TRAILER MAKERS NEWS * WORLDWIDE

* USA - "Trailer Output Report" - Tracks the annual production of the largest trailer manufacturers in North America

New York,NY,USA -Trailer/Body Builders' -13 May 2011:    -- The annual report, obtained by interviewing key managers of each company, is a conducted annually by Trailer/Body Builders. It lists the production of individual manufacturers-including the number of truck trailers, containers, and container chassis that were produced during the year. Last year's results are of greatest interest to most people, but the TRAILER OUTPUT report also has data going back to 1998...  

1 - Wabash National Corporation: 24,822: Dry-freight vans: 19,878 - Refrigerated vans: 3,859 - Platforms: 993 - Dump and Specialty Trailers: 92

2 - Utility Trailer Manufacturing: 23,253: Refrigerated vans: 13,770 - Dry-freight vans: 8,818

Platforms and curtainsiders: 665

3 - Great Dane Limited Partnership: 21,000

4 - Hyundai Translead:  7,630 - Dry-freight vans 6,756 - Refrigerated vans: 874

5  - Stoughton Trailers: 5,378

* USA - Retailer Calls for Uniform Chassis Solution. Lowe’s director says shipper will ask to opt out without simple model

Washington,DC,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online -May 11, 2011: -- A major retail shipper says ocean carriers have not stopped providing chassis for imported container moves despite widespread shipping company announcements and that he’ll try to opt out of any changes without a broad, industry-wide to changes in the future... The concerns over chassis service for imported container moves have been growing as more carriers have announced they will stop providing the equipment for truck drayage movements. Carriers traditionally have provided chassis to shippers in the United States and built the cost into inbound rates...   Maersk Line formed a separate division, Direct ChassisLink, and some intermodal and drayage have announced services at some ports. But there has been no uniform new model for providing chassis at port terminals and that is raising questions over the availability of necessary equipment heading into this year’s peak season...  Rather interesting that major shippers want to deal with each ocean carrier one on one, no colusion or discussion between carriers - except where it may benefit them for the carriers to discuss and come up with a single approach...

* Poland - Kögel receives large Polish order

Krakowska,Poland -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -5 May 2011:  -- Polish transport company Elmar has ordered 100 Kögel semi-trailers. The vehicles will be delivered in July 2011. Elmar, a specialist in international transport, is a loyal Kögel client and employs 500 persons...

* USA - High-lift steering axle suspension extends tire, trailer life: Titan Trailers

Frankfort,KS,USA -Fleet Owner -May 12, 2011: -- ParaMax, a high-lift suspension system available on all Titan trailers, is said to offer a more comfortable ride and extend tire and trailer life for haulers operating on rough roads and off-road... The ParaMax high-lift steering axle system, designed by Titan Trailers, is rated to 25,000 lbs. with steer angles at 30 deg. It is designed to provide high-lift capabilities of up to 10.5 in. and 13.5 in. of the total axle travel capability, Titan said... The design also allows the left side and right side to adjust independently to relieve stress on the axle and suspension... (Image from mjtrailers: Titan classic)

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...

TRAILER MAKERS WORLDWIDE * UK - Andover Trailers reveals 152-tonne unit

Andover Trailers' largest trailer in 26 years

Andover,Hampshire,UK -Transport Engineer (UK), by John Chaleen -5 April 2011: ...  Measuring 16.7m by 4m and with a gross weight capacity of 152 tonnes, the four- axle step frame, with beavertail, will be used by international energy company Eesti Energia to transport mining machines across an expansive oil shale mine in Narva, Estonia...  Operating with a heavy-duty 600bhp 8x8 Mercedes-Benz Actros Titan tractor unit, and reinforced with steel plating on the ramps and deck, it this trailer is custom-built to carry loads of up to 120 tonnes...  The 32-wheel trailer features a sophisticated load-compensating rocker-beam suspension system and was chosen from among several offered by competitors across Europe...   The 32-tonne frame is fitted with four sets of SAF walking beam bogies, each attached to two swing axles rated at 15 tonnes apiece, and mounted through four Andover-designed pivoting suspension beams...  These give load compensation between each bogie, preventing wheels from lifting while traversing slopes and uneven ground...

