UK on German air
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SAF axles and air suspension equipment made by Otto Sauer of Keilberg, West Germany, will be available on the British market if expansion by IMS Oosterhout BV — a Dutch company holding sole import rights for Britain and the Benelux countries — goes ahead as planned. BILL GODWIN reports.
Established only three years ago, IMS Oosterhout has grown rapidly and recently opened a new sales and service point in Antwerp, Belgium. Both this centre and that planned for the UK — with a distribution base at Northampton — will operate independently to allow the demands of the individual markets to be met quickly.
The company estimates that Britain represents a potential of some 15,000 trailer sales per year compared with only around 5,000 in the Netherlands.
Though the full range of SAF axles will be offered in Britain, particular attention will be paid to the growing opportunities for air suspension whose benefits, it is claimed, have not so far been fully appreciated by UK operators.
IMS will be directing its UK import activities — sourced directly from Germany — primarily at the original equipment trailer sector and will be in a position to supply a full range of axles for trailer and semi-trailer use, with air suspension, leaf spring or low loader configuration in twin or tri-axle sets as well as replacement parts and spares.
At the recent Brussels Commercial Motor Show there were no fewer than 15 SAF axleequipped exhibits in the trailer and tanker section.
All but three were fitted with air suspension of the type under continual development by Otto Sauer since the introduction of this company's first production model in 1965.
A feature of the German maker's suspension units is the extensive use of standard components throughout the axle range which covers vehicles suitable for payloads from three to 60 tonnes.