Global Trailer September 2025

Executive

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For a company that has fully embraced the term ‘Enginuity’, an amalgamation of engineering and ingenuity, you come to expect some major developments in the elds of innovation, research and development.

Kässbohrer Deputy General Manager, Ahmet Yılmaz

THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIFYING

At Global Trailer, we love discussing new technologies and the latest innovations that will enhance or improve our lives.

is applies to sharing new and exciting developments that will impact the transportation industry, such as e-trucks.

e growth in popularity of electric trucks, or low-emission commercial vehicles, is resulting in a steady march towards a nondiesel-truck powered world.

In its 2025 global outlook, the International Energy Agency found that sales of medium and heavy-duty electric trucks grew for the third consecutive year in 2024, exceeding 90,000 worldwide. It found that year-on-year growth was almost 80 per cent, a massive reversal of the dwindling sales from 2018-2021.

e IEA said the growth was primarily due to sales in China – accounting for more than 80 per cent of all electric trucks sold globally in 2024.

e Chinese e-truck market more than doubled from 2023 to 2024.

e report also found that, in 2024, Europe had more than 10,000 electric trucks sold for the second year in a row.

In the ckle US market, the IEA report said the number of electric trucks sold in 2024 (over 1,700) was more than the cumulative number of electric trucks sold throughout the US between 2015 and 2022.

In Brazil almost 500 e-trucks were sold in 2024, while Canada had almost 2,000 sales for the second consecutive year. Japan, South Africa and ailand saw

their collective sales jump from 130 to almost 900 between 2023 and 2024, the report  found.

With lowering battery costs and government incentive schemes, lower total cost of ownership and increased safety, it is no wonder that electric truck sales and the range of heavy-duty e-vehicles on the market (450 models in China, 140 in the US) are rapidly growing.

Other reports have said North America’s e-truck market in 2023 was valued at $1.6 billion USD (€1.354 billion) and projected to grow at a staggering CAGR of 71.3 per cent from 2024-2032. Research also found that by 2030, ownership costs for battery e-trucks will be lower than for diesel trucks. Despite this, the US market still lags behind Europe’s electric truck market, which is estimated to be worth €1.493 billion in 2025 and grow by 57 per cent CAGR in 2030 (€14.3 billion).

Hindering US growth are reversals of California’s electric vehicle mandates and reports that transferring to e-trucks would increase transportation by up to 100 per cent, compared to using diesel trucks. Despite the contrary news, the growth of heavy-duty e-vehicles is not likely to decline any time soon, but could still prove problematic.

e future is electric, so have you got your ticket to ride?

CHAIRMAN

John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

CEO Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

INTERNATIONAL SALES

Ashley Blachford ashley.blachford@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Luke Applebee luke.applebee@primecreative.com.au

EDITOR

Paul Lancaster paul.lancaster@primecreative.com.au

HEAD OF DESIGN

Blake Storey

DESIGN

Laura Drinkwater

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER

Ben Sammartino ben.sammartino@primecreative.com.au

COVER Image: Kässbohrer.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL

ASIA PACIFIC

MALAYSIA

DHL and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) extended their partnership to accelerate FDI in Malaysia, with the signing of an MOU. Under this agreement, the four DHL divisions operating in Malaysia – Express, Supply Chain, Global Forwarding and eCommerce – will work closely with MIDA to strengthen the logistics and supply chain ecosystem.

The parties’ collaboration started in 2023, where they worked on a range of priority sectors, including electrical and electronics, pharmaceutical, digital economy, aerospace and chemicals.

In 2024, the DHL Global Connectedness Index ranked Malaysia third in Asia Pacific and 26th globally.

NEW ZEALAND

The New Zealand Government will conduct a comprehensive reform of the country’s land transport rules.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the government was progressing with the extensive review and reform programme to increase productivity and efficiency.

“The rules system is overly cumbersome to update and creates a substantial

administrative burden for New Zealand businesses trying their best to operate safely, legally and efficiently,” he said.

The heavy transport reforms include reviews of:

• Heavy vehicle driver licencing, weight thresholds and freight permitting.

• Reforms permitting requirements for 50MAX trucks.

• Restrictions on overweight and overdimension vehicle movements.

• Weight thresholds for Class 1 and 2 licences.

• Heavy and special vehicle driver licencing.

AUSTRALIA

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has opened a new, state-of-the-art contract logistics centre on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia.

The new site at Truganina, 22 kilometres west of the Melbourne CBD, doubles Hellmann’s warehouse capacity in the Melbourne metropolitan area and further expands its foothold in the Asia-Pacific market.

Hellmann offers comprehensive fullservice logistics solutions along the entire supply chain from a total of seven locations in Australia and New Zealand –

in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Auckland and Christchurch.

SINGAPORE

DHL Global Forwarding, the freight specialist arm of DHL Group, has announced three strategic leadership appointments in the Asia Pacific region.

Christopher Lim, currently Managing Director of DHL Global Forwarding Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei, will succeed Bruno Selmoni as Vice President and Head of Road Freight and Multimodal, DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific.

Praveen Gregory, currently Senior Vice President, Ocean Freight, DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific, will succeed Christopher Lim as Managing Director of DHL Global Forwarding Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Bjoern Schoon, currently Vice President, Global Business Development, Order Management Solutions (OMS) and Ocean Contract Management (OCM), DHL Global Forwarding, will succeed Praveen Gregory as Senior Vice President, Ocean Freight, DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific.

The three appointments were effective from 1 August 2025.

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AFRICA NEWS INTERNATIONAL

SOUTH AFRICA

Hamburg-based global logistics company, Fr. Meyer’s Sohn (FMS), has acquired South African freight forwarder GAC Laser International Logistics. The acquisition, which includes GAC Laser’s affiliated entities, marks a significant step in the company’s global expansion and particularly its strategic expansion into the African continent, which it sees as providing high-growth markets.

GAC Laser operates from key locations across South Africa, including Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), and will be known as Fr. Meyer’s Sohn South Africa.

MOROCCO

CEVA Logistics has renewed its North Africa transport services with aircraft

equipment manufacturer Safran for three years.

The agreement covers the renewal of transport services on behalf of the world’s second-largest aircraft equipment manufacturer for three years between Morocco and France, and also between Tunisia and France.

As part of this agreement, CEVA will collect aerospace components from Safran’s sites in Morocco and Tunisia and manage their daily transport to France. The inbound loads leaving France feed the Safran sites in Morocco and Tunisia.

EGYPT

Asek Company for Mining (Ascom) will purchase 90 per cent of the shares in Ostool Transport, in exchange for €11 million.

Ostool Transport is one Egypt’s largest

logistics providers, and that nation’s largest importer and supplier of coal. It serves clients across a variety of industries, with a special focus on the transport of raw materials, such as coal, petroleum coke, grain, and cement.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

LATIN AMERICA

ARGENTINA

Heil Trailer International has strengthened its relationship with leading Argentinian storage and transportation manufacturer, Bertotto Boglione SA.

Expanding its global reach, Heil Trailer has added Bertotto Boglione as its “new strategic partner in South America”, welcoming it to the EnTrans International family.

In June this year, the trailer manufacturer for liquid and dry bulk transport solutions, part of the EnTrans International group, announced it was entering into a franchise agreement with Bertotto Boglione.

Under that arrangement, Bertotto Boglione agreed manufacture and market Heil Trailer aluminium and stainless steel trailers for dry and liquid

materials in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

BRAZIL

Brazilian OEM, Librelato, celebrated the seventh anniversary of its replacement parts brand, Libreparts, in July. Libreparts was founded with a focus on immediate parts availability and basic installation services, earning the trust of transporters and fleet owners across Brazil.

Over the course of seven years, Libreparts has established itself as a national leader in the trailer parts market, with a network of 30 stores and eight service centres located at strategic locations throughout Brazil.

PERU

Maersk has opened a new cold chain

logistics hub in Olmos, northwest Peru, to boost fruit exports and strengthen cold chain infrastructure in the Lambayeque agricultural region. The region is a top contributor to Peru’s fruit exports, and the new 17,500-square-metre centre is designed to deliver speed and freshness from farm to port.

It is expected to see more than 10,000 tonnes of produce to pass through the facility in its first year of full operation.

ASIA

CHINA

ZF has opened a state-of-the-art Remanufacturing (REMAN) and Service Operations Centre in Shanghai.

The facility, in Lingang New City, marks a major milestone for ZF Aftermarket in China, with the centre’s goal to ensure faster response times and optimised customer service, where staff will work hand-in-hand with dealers, workshops, and fleets.

Conserving up to 90 per cent of raw materials in its reman’ operations, ZF sees the APAC region as a market within which it can become an automotive reman industry leader.

CHINA

CEVA Logistics has opened a new

4,300 square metre international road transport (TIR) centre in Alashankou, China, on the border with Kazakhstan.

It is CEVA’s first hub to consolidate inbound and outbound TIR road freight. An additional 1,000 square metres at the centre have been dedicated to dangerous goods handling.

Bordering Kazakhstan and served by highways that funnel into Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe, Alashankou offers bonded-zone incentives, fast customs clearance and duty-free storage.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

EUROPE

Kässbohrer

NETHERLANDS

German trailer OEM, Kässbohrer, is celebrating a major milestone after delivering the 410th mega huckepack curtainsider semi-trailer to Dutch logistics provider, Ewals Cargo Care.

Family-owned Ewals Cargo Care, based in Tegelen, the Netherlands, is a key player in European intermodal logistics with 80 per cent of its daily 3,000-plus loads transferred intermodally by rail and short sea routes.

With more than 4,700 trailers and operations across Europe, Ewals specialises in intermodal and general cargo transport.

The huckepack trailer is ideally suited for the transportation of goods via road and rail transport.

GERMANY

Trailer manufacturer, KRONE, and Platform Science, formerly Trimble Transport & Logistics, have entered a partnership to launch a fully integrated trailer telematics solution.

The new platform will provide transport and logistics companies with a single, one-stop-shop application for tractors and trailers.

The new platform is intended to significantly reduce workload and promote cost and time savings, with truck and trailer operators not needing to switch between different portals, nor be concerned with duplicate invoices, or additional hardware.

UK

Trailer builder, Fruehauf UK is embracing smart manufacturing with the introduction

of a new welding robot at its UK headquarters in Grantham.

The advanced Valk Welding robot is an upgrade in the company’s modernisation journey and underscores its commitment to innovation, efficiency and high-quality trailer production.

Fruehauf has introduced the robot welder to complement the skills of its workforce, rather than replace them, as it will undertake repetitive welding tasks, freeing up skilled operators to focus on more complex, craftsmanship-led areas of the trailer build.

The company’s management sees the combination of cutting-edge technology and engineering know-how as a perfect partnership for building more agile production processes that reinforce Fruehauf’s reputation for precision-built tipping trailers.

EUROPE

FINLAND

Finnish trailer manufacturer, Ekeri, is seeking to become majority owner of its competitor, Norwegian Bussbygg AS. Bussbygg is Norway’s largest manufacturer of cabinets for trucks and trailers and, since 1947, it has produced cabinets built in fibreglass, with fully moulded joints for the trucking industry, at its factory in Molde, on Norway’s western coast.

The investment by Ekeri is seen by both companies as a focus on growth, sustainability, and quality in the Scandinavian and European transport industries, particularly as both have maintained a path of expansion in their respective operations.

With Ekeri as majority owner, it would gain ownership in a company with strong roots in thermal products and a producer of a recognised quality product.

The acquisition is expected to be finalised in early September 2025.

SWEDEN

Swedish steel manufacturer, SSAB, secured an additional €430 million green financing for the upgrading of its mini mill in Luleå, north-eastern Sweden.

The refurbished mini mill project is the centrepiece of SSAB Europe’s goal to position itself as a maker of premium products while significantly lowering costs and CO2 emissions.

SSAB’s €4.5 billion investment in the new Luleå mini mill was announced in 2024.

In June this year, it announced a postponement of the state-of-theart mini mill’s commissioning due to deliveries of grid reinforcements.

POLAND

Wielton Defence Sp. z o.o, an arm of Wielton SA, signed a long-term agreement with Polish truck builder, Jelcz Sp. z o.o., to supply parts used for Polish military vehicles.

The framework cooperation agreement is valued at approximately €11.7 million (PLN 50 million) for 2025.

Wielton Defence specialises in the production of semi-trailers and specialised vehicles equipped with modern technologies.

Jelcz primarily operates in the design and production of trucks and the supply of specialised chassis for the Polish Armed Forces.

Under the open-ended agreement, Wielton Defence will manufacture, supply and assemble components to be used in the Jelcz trucks that are destined for use by the Polish military.

GERMANY

KRONE Trailer and the winkler Group will collaborate in the distribution of KRONE’s original spare parts.

The parties are seeking to make the distribution of original KRONE spare parts, including components such as underride protection systems, more customer-oriented and comprehensive. winkler is one of Europe’s leading wholesalers of commercial vehicle spare parts.

It has 1,700 employees at more than 40 locations and operates three of the largest central warehouses for commercial vehicle parts in Europe.

“The partnership with winkler is a logical step towards strategically expanding our spare parts distribution and significantly increasing the availability of our original parts on the market,” said KRONE Trailer Managing Director of Service, Ralf Faust.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

NORTH AMERICA

US

Trucking industry representatives are urging Congress to find immediate solutions to skyrocketing cargo theft.

According to the American Trucking Associations, strategic theft, cargo theft involving deception, fraud, cyber theft, and other tactics have risen 1,500 per cent since the first quarter of 2021, with the average value per theft being over $200,000 USD (~€172,000).

The Senate Judiciary Committee convened a hearing to investigate the proliferation of cargo theft, which is costing the supply chain up to $35 billion USD (~€30.2 billion) annually.

It is considering the impact of the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act, introduced as a bill in April 2025, which would establish a multi-agency taskforce

Strategic cargo theft in the US has skyrocketed over the past ve years. Image: Muratart/stock.adobe.com.

and equip law enforcement with new resources to tackle increased cargo theft across the US.

“Cargo theft will continue to metastasise unless Congress recognises the severity of the problem, law enforcement devotes sufficient time and resources, and the federal government takes a leading role in coordinating enforcement efforts,” said IMC Logistics’ Chief Strategy Officer, Donna Lemm.

US

The DHL Group appointed Mark Kunar, as CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America. Kunar was elevated from his previous role as that DHL division’s CFO and CSO. His appointed follwed the news that former CEO of that division, Patrick Kelleher, was appointed CEO of GXO Logistics.

Kunar joined DHL Supply Chain in 1996 as a Financial Analyst, advancing in senior roles. He played a pivotal role in the company’s recent acquisitions in the North American market, including Inmar Supply Chain Solutions, a leading returns solutions provider; CRYOPDP, a leading specialty pharma-courier; and IDS Fulfillment, an e-commerce provider.

