6 BULKDISTRIBUTOR Tank Containers March / April 2021
Rootselaar back building
Hobur-Twente ’ s production effectively came under the charge of Rootselaar in January
tank trailers
Tankbouw Rootselaar is rejoining the business of tank trailer manufacturing . The acquisition of tank builder Hobur-Twente means that the company ’ s production effectively came under the charge of Rootselaar in January , and the agreement includes work in process to finalise the current order portfolio . The first aerosol tank trailers were destined for the UK . The factory will also continue to carry out high-quality maintenance under the responsibility of Rootselaar . Rootselaar built tank trailers in the past , but the acquisition breathes new life into the activity . The emphasis will be on lightweight , high volume tanks . Trailers with larger volumes and less maintenance can be offered because of Tankbouw Rootselaar ’ s knowledge of high strength duplex materials . Such capabilities will significantly reduce the total cost of ownership of gas trailers , for example . Rootselaar is a sister company of Cryovat , both members of the Rootselaar Group , and was founded in 1957 with a focus on the Dutch market . Over time Rootselaar has grown into a multinational specialist in high-pressure vessels , with subsidiaries in Asia and the Middle East , while the company ’ s headquarters are in Nijkerk , the Netherlands . According to group CEO Wim van Rootselaar , the acquired activities are a great addition to the current portfolio . “ Hobur ’ s highquality tank trailers have a reputation that is consistent with our company ’ s philosophy . Every transporter of liquid gases , as well as every car owner , is familiar with the impressive trailers with the wellknown Hobur logo . It is an honour to have the opportunity to continue its production ,” he said .
www . tankbouwrootselaar . com
Bertschi investing for the future despite pandemic
As with just about every business worldwide , the pandemic made 2020 a challenging year for Bertschi Group . The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its rapid spread across the globe had a significant effect on financial results . Imposed lockdowns resulted in a drop in global demand for durable consumer goods . This was particularly evident in the automotive industry , where demand collapsed . This led to a reduction in demand for primary chemical products , resulting in a substantial decline in sales in Bertschi ’ s core business of chemical logistics . Demand picked up from the fall , driven by the end of the first
The dangerous goods container storage at Schwarzheide lockdown and the rapid recovery seen in Asia . At CHF 900 million , sales in 2020 were nine percent lower than the record sales of the previous year . In addition , the strengthening of the Swiss franc against the euro and the US dollar also had a significant impact , as Bertschi generates less than five percent of its sales in Switzerland . Adjusted for currency effects , sales were down five percent . Earnings were maintained thanks to cost discipline . Group CEO Jan Arnet said that thanks to the group ’ s advanced digitalisation of its work processes , which enabled home office for a large part of the 3,100-strong workforce , and the early
Visualisation of the Zhangjiagang logistics hub
implementation of protective measures at the workplaces , Bertschi was able to offer employees a safe working environment at all times . The group also invested heavily in the company ’ s future during 2020 . The container fleet grew by 1,200 units to a total of 37,800 . As a result of strong demand , the capacity of the dangerous goods container storage facility at the Schwarzheide site ( eastern Germany ) was doubled . COVID-19 accelerated the digital transformation , making business processes more efficient , secure and customerfriendly as a result . Much was invested to offer customers end-toend visibility of complex supply chains that often involve a combination of rail , road and sea . The construction of a logistics hub for dangerous liquid chemicals in Zhangjiagang in the greater Shanghai area was started shortly before the start of the year and is the biggest single investment in Bertschi ’ s history . Three warehouses for different classes of dangerous goods , with a total capacity of 25,000 pallets , will be built on the 67,000 sqm plot . To complement these , a dangerous goods containerised tank farm will be constructed with a capacity of about 1,000 tank containers for storing bulk liquid loads . The addition of automatic drum- and
IBC-filling systems and tank container heating stations will create a complete logistics hub for the handling , filling and storage of liquid chemical products in China . Bertschi is also investing heavily in Europe . It operates its own transhipment terminal at Port of Rotterdam for transferring loads from road to rail , combined with a hazmat container storage area . This facility will be more than doubled in size in 2021 to offer a total capacity of 2,000 storage locations . Brexit will also lead to growing demand for storage in the UK . Bertschi operates a central warehouse for bulk and packed importplastics from overseas in Middlesbrough ( northern England ). The capacity of this facility will be significantly increased by an extension on an adjacent property . Bertschi is also planning to switch more shipments from road to rail in the growing market for transport to south-east Europe . To this end , capacity is being added at the Ploiesti rail terminal near Bucharest , Romania , acquired in 2019 . Bertschi is also continuing to invest in its specialised container fleet in order to accommodate growth in the number of shipments . Along with the investment in assets and processes , a number of promotions and appointments are designed to strengthen Bertschi ’ s management team . Marc Houtermans has joined the company assuming responsibility for the business unit solutions . Houtermans brings many years of experience in the global chemicals industry , where he has worked in a number of management roles . Houtermans ’ predecessor Christian Bart is moving to the business unit liquids , Bertschi ’ s largest unit , where he will be responsible for management of the entire operational business . As part of a long-term succession plan , Christoph Wälchli , who has been head of operations for liquids , takes over the management of the group ’ s 30-plus subsidiaries across Europe .
www . bertschi . com
Murphy Transport Ltd .
Murphy Transport
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Cork Office
Maryfield Ballinlough Road Cork , T12 EC63 + 353 21 4916500 info @ murphytransport . ie
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Dublin Depot
120 Elm Road Western Industrial Estate Knockmitten Naas Road Dublin 12
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Little Island Depot
Anchor Business Park Courtstown Little Island Co Cork T45 Y202
Tanker Hire
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• Transportation
• Tank Cleaning
• Storage
• Heating
• Tank Testing
• Repair
• Cross Docking
• Decanting
Servicing the port of Cork and Dublin Port
Seveso storage facility for full ISO tanks / containers
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www . murphytransport . ie
ISO Tank / Container Storage
Specialist services available on request