted to the needs of the highly demanding and competitive local market.

ROMANIA Semi-trailer manufacturer Kässbohrer continues its physical delivery ceremonies by taking all necessary precautions against the pandemic and proudly established a new partnership with Tempo Invest from Romania.

Recently, Kässbohrer strengthened the fleet of Tempo Invest with five K.SCS X+ curtainsiders and 10 35m3 non-tipping silo K.SSL 35 vehicles.

Omer Susli, CEO of Tempo Invest, Ion Bunea, Technical Department Director at Tempo Invest and Eugen Stan, General Manager of Kässbohrer Partner Premium Trailers Store, attended the delivery ceremony in which safety precautions were implemented. İffet Türken, Kässbohrer Board Member and BarışKotan, Kässbohrer’s Eastern Europe Head of Sales, participated in the ceremony

via a digital platform.

“As Tempo Invest, our vision and focus are to deliver high-value projects for our clients and for this, we decide to operate with highestquality and reliable Kässbohrer Curtainsider and Silo vehicles,” said Susli.

“We are very happy to establish a new partnership with Kässbohrer,” he said.

“Kässbohrer Curtainsider K.SCS X+ provides maximum payload capacity with the gooseneck length of 90mm within regulatory constraints and robustness we are counting on Kässbohrer acclaimed robustness for all our general cargo operation,” said Bunea.

“Kässbohrer 35 m3 non-tipping silo K.SSL 35 is making difference with its lightest weight, fast discharge, and high safety functions during our operations, mostly cement transportation,” he said.

Türken shared her thoughts about this newly-established partnership.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE our customers in more than 55 countries and support them with their operations,” she said.

“Adhering to our motto ‘Enginuity’ and heritage full of innovation, we constantly develop vehicles with cutting-edge technologies.

“With our Curtainsider vehicles, we focus on operational flexibility and lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

“With our silo vehicles, we offer the highest safety standard to maintain public safety and reliability over time is one of our priorities. As Kässbohrer, we provide the lightest vehicles for operational efficiency as well as to contribute to environmental sustainability.

“As a result of our continuous improvement approach, this year, we have received one first place and two second place awards in the prestigious Trailer Innovation 2021 Awards. With this result, we proudly won this prestigious award in three consecutive terms.

“I’m sure that our newly-established partnership with Tempo Invest will continue with our dedicated sales team and constantly evolving aftersales services.”

UK SDC has fulfilled an order of 700 new tandem-axle boxvan trailers for Hermes UK parcel delivery network.

The order was placed by rental and leasing specialist, TIP Trailer Services, and delivered to the customer in July 2020 The new trailers will support the delivery of approx. 245 million parcels throughout the year and will operate across Hermes’ UK network.

“SDC is delighted to continue our partnership with TIP Trailer Services, supplying the industry’s leading 20 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 6

B&M receives bulk Tiger Trailers order.

transport and logistics operators with all their logistics requirements,” the OEM said in a statement.

UK Retailer and essential services provider, B&M, has taken delivery of 20 more Tiger trailers to bolster its fleet amid lockdowns in the UK. Tiger Trailers’ latest B&M order comprises 21 straightframe fixed double deck wedge vans, which each equip the household name retailer with the ability to carry 52 pallets by utilising the full length of the lower deck. The incorporation of an integrated twin-tier tail lift from Dhollandia enables efficient deliveries to be made directly from B&M’s widespread distribution centres – which the company describes as ‘the cogs that keep the wheels turning’ – to its nationwide stores.

The customer-specific aperture dimensions identified by Tiger Trailers’ designers allow the bottom deck to be loaded without moving the

tail lift, which forms the upper rear closure.

The double deck trailers’ wedge design provides an operator loading height at the rear of 1917mm, which tapers towards the front of the vehicle. The rear frame assembly is reinforced at the bottom to protect against damage from loading bays, and Tiger Trailers’ innovative ‘captive rave’ load securing and restraint system is incorporated inside for enhanced efficiency along with added operator safety.

Tiger Trailers has supplied B&M with more than 400 hundred trailers throughout a close relationship that has currently spanned more than five years. During this time, the manufacturer has utilised its extensive industry knowledge in the design and manufacture of double deck trailers to create a complete loading solution designed to meet B&M’s exact requirements. An array of Tiger Trailers Deck Pod loading bays is in operation at the variety retailer’s

NEWS

EUROPE largest warehousing and distribution site, Bedford.

“Tiger have worked closely with the B&M logistics & warehousing teams since 2014,” said Tiger Trailers Sales Director, Darren Holland.

“During this time we are extremely pleased that we have developed both the loading and transport solutions to the degree that is evident today,” he said. “To be able to offer this unique level of service to their operation is very important to us, which we pride ourselves on.”

The manufacturer’s earlier builds for B&M were in the guise of stepframe curtainsider trailers that enabled 44 pallets to be transported, highlighting the strong capacity gains achieved with this latest tranche of vehicles that are the culmination of continuous reviews of the customer’s operations, with an emphasis on loading requirements.

UK Gray & Adams’ position as the UK’s leading supplier of temperature-

controlled semi-trailers and rigid vehicle bodywork has been proven once more.

The OEM has won its fifth back-toback Refrigerated Trailer of the Year award at the 2020 Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution (TCS&D) Awards.

On Wednesday 18 November 2020, at an online awards ceremony (due to the Covid-19 pandemic) which celebrated many industry successes in a challenging period for businesses, Gray & Adams won the Refrigerated Trailer of the Year Award for the fifth year in a row at the TCS&D Awards. It also took home the Customer Service Award for the very first time, celebrating Gray & Adams’ dedication to going above and beyond for its customers.

The awards recognise companies and individuals who have made a difference in the temperaturecontrolled storage and distribution industry, and Gray & Adams’ continued nomination and success at this event has recognised its

Five years of awards success for Gray & Adams.

achievements in providing best-inclass products, trusted expert support and building a lifetime of value for its customers.

Gray & Adams has a hugely successful history at the awards, having won its first two awards in 2016 for OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) of the Year and Refrigerated Trailer of the Year. It then went on to win awards for Refrigerated Rigid of the Year in 2017 and 2018 and further Refrigerated Trailer of the Year Awards in 2017, 2018, 2019, as well as the Innovation Award in both 2018 and 2019.

This year, Gray & Adams has won two industry awards, highlighting its ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and customer service excellence. With a commitment to customers that goes above and beyond the exceptional lifetime of its products, winning the Customer Service Award for the first time, is an accolade it is proud to celebrate.

As a business, Gray & Adams has enjoyed several reasons to celebrate in recent months, having won a 2020 Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its double deck trailers and inclusion on The Sunday Times Top Track 250 League Table in September this year, following previous Top Track 250 success in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

“Gray & Adams has always had a strong business ethos built around people, quality and innovation,” Joint Managing Directors James and Peter Gray said in a statement.

“Winning these awards in such a challenging year throughout the UK is testament to the commitment of our expert staff, who work tirelessly to provide engineering excellence, 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 / 2 1

NEWS INTERNATIONAL EUROPE industry leading customer service and aftersales care that is second to none.

“Their endless commitment to building bespoke products which set the standard for quality, delivering expert support which adds value to our customers and a clear focus on developing the best industry talent, has facilitated our success and growth over the last 60+ years.”

UK Manchester-based logistics specialist, Polaris Logistics & Distribution, a division of the Polaris Group, has returned to Schmitz Cargobull with the delivery of five new S.CS MEGA curtainsiders featuring VARIOS Top Technology.

The tri-axle trailers replace older assets and have been carefully specified to make the most efficient use of the interior load space on each job.

Schmitz Cargobull’s VARIOS Top Technology allows the driver to easily adjust the trailer’s roof height in 50mm increments – with hook and loop fasteners on the curtains enabling easy adjustment for different body heights.

This means the roof can be raised when extra load space is required or lowered to make the trailer as aerodynamic as possible when carrying compact loads, helping to optimise fuel efficiency. The new trailers also offer all of the advantages of a regular curtainsider, combined with a lifting roof which can be raised on one or both sides for forklift loading, or slid open for time-saving crane loading through the roof.

“We weren’t completely happy with our previous supplier so when we needed to upgrade the fleet, we looked carefully at our options,” said 22 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 6

Polaris Managing Director, Adam Barry.

“We’ve operated Schmitz Cargobull trailers in the past and have always been impressed with how robust they are. When I approached the team again, they worked closely with us to achieve the perfect specification.

“Our work varies day to day, so the added versatility these trailers bring is fantastic. By adjusting the roof height to suit the load, we are seeing instant fuel savings of up to £150 a week – reducing our running costs and improving our sustainability.

“Plus, being height-adjustable helps to set us apart from our competitors and gives us the opportunity to work on a far wider range of jobs,” he said.

Built on Schmitz Cargobull’s hightech modular chassis, which features Polaris Group specifies versatile Schmitz Cargobull curtainsiders.

a mix of galvanised steel and aluminium, each trailer offers excellent corrosion protection and is provided with a 10-year warranty against rustthrough.

“The fully galvanised chassis was a really strong selling point for us,” said Barry. “It gives us the confidence we’ll get a long life out of the trailers; plus they’ll continue to look good even after clocking up hundreds of thousands of kilometres.”

The trailers will reportedly be in use five-days-a-week, travelling UK-wide on general haulage work.

For all maintenance requirements, Polaris will benefit from the aftersales support provided by Schmitz Cargobull’s authorised network of 1,700 workshops located across the UK and in Europe.

NEWS

NORTH AMERICA

Manac achieves production milestone.

CANADA Trailer builder, Manac, has produced its 200,000th trailer.

Manac President and CEO, Charles Dutil, told Global Trailer that completing the 200,00th unit is a nice milestone for the team.

“You need to keep in mind that Manac first started in a barn behind my parent’s house,” he said. “There was no business plan, no outside investors and not much planning of what the next 50 years would bring.”

Marcel Dutil founded Manac in 1966.

Today, Manac is a leading North American manufacturer of specialty trailers that supplies industry with a variety of vans, dump and belt trailers, low beds, grain hoppers, chip and logging trailers, heavy duty chassis and flatbeds.

Manac has manufacturing facilities in Saint Georges and Laurer-Station, Penticton and Oran.

When asked about how Manac’s manufacturing processes have changed over the years, Charles Dutil said “you can’t even compare the first few years with today’s manufacturing process – back then, you could start with a few good welders and one guy willing to paint”.

The 200,000th unit is a tri-axle log trailer.

“Our main plant being a short 25 miles from the northern US border, logging operations in this area have been a key part of our growth since the beginning,” said Charles Dutil. “To have our 200,000th unit operate in the same area is a good coincidence.”

The milestone trailer was sold to US dealer, Hale Trailer Brake and Wheel.

“The relationship with Hale is a reflection of our other successful business relations,” said Charles Dutil.

“Respectful with a view on our mutual long term success.”

Manac has 70 dealers in its network, mainly across the US and Western Canada.

Charles Dutil has teased a “very interesting reefer coming out in 2021”. He added: “It won’t take us another 54 years to build the next 200,000 units!”.

US Advanced electrical and air brake system component manufacturer, Phillips Industries, has announced an appointment in its aftermarket division.

Tom Peterson has been named Senior Mechanical Design Engineer and will be responsible for designing and developing innovative product solutions for the commercial vehicle industry.

He will report directly to the Phillips Aftermarket Business Unit President, Rob Myers.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL NORTH AMERICA of answering industry challenges with the right products to solve them,” said Myers.

“Tom has the relevant experience, and more importantly, the right attitude to continue this work.

“We are pleased to add him to our organisation,” he said.

