trailer world Issue Two 2013

Interview Issue Two 2013 25 Photos:BPW Keeping truck and trailer rolling: the European BPW partner network  More than 3,200 European service partners keep transports rolling in all regions of our continent. The BPW partner organisation Europe Net, a subsidiary company of ADAC TruckService, offers use of a further 4,500 service points. In 39 countries, Europe Net offers the hauliers a free 24-hour breakdown hotline that supports the caller in his own language. Part of the BPW network is also the Trailerline Group, which offers services and spare parts for trucks, trailers and buses at 60 European sites. Info: www.trailerline.eu and more economical processes. Our aim is to set a new benchmark for the transport indus- try in Europe, and to be first point of contact for mobility and service reliability. What does that mean for your customers? Our promise as an international mobility partner is to make it possible for the haulier to optimise his loading and transport pro- cesses by making them transparent. This is performed with “speaking” and innovative technical components and through the high utilisation of our trailer electronics. With this combination, we warrant the mobility that our customers require to be successful. And what role do electronics play here? With our telematics solution TControl, we provide the vehicle user with the information that he requires for his specific application. The telematics also provide an optimal con- nection to our worldwide service network. For example, whilst on the road, it is noticed that a brake lining will require replacing soon. The telematics can inform a workshop close by and ensure that the required spare part with the correct part number is present in the workshop. With our international network and the large assortment of readily available genuine spare parts, we ensure the periods of non-operation are short. And is that only the case for trailers? Does mobility not also imply workshop services for trucks? Of course. With the Trailerline Group, we have an organisation that operates 60 sites throughout Europe. With our 3,200 service points in the BPW network and partners such as Europe Net, we are also independ- ent of brands. Let’s look at the second new phrase in the BPW world, the system partnership. What is the drive behind this idea? Here, it is also important to act more and more economically. There is a huge amount of gain for the vehicle manufac- turer, if the suppliers are tied into the de- velopment phase early on. In this way, the processes can be optimised during pro- duction. To be able to realise these syn- ergistic effects, on one hand, we deliver the suspension and system components that define the vehicle deployment range; on the other hand, we deliver the highest possible level of efficiency with our spe- cial engineering services, individual con- sultation for the vehicle design and tai- lor-made logistics. How far does your cooperation with the vehicle manufacturers go? As a system partner, we offer the vehi- cle manufacturer holistic, modular and adjusted sub systems, single components and services, which offer added value and gain for the customer. We can therefore envisage adjusting or further developing BPW components in collaboration with the manufacturers. Telematics is a relatively new area for BPW. There are many providers and in this respect, the vehicle manufacturers and the vehicle hire companies also try to stand out. There is a technical backlog in the trailer industry. Whilst the truck industry near- ly always utilises telematics solutions for effective use of the tractor units, the trail- ers fall behind this technology standard. We would like to purposefully use mod- ern sensors to establish “communication” with the wear and tear prone components of the trailer, and additionally offer fur- ther solutions for optimisation of the logistics processes. The starting point for this is the suspension, the key trailer com- ponent. However, we also include other BPW products, such as the HESTAL lock- ing technology or ER-MAX lighting sys- tems. Surely you not only need sensor connected assemblies to communicate with the wear parts about their degree of wear, but also an IT solution that networks you with the customers? The cornerstone for networking intelligence within the system was laid by our subsidiary undertaking idem GmbH and trailer telem- atics. Using a manufacturer-independent web platform, we also have apps available for searching for workshops and parts suppliers. (3F) Further information is available at: www.bpw.de/de/unternehmen/

trailer world Issue Two 2013

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