Schmitz Cargobull is opening a new factory in Manchester for production of customised trailers for the UK and Ireland markets. The site will operate at 50 units per week capacity, with production at the Wythenshawe site beginning this summer. The new facility opening will generate up to 50 new jobs over the next 12 months.
Freepost curtainsiders and box van semi-trailers will be built at the 7,500m2 facility, which will be complemented by an additional 1,000m2 spare parts warehouse. Initially, the warehouse will be used for local supply only, but by the end of 2021 will be the main base for all Schmitz Cargobull UK staff, currently based in Warrington.
The new factory adds to facilities in Vreden, Altenberge, Gotha and Toddin in Germany, plus production plants in Lithuania, Russia, Spain, Turkey and Australia. Schmitz Cargobull states that regionalised production via highly flexible plants enables quick response to local market requirements. Around 46,000 trailers are produced across the company’s network of plants each year.
Schmitz Cargobull UK managing director, Paul Avery, said, “I’m really excited about the opportunities this new facility presents for our business, for UK fleets and for the local community. Manchester is the perfect location for us with its strong industrial heritage and we can’t wait to start building quality, customised trailers for UK and Irish companies, with a real focus on low total cost of ownership.”
