TIP Group, one of the leading providers of trailer rental, leasing and service in Europe, and Schmitz Cargobull, Europe’s largest manufacturer of semi-trailers, have signed a contract to retrofit 2,500 trailers with telematics systems. The TrailerConnect hardware retrofits include vehicles of all trailer types and manufacturers and are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
“Retrofitting trailers with telematics is a sensible investment for all transport companies in order to increase fleet performance. Transparency and measurement is the first step towards increasing efficiency,” says Andreas Schmitz, CEO of Schmitz Cargobull AG. “New trailers should always be equipped with an open, compatible telematics system as soon as they are purchased. With TrailerConnect, TIP has opted for a telematics system that guarantees high quality and reliability, even when retrofitting. Customers can access all the data they need. The improved transparency increases efficiency and reduces costs.”
More transparency, efficiency and safety
With the telematics retrofit, TIP aims to create more transparency in its global trailer fleet of around 130,000 vehicles in order to reduce operating costs and avoid unpredictable breakdowns in vehicle rental. Installing and activating the telematics system on an S.CS curtainsider semi-trailer or an S.BO EXPRESS box body semi-trailer only takes around 30 minutes per vehicle, so there is no long downtime. Retrofitting can be carried out easily for trailers of all brands as part of the regular maintenance intervals.
“By retrofitting 2,500 trailers, we are taking a big step towards a fully networked fleet, greater transparency, efficiency and safety,” says Theo de Vries, Vice President Services and Insight at TIP Group. “Telematics provides customers with real-time data on the condition and performance of the trailers, and we use the historical trailer data to determine and plan maintenance stops in order to further optimise the availability and predictability of the vehicles.”
Thanks to the standardised interface between Schmitz Cargobull’s TrailerConnect system and the TIP Insight system, the telematics data of the retrofitted trailers is transmitted automatically. The TIP Insight System is a cloud-based platform that provides real-time data on the location, condition and use of trailers. This enables transport companies to manage their fleets more efficiently, increase capacity utilisation, improve safety and reduce environmental impact.
The framework agreement between Cargobull Telematics and TIP stipulates that every vehicle ex works with standardised telematics or with retrofitted telematics is automatically transferred to the TIP Insight system. This is a clear advantage for TIP, as all trailers are displayed on one platform. The TIP customer therefore receives a reliable data record for each vehicle, regardless of whether it is retrofitted or equipped ex works, and can then use the data to optimise their own processes.