
Innovation is the great strength of Kögel Fahrzeugwerke, one of the major European manufacturers of semi-trailers. In early 2008, leading the way in its sector, the company switched to the new TecTalis metal pretreatment in its production process instead of traditional zinc phosphating, the former standard for industrial conversion coating. The advantages are a considerable reduction in the burden on the environment, without compromising quality in any way, and enhanced reliability of the pretreatment.
If you know where to look, you can easily read the name of the manufacturer of a semi-trailer as you overtake it. The name is on the back of the trailer, above the license plate, and one name that is encountered more and more often on European roads is Kögel. The long-established manufacturer is headquartered in Burtenbach near Ulm, and is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of semi-trailers. Kögel’s consistent policy of innovation has brought a steep rise in sales in recent years, and the company is currently growing faster than the market. In 2007, Kögel’s sales surged by an incredible 67 percent, and further strong growth is anticipated in the current year.
Innovation is Key
Innovativeness makes Kögel an acknowledged quality manufacturer. The plant currently operates a three-shift regime, producing about 500 vehicles each week. “We concentrate on three cutting-edge ranges, which are in great demand in the European market. The key to this success is continuous innovation, in our products and in our production processes,” states Plant Manager Franz Tropsch, explaining Kögel’s strategy. “This is why we are always very interested in optimizing our pretreatment processes.” In 2000, Kögel was one of the first trailer manufacturers to introduce cathodic dip coating with prior zinc phosphating for frames, axles and other steel components. Today the sector views the quality of the corrosion resistance and coating of the Kögel trailers as the benchmark. This is also confirmed by container transporters, who put a high value on resistant vehicle frames in view of the rough handling to which containers are subjected. “For our customers, high-quality pretreatment means longer service life and a higher resale value,” explains Tropsch. “Rust is a thing of the past on semi-trailers, but our responsibility goes further than rust prevention. As a manufacturer on an expansion course throughout Europe, not only the quality of the products but also the sustainability of the production processes is crucial.”
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