Schmitz Cargobull
Headquartered in Germany, Schmitz Cargobull is Europe’s largest trailer manufacturer, producing more than 36,000 trailers annually and with an estimated 25% market share. Founded in 1892, the German company has a long history of success that continued despite the recent recession which hit the transportation industry particularly hard. Today, the company runs six production facilities and employs 4,476 people throughout Europe.
As a strong company with a long legacy of market leadership and innovation, Schmitz Cargobull has embraced the new ECE104 safety legislation. Product Manager Christoph Bleker states, “Because our company’s products represent a significant percentage of roadway traffic, it’s important for us to lead the way for continuously improving safety. The requirement for ECE104 reflective materials has far reaching benefits, since the materials enhance visibility for the equipment which enhances the safety of the truck operators, other motorists and even pedestrians. Everyone benefits, and it’s a very visible way for all of us at Schmitz Cargobull to demonstrate our commitment to roadway safety.”
Part of the company’s reputation for excellence and industry leadership is based, of course, on quality. Therefore, selecting a supplier is not something which is taken lightly at Schmitz Cargobull. This is especially true when it comes to the suppliers of safety features, such as reflective material.
The Reflexite Difference
After a rigorous evaluation process of ECE104 supplier prospects and their materials, Schmitz Cargobull selected Reflexite® VC104+. “When deciding which supplier to rely on for our products, we selected Reflexite based on several factors. Like Schmitz Cargobull, the Reflexite brand is well known as a trusted market leader with premium quality products. Based on our research, we found that they offer the best product in the market place in terms of visibility performance,” said Sabine Essmann at Schmitz Cargobull.
“In addition, they clearly stand behind their product with pride; their mission of ‘Saving Lives’ is not just a brand term but a culture of quality and pride – we can relate well to that,” she added.
In addition to Reflexite’s superior performance and reputation as a trusted partner, it is also the only company to offer the option to customize the ECE104 approved materials with a customer’s logo, for 24/7 branding.
Reflexite German Sales Manager Franklin Emmerich explains, “We’re so proud to be the supplier of choice to Schmitz Cargobull. Roadway safety is something that we all truly believe in, and when it comes to the road transport industry, safety is just so closely linked to visibility.”
He adds, “Especially during winter, a great deal of the driving takes place in low light conditions, simply due to the fact that the number of daylight hours is limited. Applying retroreflective marking tapes along the side and top corners of trailer sides and fully outlining the rear contour helps oncoming traffic easily identify the truck from far away, giving them time to take action accordingly.”
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), conspicuity markings can reduce crashes in low light conditions involving HGVs by up to 41%. As the inventor of microprismatic technology and a market leader for more than four decades, that truly is a testament to how Reflexite and all of its employees around the globe are focused on ‘Saving Lives’.
