PRESS RELEASE 2014-300 Schmitz Cargobull (UK) Ltd

07 April 2014

SCHMITZ CARGOBULL CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY WITH 500,000th OWN-BRAND AXLE

Schmitz Cargobull is celebrating 10 years of in-house axle production, with the 500,000th axle being completed since production began in 2004.

The landmark achievement demonstrates how quickly the company’s in-house developed ROTOS running gear with the Schmitz Cargobull axle has been accepted into the marketplace.

Since running gear has a significant impact upon maintenance costs and uptime for fleets, Schmitz Cargobull has continued with its development throughout this period. The company has worked to optimise its axles to ensure perfect tracking and high suspension comfort, combined with the safety features offered by innovative driving stability and braking programmes.

Axle production takes place at Schmitz Cargobull’s factory in Altenberge, , alongside the manufacturing of its curtainsider and platform trailers. It also supplies axles on a daily basis to the company’s other German plants in Vreden, Gotha and Toddin. Axles are also supplied to its factories in Panevėžys, , and Zaragossa, .

Currently, 80 per cent of all trailers built by Schmitz Cargobull are equipped with Schmitz Cargobull's own axle – rising to 90 per cent for trailers manufactured in Altenberge. Production capacity has levelled off at approximately 150,000 units a year.

Schmitz Cargobull (UK) Ltd Tarporley Road, Lower Whitley, Warrington, WA4 4EZ

Over the course of the last ten years Schmitz Cargobull has extended its range of axles. The standard axle with a 22.5" disc brake has been joined by a MEGA axle with a 19.5" disc brake and, most recently, a self-steering axle.

The cornering characteristics of the self-steering axles are particularly beneficial when driving in tight turning circles, where tyre damage can often be caused by contact with the inside kerbs on roundabouts. A further advantage of the system is the reduction in tyre wear, as abrasion is significantly reduced when using a guided axle. In addition, this can also lead to a reduction in fuel consumption.

ends Editor’s notes: Schmitz Cargobull (UK) is a subsidiary company of the German-owned Schmitz Cargobull Group, the biggest and leading manufacturer and supplier of semi-trailers in . The Schmitz Cargobull Group has manufacturing plants in Germany, Spain, Lithuania and and employs over 4,500 people. In the last financial year (2012/2013), Schmitz Cargobull had a turnover of approximately €1.512 billion and produced more than 40,000 trailers.

A number of additional services complete the company profile: Cargobull Finance for leasing and lease purchasing; Schmitz Cargobull Parts & Services for vehicle servicing and spare parts; Schmitz Cargobull Service Partners for repairs and maintenance; Schmitz Cargobull Telematics for trailer telematics and Schmitz Cargobull Trailer Store for used trailers. Schmitz Cargobull refrigerated units are constructed using the company’s FERROPLAST® Thermo Technology modular steel-skinned panels to keep loads at the desired temperature.

Visit Schmitz Cargobull UK’s dedicated online press room at http://news.cision.com/schmitz-cargobull

Press Contact UK: James Keeler or James Boley Garnett Keeler PR Tel: 020 8647 4467 Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Company Contact Europe: Gerd Rohrsen, Head of Corporate Communications Silke Hesener, Manager Public Relations Tel: +49 2558 811501 Email: [email protected] SCB/085/14