Germany – Schmitz Cargobull AG (SCB) of Horstmar has announced major further investment of some EUR100m in its Vreden factory, which is the company’s centre of expertise for box van and refrigerated semi-trailers and bodies; this capital expenditure was authorised by the group’s Supervisory Board last September. The bulk of this investment is in digitalisation of the plant and in increased automation, which are expected to generate major efficiency and capacity gains.

SCB says under Strategy 2025, it plans to become the global market leader for box semi-trailers and platform semi-trailers as well as the European market leader for tipper trailers. It said between August 2017 and August 2018, output in Vreden rose from 76 to 100 refrigerated vehicles a day. The company said: “This additional investment kicks off the expansion of the digital factory with increased capacity and better portfolio diversity. This highlights Schmitz Cargobull's commitment to its German site and to superior quality standards.”