It's a while since Biglorryblog closely followed the fortunes of the petroluem tanker market, or indeed of Heil who did a bold thing a couple of years ago by switching its tanker trailer production from the UK to Poland. However, they're obviously still very much alive and still kicking as word reaches me that they'll be exhibiting at the forthcoming Federation of Petroleum Suppliers annual show, which this year is being held at RDS in Dublin on the 23rd-24th April. Indeed Heil says that it will have one of its 40,000-litre, 6-compartment, aluminium alloy, tri-axle, petroleum spirit tank semi–trailer on its stand there.
While Heil Trailer International has been designing, developing, and manufacturing transportation equipment for over 100 years, it's produced over 200 tanks through its Polish production partner during the last two years. Why move production to Poland? To remain competitive it says..and who is BLB to argue with that, as they are just one of many truck and trailer manufacturers, including Volvo, MAN who have 'looked East' in order to find cost savings and manufacturing flexibility. Sad but true....
The harsh reality of commercial vehicle manufacturing is that a) it's a global business and b) operators no longer worry where their new vehicles come from---or at least those in the UK don't---just as long as the build quality, durability and reliability are all up to scratch. If you've got all those three ducks in a row it could be built on the moon for all anyone cares.
Of course, the one unanswered question is this: When it becomes too expensive to build trucks and trailers for Western Europe in Eastern Europe...where will all the manufacturing go then? Answers to BLB by posting a comment please.
China. The Times has reported that there is now a shortage of skilled tradesmen in Poland and Chinese labour is being sought for major construction projects there.
I,ve got to agree with Richard on this Brian,and all the transport press have done articles on a recent motor show in china,with a number of Chinese manufacturers exhibiting.The vast majority of their trucks had cab,s that were clearly from the European manufacturers too.I remember some trucks had Cummins engines too,but others had engines from European truck manufacturers.Then i,ve known a company contact at a well-known U.S.component manufacturer for many years,since he was involved in the early negociations with a European truck manufacturer.For a few years now he,s been based in China,as the market is expanding rapidly.