US

Wisconsin-based Stoughton Trailers is the first trailer manufacturer to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) TOUGHGUARD award for an intermodal container chassis.

The award applies to Stoughton’s 53-ft (16.15 metre) intermodal container chassis built after April 2025.

The TOUGHGUARD award is presented to trailers that meet the most rigorous safety standards for rear underride protection in the event of a rear-end collision.

The family-owned company is a top 10 international supplier of semi-trailers and is one of North America’s largest chassis manufacturers.

It previously won the TOUGHGUARD award in 2017 for its dry van and refrigerated trailer product lines.

CANADA

Alberta-based Bowline Logistics Ltd. appointed industry expert, Delly McEwan, as its new CEO. He brings to the role more than 25 years’ experience in transportation, business development, and project execution across North America. His career includes founding NexGen Transportation, serving as its President for 13 years and also as an MD in the wind construction industry. His other senior roles include positions at Kuehne+Nagel, Bechtel, Bantrel and Air Liquide Global Energy Solutions

NORTH AMERICA

US

Tennessee-based B2B trailer logistics platform, REPOWR, has appointed a seasoned transport leader as its new CEO.

With more than 38 years’ experience in the transportation and technology sectors, and recognised as a trailblazer in the freight and transportation industry, Chris Hines brings to REPOWR a wealth of leadership and industry expertise, during a period of growth and innovation. Throughout his career, Hines has demonstrated strong ability to drive change, build successful businesses, and lead complex transformations.

His professional journey includes 17 years at GE Capital/TIP, the world’s largest trailer leasing business, where he honed his leadership skills as President and developed a deep understanding of transportation finance/leasing. He also spent five years as President/ COO of the Celadon Group.

Temperature-controlled transport perfectly effective.

PIONEERING

S PIRIT

GERMAN TRAILER OEM, KÄSSBOHRER, HAVING ALREADY PRODUCED 63 PATENTS IN THE PAST YEAR AND LAUNCHED 11 NEW VEHICLES THIS YEAR, AND WITH AN UNBROKEN INNOVATION AWARD RECORD SINCE 2017, PROVIDES EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO ITS NEW R&D CENTRE AND EUROPE’S FIRST TRAILER OEM-OWNED OUTDOOR TEST TRACK.

For a company that has fully embraced the philosophy of ‘Enginuity’, an amalgamation of engineering and ingenuity, it is not surprising to see major developments in the eld of innovation, research and development.

Kässbohrer Deputy General Manager Ahmet Yılmaz explained how ‘Enginuity’ at Kässbohrer - the perfect balance of engineering excellence and customer-driven ingenuity - is fully supported by Europe’s top capacity R&D infrastructure.

“Kässbohrer currently meets 96 per cent of road transport trailer types for the European market, thereby being capable of o ering one of the most diverse and adaptive portfolios,” said Yılmaz.

“ rough our continuous stand alone and collaborative R&D work bene tting from Europe’s top infrastructure and capability, we are expanding Europe’s most diverse trailer portfolio – engineered to deliver unmatched durability, extended lifespan, superior safety, and intuitive ease of use across every application.

“Enginuity re ects our ability to combine advanced technical expertise with a deep understanding of real-world operational needs to deliver smart, e ective solutions to complex transport challenges.”

e company’s R&D philosophy is guided by three core principles of sustainability, e ciency and a customer-centred approach.

Embracing these principles, Yilmaz said Kässbohrer seeks to prioritise environmentally responsible products and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) by optimising design, materials, and performance, while ensuring

The Kässbohrer test track is a crucial element of its R&D initiatives. Images: Kässbohrer.

its innovations deliver tangible bene ts to the customers.

“Our R&D strength goes far beyond technological development and patent generation,” he said.

Benefitting from €46 million spending over the past ve years into R&D operations, excluding infrastructure spending, Ahmet Yilmaz explained why R&D strength is so vital to Kässbohrer’s operations.

Innovative R&D focus

“ e pace of innovation has never been faster and technology adoption curve is steeper than ever,” said Yilmaz.

“Innovation cycles are shortening with technologies, while the transport sector is not immune to such transformative breakthroughs.”

Yilmaz referred to the World Economic Forum ndings that more than 70 per cent of new vehicles globally are expected to feature some level of autonomous driving by 2030.

“At Kässbohrer, we recognise that only companies with proactive, future-focused R&D strategies can lead in this evolving landscape,” he said.

“Our R&D processes are built to not only keep pace with technological disruption, but to de ne it.

“We pursue a multidimensional approach that includes long-standing customer partnerships, strategic OEM collaborations, and continuous investment in the expertise of our engineering teams.

“ is holistic model allows us to remain agile and responsive to evolving market needs, regulatory shi s, and future-oriented innovation agendas.”

With its laser-focused strategy to pioneer the future of trailer technology, Ahmet Yilmaz said Kässbohrer’s vision is to develop the highest quality solutions for sustainable and e cient transport.

is whole-hearted dedication to pursuing innovation through research and development is fully enabled by the multi-million Euro R&D Gebze centres and the Adapazarı Mega Campus. Coupled with these, there is Europe’s rst trailer OEMowned and operated outdoor trailer test track, inaugurated in collaboration with leading R&D company, IDIADA.

e R&D centres employ 194 highly quali ed engineers in the design, development, validation, analysis and testing functions, who lead end-to-end innovation for not only for Kässbohrer, but also for sister companies Talson and Van Eck.

Their work encompasses all aspects of design, from chassis and body engineering to material research and application, as well as process innovation and autonomous systems.

“Generating 63 patents in the past 12 months alone, the quali ed team has partnered with 23 universities and published 30 international peer-reviewed papers and whitepapers, spanning VECTO-based CO2 simulation, lightweight modular designs, and wireless remote-control applications, between 2021 and 2024,” said Ferhat Yiğit, Test and Prototype Manager, overseeing R&D activities across Kässbohrer, Talson, and Van Eck.

“We have invested a total of €14.2 million in our second R&D centre and Europe’s rst out-door test track, owned and operated by a trailer manufacturer,” he added. With the opening of the second R&D centre in Gebze, Turkey in 2023, the R&D

infrastructure serving Kässbohrer now operates across 22,000 square metres of advanced development space.

In an era when the transport industry and trailer manufacturers are seeking to reduce costs, while increasing e ciencies, Kässbohrer leverages Europe’s top capability and capacity test centres to ful l its vision and constantly deliver the most e cient and sustainable products to its customers.

“We are committed to constantly developing trailer technology in service of our customers and aligned with global technology trends,” said Ferhat Yiğit.

“We centralised our R&D activities in 2009 and have since continuously advanced product, component, material, and process innovation – while contributing to leading international projects.

“ e latest investments realised our goal to achieve the most advanced and diverse testing capabilities in Europe. In-house testing accelerates validation, reduces the product development cycle, and enables faster, more agile responses to evolving regulatory, technical and customer requirements.

“In early 2025, we inaugurated a state-of-the-art outdoor test track with 12 lanes, developed in collaboration with IDIADA – Europe’s leading testing and homologation partner.

“ e outdoor test track is the rst and only trailer OEM-owned and operated test track in Europe.

“ is facility enables complete in-house testing procedures that were previously conducted at various external European test centres, signi cantly accelerating our product development cycles and enhancing both e ciency and responsiveness.”

Yiğit highlighted that testing regimes conducted at the highest capability R&D centres prioritise durability and longevity, as well as providing ease of use and safety. e vehicle performance and longevity acceptance criteria are set at a minimum of one million kilometres of normal use, he said.

“Our vehicles undergo design, testing, and validation phases to operate at full performance in a wide variety of climatic and geographical conditions in more than 70 countries worldwide,” said Yiğit.

“ erefore, the vehicles, components and materials are tested and validated at temperatures between -70°C and +150°C, incorporating rain and water pressure, as well as real life road conditions.

“Our vehicles, materials, and components, veri ed through these simultaneous tests with the highest performance acceptance criteria, ensure our customers receive the highest return on their vehicle investments and maximise their long-term use, while optimising total cost of ownership.

“In corrosion resistance, our metallisation technology holds the European record – over 3,800 hours of salt spray testing with zero red rust.”

Advancing technology with stakeholders Ahmet Yılmaz highlights Kässbohrer’s continuing active role in EU Commission backed multinational and multi stakeholder consortiums.

“Having already laid the groundwork with longer heavier vehicles (LHVs) and aerodynamic e ciency standards with the Aero ex project, today, as the trailer partner of the ZEFES project, we’re co-developing integrated electric axle systems and battery enclosures designed for seamless integration into modular trailer architectures, ensuring performance, durability, and extended lifecycle,” said Yilmaz.

As part of ZEFES (Zero Emissions long-haul Freight Eco System), Kässbohrer, in collaboration with ZF, has manufactured two electri ed vehicles for two separate real-life use cases. e rst is an intermodal e-curtainsider trailer operated by Scania between Sweden and the Netherlands via both road and sea. e second is an electri ed 45’ container chassis for Volvo and DPD, designed for EMS1 combinations along the Eindhoven–Munich.

ose prototypes are undergoing scenario-based evaluations under real infrastructure and current regulatory conditions until Q2 2026.

When developing its innovations through R&D, Kässbohrer measures its successes by the lasting impact on the industry, where it not only advances product innovation, but also safety, regulatory standards, and operational e ciency across the transport industry.

Ferhat Yiğit said one of the company’s landmark innovations, through its R&D centres, was the development of the world’s rst remotecontrolled autonomous bitumen tanker, created in collaboration with Hoyer.

“ is ground breaking project marked the rst major advancement in bitumen transportation in over 60 years,” he said.

Yiğit added that its research endeavours also lead to its award-winning octagonal central beam extendable container chassis successfully resolving a 30-year torsional issue, and setting a new engineering benchmark for structural integrity.

In addition to nding innovative solutions,

Kässbohrer has an equally strong commitment to shaping industry standards.

“During the development of our awardwinning 45’ coil swap body, the advanced testing methods were later incorporated into IRS 50592 as mandatory testing protocols. ese changes improved the safety standards for all swap bodies across Europe,” Yiğit said.

ere have also been broader e orts to build a smarter transport future through intelligent trailer systems.

“Our award-winning K-ADAS system, enhanced safety tipping silos, and developments in autonomous non-tipping silo discharge technologies exemplify our forward-looking strategy to support a fully automated logistics chain,” said Yiğit.

e result of these e orts has been its engineering team and the R&D centres delivering 10 trailer innovation awards since 2017 for Kässbohrer, Talson and Van Eck.

“Out of those 10, Kässbohrer has been recognised with seven international innovation awards spanning multiple categories, including body, chassis, components, safety, and smart systems,” said Yiğit.

“Four of these awarded solutions are already in use in our customers’ eets, proving both our foresight and execution capabilities.”

Its R&D e orts have also delivered improvements to existing products, such as its low-bed product series incorporating three patented technologies to improve load security and stability.

“In our next generation curtainsider vehicles, we present 12 patent-approved and seven utility model innovations that ease loading, reduce wear, and extend product lifespan,” said Yiğit.

Its full-hearted approach to innovation is not limited to headline technologies, but extends to lightweight engineering with its silo series including the lightest vehicles in Europe.

“Our 40-45’ xed container chassis is the lightest in its class, delivering fuel savings even when empty and our standard two-axle tipper model carries one additional tonne, thanks to re ned engineering,” said Yiğit.

Its next-generation reefer has also set a new benchmark in thermal performance with a K-value of just 0.31 – the lowest among standard trailers in the industry.

2025 launches

Since the beginning of 2025, Kässbohrer has launched 11 new vehicles across its widest product range, showcasing its R&D innovations and production capabilities that are meeting the evolving transport challenges across Europe.

“ e development of these vehicles begins with customer feedback. Upon these request our competent engineering team follow through our development cycle starting from digital design and test, real world data driven physical test and nished with one million km durability, longevity, safety and performance validation,” said Yiğit.

Across the European market, the SLS HS xed lowbed trailer introduces a hydraulic gooseneck ramp, enhancing loading e ciency for small forkli s and compact equipment. Its commercial vehicle carrier SOK LG, now VDI 2700-certi ed, ensures safe and compliant commercial vehicle transportation with standardised load securing.

In Spain, the SKA 24 aluminium tipper’s features optimise the transport of metal powders by improving durability, unloading speed, and cleanability.

Also serving Spain, as well as Scandinavia, the SSL 35 non-tipping silos operates in an A Double-type LHV con guration, increasing logistics exibility, minimising idle time, and o ering one of the most e ective CO2-reduction systems on the market.

Meanwhile, for Scandinavia, the STC 34 chemical tanker integrates four compartments and a 34,000-litre capacity, designed for optimal load distribution and high operational resilience in demanding transport environments.

In the Netherlands, the SSL 45 non-tipping silo, with three compartments and a

“WE ARE COMMITTED TO ADVANCING THE FUTURE OF TRAILER TECHNOLOGY THROUGH OUR MULTIDIMENSIONAL R&D APPROACH—COMBINING SUSTAINABILITY AND REAL-WORLD OPERABILITY. WE MEET THE DEMANDS OF TOMORROW’S LOGISTICS LANDSCAPE, WHILE DELIVERING MEASURABLE BUSINESS ADVANTAGES TO OUR CUSTOMERS.”

KÄSSBOHRER DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER AHMET YILMAZ

45,000-litre capacity, incorporates axles rated for 10-tonne loads, aligning with national axle weight standards without compromising capacity.

In Germany, the STS 32 bitumen tanker sets a new benchmark in its segment with electric heating, remote-controlled discharge, integrated zero emission power generation, and outlet heating systems.

is all facilitates precise and e cient handling of bitumen and derivatives at temperatures up to 250°C, resulting in the STS 32 standing as the most technologically advanced vehicle in its class.

In the UK, the SKS 32 steel tipper and SSL 35 non-tipping silo are optimised with 8,000mm-plus wheelbases, ensuring stable axle load distribution and supporting 14/24-tonne payloads.

e STB 45 fuel tanker, a 45,000-litre, six-compartment unit with a cylindrical crosssection, o ers a lower centre of gravity and lighter weight than traditional elliptical models, rede ning safety and performance standards in fuel transport.

ese 11 product developments are not only tailored to regional logistics ecosystems, but also serve as scalable, technically robust products driven by the industry-leading R&D infrastructure.

Manufacturing network and sustainability

Kässbohrer understands that sustainability can never be a stranger to innovation or R&D. e company pursues a two-fold environmental strategy - sustainability of manufacturing and sustainability of its products.

