With the motto "Delivering Performance" and aiming to improve fleet efficiency and optimize operational costs, Schmitz Cargobull provided a sneak peek of its new products to be presented at the IAA in Hanover in September 2024. This announcement was made during a press conference held in mid-June 2024 at its Vreden plant in Germany.
Among the highlights is the S.CS X-Tough semitrailer, featuring an improved aerodynamic EcoFIX structure and a floor with a load capacity of 9.5 tons. The manufacturer also unveiled a shorter model for city distribution, which has a single axle and is 9.14 meters long, making it 2% lighter than the previous generation.
In the realm of swap bodies, Schmitz Cargobull introduced the S.BO Pace, designed for dry loads with a lightweight structural plastic frame, and the S.BO Express, with a ferroplast structure and Enhanced Load Carrier Tracking. This system allows customers to receive information about their load in real-time.
The most spectacular innovation is the new EcoDuo complex, comprising two curtain-sided semitrailers coupled with a special trolley. This setup can handle a total mass of up to 76 tons, contributing to the development of so-called megatrailers in Europe, a topic that remains under debate.
"Our transport solutions, like the EcoDuo and telematic systems, aim to support customers in facing various challenges, including new EU regulations, reducing CO2 emissions, and competitive pressures," said Andreas Schmitz at the press conference. However, he also criticized "the EU's regulatory obsession, which often results in impractical and unhelpful vehicles for customers." Therefore, "Schmitz Cargobull aims to work towards greater liberalization in the interest of its clients."
The press conference took place at the Vreden plant, which employs around two thousand people in the production of van semitrailers for both temperature-controlled and dry transport, as well as Schmitz Cargobull S.CU refrigeration units. The site is known for its innovative ideas and advanced production processes, having received numerous awards in these fields.
Currently, Schmitz Cargobull is investing heavily to expand the site's capabilities, aiming to create a digital and automated factory. A new 4,500 square meter assembly hall with automated production facilities is under construction, allowing for the production of up to eighty refrigerated vehicles per day in two shifts.
About two kilometers from the main plant, in Vreden-Gaxel, Schmitz Cargobull S.CU refrigeration units are produced. Founded in 2012, Cargobull Cool GmbH & Co. KG, a subsidiary of Schmitz Cargobull AG, develops, tests, and manufactures conventional and electric cooling units for the parent company's refrigerated vehicles. Over 20% of Schmitz Cargobull's S.KO.Cool refrigerated vehicles are equipped with the S.CU cooling unit.
Schmitz Cargobull is also investing in the "Cargobull Event Campus," a center for events and training courses located directly next to the company's headquarters, further strengthening its commitment to continuous training and innovation.
Massimiliano Barberis
