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Trailing around
Page 58
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As Sol utrans is a trailer show first and foremost. France's main trailer manufacturersChereau and Lamberetwere put centre stage in the star-shaped complex, surrounded diplomatically by the big names from GermanySchmitz and Krone. Only KOgel didn't join the party.
At the turn of the century, word was that the European trailer industry was due for a period of consolidaton, forcing manufacturers to join forces.
In France, Fruehauf, Benalu and Trailor formed GT, General Trailer. French refrigerated trailer provider Chereau combined with Kogel, while in Italy, Merker was formed.
Solutrans 2007 showed how things have changed. GT went bust, splitting up again. Mobile crane provider Marrell took over Fruehauf and Benalu, while Trailor has had to survive by itself. After huge investments in an ultra-modern plant in the south of Italy. soaking up European subsidies. Merker went broke as well. An Italian investment company bought the firm for about 10% of the investment made and it remains to be seen whether it will survive. Maybe it was because of Chereau's presence that KOgel stayed away.
But that's all in the past now. Solutrans encouraged us to look forwards, to new concepts such as EMS. It remains to be seen when the first truck manufacturer will use this exhibition to introduce a new truck.