Germany’s transport equipment industry convened in the city of Stuttgart last week for the nation’s annual ‘Best Brand in the Commercial Vehicle Industry’ award ceremony.
Munich-based brake specialist Knorr-Bremse won the award in the Braking category for a record tenth consecutive time, closely followed by BPW, which took home its ninth title in the Trailer Axle category.
Trailer company Schmitz Cargobull, meanwhile, secured its fifth title in the Trailer segment and came second in the Tipper category (behind Bavarian brand Meiller) as well as in the Refrigeration Unit ranking, where Thermo King took out first place.
Jost brand Rockinger won the title in the Coupling category, while Palfinger took out the Truck-mounted Crane win.
“Winning this award for the tenth time in succession in what is also our company’s 110th anniversary year is a great motivator for us to keep on creating genuine added value for our customers,” commented Bernd Spies (below), Chairman of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse’s Commercial Vehicle Systems division.
In her acceptance speech, Anne Bentfeld, Head of Corporate Communications at BPW (right), attributed the brand’s on-going success to the re-interpretation of the company’s trailer division as a one-stop-shop.
“This year’s award, and the continued trust of our customers, are both confirmation and motivation that we, as international mobility partner of the vehicle manufacturers and as system partner of the vehicle operators, are going in the right direction.
“We will continue to uphold our claim to meet the requirements of our customers for safe and efficient transport and loading processes with innovative products and services,” she explained.
Ulrich Schöpker, Board Member of Schmitz Cargobull AG (main photo), also made use of the occasion to comment on the brand’s strategic alignment.
“Our increasing vertical system integration and 'one-stop shop' strategy, together with tailored financing are proving their value,” he said.
“Winning the award in the Trailer category once again is an outstanding result and makes us proud.”
Every year, Germany’s best brands are voted upon by the readers of local industry publications. In 2015, some 8,400 people took the vote.