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ePaper created 2014-05-09, 12:31:49 | version 1.30.01
Interview Issue One 2014 23 Heidrich: We build more than 100,000 ax- les every year in Paderborn. The number of requests for very unusual running gear and vehicle concepts is increasing, because many customers are attempting to differentiate themselves from their competition by means of their products, and to generate added val- ue for their customers. Such niche markets also enable us to differentiate ourselves from our competitors. At present, there is no price war apparent here – in contrast to the seg- ments where products are interchangeable on a 1:1 basis: In addition, each special prod- uct teaches you something for products in “normal” series production. How has the market developed? Kopplow: Last year, the trailer market grew slightly, with the segment for heavy low-load- er trailers used for transporting extremely heavy loads increasing much more strongly than the market as a whole. Overall, we are expecting a similarly positive development during the current year. We are the market leader for commercial vehicle trailers in Eu- rope. However, we are also represented world- wide, and are the market leader in many coun- tries – including Japan. Heidrich: In our business, the market is dif- ferentiated greatly according to the consum- er segment. Sales in the trailer area increased significantly, whereas the caravan sector is currently lagging behind. What characterises BPW in the market, and where are the challenges? Kopplow: Particularly in the area of special vehicles, BPW is characterised by the very wide range of running gear that it offers. In the Group, we can supply running gear for un- braked car trailers, standard trailers and semi- trailers, as well as for special vehicles. It is a challenge to offer a wide product spectrum that will satisfy highly diverse requirements. The BPW designers are therefore working hard to create a modular range that will cov- er as many variants as possible. Doesn’t this sound more like fiddling than inventing …? Kopplow: As a designer, I am of course en- thusiastic about demanding technical pro- jects in which it is necessary to design run- ning gear for particularly heavy or compli- cated vehicles. Our heaviest axle for use in mining, for instance, can carry a maximum axle load of 50 tonnes at a speed of 40 km/h. Are there particular examples of especially spectacular projects? Photo:JoachimStretz Dual development competence from BPW: Johann Philipp Heidrich (left of photo) and Hans Werner Kopplow talking shop about special running gear.