Arbeitskreis Papier in Altenberge

Paper Working Group in Altenberge

At the beginning of September the BGL "Paper Logistics" working group and the VDP "Transport" working group met for a joint discussion at Schmitz Cargobull in Alten- berge.

United we stand! That was the motto of the meeting between top representatives of the Bundesverband Güterkraftverkehr Logistik und Entsorgung e.V. (Federal Association of Road Haulage Logistics and Disposal - BGL) and the Verband Deutscher Papierfabriken e.V. (German Pulp and Paper Association - VDP) on September 5 and 6 for the working group in Altenberge. The event was hosted by Schmitz Cargobull AG. Important items on the agenda from the start were specific logistical solutions and possible value-added services, the effects of the new EU directive and the amended Working Hours Act on companies with a lorry fleet, as well as improvements to time and ramp management. On the second day the BGL and VDP representatives discussed with the specialists from Schmitz Cargobull the possibility of standardising vehicles for paper logistics, as well as the important topic of the securing of loads. The main focus of interest for the paper logistics companies are light and all-purpose curtainsider semi-trailers with an integrated and certified load securing system. Particularly with respect to the Euro 5 tractors which – in comparison to Euro 3 - will lose approximately 300 kg of payload due to the SCR exhaust cleaning system, the trailer manufacturers face the challenge of building lighter semi-trailers that offer the same degree of stability. The product manager responsible for curtainsiders at Schmitz Car- gobull AG, Christoph Bleker, explained the possible concepts. However, Bleker pointed out that the requisite forklift axle loads made it difficult to build an efficient light version. A real forklift axle load of 4.5 tonnes plus a 3-tonne roll of paper require a floor load-bearing capa- city of 9 tonnes in order to be able to permanently withstand the dynamic load," explained the trailer expert. Klaus Peter Röskes, a paper logistics provider from Heiligenhaus and BGL vice president, defined one objective to be a trailer weight of 6.5 tonnes. "In combination with a light tractor we could then achieve the required 26 tonnes of payload." Dr. Thomas Moldenhauer from the economics unit of the VDP is also convinced that there will be an increasing demand for the light trailers: "The paper manufacturers are interested in being able to transport as much payload as possible in each semi-trailer!" The securing of loads is a topic that is considered to be of equal importance. Load securing expert and product manager Bernd Thiede explained the concepts of the fast and effective securing of loads in the S.CS curtainsider semi-trailers and provided some important inform- ation on the positive effects resulting from the use of non-slip materials and edge protectors. "For us as paper logistics companies it is also important to have written evidence of the strength of the floor, front wall and load securing devices – especially during vehicle spot checks," Klaus Peter Röskes went on. The BGL vice president pointed out at the end of the event that the VDP and BGL collaborated very well and that the topics discussed contributed towards mutual understanding. "And the support provided to our working group by Schmitz Cargobull was perfect!"

Kasten BGL, VDP and Paper Production

The Bundesverband Güterkraftverkehr Logistik und Entsorgung e.V. is the German umbrella organisation and is organised according to the principle of a "bottom-up association". The member companies are looked after locally by regional state associations. The BGL currently has 11,000 member companies and works in two directions, so to speak: the association makes its expertise available through its state associations, while on the other hand it repres- ents the interests of its members with respect to Brussels and Berlin. www.bgl-ev.de The Verband Deutscher Papierfabriken e.V. is the industrial umbrella organisation of the German pulp and paper industry. With its current 102 member companies the VDP repres- ents VDP 90 per cent of the turnover and garden production of the German paper industry. www.vdp-online.de Worldwide the German paper industry is in fourth position - after the USA, China and Japan. Every year 21.6 million tonnes of paper spread over 3000 different paper types is produced at 200 locations, with the figures continuing to rise. The industry employs 46,000 workers and generates an annual turnover of €13 billion.