TRAILER MAKERS * Europe - East European trailer market on rebound

Brussels,Belgium -Fleet Owner, by Brian Straight -Apr 21, 2011: -- A new report suggests that the recovery in the East European trailer market is underway, with 28.1% growth in heavy trailer demand in 2010 alone.  Report prepared by the consulting firm Clear, is predicting 2011 growth to exceed 20%... In spite of that growth, though, four countries – Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, and Russia – all saw declines... The indications of growth are a positive sign for the market, which saw a 61% drop in 2009. That followed a drop of 11% in 2008. Clear is forecasting it will take until 2014 for the market to reach the levels it saw in 2006, which was just short of 90,000 units... Trailer demand grew rapidly following 2004 when many East European countries joined the European Union. Compound annual growth from 2002 to 2007 was 25.7% with more than 100,000 trailers in 2007... (Photo from roadtransport: Kögel is building trailers in Poland)

* UK - SDC Trailers launches skeletals for container market

Toomebridge,Co. Antrim,Northern Ireland,UK -Road Transport, by Kevin Swallow -28 April 2011: -- Body and trailer manufacturer SDC Trailers has launched two skeletal trailers for the container market... The manufacturer used Multimodel 2011 to exhibit a low-ride extendable trailer, capable of housing an independent generator and designed to carry ISO reefer containers. The trailer is one of 16 delivered to David Nestor Freight Service... The second skeletal trailer is a splitter container trailer designed to transport two 20ft boxes. It has a 24-tonne front section capacity and air-operated chassis lock pins... (Photo from sdctrailers: Blue Skeletal Trailer)

* Germany - Schmitz Cargobull and Dongfeng sign joint venture

Bahnhofstraße,Horstmar,Germany -Road Transport, by Kevin Swallow -22 April 2011: -- German trailer builder Schmitz Cargobull has signed a letter of intent with Chinese motor manufacturer Dongfeng to establish a joint venture to build semi-trailers in China... Schmitz Cargobull board member Andreas Schmitz says the company sees a great opportunity in the growing transport market of China...