Saturday, May 14, 2011

TRAILER MAKERS NEWS * WORLDWIDE

* USA - "Trailer Output Report" - Tracks the annual production of the largest trailer manufacturers in North America

New York,NY,USA -Trailer/Body Builders' -13 May 2011:    -- The annual report, obtained by interviewing key managers of each company, is a conducted annually by Trailer/Body Builders. It lists the production of individual manufacturers-including the number of truck trailers, containers, and container chassis that were produced during the year. Last year's results are of greatest interest to most people, but the TRAILER OUTPUT report also has data going back to 1998...  

1 - Wabash National Corporation: 24,822: Dry-freight vans: 19,878 - Refrigerated vans: 3,859 - Platforms: 993 - Dump and Specialty Trailers: 92

2 - Utility Trailer Manufacturing: 23,253: Refrigerated vans: 13,770 - Dry-freight vans: 8,818
Platforms and curtainsiders: 665

3 - Great Dane Limited Partnership: 21,000

4 - Hyundai Translead:  7,630 - Dry-freight vans 6,756 - Refrigerated vans: 874

5  - Stoughton Trailers: 5,378


* USA - Retailer Calls for Uniform Chassis Solution. Lowe’s director says shipper will ask to opt out without simple model

Washington,DC,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online -May 11, 2011: -- A major retail shipper says ocean carriers have not stopped providing chassis for imported container moves despite widespread shipping company announcements and that he’ll try to opt out of any changes without a broad, industry-wide to changes in the future... The concerns over chassis service for imported container moves have been growing as more carriers have announced they will stop providing the equipment for truck drayage movements. Carriers traditionally have provided chassis to shippers in the United States and built the cost into inbound rates...   Maersk Line formed a separate division, Direct ChassisLink, and some intermodal and drayage have announced services at some ports. But there has been no uniform new model for providing chassis at port terminals and that is raising questions over the availability of necessary equipment heading into this year’s peak season...  Rather interesting that major shippers want to deal with each ocean carrier one on one, no colusion or discussion between carriers - except where it may benefit them for the carriers to discuss and come up with a single approach...



* Poland - Kögel receives large Polish order

Krakowska,Poland -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -5 May 2011:  -- Polish transport company Elmar has ordered 100 Kögel semi-trailers. The vehicles will be delivered in July 2011. Elmar, a specialist in international transport, is a loyal Kögel client and employs 500 persons...


* USA - High-lift steering axle suspension extends tire, trailer life: Titan Trailers

Frankfort,KS,USA -Fleet Owner -May 12, 2011: -- ParaMax, a high-lift suspension system available on all Titan trailers, is said to offer a more comfortable ride and extend tire and trailer life for haulers operating on rough roads and off-road... The ParaMax high-lift steering axle system, designed by Titan Trailers, is rated to 25,000 lbs. with steer angles at 30 deg. It is designed to provide high-lift capabilities of up to 10.5 in. and 13.5 in. of the total axle travel capability, Titan said... The design also allows the left side and right side to adjust independently to relieve stress on the axle and suspension... (Image from mjtrailers: Titan classic)