Peterson originally joined Phillips Industries in June 2006 as a design engineer. In 2018 he accepted the position of Mechanical Systems Engineer working at Phillips Connect.

Phillips Industries also provides electronic solutions for communicating vehicle data to fleets and their drivers in the commercial truck and trailer sector.

The company has manufacturing and distribution facilities in US, Canada, Mexico, China and Europe.

US ACT Research reports improvement in US trailer net order records for October.

US trailer orders of 54,691 units posted another sequential

Stoughton reports sales surge.

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improvement, up nearly 7.0 per cent from September’s rise and well above October 2019’s level (up 70 per cent).

Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 57,000 units were up 9.0 per cent versus September and 52 per cent better year-over-year.

“September net orders were the third best in industry history, a short-term rank quickly displaced by October’s volume of almost 54,700 net orders,” said Frank Maly, Director – CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT Research.

“The majority of the total uptick was driven by the highest dry van net order month in industry history, and the majority of the surge in dry van orders was driven by large fleets.

“Demand appears to cross a wide spectrum of customers, including forhire and private fleets, likely buttressed by the growth in e-commerce and some dealer stocking commitments for next year,” he said. “This is leading to timely production slots rapidly being filled, which generates a demand ‘feedback’.”

US Trailer builder, Stoughton, is experiencing ‘tremendous’ sales growth and has expanded its team.

Sales secured through several new dealers has contributed to the company’s order volume.

The majority of semi-trailers sold were dry vans, designed to hold palletised, boxed or loose freight.

“Despite the unpredictability we saw in the spring and early summer due to Covid-19, our business and industry have swiftly recovered and even thrived,” said Stoughton Trailers Chief Commercial Officer, Jeremy Sanders.

“The fact that we’re experiencing such a large order volume increase for van trailers reinforces the health and resilience of our company, and the trust customers have in our brand.”

Trailer sales declined from April to July as fleet customers became apprehensive about purchasing equipment in the first several months of the pandemic. However, orders began to rebound in August and have steadily grown according to Sanders.

“Customers have since gained confidence that the freight business will remain strong and are investing in trailers as well as utilising our Stoughton Lease rental trailer fleet,” he said.

A second factor resulting in greater order volume is the shift of more freight toward online order delivery.

The industry requires more trailers to manage the logistical challenges of increased parcel shipments.

The sharp order increase will, according to Sanders, keep trailer builders and other staff steadily busy through 2021.

NEWS

SOUTH AMERICA BRAZIL Randon Companies is creating a new business unit to improve the innovation of its manufacturing processes.

Randon Tech Solutions (RTS) Industry will focus on providing solutions, special machines and smart manufacturing.

Operations of the new unit are expected to begin Q1 2021.

The company’s constitution was authorised by the Board of Directors of Randon Companies this October, with an initial investment of about $20 million BRL (approx. €3.1 million).

Among the objectives of RTS Industry are the manufacture and marketing of robotic cells, machines, devices and industrial tooling. The new unit will also act in the provision of technical engineering services and advice in industrial automation, and in the commercialisation of parts and components for this segment.

According to the Director of Operational Excellence of Randon Companies, Bernardo Soares, this initiative was built to expand synergy between all units of the group in the development of processes and intelligent systems of productivity.

“Being with this matured internal culture was an important differential, which gave us sufficient capacity and agility for the development of this new operation,” he said. “With this movement, it will be possible to accelerate our plans for the integration of special machines and automation to processes, enhancing results.”

To carry out the actions foreseen in the company’s planning, RTS

Industry will have a plant located near the headquarters of Randon Companies, in Caxias do Sul (RS), for the incorporation of equipment and the execution of production and automation cells.

One of the first measures in this sense was the recent acquisition of machinery and equipment that allows accelerating innovation actions in industrial processes.

The company acquired 254 Kuka/ ABB robots, as well as equipment for complete truck assembly and suspension line and a 3D precision measurement system.

“We add even more efficiency, safety and quality to all of our initiatives,” said Randon Companies Executive Vice President and COO, Sergio L. Carvalho.

“Added to a culture of constant innovation in processes and the qualification of the technical, operational and engineering staff, RTS Industry will accelerate the growth of our company with sustainability,” he said.

BRAZIL Brazil-based OEM, Librelato, recently inaugurated a Libreparts office in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará.

The new unit belongs to representative Castro Representações and will sell original parts and components.

The inauguration event was virtual via Librelato’s YouTube channel on 25 November 25 at 9am.

Castro Representações has served the states of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte for five years as Librelato.

“There are more than 77,000 Librelato vehicles that travel

throughout Brazil and we will be pleased to offer many of them the brand’s original parts solutions,” said Adriano Castro, Director of Castro Representações.

“The customer has the option to renew his fleet with original parts and this is excellent. In addition, Libreparts has a completely innovative system that gives customers total freedom and convenience to use the most popular items that are on display in gondolas.

“Due to the pandemic, the parts segment is already heated and our expectation with the new Libreparts is that there will be a significant increase in sales. I can say that we will change the level with this new concept,” he said.

For José Carlos Sprícigo, CEO of Librelato, Libreparts’ proposal is attractive to customers and also to the distribution network.

“This space created within our supermarket-like representatives, where the customer chooses what he needs from parts and accessories, is drawing attention and results in more results and benefits for our customers and representatives,” he said.

To allow stores to always be supplied with the fastest moving parts, Librelato created its own logistical system that speeds up the replenishment of stock in each unit in the shortest possible time. Libreparts stores will always be linked to an authorised representative of the brand, preferably within the resale structure itself. The standardisation of layout and visual, as well as service, is strictly observed in all new units.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL OCEANIA AUSTRALIA Trailer builder, MaxiTRANS, opened a new heavy duty manufacturing facility in November 2020.

The new site in Carole Park, Queensland, has been purpose built and replaces the existing facility in Richlands.

“The new Carole Park facility is an exciting expansion for MaxiTRANS which will provide greater safety, flexibility, efficiency and quality outcomes for our business and our customers,” said MaxiTRANS Managing Director and CEO, Dean Jenkins.

The new 14,303-square-metre facility adds to the company’s existing Australian manufacturing footprint across Metropolitan and Regional Victoria.

“Designed to match the equipment levels and standard processes available at Ballarat, Carole Park will provide greater capacity to the MaxiTRANS Group and will allow us to continue to better serve our customers with the ability to cover any total market growth,” said Jenkins.

“The existing manufacturing site in Richlands predominantly produced bulk transport trailers.

“This new facility has the ability to also manufacture Freighter product too, allowing us to diversify our manufacturing capability,” he said.

Transition to the new facility is estimated to create up to 70 new jobs thanks to Queensland Government support as part of Unite and Recover – an initiative designed to support Queensland jobs and industry through the Covid -19 pandemic.

“With the help of the Queensland Government, we have a new facility that gives us more scope and flexibility to expand our Australian 26 / G L O B A L TR A I L E R / I SS U E 5 6

manufacturing capability, as well as further bolster our aftersales support here in Queensland,” said Jenkins.

Production at the new Carole Park facility has commenced, with the first trailer produced at the new facility completed this month.

“We want to thank our staff, customers and suppliers for their ongoing support during the transition to the new site, particularly during what has been a challenging environment for everyone,” said Jenkins.

AUSTRALIA Logistics company, DHL Express, has commenced operation of a new overnight direct freighter service connecting Melbourne to New Zealand’s Auckland and Christchurch.

The dedicated service will provide a faster connection between the cities amid growing demand for time definite international services.

Operating five services a week, the dedicated freighter will provide a further 19 tonnes of freight capacity for businesses trading between the two countries.

New Zealand is the state’s third largest major export destination after China and the US, accounting for 7.6 per cent of total state exports according to DHL. Australian and New Zealand businesses will reportedly benefit from reliable shipment times of just one day.

Also, the service, DHL said in a statement, has the best shipment collection time, allowing businesses to book in shipments for courier pick-up later in the business day. For example, the cut-off time for shipment collection in the Melbourne CBD area is 6pm, which is an hour later

than the current market offering.

“We are pleased to launch this new dedicated freighter service to further connect Australian and New Zealand businesses,” said DHL Express Oceania CEO and Senior Vice President, Gary Edstein.

“With its reliable and fast transit time, the service will bring the two countries closer together and enable greater efficiencies by reducing supply chain costs and easing traditional barriers to market entry for small businesses, such as the need for in-country warehousing and distribution centres.

“In the 12 months to date, we’ve experienced Melbourne to New Zealand shipment volumes grow at a rate of 49 per cent and this service reaffirms our commitment to supporting trade across the Tasman,” he said.

“The Victorian Government welcomes DHL Express’ commitment to this new service which will strengthen the connection between Victorian and New Zealand businesses.

“This new dedicated route will support business growth across the state, with faster delivery and more efficient freight times for transTasman trade,” said Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Martin Pakula.

The service further bolsters DHL’s existing trans-Tasman express delivery capabilities, supporting the upgraded Auckland to Sydney Boeing 767-300F freighter service launched in 2018.

DHL’s latest trans-Tasman investment follows the $20 million infrastructure upgrade to the company’s Melbourne Gateway facility in 2015 and the $15.3 million NZD upgrade to its Auckland Gateway facility in 2016.

NEWS

OCEANIA AUSTRALIA An Australian shipping port has attained the highest ranking and rating and recognition for performance and sustainability best practice.

Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PPBPL) has received a 5-star GRESB rating and was also the highest ranked port company in the ‘Transport: Port Companies’ category with an overall score reached 87/100 (an improvement from 67/100 in 2018/19).

PBPL CEO, Roy Cummins, said the Port of Brisbane was proud of the result, which reflected the company’s progress against its whole-ofbusiness Sustainability Strategy and the significant progress that has been delivered over the last 12 months.

“Now entering its third year, our Sustainability Strategy is delivering real and tangible results both to PBPL and to the Port community,” said Cummins.

“It’s a whole of business strategy, which looks at sustainability opportunities across the ‘Four Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity and Partnerships’.

“Many of the initiatives identified within the strategy are considered leading edge for the ports and logistics sector. We’re making progress against both our short and long-term targets and doing so in partnership with our many stakeholders.

“This ranking and global recognition gives us great confidence that our strategy is enabling the business to respond in a responsible, balanced and sustainable way, and delivering positive outcomes for our business, our customers and stakeholders, and the broader community,” he said.

DHL Global Forwarding Managing Director of New Zealand and Fiji, Zane Morton.

SOUTH PACIFIC As the business in DHL Global Forwarding New Zealand and Fiji continue on its growth trajectory, the freight specialist of the Deutsche Post DHL Group officially appointed Zane Morton as Managing Director.

Having built an illustrious career with the Group spanning almost four decades, Morton will lead the operations in New Zealand and oversee the growth of the business in Fiji, managed by Country Manager Ray Viegas, who will report to him.

“Across his many different roles and responsibilities, Zane has proven himself to be a respected leader, who is customer-oriented in his outlook and finely attuned to developments in the logistics and freight forwarding industry,” said DHL Global Forwarding North Asia South Pacific CEO, Charles Kaufmann.

“We are confident he will help our businesses in New Zealand and Fiji reach greater heights amidst the current challenging microenvironment and augment existing synergies between our operations in New

Zealand and Fiji,” he said.

New Zealand’s exports grew 58.6 per cent in the last decade between 2009 and 2019. DHL Global Forwarding is optimistic about the growth potential in the market and considers perishables, life sciences and healthcare, amongst others, as promising areas that the company would further develop.

“I’m acutely aware that I’m taking on the role at a very interesting time,” said Morton.

