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CRANE AND ABLE
Page 58
Page 59
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UK trailer maker Crane Fruehauf has a fresh product range.
So is it back?
pundits betting on the demise of Crane Fruehauf in its several guises since 1999 probably would've got evens at the bookies. It changed hands three times in four years, has been re-branded more often than the Post Office, and has seen company policy turn full circle.
Then, following Americans Littlejohn, and French-based Apax, company turnaround experts Rosewood took the helm, stemmed the losses and made it competitive again.
Last year was decisive.The firm was restructured, took on a new chief executive in the person of Alan Giles and concentrated on bringing new products to market to complement its current line-up. It's target is one new product every quarter.
The changes have helped Crane Fruehauf regain old customers and gain new ones. Productivity had bottomed out at 1,600 units but a new production line increased capacity by 1,000 units a year and moved overall annual assembly past the 3,000 mark.
Current market share is 16.6% but over the next couple of years Giles is confident that will increase to closer to 25% in what is still a diminishing market: "The market is not growing. There is the odd ripple but that's not growth, and it's not easy to claim market share. But with a broad mix of products we can reclaim previous market share through attracting previous customers."
Fewer but bigger players
Giles believes the UK market will be dominated by fewer but bigger players and Crane Fruehauf will pick its ground carefully: "Around 10% in a particular sector is not enough volume to be competitive.., we would consider pulling out."This type of professionalism will hold Crane Fruehauf in good stead in the future. •
Give me strength
A new lifting roof curtain-sided mega-trailer is the jewel in the crown for Crane Fruehauf. A lot of thought has gone into strengthening the bulkhead and producing a quick and efficient lifting mechanism for the roof.
CF claims to be the only UK trailer manufacturer with German TOV load-compartment approval. The roof rises 400mm on a pneumatic ram with cables. Encapsulating the load, it makes it ideal for stillages sent to the UK with car parts and accessories. The front wall has been strengthened to withstand a 13-tonne impact from the load. It will reduce strain on the structure, should need less maintenance and is set to extend service life.
As this model is likely to spend a great deal of time getting battered being transported across the English Channel unaccompanied, various devices have been fitted to minimise ferry damage. A rave down the side will protect the buckles and curtains; a ferry bumper swings under if its hit by the ground. jetties or ramps. The electrical and air couplings are fitted onto a slider rail on the bulkhead for easier access.
'Realism over idealism'
The sliding bogie skeletal has been overhauled, gaining a stronger chassis with controls in a box on the offside of the trailer. The 150mm rollers have been opened up for greasing, with a bigger (80rnm) surface contact patch for less rolling resistance.
The previous closed maintenance-free rollers were fine until they broke, but then drastic action with a steel cutter was needed. "Realism over idealism,' as skeletal product manager Angus Spooner put it.
The trailer has also been upgraded with locking clamps that meet Health & Safety Executive manual handling procedure specifications.