Berger Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH and Schmitz Cargobull AG plan strategic partnership

Berger Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH, a specialist in lightweight vehicles from Tyrol, Austria and Schmitz Cargobull AG, supplier of semi-trailers, trailers and bodies from Münsterland, Germany have signed an agreement under which Schmitz Cargobull will acquire a 49 per cent share in Berger Fahrzeugtechnik. The companies intend to pool their expertise to offer sustainable and efficient transport solutions in Europe. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities.

Gerhard Berger, owner of Berger Fahrzeugtechnik, says: “The cooperation with Schmitz Cargobull is a win-win situation for both sides. As a specialist for premium light construction vehicles, we at Berger Fahrzeugtechnik are already active throughout Europe in a very focused segment and enable our customers to achieve cost- and resource-efficient transport through payload optimisation. Through the partnership with Schmitz Cargobull, we will have the opportunity to make BergerEcotrail even more widely known and marketed in the future. The use of the Schmitz Cargobull network in particular opens up a multitude of new opportunities in product, service and market development.” 

BergerEcotrail vehicles will be offered through the Schmitz Cargobull network with the same services

“The strategic partnership with Berger Fahrzeugtechnik opens up new perspectives for product development,” says Andreas Schmitz, CEO of Schmitz Cargobull. “We also want to create tangible added values for the customers of BergerEcotrail by the seamless integration of trend-setting technologies, such as the Schmitz Cargobull TrailerConnect telematics. 

“The cooperation strengthens our position as a provider of sustainable and efficient transport solutions in Europe. It also offers good opportunities to further develop our product portfolio and find synergies for the use of common parts concepts or the expansion of trailer telematics.”

The BergerEcotrail vehicles will be offered through the Schmitz Cargobull network with the same services that are available for Schmitz Cargobull vehicles. 

Boris Billich, Member of the Management Board for Sales at Schmitz Cargobull, says: “We are planning to strengthen the Schmitz Cargobull service organisation in such a way that all services, in particular a comprehensive supply of spare parts for both product families, will be available throughout Europe.”

Both companies note that the transaction is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. Berger Fahrzeugtechnik and Schmitz Cargobull are confident, however, that the partnership will take effect shortly and are convinced that the cooperation will have positive effects for their customers. 

About Schmitz Cargobull 
With an annual production of around 61,000 trailers and with approximately 6,900 employees, Schmitz Cargobull AG is Europe’s leading manufacturer of semi-trailers, trailers and truck bodies for temperature-controlled freight, general cargo and bulk goods. The company achieved sales of around €2.3 billion in the 2021/22 financial year. As a pioneer in the industry, the North German company developed a comprehensive brand strategy early on and consistently established quality standards spanning every level: from research and development, through production and service contracts, to trailer telematics, financing, spare parts, and used vehicles.