“In the short term, the industry will face a massive undertaking of delivering an unprecedented volume of more than 10 billion doses of vaccines worldwide; at the same time, DHL Global Forwarding is undergoing a digital transformation with the rollout of myDHLi in accordance to the Group’s Strategy 2025 to futureproof the organisation and improve operational excellence in the long term.

“I am excited to lead the teams in New Zealand and Fiji to take on these challenges and leverage the opportunities to bring the business to greater heights,” he said.

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SUSTAINABLE FUTURE READY

FOUNDED IN 1912, VAN ECK – ACCORDING TO PROMINENT BOARD MEMBER, HANS VAN ECK – HAS A STRONG TRADITION OF PROVIDING INNOVATIVE LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS. THE COMPANY’S SUCCESSES WITH ITS TWIN DECK CONCEPT, SUSTAINABILITY GOALS AND AERODYNAMICS ADVANCES HAS SEEN THE MANUFACTURER RAPIDLY EXPAND ACROSS EUROPE AND INFLUENCE TRAILER DESIGN INTERNATIONALLY.

C

ommencing operations in Kortenhoevenseweg, Lexmond, Johannes van Eck manufactured farmer tools such as wheelbarrows, milking stools, wooden cabins and folding trailers. In 1932, with one of his four sons, Johannes van Eck switched from the farmer wagons to cabins and loading platforms on A and T Fords. After a fire in 1961, the company moved across the road of Kortenhoevenseweg.

In 1969, Van Eck developed the very first compression semi-trailer for transporting polyether foam, offering 250 per cent more volume. This product became a milestone in the Van Eck’s success story and over the 1970s, Van Eck became an international semi-trailer manufacturer.

By 1983 the company introduced its first airfreight trailers with five- and

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seven main-deck-pallet-loading capacity.

In 1986, an old fire station in Beesd had been acquired to expand and to move the production. Since then, Van Eck continues its operations from Beesd.

During the 1990s the company shifted its focus on the lightweight and loading capacity optimisation in its product offering. In 1995 and 1997, the manufacturer developed what would be known as the precursor to the twin deck configurations of today: palm tree

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Hans van Eck said the company listens to its customers to deliver the best transport solutions.

transport equipment for Ten Kate Flowers and a roll-on-toll trailer for Albert Heijn.

Van Eck’s product range currently comprises Eckstreme, Eco Co2mbi, Eckcellent, Eckspress, and Eckspert Series.

First introduced in 2003, Van Eck twin deck trailers are reported to enable a 40 per cent CO2 emissions decrease by providing 60 per cent more loading capacity. With a twin deck trailer, Van Eck acquired the Top 3 in Trailer Innovation 2005 Awards.

Producing its first Long Heavy Vehicle (LHV) in 2004, Van Eck’s Ecko Co2mbi series enables sustainable transport by decreasing CO2 emissions by 40 per cent. Within Ecko Co2mbi Series, Van Eck can build any LHV Combination, including LHVs with twin decks.

Eckspress Series Aircargo Vehicles is the company’s reliable solution for airfreight and airline companies by offering a Roller Conveyor System that enables safe and reliable road freight services and has a double deck system to increase load factor.

Eckcellent Series Distribution Vehicles offers tailor-made transport solutions for both day and night operations. Eckcellent Series are built with a reinforced upper structure for product longevity.

The introduction of airport equipment under the Eckspert series was made in 2003. With Van Eck’s Eckspert series, Van Eck design and manufacture very special vehicles that completely address the very special transport challenge of its customers.

Innovations in logistics – The twin deck concept

In December 1995, van Opijnen from Deventer came to Van Eck with a specific requirement of extreme internal height of 3485mm to meet the flower and palm tree transportation of their customer Ten Kate Flowers. Such a trailer, according to Hans van Eck, had never been made before.

“The challenge was the palm trees could not have been transported horizontal

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Mother nature inspired the development of low carbon emission twin deck trailers.

as it would damage the flower and spoil the soil pots,” he said.

“So, the trailer – that is the champion for lower CO2 emissions – got its inspiration from mother nature as well.

“Van Eck’s engineering team worked on the solution to lower the floor of the vehicle. For this project Van Eck had manufactured everything by itself, all the chassis parts, for example the wheel cabinets and connections axles. Different than the twin deck that is available today, this was the first twin deck without a second floor.”

Two years later in 1997, Albert Heijn came to Van Eck with a fast loading and unloading challenge.

“Operating without a tail lift to save time on operations, the trailer ended up being a very low one deck trailer equipped with a very special spoiler for less fuel consumption,” said Hans van Eck. “It was a great challenge to produce 20 of these trailers in the scope of one month but we won the challenge as a team with our hardwork and our experience from building the extreme height trailer from three years back. The result was the satisfaction of our client. The trailer ended up using 10 per cent less fuel and accommodated side loading to make the most convenient loading operations.”

The development continued with the special request of DHL at the beginning of 2003.

“Not the twin deck we know today but a drawbar twin deck trailer was requested,” said Hans van Eck. “As the developer of the exact solution for the customers’ challenges, we took on the job. This time the vehicle was indeed a double deck with lifts. So, after lowering the floor, maximising the internal height and solving all chassis issues we had finally integrated the double floor option to the trailer. Another benchmark on the way to the twin deck trailer we know today was completed.”

What is now industry standard, the twin deck fully came to realisation with Emos in the summer of 2003. Five trailers with second floors and tail lifts were delivered in that same year and the twin deck trailer is now the industry standard vehicle for capacity maximisation.

Trends in sustainability and state-of-the-art road freight transportation

The Dutch government’s goal is to decrease the Netherlands’ greenhouse gas emissions by 49 per cent by 2030. Particularly in the logistics sector, the Dutch have

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been pioneers in pushing for more sustainable freight solutions.

“Our customised trailers are designed and built with uncompromising quality in Beesd for the aim of getting an increased return for our customers,” said Hans van Eck. “As a result, we focus on maximising the load factor while providing smart loading and unloading systems to eliminate operational lags and inefficiencies. More capacity and payload per trip helps decrease CO2 consumption which supports our development goals in delivering more sustainable solutions.”

Introduced in 2003, Van Eck’s twin deck trailer offers 60 per cent more volume, enables 30 per cent cost reduction, reduces CO2 by 40 per cent, improves road safety for pedestrians and cyclists while the upper body construction decreases air drag on the sideways and improves overall fuel consumption.

Next to its expertise in volume optimisation, Van Eck focuses on LHV for cargo transport maximisation per trip and is unparalleled with its extensive experience in LHV as well.

One of Van Eck’s LHV lightweight reefers with an automated loading and unloading system, for instance, can carry up to 33 tonnes of cargo and drives every day from the North of Holland to the South and has done so for the past decade. Having begun development in 2004, Van ECK LHV Ecko-combi series is a

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proven vehicle that is operational on the road.

Van Eck’s current LHV development is the linkable chassis in its continuing work for a load and length maximisation in a safe and efficient way.

Also, Van Eck designs and produce its own rollerbed system. Since 1983, Van Eck has been producing rollerbed box and curtainsider vehicles. In 2007, Van Eck introduced the innovative Van Eck rollerbed system for air cargo transportation, which is in full compliance with Lufthansa technical requirements. Air Cargo vehicles, with rollerbeds integrated into the bottom of the trailer, offer internal height advantages and can carry up to seven pallets per vehicle. The Van Eck roller conveyor system is designed with an automated driving unit system requiring less manpower when loading and unloading the high and heavy air cargo pallets.

Taking its inspiration from air cargo like loading and unloading efficiencies as well as packing standardisation and warehouse management ease of use, Van Eck’s expert team had been working in European commission backed Horizon 2020 project developing smart loading units namely NMLU – new modular loading unit to streamline all general cargo packing loading, unloading and documentation process like the air cargo business.

With its innovation named Smart Rollerbed Vehicles with NMLU (New Modular Loading Unit), Van Eck took third place at Trailer Innovation 2021 Award category ‘Environment’.

The AEROFLEX Project and Van Eck’s involvement

In line with Van Eck’s vision to reinvent the modern road transport with sustainability goals, since October 2017, Van Eck has been active in the AEROFLEX Project for developing aerodynamic and flexible trucks for the next generation of long-distance transport.

Within this project, Van Eck contributes to the development of Aerodynamics of LHVs as well as the development of the e-dolly.

One of Van Eck’s key focuses is the aerodynamic structures of the LHV. Carrying over from Van Eck’s work on European Commission backed Transformers project, the design of the vehicle is optimised for the best aerodynamic performance and different new aerodynamic designs are tested in wind tunnels, promising a high success.

Furthermore, Van Eck is working on the EMS-2 vehicle within the AEROFLEX project. For this design, an e-Dolly is needed to recuperate the energy. Due to the big turning circles of the very long EMS-2 vehicles, Van Eck equips e-Dollys with a smart steering to keep EMS-2 vehicles in the same turning circle standards as the LHVs. The company is also developing a high productivity trailer combination which is the equivalent of a B-double, the Super Eco Combi.

While Van Eck produced its first LHV in 2004, uptake only gained momentum when the Netherlands allowed the use of LHV combinations in 2012. As a result, Van Eck has accumulated an extensive experience in the longer and heavier vehicle segment.

“It’s crucial to point out that each LHV is a unique challenge both for the manufacturer as well as the customer,” said Hans van Eck. “Even though the benefits of a LHV combination is clear, especially in the long term, it requires a meticulous planning process to find the right LHV combination Van Eck central service.

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with the right product specifications to make the best out of the LHV concept.

“Taking into account requirements for a successful LHV fleet management, starting from highly qualified drivers and on-site personnel to route planning, as Van Eck we invest our engineering capabilities into the concept development to develop the right LHV for our customer’s specific challenge. Starting from the country specific regulations to the load itself that needs to be carried, we are able to develop and produce the right LHV combination with or without a dolly specific to our customer’s unique requirements.”

Consequently, Van Eck is able to offer 30 per cent cost reduction, sustainable transport by decreasing CO2 emissions with automated loading and unloading systems complete with occupational health and safety features.

“Van Eck has the vision to find new and sustainable solutions in modern road transport that is a result of the passion for high-quality and innovation and has the goal to provide the best possible solution to specific transport challenges with the best Total Cost of Ownership (TCO),” said Hans van Eck. “To achieve its targets, Van Eck will continue to work with its stakeholders and in this way; Van Eck will offer its customers the most innovative vehicles with the lowest TCO.”

Van Eck provides a collaborative environment with energetic people.

Transforming aerodynamics

Van Eck is the leading developer of aerodynamics systems and as a member of the international consortium in the EU Research Project, Transformers, Van Eck designed a load-optimised trailer that features an electric roof height adjuster, a load volume sensor and a double floor system.

If the maximum permissible mass of the trailer is reached without its volume being fully utilised, the roof can be lowered to reduce the aerodynamic drag.

The Transformer trailer that is the result of Project Transformers ‘transforms’ itself into the most optimal aerodynamic shape according to the height of the cargo that is transported. The Flex Floor is a very flexible double stock system and is a floor that can be lifted out of the bottom of the trailer when needed.

Van Eck’s work on the Transformers project also provided the basis for its development of Aerodynamics of the vehicles in the AEROFLEX project.

Delivering the best trailers by adapting to the needs of the customer

Van Eck has always listened to its customers and commits to research and development to find the best transport solutions.

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“I think the development of the now industry standard twin deck sheds light on how as a company we work and the drive behind successful customer deliveries this year as well,” said Hans van Eck. “By listening to our customers and delivering the highest quality solutions to solve their challenges, we continue to deliver top of the line trailers.

Hence during 2020, Van Eck strengthened the fleets of several leading companies such as Yamaha and KLG Europe, Dekker Chrysanten, Hugelshofer, and Georgi.”

