CSU Bundestag Candidate Alexander Engelhard Visits Kögel

Prominent visit at the trailer manufacturer Kögel in Burtenbach. The CSU’s direct candidate for the Bundestag from the districts of Neu-Ulm and Günzburg, as well as parts of Unterallgäu, Alexander Engelhard, informed himself about the innovative strength of medium-sized businesses at Kögel. Managing Director Thomas Heckel also informed Engelhard about Kögel’s investment plans.

(PressBox/Burtenbach) The industrial engineer and owner of Engelhardmühle Attenhofen, Alexander Engelhard, operates several vehicles himself. During the visit, the CSU politician showed particular interest in the economically and ecologically sustainable transport solutions “Made in Bavarian Swabia.” “I am excited that today already three-quarters of Kögel’s product range meets the high demands for loadability on rail transport. I am convinced that freight transport is indispensable and will continue to grow. Therefore, goods traffic must be handled as sustainably as possible, especially by transporting goods on rail for as large a part of the transport route as possible.” Kögel already offers an innovative range of transport solutions for this purpose.

Impressed by Sustainability

Engelhard also took a great liking to the Euro Trailer of the NOVUM generation, the extended semi-trailer (Long Truck Type 1) from Kögel. The pragmatic approach of extending a trailer according to the dimensions of a Euro pallet until an optimal ratio of payload to usable volume is achieved, thus saving around ten percent CO2, convinces the politician. The company’s further product innovations for CO2 savings in transport will also become an increasingly important criterion in competition in the future. “Here, Kögel is a pioneer in the segment,” says the CSU politician. During the tour of the factory in Burtenbach, the entrepreneur also noticed the high manufacturing quality. According to Engelhard, quality and durability are further important aspects of sustainability. Kögel’s Managing Director Thomas Heckel, Works Council Chairman Leo Berger, and Paul Stempfle, Head of Pre-Development, explained Kögel’s investment plans to Alexander Engelhard, which contribute to further advancing the sustainability of the product range. Heckel mentioned the expansion of the so-called SKD production (Semi-Knocked-Down, partially disassembled vehicles) as examples, where trailer kits are manufactured and packaged for markets across Europe. The plans for the expansion and energy modernization of the administrative building are further evidence of Kögel’s commitment to producing consistently environmentally conscious and sustainable products.

Building Additional Jobs

“The planned investments by Kögel directly contribute to the sustainability of our products. In addition, we will support the economy of the region and create jobs at Kögel and with suppliers,” explained Heckel. The location can stand out as particularly future-oriented with this investment. Engelhard found it particularly pleasing that the number of employees is expected to rise from around 700 to nearly 800.
Photo: © Kögel / Image caption: from left to right: Thomas Heckel – Managing Director Kögel, Alexander Engelhard – CSU, Leo Berger – Kögel Works Council Chairman, Paul Stempfle – Head of Pre-Development & Supply Chain Management