Kässbohrer operates a network of production and operational centres at Goch and Ulm in Germany, Blonie in Poland, as well as headquarters in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France and UK, delivering real-world value to customers across more than 70 countries.

e biggest production plant serving Kässbohrer - the appropriately named Mega Campus, with more than €60 million invested over the past ve years excluding R&D, is a strategic innovation hub where sustainable manufacturing and engineering and operational excellence converge.

e Mega Campus stands out as Europe’s most integrated trailer manufacturing facility - the only site in Europe where general cargo, liquid and solid hazardous material and heavy-duty and intermodal vehicles are produced under one roof.

Spanning a total of 400,000m², the campus features 81 advanced production technologies and embodies Kässbohrer’s commitment to lean manufacturing and Industry 4.0 principles.

Unique in the European trailer industry, it is the only facility where metallisation and cathodic dip coating (KTL) are integrated in a single continuous production ow, delivering unmatched corrosion protection and long-lasting durability for vehicles used in harsh operating environments.

e Adapazarı Mega Campus also houses Europe’s highest-capacity low-bed production facility, optimised through RFID-based traceability systems, automated crane logistics, and fully robotic surface treatment and painting lines.

General cargo vehicle assembly also bene ts from robotic welding and automated surface treatment and nishing at the Mega Campus, reducing variability and ensuring repeatable high-quality output.

Since 2021, Kässbohrer has actively tracked carbon emissions and its €9.6 million roo op solar power plant, commissioned in 2023, generates 92 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources.

is initiative alone contributes to a projected 42 per cent CO2 emissions reduction in scope 1 & 2 and, in 2024, a 30 per cent reduction was o cially recorded under ISO 14064 standards.

Certi ed as a zero-waste facility, the Mega Campus, in 2024, recycled 2,254 tonnes of nonhazardous and 993 tonnes of hazardous waste. In addition, more than 73,447m³ of process and grey water has already been treated and safely discharged.

Future Outlook

Kässbohrer is maintaining a steady course through what it sees as a ‘complex landscape’, dogged by economic stagnation, global tari s, emission controls and weak capital expenditure.

Ahmet Yilmaz sees a “steady forward momentum through the end of the decade,” with issues, such as eet renewals, regulatory pressures and customer demand for more versatile and sustainable transport solutions, de ning industry priorities over the next ve to 10 years.

e company sees R&D initiatives as the only way to deliver on the solutions that will meet such challenges and, at the same time, deliver e ciency for customers.

“With our R&D and operational strategies we will continue to deliver the highest return and

future proof products and services in this shi ing market outlook,” said Yilmaz.

e hot-button issue of sustainability will continue as the primary driver of innovation, pushed by OEMs needing to implement decarbonisation innovations that align with EU carbon laws. ere is also the introduction of zero-emission zones across European cities and the evolution of the VECTO regulation pushing for cleaner trailer technologies.

“Kässbohrer is fully engaged in this transition. Our ongoing work on electri ed trailers through EU-supported projects, such as ZEFES, and our expanding range of intermodal and LHV solutions, directly contribute to lowering operational emissions while optimising payload and performance,” said Yilmaz.

Kässbohrer is also heavily engaged in intermodal solutions and modular LHVs to reduce carbon emission.

ese include the company’s award-winning 45’ coil swap body and octagonal central beam container chassis, part of Europe’s lightest swap body and xed container chassis range, as well as its LHV range that o ers increased operational e ciency, lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon footprints.

Although there are other industry challenges, including chronic driver shortages and high initial investments needed for electri ed and digitally equipped trailers, Kässbohrer still views this period as one of strategic reinvention.

“We are committed to advancing the future of trailer technology through our multi-dimensional R&D approach – combining sustainability and real-world operability,” said Yilmaz. is will be achieved by its product innovations in lightweight construction and fuel-saving trailer concepts.

“We are well-positioned to meet the demands of tomorrow’s logistics landscape while continuing to set new industry standards,” he said.

With such transformative changes faced by the transport industry, Kässbohrer’s priority is sustainably and e ectively addressing the needs of its customers.

“By fostering collaboration and maintaining agility across our expanding production and distribution network in Europe, we o er localised, practical solutions tailored to evolving needs,” said Yilmaz.

Kässbohrer also sees infrastructure as a critical future factor, such as the expansion of charging networks and availability of carbon-free electricity for widescale adoption of electri ed trailer systems.

“Looking ahead, collaboration among all stakeholders – industry, government, and customers – will be essential to ensure the zero-emission transition is not only ambitious but achievable,” Yilmaz said.

With a cautious eye to the future, the company looks to steady growth through R&D and meeting the needs of its customers in more than 70 countries.

“As the trailer industry continues to evolve, we remain focused on developing future-ready technologies and strengthening our presence across all segments of road transport,” said Yilmaz.

“Our highly skilled international teams enable us to maintain operational excellence and deliver value to our customers worldwide.”

Ahmet Yilmaz is also con dent that the company will deliver measurable business advantage to large eet operators and specialised small eets through its robust R&D processes.

“In the coming years, we will strengthen these partnerships by co-developing innovations that reduce carbon emissions, improve e ciency, and meet new regulatory standards,” he said.

He also sees it continuing its role in EU-funded projects and major consortia, while deepening ties with universities to advance the development of trailer technologies.

“From lightweight and intermodal designs to electri ed and smart trailer systems, we are helping shape a more sustainable and e cient transport future,” said Yilmaz.

“As the industry transforms under regulatory, technological, and environmental pressures, Kässbohrer remains focused on delivering value – through collaboration with all our stakeholders, starting with our customers, suppliers, EU and local level innovation projects, industry bodies and universities.”

As Europe continues to weather the economic and political winds of change, Kässbohrer’s vision is to meet all industry challenges head on and continue ‘together to the next 125 years.’

www.kaessbohrer.com

AWAKENING

GIANTS

ALTHOUGH DISPARATE IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND GEOGRAPHY, INDIA AND LATIN AMERICA APPEAR AS THE IDEAL PARTNERS IN TRADE. AFTER BEING NEGLECTED FOR DECADES, THE GOVERNMENTS AND MANUFACTURING SECTORS FROM THESE REGIONS ARE COMING TO APPRECIATE THE POTENTIAL OF THESE SLEEPING GIANTS.

India is regarded as a powerhouse economy, driven by its population and growing consumer and energy needs. Image: Ala/Stock.adobe.com.

Separated by thousands of kilometres, India and the Latin America (LATAM) region are coming closer together through trade associations, governmental diplomacy and an awareness that each region possesses vast resources to be tapped into –whether it be natural resources, human capital or burgeoning consumer power.

Trade potential between the regions is rapidly accelerating as India strengthens its role as a global manufacturing and export powerhouse, while Latin America continues to grow as a global provider of agriculture, energy and raw materials.

India

With a population of approximately 1.4 billion and a GDP of $4.27 trillion USD (~€4.054 trillion), India has rmly staked its place as a global economic powerhouse and the fastest growing major economy, supported by a growing middle class, huge consumer demands and a buoyant economy.

Expanding at an annual rate of up to eight per cent, India is regarded as the world’s fourth-largest economy, based on GDP, and the third largest by purchasing power parity.

India also boasts a Global Innovation Index of 39 with an available investor pool and funding of $560 billion USD (~€483 billion).

is rising global rating as has been due, in part, to the proactive work of various innovation agencies and incubators, such as the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Consequently, it is home to more than 160,000 start-ups, primarily in the IT, healthcare and life sciences, education, agriculture and construction sectors.

e most populous nation in the world is also making great advances in space-related industries, due to its heavy investments in its nascent space program, primarily through its ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).

According to the World Economic Forum, by 2040 India is planning to expand its space economy to be worth $44 billion USD (~€38 billion), as well as commanding eight per cent of the global space market by 2033.

With its beguiling mix of population, voracious consumer demands and a ourishing economy comes in uence and power that is attracting the attention of governments and multinational corporations across the Atlantic Ocean.

India’s logistics sector has been forecast to reach $380 billion USD (~€ 328 billion) in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 10-12 per cent, according to a report by the India Brand Equity Foundation.

In addition, its domestic consumption market grew by 7.5 per cent in 2024, according to the Asian Development Bank.

Cognisant of this data, CEVA Logistics has opened a new strategic Logistics Corporate O ce in Mumbai, designed to foster innovation and collaboration.

“India is a vital part of CEVA Logistics’ global strategy,” said CEVA’s Deputy CEO, Olivier Storch.

“Our robust presence here supports both domestic consumption and the ‘Made in India’ initiative. Our teams across India are well-equipped to provide tailored solutions for clients and drive pro table growth.”

e robust state of India’s domestic markets has made warehousing and ground transportation top regional priorities for CEVA, with its new Mumbai o ce serving as a central hub for its operations on the Indian subcontinent.

CEVA’s Managing Director of the India Subcontinent, Paras Rawal, said the last ve years had proven to be a transformative period for the company.

“Our expanded presence enables us to better serve both international and domestic clients,” said Rawal.

“As India continues its economic transformation, CEVA is committed to providing innovative supply chain solutions that enhance e ciency and reliability for businesses operating in this dynamic market.”

Another global logistics provider has also seen the value of committing resources and investments to the Indian subcontinent.

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has India rmly placed as part of its global growth strategy, driven by the nation’s dynamic and rapidly evolving logistics landscape. Hence, it is investing in creating strong local teams through its Hellmann Promise, which supports approximately 12,000 employees in their personal and professional development.

Accordingly, Hellmann India has embedded its global promise into everyday practice, strengthening a culture built on trust, purpose and performance.

“Our people are the driving force behind everything we do,” said Hellmann India Managing Director, Shubhendu Das.

Another sign of the importance of India in the global economics is Amazon’s announcement in June 2025 that it will invest more than $233 million USD (~€201 million) in 2025 to expand and upgrade its logistics infrastructure in India.

e S&P Global PMI, the manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, a surveybased economic indicator designed to provide a timely insight into changing business conditions in the goods-producing sector, consistently rates India highly.

A PMI reading over 50 indicates growth or expansion of the manufacturing sector of the country as compared to the previous month.

India is the only country out of 14 surveyed to consistently maintain a PMI gure of over 55 (average 57.4) every month from May 2024 to May 2025, with March and April 2025 hitting highs of 58.1 and 58.2 ratings. e global average was 49.9 for that period.

One area of steady and sustained growth is India’s commercial trailer market, which in 2023 was valued at about $1 billion USD (~€864 million).

It is projected to grow at a CAGR of between eight and 10 per cent by 2028, reaching a market size of $1.5 billion USD (~€1.3 billion), with the growth in fast moving consumer goods, steel and cement being contributing factors.

A leading Indian trailer manufacturer, VST coreB Trailers, has stated it manufactures 350 to 400 trailers per month for the Indian market.

India was estimated to export approximately 5,000-6,000 trailers in 2023, with its main markets focused on the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. By 2028, exports are predicted to reach 10,000-12,000 units annually, equivalent to a 12-15 per cent growth rate.

Moreover, by 2030, India is expected to become one of the top three trailer exporters in the world, competing with China and Eastern European countries.

VST coreB has said that in 2025 it is planning to establish itself on the global market, with a monthly production capacity of 1,300-1,400 trailers and targeting those core sectors.

Complementing India as the growth market is that of the extended Asia Paci c (APAC) region, which is expected to contribute 52 per cent of growth of the global road freight transport market, itself forecast to increase by $204.4 billion USD (~€175.1 billion) between 2024-2029.

APAC’s road freight transport market is expected to continue experiencing rapid advances (2025-2029), with key players investing in inland transportation, logistics, and short-distance travel solutions that are a ordable, adaptable and cost-e ective.

To that e ect, the Rhenus Group expanded its investment in Southeast Asia in June 2025, with the launch of a new Air Freight Gateway in Singapore, enhancing its global network with multi-modal connectivity across air, ocean and cross-border trucking.

e global logistics provider said the new facility o ers a full range of cargo-handling services to support multi-modal shipments globally, including strong trans-Paci c linkages from Asia onward to US & LATAM markets.

LATAM

While not experiencing the meteoric growth of India’s economy, Latin America is projected to experience a positive, albeit modest, economic growth rate in 2025, with some expecting a 2.5 per cent increase.

e giant of the LATAM countries, not just for its land size and its 212.6 million population, but economic gravitas is Brazil.

Mexico is a major exporter and trader, as well as having a strong automobile manufacturing base but, as the largest economy in LATAM, Brazil’s performance is crucial for the stability of South America.

As a major producer of oil and gas and exporter of agriculture and beef, Brazil has garnered a great deal of interest from India, both boasting growing consumer markets.

With a GDP of $3.967 trillion USD (~€3.4trillion) in 2023, Brazil is rightfully South America’s economic powerhouse and is seen as a mainstay of the BRICS multinational group.

While its Global Innovation Index is less than India’s – at 50 – it is home to an

impressive 16,000-plus start-ups, mainly found in the ntech, Edtech, AgriTech, e-commerce and new food sectors.

In 2024, Brazil improved ve positions to reach its 50th rank out of a total of 133 countries in the Global Innovation Index. is was the secondbest ranking achieved by the Portuguese-speaking country since 2012.

With an investor pool and funding of $119 billion USD (~€103 trillion), Brazil is the largest startup ecosystem in Latin America with the number of its startups in Brazil steadily growing in recent years. e Brazilian startup ecosystem is gaining global attention with startups attracting international investments and expanding their operations across Latin America and also to Europe and the US, particularly with the growth of near-shoring.

Brazilian cities, such as São Paulo, Florianópolis, Belo Horizonte, Recife and Campinas are gaining reputations as viable innovation and entrepreneurship hubs.

In May 2025 CEVA Logistics expanded its global deep-sea car carrier operations by o ering connections from Asia to Central and South America, via a regular trade lane and spot services.

As a result, three additional roll-on, roll-o (RORO) vessels, ranging from 5,500 to 7,000 car equivalent units (CEUs), have enabled CEVA to India

expand its nished vehicle logistics (FVL) solutions for the automotive market.

e new, regular trade route now runs between eastern Asia and the west coast of Central and South America, with multiple origin and destination calls available in China, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.

Another global logistics provider, DP World, continues to invest heavily in the LATAM region markets, seeing it as yielding as-yet unful lled potential for growth.

It has pumped signi cant investment into Peru’s Port of Callao and, one year since inaugurating its Bicentennial Pier in June 2024, DP World’s terminal has delivered a 19 per cent increase in container throughput and a surge in agricultural exports, boosting Peru’s economy.

e enhanced terminal has driven an 80 per cent increase in operational capacity, managing a record volume of 1.96 million TEUs during 2024.

e lengthened South Pier of the Port of Callao has an increased annual capacity of nearly 3 million TEUs and can handle three ultra-large container ships at once.

ese improvements play a vital role in boosting trade volumes, attracting larger vessels, and strengthening Callao’s reputation as the country’s leading port and logistics hub for South America’s West Coast.