KLG Europe invested in a series of special Van Eck Twin Deck trailers to accommodate the specific demands of Yamaha Motor Europe. Since 2003, Van Eck has developed twin deck trailers and now is the industry standard for twin deck.

Van Eck Twin Deck Trailers enables the operator to save on every kilometre while reducing the CO2 emissions with 60 per cent more loading capacity. Eckstreme series twin deck are available as box, refrigerated box, with two or three axles, with inner lift or movable platform to make best out of the available loading capacity.

Dekker Chrysanten also added B-Double LHV vehicles into its fleet. Van Eck’s B-Double LHV can carry a total of 42 pallets.

Van Eck also delivered a new Eckstreme twin deck trailer to Swiss logistics service provider Hugelshofer. With twin deck trailers, Hugelshofer reduces the number of trips and saves up to 30 per cent CO2 emissions.

German specialist in air freight, Georgi, has been a reliable business partner of Van Eck for years and recently added Mega Curtain Aero Engine Carrier and Mega Aero Engine Carrier into its fleet.

Van Eck vehicles are offered with the internal loading height of more than three metres. Thanks to the sliding roof option, Van Eck offers the possibility to raise the entire roof 60cm over its full length. Moreover, six roller conveyors have been concealed in the loading floor to quick and safe loading and unloading operations.

“Van Eck culture is rooted in listening very carefully to the customer to understand their most specific transport challenge and with our experience and expertise finding

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Fleets with sustainability goals rely on Van Eck for precise transport solutions for their high value goods.

the solutions to the customers problems, and often building the trailer that has never been built before,” said Hans van Eck. “This is how evolution, innovation from bottom up in the road transport sector happens. As always, our customers always need more efficient trailers to reduce costs. What we called fuel savings in 1990s is now proven to be the goal of all our industry in our fight for sustainability and reduction of carbon emissions. We bring our field experience and engineering expertise to all the EU research projects to collectively lead the industry towards a more sustainable future.”

What it takes to provide a solid customer experience

Early last year, Van Eck expanded its aftersales network – adding 99 new service points from 13 countries to sustain the continuity of customers’ operations.

Van Eck serves customers from the Netherlands and from all European countries whose operations are EU wide.

“As Van Eck, listening to our customers to address their transport challenges includes top service assistance as well,” said Hans van Eck. “In this context, we have made an agreement with 99 new service points from 13 different countries to assist our customers directly with service and maintenance issues

they may face. Regular trainings and evaluations are being carried out as part of upkeep of our network as we constantly improve the competencies of these new service points to offer the service quality parallel to the highest quality of the Van Eck trailers.

“Van Eck’s Beesd location home to Van Eck manufacturer’s service is also our main service point. Our experienced service team provides maintenance and repair, planned maintenance service, and spray painting and advertising. Expert damage repair as well Van Eck vehicle changeover projects produces results that are akin to having a brand new Van Eck vehicle. Acting as our main spare parts warehouse, all needs are also coordinated from Beesd.”

Van Eck values the expectations of its customers, provides special and nonstop services to them and steadily improves its aftersales services. In this context, recently Randy van Venrooy, joined Van Eck as Aftersales and Service Manager.

“We believe that Randy’s deep technical know-how and extensive experience in the sector, as well as his customer-centric approach will be appreciated by our customers,” said Hans van Eck. In 2020, Van Eck invested in a new website for easier communication with the most up to date information. As part of this effort, the company added a ‘Find Service Point’ page that includes all the points that are now in service of Van Eck customers. Access via desktop for planning or on mobile for assistance new feature include route directions for ease of use.

“As Van Eck, we have a strong tradition of innovative logistics solutions and we will continue our operations with full motivation,” said Hans van Eck. “As of April 2019, I continue to support and oversee Van Eck as a Board Member and I’m sure that in 2021, we will continue to listen very carefully to our customers to understand their transport challenges in order to find the best trailer to suit their needs and offer advanced after-sales services to them.” www.vanecktrailers.com

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YANGON THE

MYANMAR, THE LARGEST COUNTRY IN MAINLAND SOUTHEAST ASIA, WITH A POPULATION OF 54 MILLION, IS GROWING IN IMPORTANCE IN TERMS OF CROSS-BORDER TRUCKING AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN.

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he Observatory of Economic Complexity has listed a series of international trade data about Myanmar. In 2018, the country was ranked the top 71 economy in the world based on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), number 72 in total exports, 69 in total imports and 122nd most complex economy.

In 2018, the country exported approx. $20 billion USD and imported $27.2 billion USD, resulting in a trade balance of $-7.18 billion USD. The top trade exports for Myanmar are petroleum gas ($5.62 billion USD), non-knit women’s coats ($976 million USD), refined copper ($893 million USD), raw sugar ($652 million USD) and non-knit men’s coats ($592 million USD), while top imports include refined petroleum ($2.82 billion USD), broadcasting equipment ($1.17 billion USD), heavy synthetic cotton fabrics ($714 million USD), palm oil ($573 million USD) and motorcycles ($555 million USD).

World Bank data in 2019 revealed Myanmar was worth approx. $76.09 billion USD, representing 0.006 per cent of the world economy.

Myanmar mostly exports to Thailand, China, Japan, Germany and the US

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and imports mostly from China, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and India.

The country shares land borders with Bangladesh, China, India, Laos and Thailand.

Transport and logistics company, DHL, has a well-established presence in Myanmar through three of its major business divisions, according to Christoph Beier, DHL Global Forwarding Country Manager.

“DHL Express, which offers express airfreight services across 220 countries and territories, DHL Global Forwarding, the division that I run that mainly handles bulk shipments via air, ocean, road and rail freight and DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics

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YIELD arm that takes care of warehousing and local transportation of goods within the country,” he said.

Similar to most of the other countries where DHL Global Forwarding is present, crossborder trucking, Beier explained, is one of the key services that the company offers.

“As a leader in the forwarding business with a presence in more than 190 countries and territories, our key activities also include airfreight, ocean freight, customs clearance and warehousing,” he said. “Myanmar has seen tremendous economic progress in the past two decades, growing its GDP by almost 10 times. It has also seen its exports grow correspondingly by over tenfold since 2000.”

“As a global logistics leader with a comprehensive portfolio of logistics services,

we have helped local businesses, especially those in Myanmar’s top export sectors – oil and gas, fashion and apparels and agriculture – tap the global marketplace with innovative solutions to meet their specific supply chain needs,” said Beier.

Myanmar and Japan discussed the final implementation of the National Logistics Master Plan, aided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support the development of Myanmar’s logistics sector, the Ministry of Transport and Communications reported in August 2020.

A coordination meeting on the final discussion of the National Logistics Master Plan’s report was held at the Transport and Communications Ministry’s office in Nay Pyi Taw on 17 August 2020.

Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications delivered a speech at the meeting. Later, the Senior Representative from JICA in Myanmar embassy explained the importance of logistics system which supports socio-economic development. The master plan had been drafted by relevant organisations from the JICA Study Team.

The National Logistics Master Plan was drafted in July 2016 with the JICA’s assistance. It was also led by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Myanmar’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications acted as the chairman for implementation of National Logistic Master Plan and Joint Coordinating Committee-JCC was formed with experts from JICA and the representatives from the Ministry of Construction and other relevant ministries.

The logistics sector in Myanmar is expected to triple by 2030 according to national logistics master plan drafted by Japan.

Union Minister of Transport and Communications, Dr Thant Sin Maung, said last year on 27 July that he wanted to discuss the Myanmar national transport master plan (2014) and national logistics master plan (2017) aided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It advised them on the need to regularly promote the maritime transport sector in Myanmar’s national transport master plan (2014). In the national logistics master plan (2017), the cargo demand is expected to rise threefold by 2030.

Authorities built eight new wharfs in Yangon within three-year time and the cargo handling process is being carried out with 41 wharfs, according to Myanma Port Authority (MPA).

The Myanmar coast is approx. 2,230km with nine ports built along the coastal area. Yangon port is a major port and handling hub with more than 90 per cent of international maritime trade.

In terms of recent transport and logistics trends in Myanmar, Beier turns his attention to the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highway project which is expected to boost trade in the ASEAN-India free trade area via road freight.

“With Myanmar strategically located between India and Southeast Asia, the

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Myanmar’s economy is at a turning point.

country will benefit as a bridge between India and its ASEAN trading partners,” he said. “We expect to see an increased level of interest in cross-border trucking between them when the project is completed.”

The IMT project is only part of the road development works happening in Myanmar. “Domestically, the country will soon embark on the development of the 64km Bago–Kyaikto expressway with the support of the Asian Development Bank,” said Beier. “The expressway will ensure more efficient and the safer movement of people and goods along the Greater Mekong sub-region, boosting Myanmar’s trade with countries along the economic corridor.

“Both of these projects are also expected to benefit Yangon exporters, who are currently trucking goods to Bangkok, even pre-Covid, to tap into the Thai capital’s airfreight capacity and access to international markets.

“The country’s National Logistics Master Plan, which aims to develop Myanmar’s logistics sector and forecasts a threefold growth in the industry by 2030, is now in its last phase.

“The increase in mobile phone usage and uptake of digital payment applications, especially among the younger generation, as well as the enhancement of the local logistics infrastructure, will be key driving factors in the growth of Myanmar’s promising e-commerce market.”

Surprisingly, the Covid-19 pandemic, according to DHL, has not affected its operations in the country.

“We were immediately able to switch to work from home arrangements for the safety of our employees,” said Beier. “Our primary focus from the start of the pandemic has been, and still is, to ensure that all our employees and their families are safe and healthy. We have also been committed to minimising any service disruptions to keep our customers’ supply chains running.”

Looking at the country’s manufacturing, however, is a different story in regards to negative pandemic impact.

The IHS Markit Myanmar Manufacturing PMI plunged to 30.6 in October 2020 from 35.9 a month earlier. This was the second-lowest reading on record as the economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis persisted, with the government putting many regions in tightening restrictions. Output, new orders and purchases all contracted at record rates. Also, job shedding continued after workers returned to their hometowns. In line with record falls in new work, purchasing operations were scaled back. The volume of inputs fell at the fastest rate on record, while stocks of purchases contracted at the joint-second fastest rate in the survey history.

Vendor performance weakened for the second straight month. On the price front, inflationary pressures arose with cost burdens increasing modestly. Factory gate prices continued to fall in order to stimulate sales. Looking ahead, sentiment remained positive but it was weak in the historical context.

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There is optimism in the air despite Covid-19. Consumer Industry Leader of Deloitte Southweast Asia, Pua Wee Meng, characterised the Myanmar consumer as dynamic and fast-evolving. Based on surveys conducted in Yangon, Mandalay and Mawlamyine in 2019, there was evidence of decreasing price sensitivity and greater demand for discretionary spending among other insights.

“The Myanmar consumer continues to demonstrate an openness to new products and services, even as they remain valueconscious in their purchasing decisions,” said Meng. “Although this represents the opportunity for companies to introduce new value propositions to the market, the flip side is that investments will need to be made to secure long-term brand loyalty and ensure recall by the consumer.”

Interestingly, new brands appeared to gain a foothold in consumer recall, surpassing competitors with widespread and innovative marketing and promotional campaigns.

The economy, based on Deloitte’s findings, reveal the country’s economy is indeed at a turning point. While economic expansion may have stagnated following years of rapid growth, there are prospects in the medium term that remain promising.

Specifically, heavy investments in infrastructure projects are expected to lift domestic consumption and drive GDP. Also, the liberalisation of Myanmar’s financial services sector is expected to increase the presence of foreign players in the retail banking and insurance landscape and stimulate investment and growth in nascent industries such as retail and digital commerce.

