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WE WILL ROCKINGER YOU
Page 18
Page 19
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MI British operators have never really embraced the wagon and drag. Sure, there's a significant number of drawbars in the UK running on high-volume work, al, with the odd plant carrier, block brick wagon or bottled gas tra porter. But for top-weight work artic still rules supreme.
Nonetheless, German drawb coupling specialist Rockingerbought by Jost just over a year ago—clearly sees the UK as a potential growth market. Its pl to introduce new products in 20 (see box, below) is intended to challenge the market dominanc of Fontaine Europe's VBG produ as part of its new corporate development strategy.
"Since becoming part of the J organisation our aim has been t become a full-range supplier for couplings," says managing dirge Rainer Standfuss. ''We already Ii an extensive selection of prod available for both the tight and heavy commercial vehicle secto and our new 57.5mm fitment will fulfil the wishes of UK custome who say they would welcome a viable alternative source of sup,
The 57.5mm drawbar-couplin kgure refers to the pin diameter— y found in the UK and Scandinavia.
ut mainland Europe 40 or pin diameters are more . 'The 57.5mm coupling has marketed very successfully in the says Standfuss. "When we looked e spread of our product range it an obvious g,ap that needed filling. now be using the synergies we gained through our new connecwith Jost to market this product nsively in the UK."
taixtfuss's job is to integrate lager within 'Jost World', the
rig platform established by to promote its products world
"My task, quite simply, is a success story," he with an admirable degree tatement "Given that ve a prcrven product strong support from our nt and a company-wide to lift our game, I don't Is an unrealistic
IL"
, despite the on to create a global through Jost World, there plans to Integrate inger's product range Int, portfolio. "We don't to," says Stendfuss. "To he definition of a brand is mise kept', and that's an where Reckinger has h in depth. The company long history of proely developing bespoke products to match the needs of operators in a wide variety of sectors. I believe our flexible approach is a key differentiating factor that sets us apart from the competition."
Jost's decision to offer a 57.5mm coupling in the UK and Sweden is no accident it clearly wants to win business from Fontaine Europe. "Fontaine Europe has developed this coupling size and marketed it extremely successfully in the UK and Scandinavia," Standfuss acknowledges. "However, we have been able to respond and mount a challenge by developing a product In less than a year from inception up to the point where It Is now being market-tested.
"We previewed the 11057 at the recent UK Commercial Vehicle Show," he adds. "One of the driving factors in its development was customerfeedback. which indicated a viable alternative source of supply would be welcomed by the market. So, although In truth it was a slightly early showing, I felt it was right for us to demonstrate to the industry that we had been willing to respond to its request.
And lean promise more of the same in the future. We are adopting an aggressive marketing stance and backing it with top quality products which are now being produced by a responsive and focused organisation."