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trailer world Issue One 2014

    Issue One 2014  29 Project Knauf Gips KG is part of the German Knauf Group. In a re- cent survey in Focus magazine entitled “Germany’s best em- ployer”, it was the highest-placed SME in the category of “Manu- facture and processing of process and construction materials”. One of the high-quality products from Knauf Gips KG is liquid screed, a free-flowing screed variant made from the precursor material, an- hydrite, which is mined underground. 1.7 kilometres that present a challenge The dry anhydrite is mined near the Lower Franconian town of Hüttenheim. It is extract- ed by blasting about 150 metres underground, then transported 1.7 kilometres along tunnels to the crusher. This sounds easier than it is, because the route to the destination is very tricky: barely lit galleries, sometimes only 3.30 metres high and a maximum of 6 metres wide, rough and rocky ground – a real challenge for the driver and vehicle, all the more so when towing a load weighing many tonnes. For dec- ades, Knauf used 2-wheel trailers with a steel framework that it built itself for transporting anhydrite. These were towed by conventional tractors, such as from John Deere or Deutz. Not an ideal solution, but no other alternative was available. Norbert Feilner, head of the work- shop and the fleet, explains: “The commercial vehicle sector did not have any towing vehicle available to help as make our extremely tricky raw material operation more profitable; as a result, we took the deci- sion to build it ourselves.” From the idea to the ideal solution “We wanted to reduce equipment wear and tear significantly, cut the safety and health risks to the drivers – as well as saving diesel and expensive working time,” explains the 54-year-old Feilner, a true stalwart of Knauf. He started his apprenticeship at Knauf in 1974, and is still active in the company. “After working for the company for 40 years, I know pre- cisely what our vehicles have got to be able to do.” He got to grips with the transport problem and instigated the “Trailer” working group in 2012, comprising himself, tractor drivers, controllers, health and safety experts as well as colleagues from the motor ve- hicle workshop. With a cold eye for figures, technical expertise and plenty of commitment, the team worked on finding a solution to the problem of underground transport. First they produced tech- nical specifications, then a 1:20 scale model and finally the proto- type trailer suitable for working in the mine, built in the plant’s own motor vehicle workshop employing eight people. Combined with a Mercedes-Benz Zetros as the tractor vehicle, the trailer proved to be the ideal solution. The Knauf development is equipped with BPW axles which, according to Feilner, also perform excellently under- ground: “It was a good decision to equip our new development with BPW axles,” says Feilner happily. Prior to the new tractor/trailer combination being used, the rough route had been imposing signif- icant strain on people and machinery. Intelligent ideas are welcome The commitment and wealth of ideas displayed by Feilner is by no means rare at the world’s leading manufacturer of building materials and building system solutions. “I’m a typical Knauf employee,” he says with a grin. Knauf wel- Fotos:NorbertSchmelz Driving in extremely cramped conditions with a 330 HP all-wheel drive tractor vehicle and about 23 tonnes payload: Knauf’s in-house development. Photo:NorbertSchmelz

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