DP World CEO for Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, Carlos Merino, said: “ is expansion transformed our ability to connect Peru to the world. It’s not just about moving more containers – it’s about building long-term resilience in our supply chains, attracting next-generation investments, and making Peruvian trade more agile and globally competitive.”

DP World has invested more than $3 billion USD (~€2.6 billion) in infrastructure at Callao since 2010, with the agricultural sector one of the biggest bene ciaries.

In 2024, the terminal facilitated $3.6 billion USD (~€3.11billion) in agricultural exports, including approximately 85 per cent of Peru’s blueberry shipments to Asia and nearly 40 per cent of all agricultural exports from the country.

e terminal was also Latin America’s rst electric charging station at a port terminal.

“ ese milestones not only reinforce our position as Peru’s leading container terminal, they re ect our long-term commitment to connecting

“THESE MILESTONES REFLECT OUR LONG-TERM COMMITTMENT TO CONNECTING PERU TO GLOBAL MARKETS, THROUGH INNOVATION, OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE, AND RESPONSIBLE GROWTH.”

DP WORLD CEO FOR PERU, ECUADOR AND COLOMBIA, CARLOS MERINO

Peru to global markets through innovation, operational excellence, and responsible growth,” said Carlos Merino.

Peru has also drawn interest from shipping and logistics giant, Maersk which opened a new cold chain logistics hub in Olmos, northwest Peru, in July 2025, to boost fruit exports in the agricultural region.

e new facility strengthens cold chain infrastructure in the Lambayeque region, o ering packing, sorting and cold storage centre to support Peru’s agro-export sector.

e Lambayeque region is a top contributor to Peru’s fruit exports, according to Peru’s National Institute of Statistics and Informatics.

e new centre is expected to see more than 10,000 tonnes of produce pass through the facility in its rst year of full operation.

BRICS

Both Brazil and India are now entrenched on the world economic and trade stage, as foundation members of the BRICS alliance.

e alliance’s growth has spawned an o shoot, comprised of 11 full member states - the ve original members of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - and new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE admitted in 2024. Indonesia was admitted as a full member in 2025, while another 30 countries are waiting to join the ranks of the political, economic and diplomatic forum that rivals that of the G7 and other strategic alliances.

e BRICS’ objectives include strengthening economic, political, and social cooperation among its members, as well as increasing the in uence of those countries in the ‘Global South’ in international relations.

BRICS nations collectively represent approximately 3.3 billion people, accounting for over 40 per cent of the world’s population, with their combined economies contributing more than 37 per cent of global GDP.

e popularity of BRICS has grown so rapidly that there are now the BRICS Outreach - meetings between BRICS member countries and those from the geographic region of the host country.

BRICS Plus are meetings between BRICS member countries and invited countries that are not from the geographic region of the host country. BRICS Plus meetings account for 35 per cent of the world’s GDP compared to the G7 members’ 30 per cent.

As foundation members of BRICS, India and Brazil will continue to challenge some of the world’s more developed economies as they continue to reap the bene ts of trade relations and agreements that o en ignore geopolitical tensions around the world.

A clear example of this was the agreement struck in early August 2025, where India agreed to buy Russian oil despite threats of tari s being imposed by the Trump administration.

India and Brazil have bene tted from being foundation members of BRICS. Image: Hamzeh/ Stock.adobe.com.

India - LATAM trade

Coinciding with the formation of BRICS in the early 2000s, India and Latin America have revitalised their trade and investment activities in the past 20 years, or so.

According to the Uruguay-based portal Dialogo Politico, trade between the regions in 2023 totalled $40 billion (~€38.8 billion), with Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru standing out as India’s top traders.

Dialogo Politico reported that during the past decade, trade between the two regions mushroomed by 145 per cent, with India mainly exporting automobiles, auto parts, pharmaceuticals, and textiles to LATAM countries, and importing raw materials, such as hydrocarbons, metals, minerals, copper, oil and agricultural products.

In 2022, India exported goods to LATAM worth about $10 billion USD (~€8.65 billion), while its investments in the region were close to $20 billion USD (~€17.3 billion) in the energy, pharmaceuticals, and automotive sectors.

ose investments resulted in a record trade volume of $50 billion USD (~€43.25 billion) between the countries in 2022.

As a result of such buoyant markets, Indian companies have established a presence in the region, while reciprocal investments by LATAM companies have been relatively low. However, Latin America has emerged as a vital supplier of crude oil to meet India’s growing energy needs, with imports from Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico accounting for about 30 per cent of India’s imports from the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region.

Nonetheless, in March 2025, India’s union commerce minister Piyush Goyal, said the country was keen to broaden economic ties with the 43 countries in the LAC region.

In 2023 – 2024, India’s total trade with the LAC region was $35.73 billion USD (~€31billion), made up of exports worth $14.5 billion USD (~€12.5 billion) and imports worth $21.23 billion USD (~€18.5billion).

While raw materials, oil and agricultural products are the main commodities being traded by the LATAM countries, Latin America accounts for one-third of India’s global car and motorcycle exports.

In 2023-2024, motor vehicle exports from India to LATAM reached $1.793 billion USD (~€1.56 billion), making up 30 per cent of India’s global car exports of $5.92 billion USD (~€5 billion).

Mexico stands as India’s second-largest car market globally, with an average $941

million UDSD (~€813 million) in imports.

As a result, many Indian auto manufacturers, such as Mahindra, Hero Motors, Tata and Bajaj, have set up LATAM bases, including in Colombia, Mexico and Brazil.

German-headquartered logistics company, Rhenus Group has recognised the massive trade opportunities arising from the synergies between India as a global manufacturing and export hub and the LATAM region as a provider of energy, minerals and energy and raw materials and agriculture.

“ e ongoing collaboration through BRICS — with Brazil and India cooperating — and several free trade agreements between India and various Latin American countries are playing a pivotal role in strengthening this partnership,” said Rhenus India Joint Managing Director, Bhaswar Arya.

DHL Global Forwarding India Managing Director, Edwin Pinto said DHL saw strong bilateral growth between India and LATAM, it being one of the fastest-growing trade lanes.

QUICK FACTS

INDIA:

• Population = 1.4 billion

• GDP = €4.054 trillion

• World’s 4th largest economy

• Global Innovation Index = 39

• Logistics sector = €328 billion (2025)

• Commercial trailer market = €1.3 billion (2028)

• Founding member of BRICS

BRAZIL:

• Population = 212.6 million

• GDP = €3.4 trillion (2023)

• Global Innovation Index = 50

• Founding member of BRICS

• Investor pool/funding = ~€103trillion

LATAM:

• Trade with India = €38.8 billion (2023)

• Indian auto imports = ~€1.56 billion (2023-2024)

• Trade with India = ~€43.25 billion (2022)

“Trade has grown over 12 per cent y-o-y, and in 2026, we expect the LATAM trade to grow by another six per cent, which is signi cantly higher than the projected growth with North America and Europe,” said Pinto.

He said sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, and processed foods will join the traditional sectors of textiles, automotive, and chemicals as the drivers of trade, with Brazil and Mexico as DHL Forwarding’s primary markets.

Brazilian trailer manufacturer Librelato does not currently maintain commercial relations with the Indian market but does “recognise the strategic importance of the region and the potential for future international partnerships” a spokesperson said.

Exporting in excess of 6,000 trailers yearly, and Brazil’s second largest trailer exporter, Librelato’s current international markets are focused across Latin America, particularly Paraguay, Chile, Uruguay, and Bolivia, and also Europe and Africa, with a planned push into North American and Mexican markets.

The future

With rising energy demands from its population and industries, and the uncertainty surrounding geopolitical and economic tensions across the globe, India, together with international companies, is shi ing its attention to Latin America as trade partners.

e world has already witnessed India ex its trade muscles, with Tata Motors’ proposed purchase of Italian trucking conglomerate, Iveco Group for a reputed €3.8 billion, announced in late July 2025.

As a result of that purchase, Iveco and Tata Motors’ commercial vehicle business will have combined revenues of about €22billion, split across Europe (50 per cent), India (35 per cent) and the Americas (15 per cent).

Will that be the trigger that unlocks a veritable Aladdin’s cave of riches between the two regions in the coming years?

While BRICS has great potential to multiply and add several new nations to its fold, rivalling the G7, the G20, ASEAN, APEC and other international associations, a separate, stand-alone trade alliance between India and the LATAM region will largely be dictated by the winds of politics and the prevailing economic vagaries. Perhaps the most crucial issue will be whether India’s juggernaut economy can be reined in to provide parity with its increasingly close LATAM neighbours, and whether the latter’s treasure trove of mineral and natural resources can meet India’s seemingly insatiable demands.

www.globaltrailermag.com

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CENTRAL TRANSPORT

GERMANY IS A WORLD LEADER IN INTERNATIONAL, COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT TRADE SHOWS – FROM BAUMA, IAA, TRANSPORT LOGISTIC AND MORE, IT HOSTS A PLETHORA OF TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS EVENTS THAT ATTRACT RECORD ATTENDANCES AND CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY. NOW IT’S THE TURN OF KARLSRUHE AS IT PREPARES TO HOST NUFAM 2025.

The symbiotic worlds of commercial vehicles and technology are set to collide as the Karlsruhe Exhibition Centre will again become the nodal point for Europe’s commercial vehicle industry at NUFAM, held from 25-28 September 2025.

e full spectrum of the commercial vehicle industry, from transport, haulage and logistics to human resources, innovations, concepts and components will be showcased during the four-day trade fair.

Challenges and future opportunities facing the commercial vehicle industry, as well as practical solutions, will be deconstructed during several discussions, dialogues and networking occasions.

With the commercial vehicle industry constantly changing and evolving, innovations, such as telematics, digital services and charging infrastructure, will be examined in special exhibition sessions.

An exhibition on the advantages of hydrogen engine drives will be a feature,

QUICK FACTS

• NUFAM started in 2009

• Held biennially

• 105,000m² space

• 24,000+ visitors

• 400+ exhibitors

• Features Peter-Gross-Bau outdoor space

• NUFAM Day held digitally

“(THE PETER GROSS BAU AREA) OFFERS OUR EXHIBITORS THE IDEAL OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THEMSELVES AND THEIR PRODUCTS IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY WITH AN OPTIMAL INFRASTRUCTURE.”

MESSE KARLSRUHE DIVISION MANAGER BEATE FRÈRES

as well as a session hosted by the Central Association for Bodywork and Vehicle Technology on training.

Topical issues relevant to truck drivers, from job security, health, and future of the industry will come under scrutiny at the Truck Driver Forum on 28 September.

Commercial vehicles of all classes, bodies, trailers and semi-trailers, accessories and items needed for the operation of those vehicles will be showcased at the trade fair.

Industry heavyweights will be at NUFAM in force. SAF-Holland, exhibiting at Hall 2/C 203, will be showcasing its innovative product range including includes axle and suspension systems, h wheels, coupling systems, kingpins, and landing legs.

JOST and Hyva will be found in Hall 2/A227 for the event, exhibiting versatile products, such as the JOST KKS automatic coupling system, the JOST King Pin Finder for h wheel coupling, and the Hyva hydraulic and tipping solutions.

e Krone range of trailers, including its Pro Liner, Cool Liner and Mega Liner series will be on display in Hall 1/C109.

At Hall 2/C215, global axle manufacturer, BPW will exhibit its range of innovations in commercial axle development, together with its growing reman and refurbishment division.

In addition, freight forwarders and logistics providers, trades and municipal companies will be present at the trade fair, while the variety of machinery to be featured will be aweinspiring, from trailers, tippers, low-loaders, curtainsiders, refrigerated, box and swap bodies to tank superstructures, bulk transporters, platform and delivery vehicles.

Topics of discussion throughout the four days will revolve around a plethora of elds, including, trucks, vans and vehicles, new mobility, automation and autonomous vehicles, alternative drive systems, hybrid vehicles, charging infrastructure, selfdriving vehicles, digital services, sensor technology and telematics, GPS tracking and geofencing, truck equipment, interior technics, smart city logistics, tyres, TPMS, wheels and axles, bodies, e-trailers and trailers.

is year’s NUFAM promises to be bigger than the 2023 event, which saw 24,000 visitors, more than 400 exhibitors from 23 countries and over 80,000 square metres of exhibition space. Organisers are again anticipating more than 400 exhibitors during NUFAM 2025, and are hoping to equal, or better, 2023’s visitor satisfaction rating of 95 per cent.

In 2025, for the rst time, an outdoor space, the Peter-Gross-Bau area totalling 105,000 square metres, will be used for truck and transport demonstrations during NUFAM, complementing the existing four spacious halls and atrium. e outdoor area is the third-largest outdoor exhibition space of this type of venue.

“I am delighted that we will be able to use the new outdoor area, the Peter Gross Bau Areal (PGBA), for our trade fairs starting this year,” said Messe Karlsruhe Division Manager, Beate Frères.

“It o ers our exhibitors the ideal opportunity to present themselves and their products in the best possible way with an optimal infrastructure. is creates a special outdoor experience – also for visitors, complemented by perfect transport connections.”

Beate Frères said a feature of the trade fair will again be its NUFAM Day, in its third edition this year. “NUFAM DAY is ideally suited to highlighting the challenges facing the industry,” said Frères.

“Where are the challenges? What needs to be done? Where are the shortcomings? At NUFAM, we will then showcase our exhibitors’ responses to these challenges.”

www.nufam.de

The host city for NUFAM 2025. Image: Fotograhe.de/stock.adobe.com..

ELYPLAN FIRE-PERF 400

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ROUNDER

IN THE DYNAMIC, MODERN LOGISTICS INDUSTRY, RELIABILITY, FLEXIBILITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS ARE KEYS TO SUCCESS IN MEETING COMPLEX DEMANDS, AND FOR SECURING A LONG-TERM POSITION IN THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY. KRONE MEETS THESE CHALLENGES WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PRODUCT AND SERVICE PORTFOLIO THAT GOES BEYOND THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRAILERS.

As a holistic system provider, KRONE o ers intelligent vehicles, digital tools and well-designed services.

Every product created by KRONE is derived from a single source, while everything is done with a clear goal - to make everyday life easier, more e cient and more economical for transport companies.

At the heart of KRONE’s vehicle portfolio are the proven models of its Liner series. e Liner series addresses all the requirements of modern freight transport – from temperature-controlled transport with the Cool Liner trailer, to the Dry Liner for dry freight and the versatile Pro Liner, which can be con gured in countless variations. Specialisations, such as the Paper Liner and the Coil Liner, o er tailor-made solutions for sensitive or heavy loads – each with sophisticated load securing and technical features that simplify everyday work.

