It would be interesting to know what Franz Xaver Kögel would make of the fact that the company that bears his name has, to date, produced more than a half a million vehicles in factories across Europe.
While those who work for the trailer manufacturer will never know, they can take pride in looking back at not just the impressive milestones of the last 90 years, but also the benchmarks the company has set within the trailer manufacturing industry.
Founded in the town of Neu-Ulm in 1934, Franz Xaver Kögel transformed the workshop where he worked into a coachbuilding company. Since then, the Bavaria-based company has gone on to reach new heights in the development and production of trailer solutions. These include the first refrigerated semi-trailer in all-plastic construction, the patented central axle tipper trailer and the first cathodic dip-paint coating for optimum corrosion protection.
Today, Kögel employs 1,200 people in 11 countries, transforming from an initial production of floors, side walls and substructures for truck beds, to become a leading trailer supplier. This is thanks to continuous innovation and product development, the company said.
Going forward, Kögel is focusing on climate change and the reduction of CO² emissions in the field of goods transport, with plans to become CO² neutral by 2030. The Burtenbach main production site is investing in, not only solar systems, but also efficient wastewater treatment and reducing waste and energy consumption.
Kögel’s production of lightweight vehicles is a major contribution to making freight transport more environmentally friendly, the company said, adding that The Kögel Light Plus is an example of this, emitting 8.0 per cent less CO² and consuming up to 0.6 litres less diesel per 1,000 kilograms, in comparison with conventional vehicles.
“Going forward, we will remain true to our motto ‘Economy meets Ecology’,” said Kögel Managing Director, Christian Renners. “New Kögel product solutions that are good for the climate, and our customers’ economic situation, will continue to characterise Kögel’s product portfolio”.
Kögel Trailer GmbH factories
The company headquarters and main production facility is located in the Bavarian town of Burtenbach. Kögel also has factories and sites in:
- Ulm, Germany
- Duingen, Germany
- Choceň, Czech Republic
- Verona, Italy
- Gallur, Spain
- Kampen, Netherlands
- Corcelles-en-Beaujolais, France
- Schärding, Austria
- Padborg, Denmark
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