English - Nooteboom Giants on the Road Magazine English - Nr. 6 - 2019 | Page 12

GIANTS ON THE ROAD
WHICH ARE THE CUSTOMERS OF AFFOLTER?
“After 2000 more and more mechanical engineering companies
disappeared from Switzerland. Our field of operations has moved
to the construction industry. For that sector we transport their
machines and materials, such as roof tiles and wooden rafters. We
do very little in the wind energy industry. Not many windmills are
built here, because the Swiss don’t like the look of windmills and
conserving the natural habitat of animals is a top priority here.”
DOES AFFOLTER ALSO WORK TOGETHER WITH FOREIGN
COMPANIES?
“Our vehicles mainly operate in Switzerland. If we have to collect
a load from the port of Rotterdam or Antwerp we usually contract
out the work. We are not looking for international work and we
can contract out those jobs at a very competitive price.”
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With an 8x6 tractor the maximum GCW is 165 tons
IS THE EU AN ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE FOR SWISS
COMPANIES?
THE MODULAR NOOTEBOOM EURO-PX
“Our Nooteboom Euro-PX has the advantage of enabling us to put
together many different combinations, varying from a 1-bed-4 to a
3-bed-6. Because it’s so easy to uncouple the Interdolly we sometimes use
different versions on the same day. When we use the low-loader version
we can choose from various load floors, including a spine floor and an
extendible floor. When used as a semi low-loader we combine a maximum
load capacity with outstanding manoeuvrability. It rarely happens that we
cannot find a way to fit a heavy or high load on our Euro-PX.”
WHAT CAN NOOTEBOOM IMPROVE ON?
“We have always invested in up-to-date equipment. With an optimal
vehicle we can give our customers optimal service. Nooteboom invests
continually in better quality, easy operation and lower dead weight.
And for service and parts too Nooteboom is always ready to help. In a
word: we are extremely satisfied with the quality as well as the service of
Nooteboom.”
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Affolter often transports machinery for construction companies
“Switzerland is not a member of the EU, but in daily practice there
are not many differences. Here too the production companies
have disappeared to countries with lower wages. The construction
industry in Switzerland employs builders from abroad and
our trade with the EU has few constraints. As far as we can see
Switzerland is not that different from Germany, the Netherlands or
Italy.”
AFFOLTER HAS TAKEN OVER SEVERAL COMPANIES
“In order to strengthen our position in the construction industry
we have taken over several companies. It started in 2001 with
the takeover of Held Transport. Because we saw the advantage
of combining crane hire and transport we took over the crane
department of Kehrli + Oerler in Bern in 2003. In 2008 we were
able to take over Lehmann Bau + Kran. Due to the cooperation
between the various companies we can offer the complete package
of cranes, transport and storage.”