“Our comprehensive transport solutions set new standards with innovative technology and outstanding quality,” said KRONE Sales and Marketing Managing Director, Dr Frank Albers.

“Whether in production, equipment or handling – for us, everyday practicality for our customers is the top priority.”

Of KRONE’s Liner series, the Pro Liner portfolio stands out as an all-round talent for solving versatile transport tasks in all industries, such as paper, food or steel rolls. rough a seamless symbiosis of technical innovations and practical applications, the Pro Liner stands out as a successful case study of a t for purpose product.

e Pro Liner is renowned as the all-rounder in the transport industry, setting new standards in logistics by taking exibility, reliability and e ciency to a new level, paving the way for a successful future in the transport industry.

It forms the basis of all KRONE’s curtainsider semitrailer models, including the Mega Liner, Coil Liner, Paper Liner and many other specialised variants.

Moreover, its innovative technology and versatility make it an indispensable investment for a wide range of industries.

With a welded chassis and featuring highquality, pre-galvanised series components, as well as a KTL powder coating from the KRONE Surface Centre, the Pro Liner guarantees exceptional durability and quality.

Today, the h generation Pro Liner can handle a gross vehicle weight of 39 tonnes with a comparatively low unladen weight of approximately six tonnes.

Cross-member reinforcements can be attached to the ladder frame construction at twelve positions as an option. is reinforces the 30mm thick, waterproof oor panel by one tonne, enabling it to bear a oor load of up to 8,000 kg forkli axle load.

Added to the mix is the KRONE Sliding Roof that makes uncomplicated loading possible, thanks to an integrated diagonal bracing in the tarpaulin roof and a very comfortable handling.

A highlight of the Pro Liner is its perfect adaptability for use in rail transport, thanks to its innovative piggyback version.

In this case, the crane can securely grip and load the trailer using the robust gripping edges, while any potential damage to the tarpaulin is prevented by the double tarpaulin fabric.

During the loading process, the spring bellows li o the carrier, avoiding them being pulled apart.

In addition, sturdy skids protect the underride guard when touching down, thus avoiding potential damage. Depending on the wagon, the side impact protection can also be folded up.

e Pro Liner’s e ective road or rail use is assured by its reinforced chassis, while an ILU code-compliant tarpaulin and rail-compatible tensioning fasteners are able to cope with the challenges of high rail speeds.

“In view of high tra c densities, tra c jams and delivery delays, this promotes the e cient deployment of drivers and reduces the burden on the roads,” said KRONE Trailer’s Head of Marketing, Simon Richenhagen.

e ingenious designers at KRONE have also taken into account the Pro Liner series’ use in international road transport.

e Pro Liner TIR has been specially optimised for international road freight transport within and outside Europe, so as to meet the requirements of hauliers operating within these sectors.

e custom rope is tensioned around the body using plank ramps, e ectively preventing

unauthorised opening of the cargo space, thanks to a sophisticated locking technology.

Creating state-of-the-art trailers is just one piece of the puzzle when KRONE looks to meet current and future market needs.

Another key component in meeting customer satisfaction is that of eet data management –particularly telematics.

Utilising KRONE Telematics, eet operators can obtain all relevant vehicle data in real time - from location and temperature to load compartment utilisation.

Rapid access to such data enables optimised route planning, as well as increased safety and reduced operating costs.

While classic transport apps o en fail in terms of acceptance and user-friendliness, KRONE relies on an intuitive and accessible solution with its ‘Smart Assistant’, that makes everyday life easier for dispatchers and enables smooth work ows.

e Smart Assistant works via a QR code on the trailer, which is scanned with a smartphone. is opens a messenger-based system via WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber.

In just a few seconds, drivers can report any damage, or faults, documented with photos, as well as provide digitally record handovers, report accidents in a structured manner or

access documents, such as operating instructions, insurance certi cates or the eCMR.

Now KRONE has gone a step further in the data management eld, with its new digital portal – mykrone.blue.

Mykrone.blue is a central platform where all information, services and vehicle data are intelligently bundled.

Fleet managers are therefore able to gain a complete overview of their vehicles and processes, from contract management, live eet views to telematics, with one simple login.

e relevant data is readily available online when the vehicle is handed over, saving time and optimising eet administration.

e intuitive mykrone.blue digital system is therefore tailored precisely to the requirements of each transport company and is available around the clock.

“With mykrone.blue, we are creating a digital space where our customers can nd everything they need for e cient and transparent trailer operation,” said mykrone.blue GmbH Managing Director, Maximilian Birle.

“ e platform is being continuously expanded and will form the central hub for all trailer management in the future.”

High quality trailers and telematics are key to KRONE’s success, but other, equally paramount considerations among its customer-focused approach are safety and service, with it taking a proactive approach to safety-related issues, such as the .

KRONE o ers the ‘Safe Curtain’ tarpaulin

for all tarpaulin semi-trailers, which integrates high-strength, stainless steel spring steel strips into vertical PVC tunnel pockets in the side tarpaulin.

is not only ensures that dimensionally stable loads are secured, but also achieves the stability required for Code XL.

is technology eliminates the need for conventional insert rails, signi cantly reducing the workload for drivers by avoiding potential accidents caused by the typically strenuous handling of wooden or aluminium rails.

KRONE also prides itself on o ering customer service support, from supply of spare parts, to maintenance, telematics and breakdown assistance, that covers the entire life cycle of a trailer.

e goal for the company in providing this complete service is maximum operational readiness and minimum downtime for customers.

e ‘KRONE Parts’ online shop provides access to around 70,000 spare parts, with orders for speci c parts rapidly facilitated through KRONE’s intelligent links to chassis numbers.

In addition, the ‘KRONE Trusted’ spare parts brand expands the range with coste cient wear parts that o er an economical alternative to original parts.

Utilising its premium logistics network, KRONE can ensure delivery is fast and reliable within 24 hours.

For road breakdowns, KRONE’s modular ‘Fair Care’ service allows maintenance packages to be put together individually – including predictable costs, regular checks and 24/7 breakdown service.

“ is not only saves our customers valuable time, but also optimises their cost control,” said KRONE Trailer’s Managing Director of Service, Ralf Faust.

rough its rm embrace of technology and innovation, Krone is more than just a trailer manufacturer – it is a dependable partner to the transport and logistics industries. Strategic partnerships, such as with Schwarzmüller, have signi cantly expanded KRONE’s product portfolio, which will result in customers bene tting from an even wider selection of vehicles - from standard trailers to specialised tippers and tankers.

With its optimally designed vehicles, pioneering digitalisation and comprehensive  range of client services, KRONE has successfully created real added value for its customers.

www.krone-trailer.com

R & D REWARDS

THROUGH ITS STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION AND RESEARCH, BRIANZA PLASTICA HAS BEEN ABLE TO STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE BY CONTINUOUSLY DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS FOR THE GLOBAL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES SECTOR.

Although comfortable in its sixth decade of existence, Italian breglass laminates producer, Brianza Plastica is not content to stand still.

With ve production plants in Italy, the company supplies an expanding market with glass- bre reinforced plastics (GRP), rolls and sheets, produced both in continuous and in discontinuous formats.

Over the years, this composite material has replaced aluminium in many applications, proving to be lighter, more exible, and resistant to corrosion.

GRP’s reduced weight translates into improved fuel e ciency and increased payload capacity, while its exibility allows it to absorb shocks and vibrations, reducing the risk of damage.

As a result, GRP provides manufacturers of commercial and recreational vehicles with an excellent long-term solution.

Future focused through R&D

Embracing its mission of innovating technological developments to create highquality products, the Brianza Plastica Group successfully merges the knowledge and experience of industry professionals with its employees’ innovative ideas and cuttingedge research solutions.

It sees this combination of forward-thinking approach and exceptional products as distinguishing it in the market, where its products adapt perfectly to the speci c needs of clients while complying with European energy regulations.

To achieve these objectives, and with an eye on the future, Brianza Plastica makes signi cant investments each year in research, enabling it to provide the transport and construction sectors, as well as its customers, with innovative and better-quality products.

In 2019, the company opened its new, hitech research laboratory at its Carate Brianza headquarters, creating one of the most advanced centres of its kind in the breglass industry, tripling the size of its previous R&D space.

e new facility is equipped with cuttingedge technology and instruments to support the production processes of insulation panels and composite laminates.

Brianza Plastica creates new versions of its products due to the laboratory being located at its headquarters, coupled with its years of handson experience gained from the production of extruded expanded polystyrene.

As a result, it carries out tests on behalf of customers, both on sandwich panels and on the individual elements that compose them, as well as creating new, innovative solutions.

As a result of its innovation-driven future focus, Brianza Plastica has developed a complete family of berglass laminates in response to the growing market demand for products with improved re performance, and which also complies with various European and global standards.

Ultra- ne protection

e latest product in the Elyplan range –the Elyplan FP400 – was o cially unveiled by Brianza Plastica at the Trasport Logistic exhibition, held in Munich in June 2025. e Elyplan FP400, a 0.8mm GRP laminate in class B-s1-d0, is rapidly gaining a reputation as the market’s best re performance, highly valued by companies working in the transport of dangerous or highly ammable materials. is is due to its re-retardant performance and its thickness and lightness; being rated to the maximum re performance level ‘B’ for berglass laminates by the international re and smoke behaviour standard, EN 13501-1. is latest o ering from Brianza Plastica expands its existing Elyplan range, comprised of the FP220, the FP210 and the FP230 series.

Crucially, a GRP laminate in class B-s1-d0, such as the Elyplan FP400 and FP220, does not produce dripping during combustion.

Brianza Plastica Regional Sales and USA Development Manager, Andrea Bollani, said the company’s success was due to “the synergy between its area managers and customers”, enabling it to pursue new materials and solutions to meet future market demands.

“ is commitment is exempli ed by the latest product, Elyplan FP400 – a at laminate which o ers the best re performance and the thinnest pro le available on the market,” said Bollani.

“ is product is suitable for various sectors, from maritime to rail industries. Moreover, in the transportation sector, there is an increasing need to nd alternatives to metal. e most common solution is berglass laminate, known for being lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and highly durable.”

Lower emissions, higher sustainability

Coupled with Brianza Plastica’s approach to innovation and research is its investment in sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, such as energy saving and clean energy, through research and development.

An example of this dedication is its LoVOC laminates, which are an innovative response to the latest European regulations aimed at reducing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, while answering the markets’ needs for sustainable materials.

ese new low-VOC at laminates help reduce emissions, both during the production of refrigerated and recreational vehicles and in the nal product itself.

A er years of research and development by Brianza Plastica, these products, created with an innovative resin, o er manufacturers a ready-to-use solution that complies with the latest regulatory requirements and contributes to healthier environments.

e LoVOC laminate is available in the Elyplan Standard, Extra-Glass and Design Style product lines.

Elycold and Elyplan ranges

e Elycold and Elyplan berglass laminates are constantly growing and being enhanced through research and development.

Both products, featuring washable and scratch-resistant surfaces, are designed for use in the commercial and recreational vehicle sectors and for covering tanks of any size. ey also o er easy maintenance, high quality and excellent appearances.

In addition, they are extremely durable due to their waterproof quality and UV-light resistance, complemented with low level of yellowing and total impermeability.

Elycold is a high-quality berglass laminate that ensures excellent atness and an extraordinary seamless nish, due to the cold lamination process.

e low-weight Elycold Lite provides thicker laminate with good rigidity and low speci c weight, while retaining all aesthetic details and values, making it ideal for constructing walls of commercial and temperature-controlled vehicles.

Brianza Plastica’s Elycold Extra-Glass combines lightness (low speci c weight) and high mechanical strength (high percentage of glass content) to be suitable for vehicles that require high impact resistance, weight saving and high aesthetics.

e Elyplan family are at breglass laminates realised in a continuous process and are used in a range of applications, including commercial, electrical and recreational vehicles, public transport, tank containers, cold rooms and clean rooms.

e exibility of the Elyplan systems allows customers to choose the laminate best suited to their needs, for every application in temperature-controlled transport services, vans, restoration of walls, coolers and special applications.

Produced through continuous lamination process, the Elyplan range features the highest possible polymerisation of the composite material. is results in a at product with very tight dimensional tolerances that guarantees excellent quality.

www.brianzaplastica.it/en www. atlaminates.com

DYNAMO DIGITAL

DIGITALISATION IN THE TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS INDUSTRIES IS A GROWING SOLUTION THAT ENSURES EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVENESS, SAFETY AND SPEED OF MOVEMENT. NOW, A NEW PLATFORM IS SET TO ELEVATE STANDARDS AS IT FUTURE-PROOFS FLEET AND WORKSHOP MANAGEMENT THROUGH DIGITALISATION.

When Maximilian Gellert, and his close-knit team of Hassan Razza and Sander Ackermans, surveyed the truck and trailer industry in the Netherlands and beyond, they knew there were several points that needed to be connected.

“A er listening to countless eet operators and workshops in the trucking and trailer industry across Europe, we noticed a recurring theme – the need for better visibility, communication, and e ciency,” said Maximilian Gellert.

Following several meetings and discussions, Gellert and his colleagues discovered that eet operators wanted 100 per cent visibility into their eet including real-time status, hindering decision-making and proactive maintenance, whether they are trucks, trailers, or owned or leased.

Fleet operators reported that repair and maintenance downtime is costly, and they consistently struggled to balance workshop scheduling with uncertain repair completion times. is led to excessive time spent emailing and calling for updates, resulting in ine ciencies and delays

In addition, eets on the road struggled to nd trustworthy and available workshops when needed, a ecting service continuity and vehicle uptime. Workshops faced inconsistent workloads, with peaks followed by idle periods, making resource planning challenging.

Gellert and his team also heard that unplanned repairs and constant back-and-forth communication with customers further contributed to operational ine ciencies.

“Enter Viamanta. We’ve built a platform that bridges the gap between eet operators and workshops,” said Gellert, Viamanta’s Managing Director.

It was the birth of eet management at any time and from any location.

Background

Viamanta, headquartered in Amsterdam, is a B2B SaaS (So ware as a Service) platform

that was o cially launched in December 2024. It sets a new standard in digital coordination of eet and workshop management, by seeking to improve visibility, communication, and e ciency for eet operators and workshops in the trucking and trailer industry.

Viamanta is a software platform that streamlines communication between eet operators and workshops by replacing traditional communication channels with a centralised hub.

It also provides tools for eet managers to track assets, schedule maintenance, and receive updates.

One of its key features is an online booking system for real-time workshop capacities, allowing instant scheduling to reduce downtime and optimise maintenance planning for faster, more e cient eet servicing.

In addition, the digital approval process provides a consistent and fully traceable record of all workshop activities.

“At Viamanta, our goal is to remove uncertainty and inefficiencies in fleet maintenance,” said Gellert.

