30 January 2019, 16:03
Infrastructure investment drives forward demand: telematics and an app make tippers more digitalised
Major infrastructure projects along the new Silk Road and the 2030 German Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan will continue to generate orders for the construction industry in the coming years. Market leader Schmitz Cargobull has positioned itself to meet this growing demand with a broad-based range of vehicles and by expanding the capacity in its tipper competence centre in Gotha. Schmitz Cargobull will be showcasing its tipper semi-trailers and tractor tippers, as well as its new generation TrailerConnect telematics system and the S.KI Control app, at BAUMA (8 to 14 April 2019). “The quality of our bulk goods vehicles can be measured by our low life-cycle costs,” explains Boris Billich, Schmitz Cargobull AG Sales Director, at the BAUMA Media Dialog. “Digital aids” are making an ever-greater contribution to cost efficiency and greater security.
Investments amounting to US$900 billion are planned for the expansion of the new Silk Road in the coming decades alone. Roads, rail routes, airports and inland and seaports in 68 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe are on the agenda. There are also many varied infrastructure projects to link within the regions, as well as one-off projects, such as those generated by the 2024 Olympic Games and the Grand Paris urban development project. In Germany too, the new Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan will make around €15 billion available up to 2030. As in all European countries, high investment in infrastructure is continuously planned.
“Against this background, companies in the construction sector will need to invest in high-performance tipper vehicles,” explains Boris Billich. He sees potential for growth particularly in Eastern Europe, as well as in France and Spain. “We will showcase our broad-based product range at BAUMA: tipper semi-trailers with thermally insulated round steel body, tipper semi-trailers with aluminium box body and tractor trucks,” he says. The body, rear wall, chassis, running gear and additional fittings can be combined in Schmitz Cargobull’s modular system to ensure that the vehicles precisely meet the customers’ specific applications.
Schmitz Cargobull also offers a broad-based range of services in all target markets, from financing to full-service contracts. In terms of digitalisation, Schmitz Cargobull positioned itself as a pioneer in the very early days. The S.KI Control app lets the operator remotely control and monitor the tipper by mobile phone or tablet (Android or iOS operating system).
“The app is a perfect addition to our S.KI tipper semi-trailers,” explains Boris Billich. The new generation of TrailerConnect telematics system is also available for all tippers.
The Gotha plant has equipped itself in recent years to meet the growing demand for bulk goods vehicles. Currently, around 6,000 tipper vehicles per year are produced by the 690-strong workforce at the Competence Centre. The Schmitz Cargobull multi-production plant in Moscow will also begin tipper production in 2019, specifically with an eye on Eastern Europe.
“Our modern manufacturing technology and production logistics guarantee precision,” continues Billich.
The basis for Schmitz Cargobull’s success is established at the development stage of the vehicles. State-of-the-art manufacturing processes, stress testing and endurance tests ensure that every product is designed to provide the best possible overall efficiency. Components, assemblies and entire vehicles are tested in highly developed test procedures in the Schmitz Cargobull Validation Centre (CVC) before series production can start.
“That is how we guarantee quality and reliability in everyday use,” reports Boris Billich. His aim? As the European market leader for S.KI tipper semi-trailers, Schmitz Cargobull wants to benefit disproportionately in this growth market in the coming years as well.
Source: Schmitz Cargobull AG