* USA - Gordon Trucking to install 2,000 additional side skirts

Pacific, WASH,USA -Fleet Owner -8 April 2011:  --  Gordon Trucking Inc. will install 2,000 additional sets of Aeroflex trailer side skirts on its trailers, joining nearly 2,200 trailers already outfitted... Gordon, which runs 1,700 power units, began installing the side skirts on its trailers several years ago. With a diesel benchmark price of $3.80/gal., GTI will save approximately $2.2 million a year in fuel costs with the devices. If the fleet were completely outfitted, that number would rise to about $4.5 million per year, while saving more than 13,000 tons of CO2 annually...  Altrichter said Gordon expects a 10-year lifecycle for skirts, which the company began investigating seven years ago...  (Photo from farm3.static.flickr: A Gordon Trucking Inc's truck on I 80)

TRAILER MAKERS * France - Fruehauf's new tippers

France -Truck & Business, by P. A. -28 March 2011: -- Fruehauf, towed vehicle manufacturer, is launching its new tipper OptiSteel ® and Optimum ® for the supply of sites and the need for maximum payload. With this offer, Fruehauf, moved the market a range of skips excessively broad and comprehensive... Another novelty of the ExpressLine Fruehauf van is the first certified "PIEK"in France. The standard "PIEK"is required by supermarkets for supplies quieter... (Photo from fruehauf: Fond Mult Loader P2)

* Europe - The demand for material hauled regain a normal level in 2013

Brusels,Belgium -Truck & Business, by Claude Yvens -16 March 2011: -- According to Gary Beecroft, the total number of towed equipment fell for the first time in history following the crisis, and should iron the milestone of two million units that 2014. It also confirms that the products are standardized (tarpaulin, vans, container chassis) which have suffered most from the crisis, while more specialized products more resistant. The trailers have also fallen far more than conventional or tandem trailer ... According to Gary Beecroft (CLEAR Consulting), the demand for material hauled only recover a normal level until 2013. After falling 52% in 2008/2009, the market grew by only 10.6% in 2010, pulled up by Germany and the United Kingdom, but down by France and Belgium in particular. The best prospects are for 2011 and 2012, which is expected to reach 175,000 units per year to Western Europe in 2013...

* USA - Orders for tanker trailers filling up

Louisville,KY,USA -Fleet Owner, by Sean Kilcarr -Apr 5, 2011: -- If a bill to increase Interstate weight limits passes, orders for tanker trailers – both liquid and dry bulk – could explode as fleets adjust, according to Theodore “Ted” Fick, president and CEO of tanker trailer manufacturer Polar Corp. Even without passage of the bill, tanker orders are on the upswing, largely due to fleets replacing older units... He noted that tanker trailer orders are already on a big upswing and are likely to remain strong through 2012... According to Polar’s numbers, tanker trailer sales fell from 8,800 units a year in the U.S. to 3,600 by 2009 due in large part to the global economic recession. Yet sales recovered to 5,400 units in 2010 and are projected to jump another 34 to 35% to 7,800 this year, climbing to 8,400 by 2012...

TRAILER MAKERS * UK - Revolutionary Luton body set for Iconic truck status

Halesowen,West Midlands,UK -Transport Engineer, by John Challen -30 March 2011: -- Bevan Group has launched a Luton body for 3.5-tonne vehicles that offers a market-leading payload of more than 1,200kg and improved fuel economy...  Dubbed the Icon, it will debut at the CV Show, on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis cab...  The body incorporates a rear frame that allows for the fitment of conventional hinged rear doors or lightweight shutters. Also, a wind diffuser can be fitted at the back of the vehicle to further improve aerodynamic efficiency...  Other options allow for the installation of load restraints, reversing cameras and Restfall 'working at height' safety equipment...  In addition to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Icon is already compatible with VW's Crafter and Bevan says it will be adapted for other vehicle models, including the Ford Transit...  (Image: Revolutionary Luton body set for Iconic truck status)

TRAILER MAKERS * WORLDWIDE

* UK - City Link buys its first Teardrop trailers

Kingston,Milton Keynes,UK -Road Transport, by Christopher Walton -17 March 2011: -- City Link has taken delivery of its first Teardrop trailers. The parcels giant will use the 15 aerodynamic trailers, supplied by manufacturer Don-Bur, on its overnight trunking fleet...  Fleet manager Paul Hehir says: "The Teardrop trailers are ergonomically designed to reduce drag, which leads to greater fuel efficiency, and we plan to test them in every way possible across the country" ...  Don Bur says it looks forward to supplying more Teardrops to City Link... (Picture from warehousenews: City Link safety steps)

* USA - Wabash National adding 200 jobs at Indiana plant

Lafayette,IND,USA -The Associated Press -21 March 2011:  --  Trailer manufacturer Wabash National Corp. is adding 200 new jobs at its north-central Indiana plant to support a new contract to build bulk storage fluid tankers for another Indiana company...  Wabash National says it will invest $2.5 million in upgrades and equipment at its plant on Lafayette's south side and hire 100 new employees before the end of the year. The remaining 100 new workers would be hired sometime after 2011...  The Journal and Courier reports that Wabash National has landed a five-year contract with Sabre Manufacturing of Knox, Ind., to make at least 2,500 bulk fluid storage tankers used mostly in the oil and natural gas industry...  The company says the deal with Sabre is part of Wabash's return from a recession that hit the semitrailer industry hard...   (Image from alibaba: Wabash Reefer Trailer)

