FOCUS ON WELDING
Fruehauf designs and manufactures trailers that meet the diverse needs of the agriculture, aggregates, waste management and haulage sectors.
L-R: Artūras Mitunevičius, Production Director, Fruehauf, and Jaan Zabolotski in the production hall.
As an industry pioneer with a history that spans over a century, producing over 500 trailers annually, Fruehauf manages the entire manufacturing process for its tipping and bulk trailers at its Grantham plant in the UK. Each trailer is tailored to meet the needs of its customers. Fruehauf manufactures chassis and body components, from raw materials to finished product in under two weeks. The company also provides extensive service and repair solutions.
At its Grantham( UK) facility, Fruehauf uses a range of 31 TPS 400i MIG / MAG welding systems from Fronius, alongside a Fronius iWave 300i AC / DC. It recently integrated a FlexTrack 45 Pro for automated sidewall welding into its operations.
“ For the past two years, we have relied on Fronius welding systems because their offerings align perfectly with our core values of commitment to quality and reliability,” said Artūras Mitunevičius, Production Director, Fruehauf.“ As a valued partner, Fronius consistently provides insightful advice and introduces cutting-edge products that enhance our operations.
“ The continuous technical
advancements, such as those found in the TPS 400i, have significantly improved our performance by increasing the speed and flexibility of our manufacturing processes. These systems enable us to confidently deliver the dependable products on which our reputation is built, ensuring that their strength and reliability remain unmatched— qualities that result in almost zero warranty issues,” he continued.
Welds in all components
The trailers incorporate various welded components that must withstand high mechanical stresses such as shock, vibrations and torsion.
The trailers incorporate various welded components.
WELDING IN MOTION
Bulk trailer manufacturing specialist, Fruehauf, employs advanced Fronius welding technology at its Grantham site in the UK.
“ We take great pride in our weld quality. Defective welds can lead to significant issues so we have very strict standards regarding the quality of our welds. We focus particularly on ensuring flawless welds in the load-bearing parts, such as the load support structure or subframe, where we use high-tensile S700MC steel. We ensure that all welds are aesthetically pleasing as they are visible on the exterior of the trailers,” said Mitunevičius.
The aluminium bodies are structurally capable of bearing up to 30 tonnes, yet they offer a significant weight advantage over
“ The trailers incorporate a multitude of welded components that must withstand high mechanical stresses such as shock, vibrations and torsion.”
standard trailers, saving up to 250kg. This reduced weight allows customers to carry a higher payload, providing a competitive edge.
“ Welding these aluminium bodies presents numerous challenges, including distortion and porosity. Aluminium’ s high thermal conductivity and expansion rate make it susceptible to warping. Moreover, welding dissimilar material thicknesses introduces its own set of difficulties, such as when welding the 5 / 6mm-thick top rail to the aluminium panels of only 2.2mm wall thickness. This necessitates precise heat control to avoid burn-through and lack of fusion,” commented Fronius.
Complex welding challenges
The Fronius TPS 400i is designed to address complex welding challenges. The TPS 400i is
18 | ismr. net | ISMR February 2026