Thermo King and BPW Announce Collaboration
Two leaders in freight transport solutions reveal cooperation for the development of a zero-emission power source for refrigerated trailers.
Two leaders in freight transport solutions reveal cooperation for the development of a zero-emission power source for refrigerated trailers.
The transport and logistics industry is on the brink of a radical transformation. The surprise: It is not the towing vehicle but the trailer that is driving the digital transformation – from vehicle construction to transport management to maintenance. BPW, a family enterprise from North-Rhine Westphalia, which is strengthening its lead as "Digital Champion" is providing the key technologies.
The BPW Group has acquired a stake in UZE Mobility GmbH. The Bremen-based start-up is setting up a worldwide Big Data marketplace on an AI basis to collect and market environment and mobility data. Previous developers of the company include Prof. Dr. Ing. Achim Kampker and the MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston.
Dr Gunnar Heymer, works doctor for BPW, will now also treat truck drivers who fall ill on the road. BPW is a member of the DocStop initiative, which provides truck drivers with medical treatment while on the road if they call the Europe-wide hotline on 00800 03627867. BPW Managing Director Michael Pfeiffer calls on other companies to do more to ensure the well-being of truck drivers.
The new world champion in featherweight is called BPW: With novel lightweight components, BPW pushes the module weight of the 9t Airlight II trailer running gear to under 370 kilograms. This brings not only unprecedented lightness to heavy goods traffic, but also allows transport companies to benefit from more usable load and digital services throughout the vehicle's life.
At BPW, apprentices learn far more than just a profession – for example, they also organise political discussion groups and hold their own meetings in Wiehl’s town hall. This is all thanks to the company’s own Political Education programme. In honour of this extraordinary commitment, BPW has now been awarded the VerkehrsRundschau award in the ‘Apprenticeships and Further Training’ category.
From 1 February 2020, PE Automotive GmbH & Co. KG will take over the trade business of Monark Automotive GmbH and the Monark brand. Monark Automotive GmbH, based in Hamburg, has more than 60 years of experience and expertise in supplying spare parts for commercial vehicles, ranging from starters to work lamps.
Between 2017 and 2018, BPW Bergische Achsen KG reduced its CO2 emissions by 60 percent to 7,855 tonnes. This dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at the main production plant was made possible by shifting to green electricity and e-mobility. However, the family business sees the highest potential for more climate protection in its innovations for transport and logistics.
The Nagel-Group has over 7,000 vehicles in operation across Europe in order to deliver foodstuffs such as dairy products and fruit fresh, safe and on time to customers. "Our telematics requirements are accordingly high and very complex," explains Arthur Ebel, Fleet in Corporate Procurement & Fleet Management Supervisor of the Nagel-Group. "Idem telematics completely won us over here."
The BPW Group has already successfully established digital platforms and business models with the European market leader for trailer telematics, idem telematics, and webshop specialist and spare parts data aggregator PE Data. In future, the company intends to be even more adaptable when it comes to developing and implementing new digital ideas.
All truck drawbar trailers look the same to the average consumer. But now even the layman can identify which trailer is safe, climate-friendly and cost-saving, as with just a glance at the wheel hubs you can immediately recognise whether the BPW AirSave system has been installed. It has now been awarded the highest European sustainability award in the transport industry.
Some 100 top decision makers from the transport and logistics sectors met at the Wiehler Forum to discuss the issues that will shape the future of the industry. This year, the summit will also have a lasting impact outside the industry – for the first time ever, the participants set the agenda for a political dialogue with members of the German parliament in Berlin.
About BPW Bergische Achsen Kommanditgesellschaft
BPW Bergische Achsen KG is the parent company of the BPW Group. With around 1,500 employees, including around 100 trainees, the family-run company has been developing and producing complete running gear systems for truck trailers and semi-trailers at its headquarters in Wiehl since 1898. BPW’s technologies include axle systems, brake technology, suspension and bearings. BPW’s trailer axles and running gear systems are in use in millions of vehicles around the world. An extensive range of services also provides vehicle manufacturers and vehicle operators with the opportunity to increase economic efficiency in their production and transport processes. www.bpw.de/en
About the BPW Group
The BPW Group researches, develops and manufactures everything needed to ensure that transport keeps moving and is safe, illuminated, intelligent and digitally connected. With its brands BPW, Ermax, HBN, HESTAL and idem telematics, the company group is a preferred system partner of the commercial vehicle industry around the globe for running gear, brakes, lighting, fasteners and superstructure technology, telematics and other key components for trucks, trailers and buses. The BPW Group offers comprehensive mobility services for transport businesses, ranging from a global service network to spare parts supply and intelligent networking of vehicles, drivers and freight. The owner-operated company group currently employs around 6,830 staff in 27 countries and achieved consolidated sales of 1.745 billion euros in 2023. www.bpw.de/en