Policy reforms following the National League for Democracy’s 2020 election win is expected to drive greater integration between Myanmar and its regional peers in the ASEAN Economic community. Transformation here could attract foreign capital and improve the overall business environment.

Infrastructure tops the list for key policy reform which is in need of dire investment.

Estimates, according to Deloitte, suggest that it could require as much as 120 billion USD until 2030. To that end, the government has

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developed the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP), which lays out its vision to bridge the infrastructure gap. In line with this, it has also introduced a project bank, a centralised and publicly accessible database that will enable the government to coordinate ministries and departments and prioritise proposals which are in line with the MSDP. As for economic recovery, Deloitte’s data projects an uplift on the horizon. Myanmar’s economic growth rate experienced some stagnation at 6.8 per cent in 2018, and this is expected to fall to 6.6 per cent in 2019, falling short of the World Bank’s estimates of 7-8 per cent.

This dip is reflected in the decrease in the percentage of Deloitte’s survey respondents expressing an optimistic sentiment, which fell from 66 per cent in 2018 to 57 per cent in 2019.

FAST FACT Linfox signed a joint venture with Boon Rawd Brewery for BevChain Logistics in 2018.

Linfox formed a logistics joint venture with Boon Rawd Brewery, Thailand’s number one brewery and maker of Singha beer, to provide road transportation and warehousing services across Asia through BevChain Logistics.

With expectations that the economy will make a recovery following a series of regulatory reforms and investment liberalisation initiatives, the consumer’s future outlook remains upbeat: the percentage of survey respondents expressing an intention to increase their expenditure nearly doubled from the last survey, increasing from 8.0 per cent to 15 per cent. Similarly, the percentage of survey respondents expressing an intention to decrease their expenditure reduced from 33 per cent to 30 per cent.

Myanmar, according to Deloitte, needs to tackle a multitude of socioeconomic and political issues to achieve and maintain its near-term growth momentum. Currently, the economy is struggling with trade and fiscal deficits, as well as high inflation rates due to volatility in fuel and food prices. The lack of infrastructure also continues to pose operational risks for potential investors, in addition to the mounting international pressure stemming from the ongoing border conflict.

Still, the prospects are promising: the government’s recent efforts to restructure its economy with the launch of the MSDP and monetary policy reforms ahead signal a strategic shift towards a more intensified focus on attracting foreign investment and stimulating economic growth.

For instance, the Myanmar Companies Law enabled foreign investors to acquire a stake of up to 35 per cent in local companies, as well as 100 per cent ownership in retail and wholesale companies. Given these developments, the retail and wholesale segment is expected to drive GDP growth within the services sector, which contributed to 42 per cent of GDP in 2018, and is expected to grow at a rate of 8.3 per cent in 2019.

Myanmar also seems poised to become a regional, low-cost production powerhouse, with a growing manufacturing sector that is now worth 11 billion USD, second only to its oil and gas and power sectors, which accounted for the majority of permitted foreign investment at 53.9 per cent. www.globaltrailermag.com

The partnership saw BevChain establish a presence in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, operating under the name BevChain Logistics.

“BevChain has been in the Australian and New Zealand market since 2006 as a specialist in the warehousing and distribution of beverages,” Linfox International Group CEO, Greg Thomas, said in a statement. “We have been planning to grow beyond the ANZ market, and this joint venture is a part of our international growth strategy.”

Boon Rawd Brewery also has a vision to dominate logistics networks in Thailand and across the region.

BevChain is a subsidiary company of Linfox, with full ownership acquired in 2017.

BevChain Logistics is the registered trade name for BevChain’s operations in Thailand.

The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highway project is expected to boost trade in the ASEAN-India free trade area via road freight.

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JOST WI P R O D U C T S A F E T Y & I N N OVAT

Minister Scott Buchholz (pictured left) presents JOST Australia’s Queensland team with the coveted Safety & Innovation Award at the HVIA Awards ceremony in Brisbane.

THE AWARD-WINNING JSK42-ASW FIFTH WHEEL WITH AIR RELEASE AND SENSOR FROM JOST AUSTRALIA IS SUITED TO A BROAD RANGE OF FREIGHT TRANSPORT TASKS, REDUCES MANUAL STRAIN INJURY RISKS FOR OPERATORS AND MINIMISES THE POSSIBILITY OF A DROPPED TRAILER.

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quipment specialist, JOST Australia, received the Safety Innovation Award at the 2020 Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) National Awards.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz, spoke at the event, held November 2020. He acknowledged and celebrated the industry’s hard-working members who continue to excel in providing innovative solutions to improve safety and productivity in the road transport sector.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on Australia’s freight and logistics sector,” he said in his opening address. “Our national

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economy relies on keeping freight moving.

A lot of work goes into making sure that happens and during the pandemic, the industry rose to the challenge. I congratulate the entire heavy vehicle industry – transport operators, manufacturers, repairers and drivers on a job well done. Through your joint efforts you have ensured that our trucks and trailers have stayed on the road and freight kept moving.”

TRAILER TECHNOLOGY & I N N O VATI O N

NS

The HVIA National Awards celebrate Australia’s vehicle industry’s capacity to provide innovative solutions for road transport tasks.

ION AWARD Buchholz had the pleasure of announcing JOST Australia as the winner of the Safety Innovation Award.

The equipment specialist won the award for developing the JSK42-ASW fifth wheel, a low maintenance fifth wheel with air release and sensor technology which reduces the possibility of a trailer dropping by accident.

“Our JSK42-ASW fifth wheel features pneumatic automation which helps to reduce the risk of strain injury,” said JOST Australia Managing Director, James Mackie. “Meanwhile, the sensor system works to ensure correct coupling by sensing the position of the skid plate, the kingpin and lock lever – all must be in the correct position before the ‘ok’ signal is sent to the coupling status indicator as shown in the prime mover cab. This significantly helps reduce the risk of dropped trailers.”The initial idea for the JSK42-ASW, according

FAST FACT The JSK42-ASW fifth wheel uses the industry standard bolting pattern for mounting fifth wheels to a vehicle chassis and it can be fitted to any prime mover available in the Australian market. The pneumatic and electrical integration to the vehicle can be carried out by any qualified technician. JOST’s fifth wheel makes it suited to a broad range of freight transport tasks.

to James, came from a discussion with a prominent Australian transport company.

“The challenge was given to combine the occupational health & safety benefits of pneumatic operation and the safety benefits of a sensor system into one product,” James says. “JOST Australia engineers worked closely with the design office based at the company’s German headquarters to ensure that the integrity and function of the base fifth wheel were not compromised by any of the modifications. Initial prototypes were developed in Melbourne, in collaboration with two major truck manufacturers and these prototypes were then tested with help from the transport company who set the initial challenge.

“The prototype tests provided valuable feedback from drivers, who helped to identify improvements in the installation of the fifth wheel and the instructions required to ensure it is used correctly.

“Following a successful prototyping phase, a field trial of 10 units began.

This trial engaged driver trainers, drivers, fleet managers, workshop managers and mechanics to ensure that all stakeholders were consulted regarding the use and maintenance of the new technology. “Communication and feedback continues to flow from people involved with the field trial fleet, which has now been in successful operation for 12 months.”

In addition to the operational safety benefits of the JSK42-ASW fifth wheel, it is also designed for low maintenance. The fifth wheel has greaseless top plate liners with Lubetronic grease canister for the lock jaw which allows for service intervals of about 50,000+ kilometres (in line with the prime mover).

“Innovating in new technologies, to make our heavy transport industry safer is a big credit to JOST Australia,” said Buchholz. “I congratulate the entire team on their efforts in developing this technology which will reduce the risk of injury and increase accessibility for drivers.” www.jost-world.com

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EXCELLEN ON DEMAND COMMITTED TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, KRONE HAS OVERHAULED TWO POPULAR PRODUCT LINES, THE PROFI LINER AND THE MEGA LINER. FLEETS LIKE STERAC ARE REALISING THE BENEFITS OF SPECIFYING ROBUST, STATE-OF-THE-ART TRAILING EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY.

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t the official handover of 40 new Krone curtainsider semi-trailers for the transport company STERAC, Managing Director Gerald Rackebrandt and Frank Knuhr (Head of Purchasing/Fleet) visited Krone in Werlte.

During a detailed tour of the factory, the guests from Braak in SchleswigHolstein were impressed by the ultra-modern trailer production in the new Krone surface coating centre.

“At STERAC the satisfaction of our customers, combined with a high quality and reliable performance, is our top priority,” said Knuhr.

“We experience these values also at Krone. In our fleet, we uncompromisingly rely on high-quality, robust and flexible vehicles, which of course also have to convince in terms of load securing and handling.

“For precisely these reasons, we have decided on 30 Krone Profi Liners and ten Krone Mega Liners, whereby all vehicles are equipped with the ‘Safe Curtain’ load securing curtain. Because the Safe Curtain is a really smart solution with several benefits: Load securing, theft protection and easier and safer handling for our drivers.

“And last but not least, the service at Krone is also excellent. We have had very good experiences with the various features offered by Krone Telematics, for example,” he said.

On behalf of the Krone team, the Managing Directors Dr Frank Albers and Ralf Faust as well as the Regional Sales Manager Frank Kosse thanked STERAC for the renewed order and the confidence in Krone.

“We are very pleased to be able to convince STERAC with our vehicles, but also with our trailer services,” said Dr. Albers and Faust. “We are increasingly noticing that many customers are now also very consciously opting for digitisation and services that are tailored to their requirements. In this respect, we are of course constantly expanding our range in this segment, for example with our Fair Care packages.”

Founded in 1979, the STERAC specialises in European land transport, warehousing and management of 25,000 pallet spaces, logistics, customs clearance, packaging and order picking activities. The company’s fleet includes 10 trucks and 150 trailers (130 from Krone). The company is based in Braak (near Hamburg) and employs 135 people.

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Profi Liner – Powerful and flexible

German OEM, Krone has redesigned its Profi Liner trailer, emphasising the front wall, superstructure, floor and load securing capabilities.

Krone has opted for a welded ladder frame design with end-to-end longitudinal beams and profiled transverse beams for the trailer’s new, improved chassis concept. This design makes it possible to use smaller base plates, which in turn makes repairs easier.

Plywood base plates transfer forces in all

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CE

directions better than other floor concepts.

The new Krone Profi Liner can be approved in accordance with EN 283 for forklift axle loads up to eight tonnes (the standard is seven tonnes).

The base plates are attached with permanently elastic high-performance adhesive, which ensures outstanding impermeability.

The Profi Liner is fitted as standard with a raised floor assembly in the front area.

The plywood rebound plate screwed to the front wall ensures additional protection and stability. The front wall is firmly screwed to the frame. Reinforced, pre-galvanised, armourplated corner posts ensure optimum chassis

connection, while offering protection against impacting mesh boxes at the same time. The pre- galvanised coupling support with the combination distributor ensure quick and easy handling when hitching and unhitching the vehicle.

Krone has also optimised the bulb plate in the rear of the trailer. Thanks to the use of a special adhesive and bent plate down towards the edge, the floor is provided with maximum protection, even if the vehicle is frequently loaded and unloaded from the rear.

The underrun protection and the lighting brackets, which are manufactured as individual components, also provide practical features. The separate and screwed version can be quickly replaced in case of damage. The new modular rear buffer concept is also impressive. For example, it allows the customer to quickly and easily respond to changing ramp / tour requirements and replace or retrofit the buffers.

The new container doors featuring fully galvanised components and an improved door seal are produced in the fully automated robot production facilities. This also ensures consistently high quality and precision. Krone has also redesigned the rear post connection, which now features holes for cross strapping as standard.

