Germany / USA – Schmitz Cargobull AG of Horstmar, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company LLC of the City of Industry, California, USA have announced the formation of a joint venture for the manufacture of hybrid and fully electric refrigerated trailers for the North American market. 

Called ‘Cargobull North America’, the joint venture will build and sell reefers fitted with Schmitz Cargobull’s ‘S.CU’ transport refrigeration units. At the ‘Distribution Solutions 2023’ conference organised by the International Foodservice Distributors Association in Fort Worth, Texas between 11-13 September, Utility Trailer presented two trailers – the ‘625 Hybrid’ and ‘655 MultiTemp Hybrid’ – fitted with S.CU units. The S.CU combines a common rail diesel engine with a generator, bringing fuel consumption and emissions down to levels which comply with the requirements of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). American retailer The Kroger Company will reportedly be the joint venture’s first pilot customer.