“By consolidating all communication into a single, streamlined platform, we decrease the need for time-consuming phone calls and scattered emails. is ensures greater transparency, faster decision-making, and signi cantly minimised downtime.”

Maximilian Gellert explained that the platform provides three central functions, being:

• Fleet Portal: It provides operators with service reminders, damage overviews and keeps all documents in one place.

• Workshop online booking: Clients can book services in just three clicks and receive estimates of job completions.

• Job Progress Updates: Easy and traceable communication and faster cost approvals ensure all parties know the extent of each job and completion dates.

“For workshops, this means smarter planning, better communication, steadier

workload, less peaks and troughs in work resulting in fewer ine ciencies,” said Gellert.

“By moving all communication into one platform, we reduce errors and provide clarity on all job’s requirements and timelines.”

Tailored for industry work ows

Viamanta is designed to address real-world operational challenges by providing a structured planning and communication framework that helps reduce miscommunication and improve coordination among dispatchers, eet managers, and workshop operators.

Fleet operators can register vehicles, input technical data, and manage appointments through a uni ed online interface. Whether managing urgent breakdowns or scheduled maintenance, users can book workshops based on real-time availability.

A location-based recommendation feature identi es nearby service providers, making it easier to handle local and remote service needs.

Status tracking and logged communications ensure continuity, even during sta ng changes, maintaining transparency throughout the process.

With its communication consolidation feature, Viamanta supports improved coordination across teams and regions, enabling eet managers to plan proactively, optimise eet uptime and reduce delays.

Rapid reporting

The Viamanta platform is the latest digital partner for the transport & logistic sector.

KEY FEATURES AND BENEFITS:

Fleet Portal: O ers 100 per cent visibility into all eet assets – trucks and trailers, owned and leased.

Online Workshop Booking: Bookings based on telematics data, proximity, and capacity, with estimated completion times.

Job Progress Updates: Easy and traceable communication, including real-time updates on repair progress.

Reduced Downtime: Streamline maintenance processes and improved communication minimise vehicle downtime.

Improved E ciency: Fleet operators and workshops work more e ciently by optimised scheduling and communications providing an overview across teams.

Viamanta’s damage application allows all personnel working with an asset to report damages in seconds, resulting in eet managers receiving a central damage overview to prioritise repairs and make faster decisions.

Complementing this, the eet utilisation dashboard facilitates the monitoring of operational performance, by providing asset metrics, such as eet uptime and M&R downtime per asset, coupled with geo-data and workshop data.

Enhanced workshop e ciency

Workshop partners bene t from more organised and traceable communication with their eet clients, which greatly simpli es and speeds up cost approvals.

Viamanta’s invoicing functionality shortens payment cycles and fosters greater trust between its operators and clients, as clear communication of job progress and availability boosts predictability and reliability for both sides.

Workshops can also share available timeslots, communicate directly via secure chats, and respond to bookings in real time.

Real-time planning and capacity tools support more proactive scheduling and help manage busy and quiet times.

Designed for long-term use

Purpose-built for the transport and logistics sector, Viamanta was rst introduced to stakeholders in those industries at Transport Logistic 2025 and other events, such as the CLEPA A ermarket Conference, and showcased to the European Transport Board.

Viamanta is now fully operational in e Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and continues to expand across Europe.

Its developers are ensuring that it is continuously enhanced to meet evolving industry demands, as witnessed by the recently introduced payment module.

“ is is just the beginning, and we’re excited to scale this solution and help eets and workshops across Europe work smarter together,” Gellert said.

www.viamanta.com

PERFECT COUPLING

JOST, A PRODUCER AND SUPPLIER OF SAFETY-CRITICAL SYSTEMS FOR THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY, HAS BEEN DRIVING INNOVATION IN LOGISTICS FOR MANY YEARS, THROUGH CONTINUOUS RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT. THE LATEST ITERATION IS ITS JOST KKS AUTOMATIC COUPLING SYSTEM.

With the global transport industry facing growing pressure from driver shortages, rising operating costs, and demand for automation, JOST has created a solution to answer logistics issues in road and refrigeration transport – the JOST KKS automatic coupling system. is innovation has now emerged as a critical building block in the digital transformation, or digitalisation, of logistics, as JOST seeks to set new benchmarks for performance and reliability in the transportation industry.

Leveraging the KKS, JOST is now expanding its application beyond the road, to now include yard logistics.

In spring 2025, JOST presented its KKS solution for on-yard use with the specially developed JSK80 h wheel – a major step forward in automation and e ciency.

“With the JOST JSK80 KKS, we are enabling fully autonomous and hands-free coupling in distribution yards and port terminals,” said JOST Trailer Europe Head of Sales, Dietmar Franke.

“ is is a game changer for modern logistics – e cient, safe, and a key solution for

tackling logistics challenges like the ongoing driver shortage.”

Moreover, the JOST KKS is a scalable system that is fast, safe and highly e cient.

With just one product, eets bene t from the automatic coupling system’s increased safety, reduced coupling times, lower maintenance needs, and improved working conditions for drivers.

Fast, safe and e cient operation

e KKS enables drivers to couple and uncouple semi-trailers automatically, safely and quickly via remote control without leaving the driver’s cabin.

The driver is guided through the entire coupling process, with sensor technology providing live information on the KKS remote control throughout every step of the process.

For example, the support plate sensor indicates when the trailer plate is touching. In addition, the position of the king pin is also monitored by sensors in real time.

As a result of this technology, drivers needing to climb out of the cabin to manually open the h wheel, then cranking down the landing gear and manually connecting the spiral cable, air and brake connections are all things of the past.

Time, comfort and safety gains are made possible with just one product.

Versatile combinations

JOST introduced the KKS to the market in 2020 and by 2025 the KKS system has already proven itself as a game-changer in the industry.

JOST actively listens and delivers. Due to its many close cooperation and collaborations with customers and suppliers, JOST has created its KKS system that is unique in the market, enhanced through real-world feedback and improved production processes made possible by economies of scale.

Since its inception, the KKS system has been optimised, ne-tuned, and made more e cient. is means fewer components, design upgrades and reduced production costs. e constant improvements also means that the JOST KKS is more than one coupling system – it is the ideal solution for the needs of every truck-trailer combination.

JOST has proven that the KKS system is already highly e ective with the following combinations:

• JOST KKS-U Connector: The KKS-U Connector is retro ttable to existing trailers that are already on the roads of this world. erefore, existing trailers can be equipped with JOST KKS technology with little e ort. e KKS-U connector controls all the mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic connections between the truck and trailer, eliminating the need for vulnerable air, electrics and ABS/EBS spiral lines.

• JOST KKS-Cool: e JOST KKS-Cool is developed for refrigerated trailers. Speci cally designed for temperature-controlled transport, KKS-Cool meets even higher safety requirements.

• JOST JSK80 KKS: Fully autonomous transport in depots and terminals is already becoming a reality with the JSK80 KKS.

At the core of this solution is the specially developed JSK80 h wheel, delivering fast, hands-free, and consistently reliable coupling, every time, resulting in JOST providing fully automated coupling to distribution yards and port terminals, enabling seamless and e cient trailer handling.

Designed for compact, highly manoeuvrable autonomous vehicles, the system allows for up to twelve coupling processes per hour, where time is a precious commodity.

Autonomous operations – NUFAM 2025

e next phase of the KKS system’s introduction to the transport and logistics industries will be at the NUFAM 2025 exhibition, held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 25-28 September.

JOST will highlight, through hands-on demonstrations, how the KKS is not just a product but a platform for autonomous logistics, showing that autonomous driving cannot function without automated coupling.

At NUFAM 2025, JOST experts will be on site to answer questions, explore implementation scenarios, and discuss the future of autonomous logistics with eet managers, OEMs, and system integrators.

With the JOST KKS portfolio being showcased at NUFAM, the company will show that end-to-end automation of transport chains is more feasible – that if a truck is to be considered autonomous and operate safely and legally without a driver, the trailer systems must also have autonomous, rather than manual, connections.

As a result, the JOST KKS is already able to contribute to the automatisation of on-yard truck movements and support Industry 4.0, representing not only a leap in physical automation, but also in the digitalisation of transport.

e logistics sector is at a tipping point - nding quali ed drivers is becoming harder, while the expectations for delivery speed and supply chain resilience continue to rise. Automated solutions, such as the JOST KKS, cannot be futuristic wish lists – they are mission-critical for the eets of tomorrow.

www.jost-world.com

RIDE SMOOTH

WHETHER DRIVING ON- OR OFF-ROAD, AIR SUSPENSION IS STANDARD ON COMMERCIAL TRAILERS. IN FACT, IT’S A MUST-HAVE FOR SAFE DRIVING. BUT WHICH TYPE IS THE RIGHT ONE FOR SPECIFIC TRANSPORT NEEDS? BPW HAS THE IDEAL SOLUTION.

For many motorists, good air suspension is a necessary luxury to ensure a smooth ride. Imagine drivers of Rolls Royce, Bentley, Mercedes, or the classic 1950s Citroëns with their hydropneumatic suspension – like travelling on air.

With trailers, the same applies, but in this case its more likely to be Euro pallets, fresh concrete, sh ngers and even iron ore being transported. Trailers being equipped with air suspension, even for the toughest o -road use has nothing to do with luxury. It is a vital component of transport, as air absorbs shocks and vibrations better than steel suspension.

Which suspension is best for each trailer?

Air suspension plays an integral role in trailer operations. As the interface between running gear and superstructure, it ensures safe driving with any load by protecting the driver and the transported goods, as well as the vehicle and tyres. Air suspension also plays a central role in axle

load control, right through to the fuel-saving li ing of individual axles, ensuring that every load arrives at its destination safely and undamaged, no matter how fragile or heavy it is.

ere is a myriad of air-suspension operated vehicle types – tippers, refrigerated boxes, curtainsiders, tank bodies or low loader trailers.

As no two trailers are the same, the design of running gears is a challenge for any manufacturer.

Added to the equation are the various transport requirements, increased economic pressure, vehicle manufacturers’ individual concepts and customer speci cations that all increase complexity.

erefore, standard trailers and specialised vehicles must be equally e cient in terms of ability to design, assemble, operate, maintain and repair.

“Standard trailers and specialised vehicles must be equally e cient in terms of ability to design, assemble, operate, maintain and repair,” said BPW Product Manager, Denis Wierwille.

While this may sound like an insurmountable challenge, BPW has found an intelligent solution – in fact two modular solutions.

A modular concept allows almost unlimited combinations of the number of axles and axle types, air suspension, ride heights, tyre sizes and other parameters.

Innovations in digitalisation, metallurgy, vehicle production, telematics and the use of AI make the trailer more unique and more e cient than ever before.

“I am o en asked how, as a product manager

at BPW, I keep track of everything, as the possible combinations of all running gear elements run into the billions,” said Denis Wierwille.

“It amazes many people that this wide range of variants can be represented by just three di erent running gear systems.”

A particular industry focus for BPW air suspension systems has been on the more common axle loads between nine and 12 tonnes.

ECO Air suspension

ECO Air is BPW’s robust solution for on-road and light o -road use, developed for an axle load of nine tonnes – typical for the standard segment, which includes curtainsiders, dry and refrigerated boxes, tippers and sliding oor trailers.

All components have been trimmed for minimum weight and maximum ease of maintenance - saving a massive 27 kilograms on the three-axle vehicle.

A patent-pending laser process enables BPW, for the rst time, to clamp the ECO Air’s air suspension to a round axle beam. is means that not only can it be disassembled but it can also be serviced as required, due to its replaceable individual components.

Airlight II suspension

e other air suspension solution is BPW’s all-rounder – the Airlight II.

Utilising the Airlight II, practically any conceivable con guration between nine and 12 tonnes can be realised - from near-standard trailers to customised special vehicles, and from lightweight construction to heavy-duty o -road use.

e varieties of the Airlight II can be operated in tanker and silo vehicles, mega-trailers, swap body, low loader trailer or vehicle and wood transporter. Everything is possible.

For nine tonne applications, the Airlight II is also available with lightweight components, such as a lightweight trailing arm and an optional aluminium hub, enabling additional loads up to an extra 96 kilograms to be transported.

As a result, Airlight II is the lightest trailer running gear on the market, noticeably increasing e ciency for liquid and bulk goods.

ECO Air or Airlight II?

With both ECO Air and Airlight II overlapping in the nine-tonne segment, vehicle operators can be faced with the issue of which running gear to use on new trailers.

Again, BPW has a solution - personal consultations, eet analyses, driving pro les, planned vehicle ownership periods and personal preferences are all considered.

Denis Wierwille said a simple answer is o en: the more unique the trailer, the more in favour of using Airlight II, as it is unbeatable for specialised vehicles, where, in combination with the lightweight construction package, it is ideal for tankers and silo vehicles.

For curtainsiders or dry/refrigerated boxes, the ECO Air system excels, he said. However, some vehicle operators with mixed eets and their own workshops decide to equip all trailers with Airlight II, rationalising maintenance and spare parts management.

“Whether you opt for ECO Air or Airlight II, BPW makes the complex vehicle and eet management easy and more e cient than ever,” said Denis Wierwille.

“As a rst step towards economically optimised trailer operations it is recommended to arrange a consultation with BPW, which is free of charge and without obligation.

“ is has already helped many vehicle operators to make enormous savings; not just in terms of time and money, as trailers with BPW reliability are stress-free and keep your head clear. at is also worth a lot in itself.”

www.bpw.de

REFURB

FACED WITH MOUNTING OPERATIONAL COSTS, DRIVER SHORTAGES, INCREASING GOVERNMENTAL SAFETY AND EMISSIONS REGULATIONS TRAILER FLEET OPERATORS ARE FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE ENDS MEET. ARE TRAILER REFURBISHMENTS THE ANTIDOTE TO THE CURRENT WOES, WHILE GROWING CIRCULAR ECONOMIES?

The trailer industry has been witnessing a steady revolution over the past few years - trailer refurbishment, coupled with parts remanufacturing, or reman, with more trailer manufacturers seeing the bene t of o ering these services as part of their operations.

With operators nding it harder to make ends meet, coupled with escalating new vehicle costs, ESG requirements and emission reductions targets, the cost e ciency and environmental bene ts of refurbishment of trailers has seen more trailer manufacturers o ering recycling and upcycling of existing vehicles as a win-win for all stakeholders.

According to market research rm, Focus Fusion Analytics, the trailer repair service market was valued at $5.1 billion USD (~€4.462 billion) in 2024 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.3 per cent from 2026 to 2033, reaching $8.3 billion USD (~€7.26 billion) by 2033.

is is according to its report entitled “Trailer Repair Service Market Adoption, Trends, Key Market Highlights & Scope 2033”, released in June this year.