As with all add-on parts, the new roof hood is pre-galvanised and treated with a cathodic dip and powder coating as standard. The roof cover geometry has also been optimised, making it much easier to thread the curtain tension bar. The roof can also be optionally equipped with straps and opened from front to back.

The Profi Liner is equipped with the new Krone canopy as standard. Like the new Edscha Hybrid canopy, it has 30mm wide, welded-on aramid straps. This allows the strength to be increased significantly. Another intelligent solution: with

Krone Mega Liner hits the road.

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State-of-the-art tech enhances the structural integrity and functionality of Krone’s trailers.

immediate effect, Krone now fits the vehicle with offset curtain rollers which reduce contact with the external beam seal and improve running characteristics.

The double curtain with the additional roller makes it possible to quickly and easily thread the curtains at the rear.

Meanwhile, the new Multi Lock external frame with strapping options at 100mm intervals ensures professional load security. The inside of the frame is pre-galvanised and is treated with a cathodic dip and powder coating, which provides outstanding corrosion protection. Its profile has been enlarged to optimise the coating process. Additional slotted holes were also integrated at the bottom of the frame to reduce the accumulation of dirt and moisture. In addition, the closed profile of the Multi Lock external frame offers optimum impermeability towards the cargo area.

The professional equipment also includes the load securing Safe Curtain where the high-strength spring steel strips in vertical PVC tunnel pockets are integrated into the side curtains. With this technology, Krone offers you a load securing system using the side curtain meaning that the classical plug-in laths can be dispensed with. The advantage: this not only makes handling the Safe Curtain easier, safer and faster, but it also reduces the weight by about 100 kg – compared to conventional side curtains with plug-in laths.

Another benefit: the integrated spring steel strips also take over an anti-theft function in the vertical direction: If the curtain is deliberately cut, it is only possible to cut to the next spring steel strip. Repairing the curtain is also just as simple as with a standard side curtain. In addition, work-related accidents caused by falling plug-in laths are a thing of the past.

The Profi Liner also features an impressive chassis. The semitrailer is outfitted with the proven Krone axle. Krone offers a six-year guarantee on the axle without mileage limitation for on-road use within the EU. With the new Profi Liner, Krone offers a true all-round vehicle which features impressive quality, especially when it comes to forklift axle load and handling. The Profi Liner is equipped with a welded chassis, features a cathodic dip coating and boasts numerous award-winning load securing features, making it an extremely reliable trailer with impressive life cycle costs.

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Mega Liner – The perfect solution for all volume transports

Krone has overhauled its Mega Liner range, which is extremely popular with all volume transporters, and further optimised it for a wide variety of applications. The Mega Liner Comfort features a quick-release tarpaulin and hydraulic lifting roof for just-in-sequence delivery in the automotive sector.

The Mega Liner load securing Safe Curtain tarpaulin for high-speed and safe loading and unloading during high- frequency volume transports. The Mega Liner’s redesigned rear width expansion for extra-wide goods is its latest highlight.

The new rear width expansion now offers 1000 mm (500 mm/side) more loading width, increasing the total loading width clearance to approx. 3480 mm. This makes it possible to quickly and easily load and unload the Mega Liner with oversized cargo. The driver starts the rear width expansion by simply opening the side curtains, the roof, the rear doors and the rear wall. The control unit is protected and easily accessible behind the axle assembly.

Stability and robustness for every Mega Liner Just like with the new Profi Liner, Krone has opted for the welded ladder frame design with end-to-end longitudinal beams and profiled transverse beams for the trailer’s new, improved chassis concept. This design makes it possible to use smaller base plates, which in turn makes repairs easier. The base plates are attached with permanently elastic high-performance adhesive, which ensures outstanding impermeability.

Each Mega Liner is fitted as standard with a raised floor assembly in the front area.

The plywood rebound plate screwed to the front wall ensures additional protection and stability. The front wall is firmly screwed to the frame. Reinforced, pre-galvanised, armour-plated corner posts ensure optimum chassis connection, while offering protection against impacting mesh boxes at the same time. The pre-galvanised coupling support with the combination distributor and DuoMatic air connection ensure quick and easy handling when hitching and unhitching the

TRAILER TECHNOLOGY & I N N O VATI O N

vehicle. The PVD document box and a fire extinguisher are also practical features.

Similar to the new Profi Liner, the Mega Liner’s underrun protection and lighting bracket are manufactured as individual components. The separate and screwed version can be quickly replaced in case of damage. The new modular rear buffer concept is also impressive. For example, it allows the customer to quickly and easily respond to changing ramp / tour requirements and replace or retrofit the buffers.

The new container doors featuring fully galvanised components and an improved door seal are produced in the fully automated robot production facilities. This also ensures consistently high quality and precision in the new Mega Liner.

And last but not least, the vehicle line also boasts impressive weight performance.

The Mega Liner with its Safe Curtain, stable steel front wall and steel rear gantry weighs approx. 6,400kg, making it the leader among its competitors.

The hydraulic lifting roof superstructure, including the welded-on diagonal bracing, the new roof hood as well as the new Edscha Hybrid external beam also offer ideal operating comfort. Krone fitted the vehicle with new offset curtain rollers which reduce contact with the external beam seal and improve running characteristics. As a result, the driver can conveniently and effortlessly open and close the roof. The double curtain with the additional roller makes it possible to quickly and easily thread the curtains at the rear.

The comfort curtain ensures particularly fast and easy handling. The side curtain can be opened all the way in less than 30 seconds. In addition, the microrungs integrated into the curtain eliminate the need for constantly removing and reattaching the centre posts and plug-in laths.

The new Multi Lock external frame with strapping options at 100 mm intervals ensures professional load securing. The inside of the frame is pre-galvanised and is treated with a cathodic dip and powder coating, which provides outstanding corrosion protection. The profile has been enlarged to optimise the coating process. Additional slotted holes were also integrated at the bottom of the frame to reduce the accumulation of dirt and moisture. In addition, the closed profile of the Multi Lock external frame offers the best possible impermeability towards the cargo area.

On request, Krone will fit the Mega Liner with the load securing Safe Curtain. It features high-strength spring steel strips in vertical PVC tunnel pockets integrated into the side curtains. The advantage: as the classic plug-in laths are no longer necessary, not only the handling of the Safe Curtain is easier, safer and faster, but it also reduces the weight by about 100 kg – compared to conventional side curtains with plug-in laths. Of course, the Safe Curtain meets the requirements of Daimler’s load securing directive 9.5 and is certified according to EN 12642 Code XL as well as for transporting beverages.

Another benefit: the integrated spring steel strips also take over an anti-theft function in the vertical direction: If the curtain is deliberately cut, it is only possible to cut to the next spring steel strip. Repairing the curtain is also just as simple as with a standard side curtain. In addition, work-related accidents caused by falling plug-in lathes are a thing of the past.

If the Mega Liner with the Safe Curtain is not completely loaded, a locking bar and a reinforced combination load-securing rail secure the load at the rear.

The Mega Liner with Comfort Curtain uses vertical and horizontal aluminium locking bars for this purpose. They are anchored in perforated rails in the floor and canopy.

With the redesigned Mega Liner range, Krone offers a professional vehicle line to meet all the challenges involved in volume transport: from loads over 2480 mm wide to high-frequency and time-critical loading and unloading cycles in automotive logistics. What’s more, the convenient volume semitrailer also significantly reduces the driver’s daily workload thanks to its wide range of practical features. www.krone-trailer.com

Official trailer handover ceremony.

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AT TH OF THEIR GAME

THE MOST INNOVATIVE TRAILER AND HEAVY VEHICLE COMPONENT MANUFACTURERS OF 2021 HAVE RECEIVED CRITICAL ACCLAIM.

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he Trailer Innovation competition, which has run annually since 2002, highlights tremendous achievements in the trailer and body building industry.

In 2021, according to the event organisers, 50 innovations from all over the world were reviewed by a panel of journalists from 16 European transport magazines.

The scope of this review encompasses smart, environmentally friendly solutions to complex vehicle concepts and systems. It also considered intelligent, lighter, durable, aerodynamic and economical characteristics.

The 2021 prize winners placed in seven categories: Body, Chassis, Components, Concept, Environment, Safety and Smart Trailer.

Netherlands-based OEM, Knapen Trailers, won first place in Body for its Exside design which was deemed revolutionary as a new, superior concept to all Ekeri provides transport structures with fully opening sides.

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existing moving floor trailers with side doors.

“The jury praised the increase in loading width and the liftable upper-rail above the side doors which creates an impressive 300mm extra working height,” Knapen said in a statement. “We would like to thank the jury very much for this wonderful recognition.”

The RotorBladeTransportSystem (RBTS) from SCHEUERLE, a company of the Transporter Industry International Group (TII Group) of the german Rettenmaier family of entrepreneurs, took first place in the Chassis category of the Trailer Innovation Award.

This means that the highly innovative transport system for rotor blades can now bear the prestigious title ‘Trailer Innovation 2021’.

On behalf of the jury, Philipp Boenders from the trade journal KFZ-Anzeiger praised the innovative concept of the RBTS, which allows rotor blades to be transported safely and in compliance with the law.

“It is easy and quick to load, thanks to the innovative wind vane intake, which can be used according to the plug-and-play principle,” explained Boenders at the award ceremony.

Therefore, transport with the RBTS saves the vehicle operator time and money.

Moreover, it is multifunctional due to its intelligent design. It can safely accommodate

TRAILER DESIGN

E TOP rotor blades from different manufacturers and even versions with more than 80 metres length. The large stroke of the robust pendulum axle chassis also enables the RBTS to safely travel off-road, as is common on the way to wind farms.

German OEM, Schmitz Cargobull, took our first place in the Environment category with its S.KO box body semi-trailer with electronically controlled generator axle and S.CUe cooling unit.

“With this environmentally-friendly alternative drive system, Schmitz Cargobull makes an important contribution to CO2 reduction and takes responsibility for optimised ecological transport and logistics concepts,” said Roland Klement, Board Member for Research & Development at Schmitz Cargobull.

“We see this award as confirmation of our forward-looking technology and many years of industry expertise,” he said.

With this vehicle, Schmitz Cargobull has developed an equipment concept that will make a significant contribution to reducing pollutant emissions. The electrically-powered S.CUe cooling unit with integrated power electronics omits a combustion engine, and is designed to cool and heat without generating any emissions. Instead of a diesel tank, batteries are now installed on the landing gear. In addition, the system is equipped with an electrified Schmitz Cargobull trailer axle, which recuperates energy during braking, for example, reducing the time required to recharge the battery via mains power.

Schmitz Cargobull also placed in

TH E WI N N E RS

The winners received their awards via a live video transmission at the virtual commercial vehicle trade fair, MFB 2020. The winners of Trailer Innovation 2021 are: Body

Concept

• Knapen (NL). Schubbodenauflieger Exside • Kässbohrer (DE). Coil Swap Body K.SWAU.CC/45 • Schwarzmüller (AT). DoppelkeilTanksattel

• Fliegl (DE). Swap Train • Humbaur (DE). HTD Container Laxo • Schmitz Cargobull (DE). Eco-Duo

Chassis

• Scheuerle (DE). Rotor Blade Transport System • Schwarzmüller (AT).

