Trelleborg has inaugurated its new European logistics hub for material handling and construction tires and its new Benelux commercial office in Evergem, Belgium.
The premises consists of a 3,048ft² (10,000m²) warehouse along with offices to house the Benelux commercial office for Trelleborg Wheels Systems. Holding more than 70,000 tires in stock, Trelleborg Wheel Systems says that it can serve its European warehouses and key customers in the region from this facility on a ‘just in time’ basis.
Paolo Pompei, president of Trelleborg Wheel Systems, said, “We were honored to cut the ribbon and celebrate this special moment at the Evergem site in Belgium in the presence of 150 guests that included, our customers, journalists, representatives from local authorities and Trelleborg employees.
“We consider Evergem as the beating heart of the material handling and construction tires business and a key hub due to its strategic position in Europe, as well as its proximity to key markets.
“We are now located in a modern and prime location with state-of-the-art equipment designed according to the latest Trelleborg technology standards. This means we will be able to serve our customers even better from this hub, which is within the worldwide logistics organization of Trelleborg Wheel Systems.
“It will increase our efficiency and flexibility, as well as enhance our service levels. Our investment in Evergem is highlighting our strong commitment to our partners to deliver an excellent service and to improve the productivity of their operations.”
The new building is situated in the historical location of Bergougnan, on a production site built at the beginning of 1900 and acquired by Trelleborg Wheel Systems in 1988. In 2002, Trelleborg relocated its production of solid tires to Sri Lanka but kept Evergem as the central hub for logistics operations for material handling and construction tires in Europe and the Middle East, servicing more than 50 countries.
Meanwhile, the Brawler Solidflex HPS solid tire line from Trelleborg Wheel Systems has been selected as the original equipment solid tire option for medium wheel loaders and small wheel loaders from Caterpillar, a worldwide manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives.
Jared Steier, director OEM/OEA sales, North America for Trelleborg’s industrial and construction tires, said, “The team at Caterpillar, as well as our other customers, have long understood the value of our Brawler line to their businesses. Engineered for extreme environments, Brawler tires provide the best total cost of ownership for which Trelleborg is known.
“Caterpillar’s choice of the Brawler Solidflex HPS tire as its OEM solid tire option on its wheel loaders is right in line with their tradition of providing the best business-driving value to their customers.”
The Brawler HPS Solidflex features elliptical apertures designed to provide a comfortable ride, resulting in reduced equipment and operator fatigue. A durable cut resistant rubber compound is said to eliminate downtime caused by tire damage, while the deep lug tread design offers three times more wearable rubber than most pneumatic tires.
