Schmitz Cargobull is investing aseven-figure sum to bring production and ancillaries under one roof, with an extension to its second factory in Harelaw, County Durham. The move comes despite Schmitz's predictions that the total UK trailer market will decline by 30% this year, with curtainsiders in particular struggling.
Tom Macallan, Schmitz MD, says that volume sectors, such as supermarkets and pharmaceuticals, two strong areas for Schmitz's reefer products, are enjoying growth.
The expansion comes after production was streamlined from two lines 
to one, improving manufacturing efficiency by 20% and allowing Schmitz to house production, all ancillary work, and improvements to the paint shop, under one roof.
No decision has been made on the future of the old York Trailers factory, where reefers were built, and where ancillary work will continue until the Harelaw extensionis complete.
"The new production line enables us to produce six trailer ranges, including MKO and SCS, on a single line.We will achieve higher throughputs from the single line than we attained from the individual reefer and curtainsider sites," says Macallan.
Schmitz also plans to open two more regional business centres by the end of the year, adding to the first in 
Warrington(MT 5 February).