Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, led by a South Pasadena resident, and European trailer manufacturer and market leader Schmitz Cargobull Corporation recently announced the inception of Cargobull North America and unveiled new, state-of-the-art transport refrigeration units at the International Foodservice Distributors Association’s 2023 Solutions Conference in Texas.
“Our joint venture with Cargobull further positions Utility Trailer as a global leader in sustainability, fuel efficiency and emission reduction,” said Utility President and CEO Jeff Bennett, a local resident. “We don’t just want to be the biggest, but also the best holistic destination for everything reefer customers need, from strong and lightweight boxes to energy-efficient TRUs and high-tech telematics — all in one trailer.”
Utility Trailer is the exclusive North American distributor of Schmitz Cargobull’s latest TRU technology on its 3000R line of trailers, the best-selling reefer in North America. Combined with Utility’s innovations and its powerful dealer network, Cargobull is primed to help TRU technology take a leap forward in North America.
Innovative elements reduce and eliminate emissions, realize up to 20% less fuel consumption, and allow for advanced trailer telematics to monitor and manage fleet logistics. The Utility TrailerConnect PRO telematics solution is factory installed and offers safe temperature-control management thanks to active monitoring and intelligent remote control of the refrigeration units. The telematics platform is furthermore designed so that transport companies can easily share the data with their partners.
“It was only natural for us to enter talks with Utility Trailer. They have in-depth market knowledge and a comprehensive dealer network, and, as we’re both family-owned-and-operated companies, Utility and Schmitz Cargobull share many of the same values,” Schmitz Cargobull Chairman of the Board Andreas Schmitz said. “I am very much looking forward to our collaboration. Above all, I am convinced that together we will provide added value to North American customers and revolutionize the market.”
Schmitz Cargobull is the market leader in TRU technology in Europe, with 30,000 TRUs currently on the road and a proven track record of success. The new lineup coming to North America on Utility’s 3000R reefers includes the 625 single-temperature and 655MT multi-temperature hybrid TRUs. Fully electric, TUV-homologated models with battery-recuperation axles are coming soon.
The TRU technology unveiled today already meets California’s stringent emission standards for 2030. It’s also compliant with California Air Resources Board ultra-low-emission TRU regulations without using a diesel-particulate filter or exhaust-gas-recirculation valve. Because the units can be plugged in at a loading dock, operators will lower emissions while maximizing cooling efficiencies.
Steve Bennett, Utility’s co-president and COO, said: “There was a lot of excitement from our customers when we introduced the Cargobull North America line of products at the International Foodservice Distribution Association Solutions Conference.”
“We wanted to do our part in lowering emissions while meeting new government regulations, so our commitment to provide sustainable technology for our customers became a priority. We are the largest producer of refrigerated trailers with the market-leading 3000R, and offering this advanced ultra-low emission TRU technology will further revolutionize the refrigerated transport industry,” Steve Bennett added.
Additional advantages of the new Utility and Cargobull North America TRUs include a Hatz industrial diesel engine with fuel-sipping common-rail injection, a reliable hybrid powertrain, fully embedded shore power, and noise-dampening options that come standard for quieter loading docks and the quietest diesel operation available in North America.
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, LLC is America’s oldest privately owned, family-operated trailer manufacturer. Founded in 1914, Utility Trailer’s history of innovation and customer-value focus have helped it become the largest producer of refrigerated trailers and one of the largest dry-van, reefer, and flatbed manufacturers in the United States. With six manufacturing facilities and a network of more than 100 dealers across North and South America, the company produces more than 50,000 trailers per year and owns more than 50% market share among refrigerated trailer units.
First published in the November 17 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