Schubbodenauflieger mit AluChassis • BPW (DE). Light-Tube Components

• Kässbohrer (DE). RUPD-5K1 • D-Tec (NL). Extendable Side Protection • Schmitz Cargobull (DE). S.KO Cool Smart

Environment

• Schmitz Cargobull (DE). S.KO mit E-Achse • Emons (NL). Solar-On-Top • Van Eck Trailers (NL). Smart rollerbed vehicles Safety

• Krone (DE). Light Safety Sandwich Floor • Schmitz Cargobull (DE). TrailerConnect-Türverschlusssystem • Schwarzmüller (AT). Electric roller tarpaulin Smart Trailer

• Thermo King (IE). Advancer A-Series • Kässbohrer (DE). Advanced Driver Assistance System • Feldbinder (DE). Silosattelauflieger mit SSCH

other categories.

For example, the TrailerConnect door locking system took an excellent second place in the Safety category. This ensures that the goods are protected against unauthorised access. Via the TrailerConnect portal, users can define loading and unloading locations where the door locking system automatically unlocks the trailer on arrival or locks it when leaving.

In the Components category, the new air distribution system in the S.KO COOL SMART box body semi-trailer took third place. Preventing ‘heat nests’ and simplifying handling to improve efficiency in everyday transport were the primary goals.

Schmitz Cargobull won a further third place in the Concept category with

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Schmitz Cargobull won first place with the S.KO box body semi-trailer with electronically controlled generator axle and S.CUe cooling unit.

its EcoDuo transport concept, which has already won multiple awards. The EcoDuo system comprises two standard curtainsider semi-trailers connected via a dolly trailer and coupled to a tractor unit. With this vehicle combination, Schmitz Cargobull is advocating for the Europe-wide introduction of a transport concept that reduces the demands on existing infrastructure, reduces CO2 emissions and takes into account current transport industry standards.

“We are very proud of all of the placings as they show that we are the leading trailer manufacturer when it comes to reliable transport solutions and innovations and that we are working on the right mobility concepts and innovative vehicle solutions to extensively support and continue advancing

The expert jury praised the simple operation and cost-effectiveness of SCHEUERLE’s RotorBladeTransportSystem (RBTS).

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future transport and logistics activities for our customers with our products and services,” said Schmitz Cargobull CEO, Andreas Schmitz.

Netherlands-based OEM, Van Eck, placed third in the Environment category with its Smart Rollerbed Vehicles with New Modular Loading Unit (NMLU).

This design is a new concept that focuses on fast automated loading and cargo security. Van Eck said NMLUs present loading capacity increase of about 20 per cent and overall system efficiency gains of 50 per cent.

Kässbohrer also scored a number of victories in this competition.

The OEM won the Component category with its Multifunctional rear underrun protection device, RUPD-5K1. This device features secure and foldable design advantages. It can also be adjusted at different positions while fulfilling its protection task in accordance with CE.R58.003 Regulation for the Type Approval and providing solutions to operational efficiency in 5 different operations, preventing docking, ferry, intermodal, discharge and tyre change problems.

The company secured second place in Body with its first and only 45’ Coil Swap Body K.SWAU CC and also placed second in Smart Trailer with K-ADAS, Kässbohrer Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (KDAS) The K.SWAU CC presents an integrated coil well and is developed for

TRAILER DESIGN

intermodal coil transport all made possible by its innovative chassis design with total capacity of 30 tonnes. The tests performed during the development have proven safer swap designs and resulting design changes are now the technical requirements for UIC 592/IRS 50592 and IRS 50596-5 certification mandatory for all swap bodies.

K-ADAS makes a difference with its four features composed of seven technologies of which more than 50 per cent is new to the trailer industry and are compatible with existing truck ADAS systems, contributing to the development of the smart trailer that will be necessary when fully autonomous driving becomes standard.

German OEM, Krone, received the Trailer Innovation 2021 award in the Safety category for its Light Safety Sandwich Floor.

The jury was convinced by the new foamed floor, which comprises high-strength special foam with stabilising GRP top layers. For example, the 30mm thick Light Safety Sandwich Floor has a coefficient of sliding friction of about µ = 0.6 (when loaded with a wooden pallet). The new floor also saves time and money, as the driver does not have to lay out any additional anti-slip materials or can dispense with the lashing equipment that would otherwise be necessary. Krone recommends the use of the new Light Safety Sandwich Floor especially for open building material trailers.

By using the new floor, Krone was able to achieve a weight saving of around 100kg on the vehicle, which means an increase in payload. In addition, swelling of the core (as is the case with wooden floors) is avoided; likewise, detachment of the coating is prevented - both factors stand for a long service life.

Thermo King Europe, Middle East and Africa, Francesco Incalza, is thrilled by this response to the company’s vision for the future of trailer refrigeration.

“With Advancer, we have created a trailer refrigeration unit that features innovations never before seen on the market,” said Incalza. “A completely new architecture that incorporates the expectations of our customers along with decades of Thermo King’s knowledge and experience.”

A fully electric refrigeration unit from Thermo King is recognised for sustainability.

A credit to Kässbohrer’s ‘Enginuity’, the OEM was victorious across multiple award categories.

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HOLD

THE LINE A DROP IN TRAILER DEMAND SHAPED THE 2019-20 FINANCIAL YEAR FOR SCHMITZ CARGOBULL. THE CEO OF THE LEADING GERMAN OEM, ANDREAS SCHMITZ, REFLECTS ON THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY AND HOW IT CONTINUED TO PREVAIL UNDER TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES.

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n the 2019-20 financial year (1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020), Schmitz Cargobull produced 46,124 vehicles and achieved sales of 1.87 billion euro with 5,700 employees.

“Unfortunately, the declining demand since mid-2018 continued during the financial year,” said Schmitz Cargobull CEO, Andreas Schmitz. “The slight market recovery in early 2020 was then halted by the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, we successfully implemented the necessary savings without cutting back on the core team.”

With an average market share of approximately 25 per cent, Schmitz Cargobull has maintained its position as the leading trailer manufacturer in Europe.

“Despite the 27.4 per cent decrease in the number of units produced, the 18.4 per cent downturn in turnover compared with the previous year was less severe,” said Andreas Schmitz.

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The demand for the higher-value box and tipper vehicles declined less than in the highly competitive curtainsider segment.

“The entire Schmitz Cargobull team was able to keep earnings before taxes and depreciation at an acceptable level in the last financial year thanks to savings made as part of ‘Lean to Compete’,” said Andreas Schmitz. “We also made price adjustments that are now having an effect.”

In view of the uncertain conditions caused by the coronavirus, Schmitz Cargobull advised it was too difficult to provide further guidance.

INDUSTRY VOICE

“After a sharp slump in March, demand has recovered more quickly than initially expected,” said Andreas Schmitz.

In September, it was reported to be possible to scale back the reduced working hours that had been implemented.

Depending on the development of the pandemic situation and its impact on the economy, the forecast for the units produced is between 30,000 and 50,000 vehicles, with sales of between 1.2 and 2.0 billion euro.

Innovations and services form a basis for the planned growth. Schmitz Cargobull consistently introduces and implements these in its capacity as a pioneer in the trailer market.

“As part of our 100 per cent SMART strategy, we have equipped all S.KO COOL SMART trailers with the TrailerConnect telematics system as a standard feature,” said Andreas Schmitz.

This strategy has continued in 2020 with the standard installation of a new telematics system in the curtainsiders and dry freighters. As a result, Schmitz Cargobull ensures that its customers retain their data sovereignty throughout the entire transport chain. This enables the best transport through networked products and services.

“In addition to data, ecology plays an increasingly important role: with the EcoDuo concept, we successfully presented an ecologically effective combination of two standard trailers for long-distance transport last year,” said Andreas Schmitz.

This vehicle concept has already been tested successfully in various European countries and Schmitz Cargobull is committed to the broad acceptance of this solution.

Reliable vehicles and comprehensive service have proven to be a competitive advantage, especially in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. The entire logistics sector and especially the drivers have made an essential contribution to supplying the population during this time. Schmitz Cargobull has taken comprehensive protective measures at all of its production

Schmitz Cargobull CEO, Andreas Schmitz.



“AS A CONSEQUENCE, WE WERE THE ONLY TR AILER MANUFACTURER ABLE TO ENSURE A CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF MATERIALS FOR OUR PLANTS AND MAINTAIN OUR ABILIT Y TO DELIVER TO OUR CUSTOMERS.” Andreas Schmitz Schmitz Cargobull CEO

plants. In compliance with the official requirements, it has reliably continued to deliver vehicles at all locations without disruption.

“In addition, our 1,700 service partners have been absolutely dedicated to ensuring that the customers are able to continue their regular transport operations as smoothly as possible with regard to maintenance and repairs,” said Andreas Schmitz.

Secure supply chains have proven their value during the lockdown according to the OEM.

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SCHMITZ CARGOBULL RENEWS LEADERSHIP IN DENMARK Flemming Laasholdt took over as Managing Director of the Danish subsidiary, Schmitz Cargobull Danmark A/S, on 1 October 2020.

He succeeds Tim Warmeling who moved to the Schmitz Cargobull production site in Vreden as head of product management at the S.KO reefer semi-trailer product line.

After graduating in Business Economics at the Haderslev Business School, Laasholdt held various positions in different companies in the Danish truck and trailer sector with a focus on sales and services. He has been Sales Director of Scania Danmark A/S since 2015.

“Flemming Laasholdt has practical experience in the commercial vehicle sector owing to his sales and management knowledge and his role as Works Manager for many years,” said Schmitz Cargobull Director – Northwest Region, Gregor Rein.

“He will find a well established sales organisation with excellent employees and long-standing customer contacts at Schmitz Cargobull Danmark.

“The company also supplies new and innovative trailer solutions and a comprehensive package of services. Trailers for the Danish markets have been equipped with the company’s own TrailerConnect telematics system since 2004, and so Denmark plays a real pioneering role in Europe.

“The entire team in Denmark will continue to write a success story on behalf of its customers and Schmitz Cargobull,” he said.

Woodside Haulage doubles its Schmitz Cargobull fleet

Logistics and supply chain management business, Woodside Haulage, acquired 20 new fixed roof Schmitz Cargobull curtainsiders last year to transport goods between the UK and Ireland.

The new assets join an existing fleet of 20 Schmitz Cargobull curtainsiders, used to transport a variety of goods including retail, FMCG, construction, packaging and recycling to manufacturers, retailers and industry.

“We ship goods on ferries and our trailers are worked rigorously and extensively on an intensive schedule, so we need absolute confidence they are of the highest quality,” said Woodside Haulage Managing Director, Mark Woodside.

“The Schmitz Cargobull build quality really is second to none.

“The fully galvanised chassis gives full protection against corrosion and we know they will maintain a good cosmetic appearance throughout their entire life.

“We have trailers that remain in service for up to 15 years and we are confident this will be the case with these latest additions,” he said.

Schmitz Cargobull’s high-tech modular chassis is a mix of galvanised steel and aluminium and comes with a 10-year warranty against rust-through.

Each trailer is also specified with additional lighting and reversing sensors.

“Safety is another key factor for us, and we’ve added extra lighting and sensors to the trailers to make sure we are maximising driver welfare and load security during transit,” said Woodside.

“For us, the fact that all Schmitz Cargobull products go through rigorous testing gives us assurance that the assets are of the highest quality and safety standards,” he said.

The Schmitz Cargobull Validation Centre (CVC) puts all prototypes through a range of tests under a mix of tough conditions, including using hydropulsers to simulate distances of one million kilometres across different road types.

Woodside Haulage is part of Woodside Logistics Group – a family run business with 50 years of experience in professional transport and logistics solutions across Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe and the rest of the world. The business has depots in Ballynure, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool and Preston.

Schmitz Cargobull Danmark A/S Managing Director, Flemming Laasholdt.

In the past financial year, systematically developing and strengthening the supply chain was a major focus.

