When DAF and Kögel invite customers to the presentation of their latest products, the reaction is immediate. It was that time again in Großbeeren in mid-February: DAF Trucks Berlin showcased the new DAF XF, XG and XG+ over two days at the site south-east of Berlin. The real eye-catcher was a black-painted XG+ flagship, which DAF, as you might expect, has coupled with the new Kögel curtain-sider truck Cargo NOVUM. This perfect combination wowed guests from the forwarding and haulage industry, who did not hold back with their predominantly positive feedback to Oliver Schneeloch, Kögel Regional Manager North, and Key Account Manager, Torsten Lau.

Customer service and quality inspire Kögel customers

As managing director of Peter Lange & Claus Lange GbR in Berlin, Claus Lange himself owns a BDF swap body vehicle in addition to a mega trailer from Kögel. He appreciates high stability and payload. "The personal contact with the Kögel team and good customer support are important to me," Lange reveals. "It is still people who do business. If the service is also right, Kögel is a good fit for my haulage company." His team is currently on the road with a total of 30 juggernauts, mainly for large parcel service providers in general cargo shipping from hub to hub.

The fleet manager at Braaker Nikolaus Rathmann GmbH, which has its branch in Ludwigsfelde, south of Berlin, has to coordinate not only semi-trailer trucks of different brands, but also various box trailers, tarpaulin and silo trailers and container chassis, as well as construction material and crane trucks. A total of 90 trucks are in daily use at Rathmann, both nationally and internationally. "For us, the payload, durability and purchase price are the most important factors when choosing towed units. That's why Kögel's light versions are of great interest to us," says the 42-year-old, who is extremely interested in the DAF/Kögel combination in Großbeeren.

Norman Eckert from rental company Fraikin Deutschland GmbH also made his way to Großbeeren. As regional sales manager, he is familiar with all the well-known trailer manufacturers in Germany, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the individual products. He knows Kögel trailers as durable, reliable vehicles. They operate seamlessly in the rental fleet and have therefore earned their place in the Fraikin rental programme. With its headquarters in Unterschleißheim, the company provides vans, waste disposal and construction vehicles, curtain-sider trucks, refrigerated trucks and tankers for hire and serves almost every industry.

Kögel trailers optimise every fleet

Kögel trailers are already making an important contribution to the fleet of the Rieck Logistics Group, which operates its headquarters in Großbeeren just a stone's throw away from the DAF partner. Fleet coordinator Christian Renner from the Großbeeren site is familiar with the Burtenbach-based trailers and appreciates their qualities. "There is nothing to complain about with Kögel in terms of equipment, payload, handling and reliability," praises Renner. "The wide range of versions available also leaves nothing to be desired. Whether Cargo, Light or Mega – at Kögel, we find the right trailer for all our transport needs." Around 80 trucks and 60 swap body trains are on the road for the Rieck Logistics Group. Every day, the forwarding company moves over 2,000 tonnes of freight by road, sea and air with around 700 employees.

The visit to DAF Trucks Berlin in Großbeeren was worthwhile for all those who attended. The new DAF truck generation with the largest driver's cab on the market generated significant excitement among visitors, with the brand new Kögel trailer from Kögel Rent also playing its part. Ultimately, without an economical towed unit, the best and largest semi-trailer truck is not much use.