TRAILER MAKERS * UK - Euro-6 engines reduce appeal of 7.5 tonners

On top of this, speed restrictions introduced in January 2008 mean all new 7.5-tonners are restricted to 56mph

Broadheath,Altrincham,Cheshire,UK -Road Transport, by Kevin Swallow -14 March 2011:  --  Body and trailer manufacturer Cartwright Group says operators are looking at smaller vehicles as alternatives to 7.5-tonners because heavier Euro-6 engines will reduce payloads...  Truck manufacturers need SCR and EGR to meet the Euro-6 engine emission standards, which become mandatory on 31 December 2013, and the additional weight will reduce the body/payload potential for 7.5-tonne trucks...  Cartwright Group, which has always produced a lot of 7.5-tonne vehicles, has just launched its Cheetah Cub body with a ramp/door design...  Cartwright says the 7.5-tonne sector, one of the biggest selling weight categories in the UK, also has other issues. Only people who passed their driving test before 1 October 1997 can drive one on a regular car licence...

* UK - Whole Vehicle Type Approval could wipe out 90% of UK bodybuilders

London,EN,UK -Road Transport, by Will Shiers -15 March 2011:  --  The UK bodybuilding industry is on the verge of a massive cull, as a direct result of the introduction of Whole Vehicle Type Approval legislation...  "If there are 1,500 UK bodybuilders now, then in 10 years' time this total could be down to as little as 150," warns Robin Dickeson, the SMMT's manager of commercial vehicle affairs...  In the past only the chassis and the cab used to have to meet Type Approval, but European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (which is being gradually phased-in) dictates that the entire vehicle must now be approved...  As a result, all bodybuilders will need to keep thorough records to show that they have operated within the law...

Double-Deck Trailers * UK - Save DHL money on Mothercare contract

DHL has put four double-deck trailers on its Mothercare contract, increasing capacity by 69% and saving more than £113,000 over five years

London,EN,UK -Road Transport, by Kevin Swallow -17 February 2011:  ... The four Don-Bur-built double-deck trailers, which have aerodynamic sloping roofs, can carry 44 pallets compared with 26 pallets on a traditional 13.6m single-deck trailer... DHL trialled the double-deck trailers over six weeks and found it could deliver more using fewer vehicles, saving £22,600 a year and cutting fleet emissions by 120 tonnes... David Weller, head of UK supply chain at Mothercare, is excited about the new trailers. "DHL and Don-Bur have worked together, pooling their expertise, to give us a first-class solution that uses state-of-the-art technology. The new trailers will enable us to consolidate our deliveries and run fewer miles demonstrating our on-going commitment to efficiency and reducing carbon footprint" ... John Boulter, DHL Supply Chain (non-food) MD, says the double-deck trailer is a unique vehicle and a great example of DHL working in partnership with its customers and suppliers to deliver technical innovation and reducing cost and carbon emissions... (Picture from apc-overnight: Double decker trailer)

TRAILER MAKERS NEWS * Europe

* UK - One Call Hire chooses Andover

Enfield,Middlesex,UK -HGV UK: -February 9, 2011  --  Construction and civil engineering plant hire company One Call Hire has specified bespoke plant bodies from Andover Trailers for its five latest 32 tonne rigid trucks...  The 8.9 m-long LPBB 32 plant bodies have been mounted to identical Volvo FM410 P8 8×2 rear-steer chassis cabs, which join a fleet totalling 18 commercial vehicles, 12 of which already feature bodywork manufactured by Andover Trailers...  The vehicles will be used to perform up to eight deliveries a day, five days a week, covering up to 80,000 km a year. They will transport equipment including excavators, dumpers, tracked dumpers, telehandlers, rollers and vibrating rollers to customers all over the UK...

* UK - Wincanton chooses Don-bur greener trailers for Wavin Fleet

Chippenham,Wiltshire,UK -Transport Engineer, by Brian Tinham -8 Feb 2011: -- Logistics giant Wincanton has purchased 11 new aerodynamic high-cube trailers for its Wavin contract, because of their fuel efficiency and ability to reduce CO2 emissions... The bespoke 13.7m long, tri-axle step-frames sport the Don-Bur EcoStream curved front roof section, proven to reduce drag and hence fuel consumption... Seven central support pillars, running down the length of the trailer, have been engineered to accept 12 moveable, cantilever arm racks, that can be positioned at any height. These, he says, not only provide the flexibility to forklift-load a wide variety of differing radius pipework, but also result in a higher percentage load-fill and lower delivery miles... If required, the padded-top arms can be stowed on the trailers in a specially built storage box located on the nearside at the rear...

