Istorija preduzeća Schmitz Cargobull

Franz Heinrich Schmitz je 1892. preuzeo, od svog oca, malu seosku kovačnicu u mestu Altenberge u oblasti Minsterland i time je postavio kamen temeljac za današnjeg evropskog proizvođača prikolica. Mesto Altenberge, sa carinskom stanicom, nalazilo se na „holandskom putu“. Neravni putevi su ovuda vodili uzbrdo i nizbrdo. Danas bi takve trgovačke prepreke bile noćna mora svakog logističara. Praocu svih „Schmitzova“ su dobrodošli. Putnici su se morali odmarati, a Franz Heinrich Schmitz se brinuo o potkovicama i popravljao oštećene gvozdene gume za drvene točkove konjskih zaprežnih kola –već tad je bio veoma orijentisan na stvarne potrebe klijenata i uslugu.

Schmitz je 1935. napravio svoju prvu prikolicu. Industrija komercijalnih vozila dobija u Nemačkoj sve više na značaju i preduzeće Schmitz-Anhänger se u potpunosti posvećuje brzom razvoju branše nadgradnji i prikolica.

U 1940-im godinama kormilo preuzimaju sinovi Josef i August Schmitz. Josef Schmitz vodi proizvodnju, pronalazi rešenja za najkomplikovanije probleme i kontinuirano proširuje paletu proizvoda. August Schmitz vodi distribuciju i posećuje klijente i dobavljače.

Početkom 1970-ih godina treća generacija određuje kurs. Dr Heinz Schmitz kao trgovac i Peter Schmitz kao inženjer i konstruktor najpre vode preduzeće. Za njihovo ambiciozno preduzeće potreban im je stručnjak za distribuciju i marketing. Tako se 1974. preduzeću pridružuje Bernd Hoffmann i preuzima aktivnosti distribucije.

Distributivne strategije su uspešne, cifre prodaje rastu, stoga su potrebne veće proizvodne površine. Kapaciteti izrade u matičnom pogonu u selu Altenberge nisu više dovoljni. 1980. dolazi do izmeštanja proizvodnje. Preduzeće Schmitz-Anhänger izgradilo je prema modernim standardima novo proizvodno postrojenje u industrijskoj zoni mesta Altenberge

Cifre prodaje preduzeća jako rastu i Schmitz-Anhänger se međunarodno pozicionira. Nemačka reč „Anhänger“ je na drugim jezicima nerazumljiva i zbog preglasa „ä“ teška za izgovor. Stoga je zamenjena veštačkom rečju „Cargobull“. „Cargo“ stoji za tovar, a „bull“ za plavog slona. U decembru 1998. je preduzeće Schmitz-Anhänger zvanično preimenovano u međunarodno priznato ime marke Schmitz Cargobull.

Od samog početka nastojalo se ispuniti zahteve klijenata, ali i stalno modernizovati proizvodnju. Jedan od prvih većih naloga dolazi od Nemačke savezne pošte i zahteva od preduzeća Schmitz-Anhänger direktno nove veštine. S tim nalogom Schmitz-Anhänger pokreće liniju serijske proizvodnje. Specijalne prikolice za transport telegrafskih stubova konstruisane su na način da se mogu postaviti u dva reda i dalje transportovati vagonima.

Kad su zemlje proizvođači nafte od 1973. počele naručivati velike flote vozila, Schmitz-Anhänger beleži godinu za godinom dvocifrene stope rasta. Hiljade cisterni, ali i rashladnih nadgradnji, naručeno je sa Bliskog istoka. Serijska proizvodnja se sve više širi. Do kasnih 1980-ih godina Schmitz-Anhänger u svojoj paleti proizvoda ima i cisterne.

Sprovodi se strategija „Rast usled odricanja“. Proizvođač prikolica usredsređuje se na četiri vrste vozila sa najvećim prometom: poluprukolice sa ceradom, sandučasta vozila, kipere i kontejnerske šasije. Na taj način može se sa 20% prethodne raznolikosti proizvoda pokriti 80% tržišta.

1999. je Schmitz Cargobull preuzeo pogon u Panevežisu, Litvanija. Tim preuzimanjem je preduzeće zastupljeno sad i u istočnoj Evropi. Panevežis je najveća inostrana lokacija preduzeća Schmitz Cargobull. 325 radnika proizvodi ovde sandučaste poluprikolice, ceradna vozila i FERROPLAST® panele.

Nakon upečatljivog rasta prodaje na španskom i portugalskom tržištu, Schmitz Cargobull otvara novi pogon u Saragosi (Španija). Mi smo tamo gde su naši klijenti. Trenutno je u Španiji u preduzeću Schmitz Cargobull zaposlen 161 radnik koji proizvode sandučaste poluprikolice i poluprikolice sa ceradom.

In 2019, our factory in Melbourne (Australia) was opened. Here we have been producing our cooling units and box bodies.

In 2021, our factory in Manchester (Great Britain) was opened. In addition to our curtainsider semi-trailers, we have also been producing the S.KO PACE SMART since November 2021. The fully modular dry freight semi-trailer is particularly suitable for our British and Irish customers and has been adapted to their customer needs.

The new plant for curtainsiders, reefer semi-trailers and dry freight semi-trailers covers a total area of around 104,000m2. About 20,000m2 will be used for production and logistics, office space and for the delivery of new and used vehicles. In the new assembly facility, Schmitz Cargobull produces curtainsiders S.CS, reefer semi-trailers and dry freight semi-trailers S.KO with a capacity of 60 units/day (20 units per shift) on just one production line. Schmitz Cargobull invested around €16.6 million in the new production facility. A hi-tech photovoltaic system supplies the energy for the new production site.