“International multi-sourcing, multiproduct plants (MPP), order-neutral and Group-wide supply management, together with the on-going expansion of the central logistics hub, increase flexibility and reduce lead times throughout the network,” said Andreas Schmitz.

The solid and simple new structures proved particularly effective at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, when the lockdown temporarily disrupted supply chains in numerous sectors and countries.

“As a consequence, we were the only trailer manufacturer able to ensure a continuous supply of materials for our plants and maintain our ability to deliver to our customers,” said Andreas Schmitz, adding that in the medium term, the Executive Board continues to pursue the core objectives of Strategy 2025.

“Specifically, this means being the world’s leading manufacturer of curtainsiders and refrigerated vehicles, the European market leader for trailers and target sales of more than 2.5 billion euro.” www.cargobull.com

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TRADITIO AUSTRALIA’S WORLD-LEADING PERFORMANCE-BASED STANDARDS SCHEME CONTINUES TO GATHER MOMENTUM AS MORE OPERATORS REALISE THE BENEFITS. THE NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE REGULATOR CHIEF ENGINEER, LES BRUZSA, PROVIDES AN UPDATE OUTLINING JUST HOW MUCH THE HIGH PRODUCTIVITY SYSTEM HAS IMPROVED AND GROWN IN RECENT TIMES.

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n spite of a decidedly lacklustre year on a number of fronts, the uptake of Performance-Based Standards (PBS) by a broad cross section of the trucking industry has continued unabated as operators seek out ways to improve productivity and efficiency. PBS is a world-leading program that enables Australia’s heavy vehicle industry to use the most productive vehicles for specific freight tasks. It fosters innovation in vehicle design to improve productivity while achieving safer operation and making minimal impact on road infrastructure.

decades of experience in various fields of the road transport industry both locally and overseas.

Between 1995 and 2013 he was employed by the Queensland Transport Department and Transport and Main Roads as Principal Engineer, responsible for assessing new vehicle combinations, developing technical standards, policies and guidelines for vehicle use, access and management.

In his current position, Bruzsa provides engineering and technical leadership to the strategic development and improvement of the PBS Scheme and leading the development of NHVR engineering and technical standards related to heavy vehicle safety and productivity.

A PBS retrospective

The National Transport Commission (NTC) implemented the current PBS scheme in 2008. Now 12 years down the track, it is more than delivering on the opportunities that were foreshadowed at the outset to unlock productivity gains and improve safety outcomes. Indeed, it would appear the exponentially increasing success of the PBS scheme over the past decade is a clear testament to the freight industry’s desire to innovate and be smarter.

As the freight task continues to grow, PBS will be an essential tool in meeting this growth in the safest, most productive and efficient manner possible.

The Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association Institute (ARTSA-i) and the National heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) want to see further barriers removed that potentially limit this innovation to ensure future generations of PBS vehicles are safer, cleaner and even more productive.

To achieve that goal the current scheme framework needs to be continuously improved and hurdles to the use of PBS equipment need to be tackled to ensure Australia continues to lead the world in innovative regulation of heavy vehicles. When it comes to talking about PBS and the benefits it can deliver to the industry, none are more passionate than Les Bruzsa, Chief Engineer at the NHVR. Enter the Quadfather

As an Automotive Mechanical Engineer, his background includes over three

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PBS four-axle quad trailer, FTE split quad axle and Volvo FH16, PBS A-Double and Prime Mover.

SPECIAL REPORT

NALISTS Speaking about the current state of play with PBS, Bruzsa said a significant milestone was reached early this year with approval granted for the 10,000th PBS combination.

“That number has continued to grow significantly this year, reaching 11,350 at the end of October, and it’s very important to celebrate that achievement because it far surpasses original predictions when the Scheme was first implemented,” he said.

Bruzsa explained that when the fledgling PBS Scheme had its first review in 2009 the prediction was that there would be 12,000 PBS combinations registered by 2030.

Instead, that number is set to be reached some ten years earlier.

Has Covid-19 impacted PBS?

In addition to the higher than expected uptake over the last decade or so, Bruzsa also noted that the effects of Covid-19 and a weaker economy have not significantly lowered the PBS uptake this year. In fact, he states that yearon-year results comparing this year’s forecasted total with that of 2019 are surprisingly similar.

“I estimate that this year we will end up with a total of 1,600 to 1,650 combinations compared with around 1,700 last year,” he said. “This is no mean feat considering the whole country is in an economic downturn with around a 20 per cent drop in new truck registrations.

“The fact that the PBS uptake rate is still increasing, rather than reducing in line with the drop in new vehicle registrations, shows that the industry is supporting PBS and selecting these PBS vehicle options when available.”

Expanding further, Bruzsa said over the past three years around 20 per cent of the total new heavy vehicle market has been PBS approved which he describes as very good market penetration.

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ERH operates split quad-axle semi-trailer fridge vans with 28-pallet cargo capacity. A tri-axle group at the rear is complemented by a single self-steerable axle located forward of the tri.

Innovative combinations have their perks

“What’s also interesting is that the median age of PBS vehicles is 4.3 years compared with 11 years for prime movers – and around 13 years, for rigid trucks and trailers.

“What this means,” he elaborated, “is that the PBS fleet is fitted with superior safety technologies and designed to higher level technical standards.”

This observation aligns with data garnered by the NTC which suggests a 46 per cent reduced crash rate can be attributed to the use of PBS-approved heavy vehicles.

The split between the four PBS levels (L1, L2, L3 and L4) of different PBS combinations is also a point of interest.

“L1 accounts for 16 per cent while 42 per cent is L2 and 35 per cent has dual

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L1 and L2 approval, the latter being vehicles approved for two different levels,” Bruzsa explained. “Adding these figures together means that around 93 per cent of the PBS fleet are the shorter combinations in the general access vehicle and B-double classes, with 56 per cent coming in under 20m overall length and largely comprising truck and four-axle dog combinations.”

He added that this should allay any fears that some road managers may have had that PBS would be responsible for putting ‘monster’ trucks on the road.

Of the common criticisms of the PBS Scheme, excessive time taken to grant approvals has been arguably the most prevalent. However, Les is adamant that big strides have been made in this area, particularly over the last three years, and will continue to be made moving forward.

“We have made a lot of internal process changes and improvements to help make the approval process more efficient. In terms of the design and vehicle approvals, we are monitoring our response times to ensure expediency,” Bruzsa said. “We have also introduced the PBS pre-advised design approval process.

SPECIAL REPORT

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Chief Engineer, Les Bruzsa.

“For instance, more than 70 per cent of the PBS design applications are now handled under the pre-advised process which means that the NHVR is able to approve the combinations for these specific designs within two to three business days.”

Bruzsa said this is a huge improvement compared with just a few years ago when this same approval process took 20 to 25 business days.

“I think the industry really appreciates this process improvement and is generally trusting the NHVR to be responsive and to deliver reliable and quick services to the industry,” he said.

In sum, from the comprehensive rundown Bruzsa provides, it appears

that trucking operators and the NHVR are working more co-operatively than ever before to achieve the best PBS outcomes.

It seems that the industry has recognised that selecting pre-advised designs is a surefire way to ensure a speedy approvals process which, in turn, enables operators to get the most productive combinations quickly on the road and earning them better profits.

A PBS B-quad combination.

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WORLD EVENTS

AGROTECH 2021 FAIR 12-14 MARCH 2021 Poland Agrotech at Targi Kielce is the largest agricultural technology exhibition in Poland. The International Agricultural Technology Fair is also the largest exhibition in the country among all industries. The numbers speak for themselves: record area in 2019 - over 66,000 square metres and over 75,000 visitors. A comprehensive, international exhibition and over 750 exhibitors from 21 countries of the world is another advantage of the Agrotech fair in Kielce according to Grzegorz Figarski, Project Director.

TRANSPORT SCANDINAVIA 2021

15-17 APRIL 2021

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

www.targikielce.pl/en/agrotech

www.transport-messen.dk

INTERMODAL ASIA

BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW 2021

16-18 MARCH 2021 Shanghai, China The Intermodal Asia exhibition and conference will bring together the leading international decision-makers from over 90 different countries, from all areas of container transport and logistics, making it the most important industry annual meeting point in Asia according to the event organisers. www.intermodal-asia.com

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13-16 MAY

Brisbane, Australia The Brisbane Truck Show is staged by Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), the national association representing and advancing the interests of manufacturers and suppliers of heavy vehicles and their components, equipment and technology.

With a proud history dating back to 1968, the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show will be the sixth to be held at the world-class Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. www.brisbanetruckshow.com.au

KEEP A LOOK OUT Elmia Lastbil 19-22 August 2020 Jönköping, Sweden www.elmia.se/en/lastbil

TRANSPORT LOGISTIC 2021

InnoTrans 2020 22-25 September Berlin, Germany www.innotrans.com

4-7 MAY 2021

Messe München Munich, Germany One of the leading transport and logistics events in Germany, Munich’s aptly named Transport Logistic show saw more than 2,374 exhibitors and some 64,000 from 125 visitors from 125 countries and regions in 2019. www.transportlogistic.de

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

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M E GATR E N D S

FUTURE SIGHT DRIVER MONITORING SYSTEMS ARE PART OF A SUITE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE TRANSFORMING THE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY OF ROAD TRANSPORT FLEETS WORLDWIDE.

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omputer vision technology is currently being used to augment the heavy vehicle operator’s driving experience. When Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms combine with embedded processing and optics, you get state-of-the-art and reliable methods of flagging accident risks thereby improving safety for all road users via driver monitoring systems.

One such company that has made considerable investments in this space is Seeing Machines. The firm, based in the Australian Capital Territory, has seen its in-cab innovations transform business operations across Europe, the US and around the world.

An Australian linehaul carrier, Hi Trans Express, installed Guardian fatigue management tech from Seeing Machines across its entire fleet in 2020, following a six-week trial in which 13 heavy vehicles were used as a test bed.

Hi-Trans Express Managing Director, Tony Mellick, said the trial demonstrated this technology will save lives and improve the health and wellbeing of his drivers.

Furthermore, the investment was ‘tangible proof ’ of the company’s ongoing commitment to providing the best possible work environment.

With these systems in action, Seeing Machines’ national operations centre can help the fleet manage fatigue and distraction events to prevent incidents across the fleet.

This safety culture is prevalent across Australia and is also making a difference in other regions thanks to proactive real-time management processes.

Seeing Machines CEO, Paul McGlone, said his teams are working with some of the biggest brands in automotive and aviation to secure long-term competitive positioning across each transport sector.

“Our focus remains on meeting the expectations of our customers and delivering on current programs, while responding to a growing number of opportunities

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in automotive, fleet and aviation.”

McGlone is adamant that these driver monitoring systems are becoming increasingly integral to improved safety on roads and there is a growing recognition for its ability to improve efficiencies in other transport sectors.

Taking these advancements further, Seeing Machines signed an agreement with a global semiconductor firm late last year to licence its Occula Neural Processing Unit – a custom accelerator designed for integration with specific systems for the purpose of accelerating Seeing Machines’ software and to support ultra-low-power human face, eye and body tracking. This licensing agreement is reported to create additional pathways to automotive customers offering driver monitoring systems tech on a range of hardware. This is all part of the company’s Embedded Product Strategy for the automotive market which aims to target the rapidly expanding camera-based interior monitoring market. The heavy vehicle sector could also benefit from these developments. Ultimately, fatigue, distraction and rollover events are greatly reduced after installing systems such as Guardian. www.globaltrailermag.com

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

PERSE VERANCE D [Story & Interview by Sebastian Grote]

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

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

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

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

Tesla, which is largely dependent on the

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MIND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PEOPLE TO WATCH

THE

HUMAN

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

F

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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