* Belgium - Collaboration Stokota- Koks for Special Products

Brussels,Belgium -Truck & Business, by Michel Buckinx -8 Feb 2011: -- Buck Stokota Belgian manufacturer, specializing in tanks, trailers and semi-trailers for the transport of hazardous liquids, has entered into an agreement with the Dutch Special Products Koks, specialist cleaning techniques and vehicles for industry and government . He assigned as his Stokota single dealer for Belgium, France and Poland. Conversely, Koks Stokota certified as the only service center in the Netherlands for the fuel tanks / LPG, trailers and semi-trailers...

TRAILER MAKERS * Europe - Germany's Kögel delivers its first LongPlex

Burtenbach,Germany -Truck Europe (Belgium), by Michel Buckinx -24 Jan 2011: -- Trailer manufacturer Kögel has delivered its first LongPlex semi-trailer. This is capable of carrying two C745 boxes. This semi-trailer can be extended by 1.3 m at the rear to achieve the length required to transport these boxes. According to the manufacturer, this solution enables transport costs to be reduced, along with CO2 emissions, and transport efficiency to be improved. The LongPlex is particularly suited to combined transport...

TRAILER MAKERS WORLDWIDE * Canada - Bison set to receive 200 heated trailers for LCV operation

Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada -Truck News -Jan 4, 2011: -- Bison Transport's order of 200 new 53-ft heated trailers is set to arrive early this month. The addition of these new units will be added to Bison's existing 3,000-plus fleet of dry, heated, refrigerated and multi-temp trailers. In addition to the new trailers, Bison will also be replacing about 300 of its tractors this year in an effort to improve fuel efficiency and green its fleet, the company announced...  "We've seen an increasing demand across our network for temperature-controlled trailer equipment, and the addition of 200 heated trailers will ensure we are well positioned to serve our customer's needs today and in the future," said Bison president and CEO Don Streuber. "The tractor acquisitions are an upgrading of our existing company tractor fleet and the best example of over-the-road environmental responsibility in the market today. We remain committed to doing what is right in all facets of our business. This includes how we treat our people, how we serve our customers, our approach to safety, and our responsibility to environmental sustainability..." (Photo from t0.gstatic:  A “Active by nature” mural on this Bison Transport trailer)

* Belgium - All figures towed equipment market in 2010

Brussels,Belgium -Truck & Business, by Claude Yvens -7 Jan 2011: -- Registrations of semi-trailers fell 3.64% in 2010 compared to 2009. The market is therefore remained at a very low level after its fall from 52.2% last year. An upswing in registrations, however, has shown from the end of summer, but has not yet allowed to return to a market growth year over year...  They are always two Belgian brands that dominate the ranking, defeating Van Hool this time lag had known it is true that 2009 unique (in terms of market share that is). Van Hool offered even a touch over 15% market share. Behind the two leaders, there is the return of two of the three "great Germans', as Schmitz Cargobull and Krone back to pretty much market share they owned before the crisis began. Kögel, by cons, put a little more time to regain his rank, but still progressing in terms of registrations..

* UK - Gray & Adams is first with EC type approval for tri-axle and tandem trailers

Fraserburgh,Aberdeenshire,UK -Transport Engineer, by Brian Tinham -17 Jan 2011: -- Gray & Adams is claiming to be the first UK trailer manufacturer to have EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval for tri-axle and tandem axle trailer models...   The approvals cover both refrigerated and dry freight variants, as well as Gray & Adams curtainsiders – meaning around 80% of the trailer manufacturer's current production... Type Approval does not become mandatory for trailers in the UK until October 2012, but Gray & Adams suggests that this development is proof of its commitment to product and legislative development... Rigid vehicle WVTA does not become mandatory until 2014 and Gray & Adams says it is confident that these trucks will also be approved in good time...

* Portugal - Trailer Seedlings in Belgium

Brussels,Belgium -Truck & Business, by Hendrik Despiegelaere -19 Jan 2011: -- Portuguese Galtrailer is one of the brands distributed by ATS NV in our country. This mark is specialized in the dumpsters, half-lowered and lowered."   Our dumpsters are distinguished primarily by their low weight yet robust construction for", says Galtrailer's Carlos Justino ."Thanks to the special steel and ingenious method of construction, we are able to combine these two important elements. Moreover, we can apply competitive prices. Our bins have also a specific form to accelerate the tipping of the load and improve safety. "

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