“The trailer repair service market is experiencing robust growth, fuelled by evolving transportation regulations and sustainability mandates,” said Focus Fusion Analytics in its ndings.

e US market research rm reported that the need for “e cient repair ecosystems” will steadily grow as global road freight demand doubles by 2050, according to World Bank predictions.

e report found that refurbishment services were growing as a result of “governments across Europe and North America o ering incentives for retro tting older trailers with low-emission systems”, while the “Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is enforcing stricter trailer emission compliance, pushing eets to engage in frequent maintenance and system upgrades”.

“ e trailer repair service market is poised for steady growth from 2026 to 2033, driven

Refurbishment o ers nancial and ESG options for trailer eet operators. Image: kot500/stock.adobe.com.

REVOLUTION

by technological innovation, shi ing consumer behaviour, and expanding global demand,” the report stated.

It listed digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, and increased automation across value chains as key trends shaping the trailer repair market, resulting in trailer industry stakeholders increasing their focus on R&D, strategic partnerships, and regional expansions to gain competitive advantage.

“ e trailer repair service market is expected to witness diversi cation, increased product customisation and greater integration of AI and IoT technologies, presenting lucrative opportunities for investors, manufacturers, and service providers globally,” said the report as it looked to future developments.

One of the trailer industry’s dominant forces to champion the refurbishment of vehicles has been TIP Group.

In November 2024, it purchased UK-based trailer refurbishment company, Trailer Auto Group (TAG), itself only established in 2022 to meet increasing refurbishment demands due to ESG requirements and new trailer costs.

TIP saw that strategic acquisition as enabling it to extend the life of its eet and enhance its refurbishment o erings to customers, while operating 30 locations in the UK.

Moreover, since 2023 TIP has been collaborating with DSV to refurbish more than 2500 of the company’s trailers, with 2025 seeing it breathe new life into 500 Schmitz Huckepack trailers in DSV’s European eet.

e continuing refurbishment re ects a shared vision of promoting circular economy initiatives by TIP and DSV to help reduce carbon emissions.

e companies have found that refurbishing, rather than replacing, trailers, provides signi cant emission reductions.

TIP has estimated that the refurbished 500 trailers in 2025 would result in estimated emissions savings of 8,000 tonnes of CO2.

TIP and DSV have witnesses that refurbishment of the trailers has led to a doubling of vehicles’ operational lifespan, with DSV reporting that, a er ve years of active usage, the trailers will run for additional six years, reducing the replacement of trailers.

As part of the refurbishment programme, TIP and DSV highlighted the maintenance programs maximised eet productivity by minimising trailer downtime and ensuring optimal performance.

TIP Group CEO and President, Arjen Kraaij, extolled the virtues of refurbishment as promoting circular economies.

“Both companies advocate for circular economy initiatives that contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions,” said Kraaij.

“Refurbishment is a great example, both supporting DSV’s sustainability ambitions and optimizing their eet performance, a true win-win.”

DSV Global Equipment Services Managing Director, Flemming Steiness said: “Refurbishing trailers instead of replacing them is a simple yet powerful way to cut emissions, while maintaining the high-quality service our customers expect.”

TIP Group’s ESG Director, Markus Pretzl, noted there is a direct correlation between refurbishment and circular economies principles, by “maximising the use of natural resources, reducing waste, and extending the lifecycle of assets”.

TIP calculates that a refurbished trailer can save an estimated 15.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions over its lifetime compared to the emissions required to manufacture a new one.

TIP is also advancing its refurbishment credentials by joining forces with French logistics company, Groupe Mousset-Jetransporte to introduce a milk collection tanker

refurbishment programme, which will extend vehicles’ lifespans, while delivering economic and environmental bene ts.

e parties expect to see a 35 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions over a period of 18 years for each refurbished vehicle, as well as providing enhanced CSR value to the company and its partners.

In an industry where time is a crucial factor in determining business success, TIP sees trailer refurbishments as providing shorter turn arounds, and wait times, than with new trailer purchases.

“While a new trailer can take up to a year due to supply chain issues, refurbishment allows us to turn trailers around in just a few months,” said TIP Group’s Global Maintenance and Development Director, Jan van Vugt.

Polish trailer manufacturer, Wielton S.A. has ventured into the refurbishment market, launching its new ReTrailer Sp. z o.o. in 2025, speci cally designed for the recycling and upcycling, or ‘second life cycle’ of semi-trailers and components.

e Wielton o -shoot specialises in factory refurbishment of semi-trailers, the sale and rental of used trailers and the responsible recycling and disposal of trailers beyond repair, thereby managing the full life cycle of semitrailers.

ReTrailer’s embracing of a circular economy approach to trailers is aligned with the Wielton Group’s core 2023-2027 strategy.

“Realising how important it is to take care of the environment in the face of a changing world and the economic challenges that haulage companies have been facing recently, we have decided to extend the scope of our activities to include the thorough refurbishment of trailers,” said Wielton Group CEO, Paweł Szataniak.

“By improving the condition and appearance of a used vehicle, using the potential of each component, it will gain a new, longer life and contribute to reducing the carbon footprint produced by transport.”

Wielton estimates the refurbishment of semitrailers will add an additional six years to their life cycles.

ReTrailer CEO, Bartosz Budnicki, said the company aimed to combine environmental awareness with cost-e ectiveness.

“In today’s reality, hauliers, in order to reduce costs and increase competitiveness, are looking for solutions to extend the life of their rolling stock,” said Budnicki.

“ReTrailer responds to these challenges by o ering not only signi cant savings but also certi ed CO2 reductions for environmentally conscious customers.”

Commercial vehicle equipment specialist, BPW has joined the growing number of proponents of the positive e ects of circular economy on the transport and logistics industries, through the refurbishment of parts.

BPW is showing how the refurbishment of trailers, including its Reman Line, is making the transport industry more sustainable.

At the Transport Logistic 2025 exhibition in Munich, TIP Trailer Services’ Central Region Operations Director, Jan Philip Grünwald, joined the BPW stand to share a range of industry insights into the bene ts of the circular economy for trailers.

Grünwald shared his insights into how trailer refurbishment works in actual terms, as well as the main advantages of refurbishments compared to the purchase of new vehicles.

He also considered the issue of why

REFURB REPORT CARD

• Good option to buying new

• Reduces maintenance costs

• Refresh existing assets at less cost

• Extends life of existing trailers

• Near same performance as new trailers

• Sell and lease back after refurbishment

• Fleet longevity

• Equipped for regular usage

• Proactive component replacement

• Fewer unplanned services

• More reliable eets

• Extends trailer usage

• Reduced eet carbon footprints

• Minimise environmental impact

• Faster trailer availability

remanufactured components, such as BPW’s Reman brake callipers, are changing industry approaches.

Although part of its Reman Line, the BPW ECO Disc TSB brake calliper is still considered a genuine BPW original part, representing a cost-e ective and driving safety alternative for older vehicles.

“Our parts o er superior functionality and a durable design. e cathodic dip-painting with zinc phosphate coating protects against corrosion and ensures a high residual value for the vehicle,” said BPW Head of Research & Development for the Truck & Trailer Components Business Unit, Dr. Daniel Köhler.

BPW Head of Fleet Sales Europe, Ralf Merkelbach, said some eet operators were postponing capital investment and retaining their older trailers for longer due to stricter environmental regulations, new vehicle costs and increasing operating costs.

As a result, trailer refurbishment, which is common in the liquid transport sector, is now becoming more common, and acceptable in the standard transport sector.

BPW presented its remanufacturing solution at the 2025 Going Circular Competition, a feature of the Circular Economy Forum 2025, held in July, where it was a top ve nalist with its entry.

SAF-Holland has also seen the need to keep pace with industry demands and trends by rebranding its US-based remanufacturing arm of Like-Nu to Haldex REMAN, in January 2025.

e REMAN product line includes ABS valves, air disc and hydraulic brake calipers, air dryers, compressors and water pumps.

While there will be a continuing demand for new trailers, eet operators are now rmly embracing refurbishment as a solution to meet their performance and pro tability needs, while supporting a greener and more sustainable future for the transport industry.

www.globaltrailermag.com

The global trailer service market is expected to be worth €7.26 billion by 2033. Image: Serhii/stock.adobe.com.

TRANSPORT SNAPSHOT

IN THIS INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT, GLOBAL TRAILER TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT IS MAKING NEWS AROUND THE WORLD IN THE TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SECTOR.

DAMASCUS, SYRIA

OHIO, USA

DP World will spend $800 million USD (~€690 million) over 30 years to modernise the port of Tartus in support of Syria’s recovery as a regional trade hub. Tartus is Syria’s second-largest port and a key maritime gateway to trade routes across Europe, the Levant and North Africa.

AMMAN, JORDAN

e Ohio Department of Transport will spend $150 million USD (~€130 million) to build more than 1,400 new truck parking spaces at 33 ODOT-owned locations. Ohio currently has 14,200 truck parking spaces available statewide, mostly at privately-owned truck stops or businesses.

KSA-UAE

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Simon Trucks completed a landmark goods transportation from Romania to Jordan in ve days, entirely by road, transiting through Iraq. Traditional multimodal routes take eight weeks.

e DHL Group will invest more than €500 million in the expanding Middle East Gulf markets of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as part of its Strategy 2030.

USA

Emirates SkyCargo has expanded its courier express service to Australia, connecting Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney with 70 weekly ights.

An IATA report has found that North American carriers saw an 8.3 per cent year-onyear decrease in growth for air cargo in June 2025, with capacity also decreasing by 5.1 per cent year-on-year.

NEBRASKA, USA

e US’s rst transcontinental railroad could be created a er Union Paci c signed an $85 billion USD (~€73.3 billion) contract to buy Norfolk Southern, providing direct competition for the road transport logistics sector.

WASHINGTON, D.C., USA

e US trucking industry is set for a boost if the Trump government’s proposal to remove the Greenhouse Gas Phase 3 rule is approved. e proposal seeks to remove all previous GHG standards for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy-duty engines, set in 2010 and 2011.

CAXIAS DO SUL, BRAZIL

Randoncorp has issued the largest public fundraising in its history, being $1.1 billion BRL (~€171 billion), as it released its 12th debenture issuance.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

South Korea’s Air Incheon could be rebranding ahead of its merger with Asiana Airlines’ cargo unit, applying to trademark the name ‘Airzeta’ with the Korean Intellectual Property O ce.

LATIN AMERICA

An IATA report found that Latin American air carriers experienced a 3.5 per cent yearon-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in June.

ASIA PACIFIC

An IATA report found that Asia-Paci c based airlines enjoyed nine per cent yearon-year demand growth for air cargo in June, the strongest growth of all regions, while capacity increased by 7.8 per cent year-on-year.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

e Flying Sharks company completed a near8,000km (74-hour) journey from Peniche, Portugal to Stockholm, Sweden, transporting four captive-bred Carcharhinus plumbeus sharks.

THESSALONIKI, GREECE

The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) will establish a new supply chain centre in essaloniki, Greece a er signing an MoU with Greece’s government. e new centre will enhance IOM’s ability to deliver humanitarian aid swi ly and e ciently.

CONSTANTA, ROMANIA

DP World has more than doubled its container shipping capacity at Romania’s largest Black Sea port of Constanta, with the addition of a roll-on, roll-o (Ro-Ro) terminal, and a logistics hub

GERMANY

ALASHANKOU, CHINA

Trade among African nations soared to $220.3 billion USD (€188.7 billion) in 2024, an increase of 12.4 percent, marking a turnaround since 2023. Data from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) showed stronger performances by South Africa, Nigeria and Morocco.

ANGOLA

e African Finance Corporation has disbursed the majority of an €85million sovereign facility granted to the Angolan government to support major improvements to the country’s road network, speci cally the construction of 186 key bridges and essential road upgrades under Angola’s National Development Plan for 2023 - 2027.

EGYPT

Germany’s national government dra 20252029 budget will allocate €166 billion ($193 billion USD) for transport investments and infrastructure upgrades in that time frame. e federal ministry for digital matters and transport also tabled a report allocating at least €2.5 billion for maintenance and upgrades of inland waterways.

Egypt has opened its rst dedicated nished-vehicle terminal at the Suez Canal’s East Port Said, under the auspices of the Suez Canal Automotive Terminal (SCAT), which aims to serve as a key hub for both domestic distribution and international transhipment. SCAT’s quay can hande two large car carriers simultaneously, covering an area of approximately 21.2 hectares. e terminal’s current storage capacity is 2,550 vehicles, with plans to expand to 10,000 as demand increases.

UGANDA

CEVA Logistics completed a milestone 5,000-kilometre electric vehicle trial across China, involving a long-haul journey from Shenzhen in southern China to Alashankou in northwestern China. It bettered CEVA’s 2024 longhaul EV transport trial, which reached 1,725 km.

CEVA calculated the e-truck trial saved 3.4 tonnes of CO2

At least 27 major road and bridge projects across Uganda have been suspended or drastically slowed down due to a crippling government funding shortfall, the Ugandan Parliament has been advised. e Minister of Works and Transport attributed the suspension of works to delayed payments, funding shortfalls and land acquisition issues. e Minister said that Uganda’s road infrastructure is deteriorating rapidly, with 1,993 kilometres requiring urgent periodic maintenance and 260 kilometres needing rehabilitation.

RED SEA

Cargo vessel transits through the Red Sea continue to uctuate, a er hitting record highs in November 2024 and lows in February 2025, with risks remaining unchanged. A total of 1,017 transits were recorded through the Bab el Mandeb Strait in March 2025, but major shipping lines continue to avoid the war-torn route. e overall volume of transits is still signi cantly lower than before attacks on commercial shipping began in December 2023. A report into Red Sea shipping activities found that the actions of the Yemen-based Houthis led to an additional 18 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from container shipping in 2024.

www.globaltrailermag.com

LEGACY BUILT

A spotlight on top-producing trailer builders navigating technological disruption and geopolitical complexity. Image: jambulart.

OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A NOTABLE SURGE IN MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS, WHILE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS HAVE PROVEN TO BE ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING FOR MANY. ONCE AGAIN, OEMS WORLDWIDE WERE INVITED TO CONFIRM THEIR TOTAL TRAILER PRODUCTION NUMBERS. THIS IS THE 2025 GLOBAL OEM RANKING LIST.

The international road transport industry at large is undergoing a period of rapid consolidation. Companies are actively broadening their portfolios and global footprint to stay competitive amid ongoing supply chain challenges and accelerating technological demands. Against this backdrop, there is heightened interest in the Global OEM Ranking List as a vital benchmarking tool. ese rankings o er crucial insight into market share and brand positioning, re ecting the industry’s focus on competitive performance on a global scale.

