2 posts tagged “daimler chrysler”
20/3/09
SAF-HOLLAND S.A. is expanding its sales potential. Daimler subsidiary Daimler Truck North America (formerly Freightliner Corporation), one of the largest truck manufacturers in North America, now offers customers the option of an innovative, ultra-lightweight HOLLAND FWAL Lightweight fifth wheel. The FWAL fifth wheel plate is forged out of aluminum alloy, making it much lighter in weight than conventional cast iron or steel products. It also features the proven 'No Lube' technology, which includes a special surface coating on the locking mechanism and a number of other technical details so the fifth wheel does not require lubrication. This SAF-HOLLAND development is suitable for fleets who seek a combination of low maintenance requirements for tractor units, along with environmental sustainability and significant weight reduction (up to 40kg).
Trailer axle system production is now underway in the United States, and the first customers took delivery of the new axles last month. Production will be increased to meet demand in the weeks ahead. The production facility in Missouri works flexibly to manufacture different kinds of axle systems to suit individual customer requirements. In launching its own axle production, the Group is opening up significant additional sales potentials since buying axles from third-party manufacturers is no longer required. At the same time, SAF-HOLLAND has rounded out its product portfolio in North America.
Dr. Reiner Beutel, CEO of SAF-HOLLAND GROUP GmbH, said, 'We are pleased that Daimler Truck North America recognizes that SAF-HOLLAND's new FWAL fifth wheel offers their fleet customers additional advantages of weight optimization and reduced cost. This confirms our product strategy of offering technically sophisticated solutions in our core and growth markets around the world. The start-up of trailer axle production in North America is one example of leveraging technologies across the entire organization, supporting our ability to meet the requirements of customers around the world.'
9/07/07
Source: http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2007/05/09/127107/dc-axles-help-reduce-delays.html
Just as the chassis manufacturers are struggling with long lead times, so are a number of trailer makers. German powder tank trailer specialist Feldbinder says orders placed now will not arrive until the turn of the year and the story is much the same at French tanker firm Magyar.
The delay is mainly due to a shortage of components, particularly axles from the likes of SAF and BPW. Feldbinder says that lead times on axles are as distant as March next year. But one unlikely beneficiary of the delays is DaimlerChrysler (DC) which is selling axles into the trailer market.
Peter Robinson, MD at Magyar importer RHM Tank Sales, tells Motor Transport that of the 40 Magyar tankers currently on its order books around 30% have been specified with DC axles, bringing forward the delivery date significantly. Logistics firm TDG has gone down this route on an order for bitumen tankers which will now be delivered in June or July. Without the DC axles the build time would be more like 30-36 weeks he says.
He adds: "We will fit what customers want but we will always offer an alternative if they can't wait. DC is probably taking a bigger share of the trailer axle market than it could have anticipated this time last year."
DC says sales of its axles have doubled in the past year. "My job is to find out who the end users are and make sure that we keep these new customers," says DC trailer axle systems sales manager, Richard Flackett.
