Heil vsFeldbinder
Page 14
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• by Bryan Jarvis This year's TankCon exhibition at Castle Donington abounded with rumours linking Heil Trailers of Chattanooga, USA, which owns the Bilston, West Midlandsbased tanker manufacturer Thompson Heil, with German tanker builder Feldbinder.
But according to Heil's vice-president Thomas Pikciunas, the rumours are "absolutely without foundation". Heil, he adds, is aiming squarely at Europe, but "not before we're firmly established in Britain. In any case, Dover Industries are buyers not sellers and whatever our competitors may say, we're in Europe to stay."
Counter tales of a cash-rich Feldbinder taking over the Bilston bulk powder tanker element have also been scotched by both parties, but they are symptomatic of recent developments in this small sector of Britain's bulk tanker market.
Dry powder tanker hauliers have witnessed considerable changes in suppliers over the past few years which have resulted in a much broader choice.
Last year Feldbinder acquired Metalair-Filkat, leaving ,UK hauliers with a choice of buying its powder tankers or going to Spitzer, its rival in Germany. Spitzer sells tankers into the UK through its agent, RHM Tanker Sales of Braham near Leeds.
Now Thompson Heil has come up with its own angliciseddesign: Spanish-made Indox tankers are available through its Bootle-based agent ABAC; and, to extend operators' choice even further, French tanker manufacturer Merceron has thrown its hat into the ring.
Sales and product support for the Merceron tanks are handled by its UK and Ireland representative Waterhouses Garages of Leek, Staffs.
✓ Chattanooga-based Heil operates six other factories as well as the one at Bilston: four in the US and one each in Argentina and Thailand. It builds 2,200 tankers a year, 82% for its home market.