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Steer and now
Page 42
Page 43
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Having merged with Jost, Tridec Steering Solutions can benefit from the fifth-wheel maker's infrastructure, manufacturing finesse and distribution expertise.
Words: Dave Young Tridec Steering Solutions has recently been acquired by fifth-wheel maker Jost (see panel), and describes itself in its brochure as "a synonym for forced steering systems". It makes a variety of rear-axle steering products, with R&D and assembly carried out at its headquarters in Son, near Eindhoven, and a manufacturing plant at Murtede-Cantanhede in Portugal, where capacity is currently being doubled.
The UK is an important market for Tridec, mainly in the retail and building materials distribution sectors. where blue-chip fleet clients include Tesco, Aria and Marley Etemit (see panel).
Tridec systems — linked either hydraulically or mechanically to the fifth wheel— allow trailer axles to steer and lift; some variants can also be operated by remote control from the cab. By retaining its brand name, but integrating into the rapidly expanding worldwide Jost group, Tridec will, according to managing director Toon van Genugten, who founded the enterprise 18 years ago, benefit from Jost's existing service and sales infrastructure.
Tridec has recently supplied 140 units of another product — independent stub-axle suspension — to Gray & Adams. This repeat order allows the Scottish trailermaker to construct City Link's six-wheeled, double-deck, parcel-trunking trailers with the lowest possible loading height for roll cages, but without the incursion of axle tubes into the lower deck space. The system is also widely employed in building glass transporters to allow optimum height and a low centre of gravity.
Currently, Tridec's TD (distribution) and TRX (shorter wheelbase, tanker and tipper chassis) rear-steering systems are the main products in the UK, although Tridec also produces heavy-haulage variants and a growing range of electronic controls. On a typical distribution trailer, a Tridec system adds around 720kg to the weight and costs in the region of £5,000.
Van Genugten says steering-axle trailers work best as dedicated combinations where 50% or more of the mileage involves urban, agriculture or other restrictedaccess deliveries. Tridec claims that some customers on the Continent demand that hauliers use trailers fitted with its system to avoid site damage.
Outstanding set-up
Van Genugten remains Tridec's managing director, and views the agreement as assisting continued longterm growth. "In Jost we've found a partner with an outstanding set-up worldwide in both the production and sales of components for the commercial vehicle industry. Tridec can only benefit from this."
Lars Brorsen. Jost's managing director, adds: "With Tridec's high-quality, technically advanced systems, we will be able to offer our customers extended solutions for their products. In addition to existing markets, we aim to offer the successful systems for forced steering and independent wheel suspensions to new markets."
Tridec is currently predominantly active in Europe, but its expertise extends beyond mechanical steering to hydraulically and electronically controlled steering systems for trailers, from a single-axle city trailer up to a 250-tonne hydraulically steered modular transport platform.
The merger allows Tridec to take full advantage of Jost's extensive 1.5K service parts infrastructure without developing a parallel and expensive version of its own, and exposes it for the first time to opportunities beyond Europe.
Tridec offers a five-year warranty on products and can provide training to customers' staff. •