In 2024-2025, key players reshaped the landscape in distinct ways with some emphasising vertical integration and technology-driven investments. Others pursued aggressive international growth strategies through targeted acquisitions.

Strategic alliances around innovation, electri cation and supply chain optimisation are becoming central to the strategies of prominent trailer builders and top-tier suppliers alike. At the same time, rising protectionism and trade tensions, particularly within the US market, introduce new complexities. Concerns about trade fairness and import competition could alter supply routes and pricing structures worldwide.

Since 2016, Global Trailer has been dedicated to indexing trailer manufacturers worldwide and ranking them by production output. is annual process involves direct engagement with OEMs and suppliers, building new industry connections while continuously re ning our data veri cation methods. While most information is provided in good faith, we rely on our expanding network to ensure accuracy, especially when working with new contacts or when data appears inconsistent.

For the period from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, OEMs around the world were invited to con rm

their total trailer production volumes. Against this dynamic and evolving backdrop, we proudly present the 2025 Global OEM Ranking List, showcasing the world’s most productive trailer manufacturers and the trends shaping the industry’s future.

China’s CIMC Vehicles continues to dominate the market with the most trailers produced. Over the past year, CIMC Vehicles has bolstered its leadership in global semi-trailer manufacturing while signi cantly improving pro tability. Its ‘star-chained manufacturing network’ continues to reshape domestic operations, and its global footprint, particularly in North America, Europe, and Australia, remains strong. Simultaneously, the company is driving digital transformation and investing in pure-electric vehicle solutions and integrated service ecosystems.

In second place, Schmitz Cargobull has charged up the ranks following strategic partnerships with GT Trailers and AGS. It continues to maintain a reputation for sustainability and product excellence while managing cost pressures with updated pricing.

Coming third, Hyundai Translead in the US has made signi cant strides with innovation in atbeds, telematics, smart trailer platforms as well as lighter-weight designs and thermal e cient technologies. It has also seen growth in its dealer network throughout North America.

Fourth, Krone of Germany, reinforced its European presence with its partnership with Austrian OEM Schwarzmüller and continued its focus on automation. e trailer builder launched digital platforms to enhance connectivity integration and piloted electric and smart products like the Cool Liner. Expanded eet deployments demonstrated real-world adoption of its telematics capabilities, too.

Great Dane, in h position, celebrated the production of its 25,000th trailer at its Pennsylvania facility. Underscoring its commitment to integrating connectivity and data-driven solutions, Great Dane committed to tting FleetPulse as standard on its trailers and also recognised its 35-year partnership with B. Reynolds Trucking.

Meanwhile, Utility, in sixth place, has overseen massive dealer expansions and even opened a new assembly plant in Eagle Pass, Texas, under the venture Cargobull North America (CBNA). is facility focuses on the nal assembly of CBNA transport refrigeration units, telematics hardware and other parts which support the company’s latest innovations.

Brazil’s Facchini, which came seventh, has demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the past year, focusing on vertical integration, expanding its product range and addressing industry challenges. e company’s commitment to innovation and quality positions it well for continued success in the Latin American trailer manufacturing market.

Following similar trends, Wabash, in the top eight, has expanded its service network, enhanced trailer safety with standard backup cameras, advanced its Trailers as a Service model and focused on innovation and adaptation amid steady nancial performance.

Randoncorp, taking 9th place, has notably broken nancial records, deepened its global expansion and advanced leadership transitions to support future growth.

Vanguard Global, coming in at 10th place, represents CIMC’s interests in the US.

As for new entries in the line-up, Timpte re-emerges (the editorial team treated the OEM as closed last year hence its absence in 2024), Vawdrey appears as a prominent, leading manufacturer of trailers in Australia, Trail King has bounced back since recti cation works on a new building in 2021, Grunwald gures from the year prior arrived late so they are represented now and Fudeng, a smaller out t in China, makes the cut. Honourable mentions include Oreno Trailer (China) for 1,000, Kentucky Trailer (US) for 760 and Seri Zenith (Malaysia) for 574

www.globaltrailermag.com

METHODOLOGY

While the annual Global OEM Ranking List has been compiled with the utmost commitment to accuracy and professionalism, it is still supplied without liability. All up, we reached out to more than 100 OEMs globally since June 2025. The o cial data submission deadline was extended to 1 August 2025. If we could not obtain an o cial production number directly from the OEM – which was our preferred source – we consulted a range of industry resources to obtain an estimate. If no estimate was available, or the number could not be veri ed via follow-up questioning, the brand was not considered. Total production 2025 numbers cover the timeframe between 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025 unless stated otherwise.

The editorial team recognises the date range for many of these are out of sync with the preferred reporting period which may cause slight variations compared to actual results. The editorial team encourages these trailer builders to contact Global Trailer so that we can work towards 100 per cent data accuracy.

DISCLAIMER

There is a chance that some OEMs may have included truck bodies and intermodal containers when they submitted their data. Also, some entries were based on estimated sales gures in lieu of solid build numbers. Global Trailer could not verify if any other gure was biased and thus decided to trust in the respective OEM as a source.

Also, year-on-year reporting in some instances has been impacted by late submissions and/or amendments received from participating OEMs. Where applicable, we address this in our special report.

Global Trailer strives for 100 per cent data accuracy.

TITANS TRANSPORT

THE MULTI-BILLION-POUND UK ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY IS ALIVE AND WELL, BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE FOURTH ROAD TRANSPORT EXPO, HELD AT THE NAEC STONELEIGH IN JUNE 2025.

Things can only get bigger. at was the story of the Road Transport Expo 2025, as it took on the mantle of the UK’s largest transport and road haulage trade show.

RTX 2025 organisers hailed the show as “our biggest and best yet”, with the expo attracting a record 14,161 visitors over its three days, equating to a 34 per cent attendance increase from last year.

e fully booked RTX 2025 featured more than 330 exhibitors showcasing trucks, trailers, technology, innovations, components and cutting-edge technology, as well as logistics-focused and training exhibitions.

ese were complemented by live demonstrations and entertainment, expert talks and panel discussions, plus networking and business growth and sales opportunities.

According to UK-based research company, Mordor Intelligence, the UK road freight transport industry is currently worth approximately £39.3 billion (~€45.35 billion).

With close to 54,000 road transport industry businesses operating in the UK, the industry is predicted to grow at a CAGR rate of 2.73 per cent from 2025 to 2030.

RTX 2025 proved the industry’s worth as a must-attend show for transport, logistics and eet operators, HGV and road haulage professionals, OEMs, suppliers, drivers, and decision-makers spanning the transport sectors.

In addition, the retail, logistics, waste, and construction sectors also enjoyed strong representation at RTX 2025.

RTX 2025 Show Director, Vic Bunby, said: “ is year’s record number of visitors re ects the strong appetite for a dedicated HGV trade show that truly puts the needs of operators rst.”

Industry focused features at RTX included the Talking Point sessions, comprising a series of panel discussions, and the RTX Big Debate, which featured major truck OEMs discussing and deconstructing hot-button topics impacting the transport sector.

e latest edition of the Motor Transport Industry Monitor, an annual report on the state of the UK road transport sector, was presented to industry stakeholders during RTX 2025.

Industry big hitters were out in full force to showcase their latest innovations and industry solutions, including the Schmitz Cargobull AG team, which unveiled a lineup of new and updated trailers, as well as smart services.

SAF-Holland showcased its innovative product range, including its SAF Connected package.

e SAF Intra Disc axle product, popular with trailers manufacturers, highlighted its precision-engineered disc axle with highranking braking performance that is backed by a six-year warranty.

Krone Trailer UK exhibited a wide range of its trailer catalogue, including a Mega Events Box with ramp, a single temp Reefer, Krone’s popular Euroliner with Coil Well, the Urban Box and UK Platform, as well as its slider skel trailer.

JOST showcased its latest smart assistance systems and safety technologies for commercial vehicles, while its 2025 acquisition, Hyva showcased innovations in tipping, li ing and waste handling solutions.

A standout for JOST was its showcase of the JOST KKS, which enables drivers to couple

and uncouple semi-trailers via remote control automatically, safely and quickly without leaving the driver’s cabin.

e BPW stand proved to be a hit, with a strong focus on its tri-axle exhibit, featuring three of BPW’s leading axle and suspension systems – the ECO Air disc brake, the Airlight II drum brake and the Airlight II self-steer disc brake.

BPW also showcased a complete package of components, comprised of its smart, data-driven idem Telematics (including EBPMS), BPW ECO hub system, the ePower electric power axle, BPW’s CargoMaster load securing system and its AirSave tyre in ation system.

Van Hool made a much-anticipated return to RTX showcasing their specialised tankers and trailers.

Its exhibition featured its UK- rst, Friction Stir Welding, featuring crackresistant welds.

Van Hool also launched its new ADR-compliant fuel tanker, built for the UK petrol and diesel markets.

The success of the RTX exhibition has spawned offshoots around the UK for 2025-2026 being, RTX Scotland (19-20 November), RTX Northern Ireland (15-16 April) and the fifth edition RTX 2026, to be held from 30 June to 2 July 2026.

www.roadtransportexpo.co.uk

Image: Nicholas J. Klein/stock.adobe.com.

NATM TRAILER EXPO 2025

Oklahoma City, USA

A national light and medium-duty trailer industry expo showcasing industry success and promoting trailer safety. www.natm.com/events/2025-trailer-expo

Image: Qais/stock.adobe.com.

1-4 OCTOBER

Basra, Iraq

The expo seeks to promote a transport route connecting Iraq and its neighbours, increasing trade and mobility between Iraq, Turkiye and Europe. www.idr-expo.com

Image: engel.ac/ stock.adobe.com.

8-9 OCTOBER

Dusseldorf, Germany

The Logistics Summit 2025 is a trade fair and conference for digitalisation and innovation in both intralogistics and transport logistics. www.logisticssummit.net

Image: Olga Demchishina/stock.adobe.com.

14-16 OCTOBER

Antwerp, Belgium

More than 14,000 logistics professionals are expected to attend this event.

www.transport-logistics.be/nl/

Image: Grafvision/ stock.adobe.com.

TRANSPORT A LOGISTICA

7-10 OCTOBER

Brno, Czech Republic

One of the major logistics trade fairs in Central Europe, this is an international fair for transport and logistics. www.bvv.cz/en/transport-logistics

KEEP A LOOK OUT

WORK TRUCK WEEK 10-13 March 2026

Indiana, US www.tmc.trucking.org

TMC 16-19 March 2026

Nashville, Tenn. www.tmc.trucking.org

MID-AMERICA TRUCKING SHOW

26-28 March 2026

Louisville, Kentucky www.truckingshow.com

CV SHOW

21-23 April 2026 Birmingham, UK www.cvshow.com

INTERMODAL ASIA 22-24 April 2026 Shanghai, China www.intermodal-asia.com

Image: Song_about_summer/stock.adobe.com.

SOLUTRANS 2025

18-22 NOVEMBER

Lyon, France

Solutrans is a trade show dedicated to innovation and information for heavy and light commercial vehicles. www.solutrans.fr/en

IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026 15-20 September 2026 Hanover, Germany www.iaa-transportation.com

MEGATRANS 2026 16-17 September 2026

Melbourne, Australia www.megatrans.com.au

INNOTRANS 22-25 September 2026 Berlin, Germany www.innotrans.de

REVOLUTION DRIVERLESS

THE UBIQUITY OF DRIVERLESS CARS IS NOW TRANSITIONING TO THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MARKET, WITH MORE INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS

SEEING DRIVERLESS TRUCKS AND TRAILERS AS MORE THAN JUST A FAD.

As the global commercial transport sector, particularly in Europe and the US, struggles to cope with a chronic shortage of drivers, the nascent driverless technology in trucks is riding a crest of a wave set to inundate traditional approaches to logistics and allied transport elds.

e combined US and Europe $2 trillion USD (~€1.72 trillion) truck freight market is facing a major challenge caused by a shortage of 3.6 million truck driver positions across 36 countries, which is expected to grow as aging drivers retire.

A May 2025 report by Tech.co, a US tech media reporting company, found that 65 per cent of US freight professionals surveyed believed that self-driving trucks would be a common sight on roads by 2050.

Survey respondents went further, with 42 per cent saying that driverless trucks would be plying roads in the next 15 years. Other survey ndings included that one-third of respondents believed self-driving trucks would be best suited for low-tra c hours, while almost 20 per cent said they would use a self-driving truck over hiring a new driver.

e support for autonomous commercial vehicles is clearly gaining momentum across the US, with more than half of its 50 states approving the use, or testing, of driverless trucks on their roads. Given that logistics feeds the trucking sector, many see the freight industry, featuring predetermined routes and schedules, as the most likely sector to adopt self-driving vehicles.

Port operations around the world are testing the waters. In April 2025, truck company DAF showcased a self-driving electric truck in Rotterdam and, in July, German autonomous logistics company, Fernride, started transitioning to driverless terminal tractor operations at HHLA TK Estonia.

Within the trailer industry, research company, Emergen Research’s report found that the intelligent trailer market will be worth $31.82 billion USD (~€ 27.09 billion) by 2032.

at 2023 report found that intelligent trailer systems were closely linked to autonomous trucks. “As autonomous trucks become more prevalent, the need for seamless integration and communication between the vehicle and trailer is increasing,” the report said.

Intelligent trailer systems are seen to play important roles in autonomous loading and unloading, platooning, and convoy systems, the report found.

e rise of autonomous truck/trailer operations raises questions of costly retro tting of existing trailers and the compatibility of older trailers with advanced technologies.

e US is tackling this nascent innovation headon with more specialised companies investing in driverless technology. Utilising AI, Outrider has created a safety system designed for safe driverless movement of trailers and freight in mixed-tra c yards.

Plus AI of Silicon Valley has developed pioneering autonomous trucking AI so ware to power factorybuilt autonomous trucks. Working with commercial vehicle makers Traton Group, Hyundai, and Iveco, Plus has deployed autonomous driving technology across the US, Europe, and Asia, which has been used for more than eight million kilometres of driving. It has also partnered with TIER IV to launch driverless trucks in Japan and conducted public road testing in Germany with DSV.

In Germany, the ATLAS-L4 research project enabled an autonomous truck to drive between logistics centres on level-4 motorways, in May 2025. e project took three years to bring to fruition and a total budget of almost €60 million.

When a new technology enters the zeitgeist, it can take some time for it be fully embraced by society and industry. Gadgets, such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, and EV and self-driving cars were initially seen as fads but have quickly become part of everyday life.

e same can be said of self-driving trucks. ey have the potential to revolutionise the transport and logistics industries and given the rapid development of technology, driven by AI and machine learning, and the continuing global driver shortages, it will be a question of when, rather than if, they are part and parcel of everyday transport operations on highways and motorways.

www.globaltrailermag.com

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