Two market leaders combine their know-how: Schmitz Cargobull and the US trailer manufacturer Utility Trailer Manufacturer Company LLC have founded a joint venture - "Cargobull North America" (CBNA). As a first step, the partners have developed two transport refrigeration units (TRUs), based on the Schmitz Cargobull S.CU. The 625 Hybrid and 655 MT (Multi Temp) are specially designed to meet the strict emissions requirements of California. The units come equipped with Schmitz Cargobull’s TrailerConnect® telematics system, which is exclusively installed in Utility Trailer's refrigerated trailers.

 
_{From left: Jeff Bennett (CEO, Utility Trailers), Andreas Schmitz (CEO, Schmitz Cargobull), Steve Bennett (COO, Utility Trailers), Norbert Flacke (Managing Director, Cargobull Cool)}

Schmitz Cargobull and Berger Fahrzeugtechnik - a recognised technology leader in the lightweight construction segment - are combining their strengths in a strategic partnership. The aim of the collaboration is to offer customers innovative vehicle solutions that create real added value by combining their expertise. Together, the two companies are meeting the growing demands of the market and increasing competitive pressure and are tapping into new potential for sustainable growth.

In June 2024, Schmitz Cargobull acquires a majority stake in the Spanish company Atlantis Global System (AGS). AGS offers holistic temperature control for efficient and centralised cold chain management in real time, from the refrigerated warehouse to the transporter for the last mile. The AGS telematics system is being further developed in order to proactively meet the increasing demands of the logistics sector.

_{From left:  Marnix Lannoije (CTO, Schmitz Cargobull), Rafael del Pino (CEO, AGS), Andreas Schmitz (CEO, Schmitz Cargobull), Stefan Grawe (Head of EG Development Project Management)}

April 2024 - With the takeover of Van Hool's trailer business by GRW as majority shareholder and Schmitz Cargobull, a comprehensive product portfolio of silo and tanker vehicles is available to choose from.

March 2025 - Schmitz Cargobull and GT Trailers combine their strengths and expertise in technology, design, production and sales of truck bodies and trailers with galvanised chassis. Both companies stand for the highest standards of quality, reliability and innovation. The partnership results in an expanded product portfolio from which customers benefit directly - with customised solutions for a wide range of transport requirements.

_{From left: Agata Duliniec (CEO, GT-Trailers) and Andreas Schmitz (CEO, Schmitz Cargobull)}

August 2025 - Schmitz Cargobull acquires a stake in Sub Zero Insulation Technologies (SZIT). The Indian company SZIT is one of India's leading manufacturers of refrigerated and dry freight bodies. The aim of the partnership is to provide high-quality transport solutions across India and beyond to improve efficiency within the cold chain and reduce waste through spoilage and energy loss.

Niski ukupni troškovi rada čine sandučastu poluprikolicu S.KO COOL SMART dugoročno ekonomičnom. Ona nudi maksimalnu bezbednost za robu, osigurava bezbedno rukovanje temperiranom robom i kratko trajanje pretovara na rampama. Serijski raspoloživ sistem telematike TrailerConnect® pruža transparentnost i neprekidno dokumentovanje rashladnog lanca.

The EcoGeneration not only reduces CO₂ emissions. Its aerodynamic design reduces air resistance and can achieve fuel savings of more than 10%. In addition, the EcoFLEX and EcoVARIOS offer height-adjustable rear ends with easy handling, allowing them to respond flexibly to the load volume.

Schmitz Cargobull and the US trailer manufacturer Utility Trailer Manufacturer Company LLC have founded a joint venture - "Cargobull North America" (CBNA). As a first step, the partners have developed two transport refrigeration units (TRUs), based on the Schmitz Cargobull S.CU. The 625 Hybrid and 655 MT (Multi Temp) are specially designed to meet the strict emissions requirements of California. The units come equipped with Schmitz Cargobull’s TrailerConnect® telematics system, which is exclusively installed in Utility Trailer's refrigerated trailers. 

September 2024 - The S.CS MEGA combines the strengths of a road vehicle designed for high-volume transport with the advantages of a robust semi-trailer for rail transport. Thanks to the specially developed MEGA chassis and the height-adjustable VARIOS body, it offers maximum payload and flexibility. Haulage companies benefit from a well thought-out concept that significantly increases efficiency in Europe-wide transport.

The S.CU d80 transport refrigeration unit is available ex works with an optional interface for an electric power take-off (ePTO) - for maximum flexibility in mixed fleets, regardless of the drive type and manufacturer of the tractor unit. Thanks to the intelligent control system, power is supplied automatically via the ePTO or, if required, via the integrated diesel generator. This means that the cold chain remains reliably protected at all times - without any additional investment in HV batteries or e-axles in the trailer.

BERGER Fahrzeugtechnik and Schmitz Cargobull combine the best of both worlds and present the new generation of lightweight trailers with BERGERecotrail® chassis and versatile Schmitz Cargobull body. Entry into the new Evolution series starts with an unladen weight of 4.8 tonnes. The vehicles of the new generation are among the lightest on the market and are designed for maximum payload and efficiency. With the certified, universal Schmitz Cargobull body, they can be used for many different industries and transport tasks.

Schmitz Cargobull is the first manufacturer to introduce the environmentally friendly refrigerant R454A as standard in the S.CU modular system - a strong signal for sustainable transport solutions. With the introduction of the new refrigerant, Schmitz Cargobull is again setting new standards in terms of efficiency, sustainability and future-proofing in temperature-controlled transport with the new S.CU dc90 transport refrigeration unit. The new unit replaces the proven S.CU dc85 and offers technical innovations that exceed the increasing demands on performance and environmental compatibility. It is characterised by up to 6% higher cooling capacity and up to 10% lower fuel consumption compared with the predecessor model S.CU dc85.