Getting your glass and windows on the road – safely

When we first spoke about e-mobility in the small van sector two years ago, it was still a niche market marked by increasing growth. What is the current situation now that state subsidies for electric cars have been cancelled?

Flatbed trucks have never been particularly widely used in the glass and window industry and were almost completely replaced by box vans for everyday tasks. Against the background of supply difficulties in the automotive industry, this appears to be changing and buyers are once again becoming more aware of the flatbed. All the more reason to focus again on this seemingly somewhat forgotten type of vehicle, which offers so many advantages when one takes a closer look.

Fensterbau Frontale marks the return of trade fair activities for the window and glass industry from 12 July 2022.

They are agile, small and can be used anywhere. Smaller city vans are highly impressive as they are ideal for daily use, yet often underestimated.

Delivery vehicles with a removable exterior rack and roof rack save time, simplify load securing and ensure that the load is transported properly and professionally – irrespective of whether it is conventional glass or bulky and oversized elements.

Glass racks must have low sills for transport setups with maximum loading heights. They also make it easier for employees to position heavy and oversized glass and elements. But depending on the weather, the rack support’s short distance to the ground also potentially exposes the load to rain, splash water, and damage from stones during transport.

NUFAM, the commercial vehicle trade fair, will take place in Karlsruhe for the sixth time from September 26-29, 2019. It provides commercial vehicle fans the opportunity to explore the entire range of products and services of all major companies in the vehicle and attachment industry. This year, the market leader for glass transport attachments in Germany, HEGLA Fahrzeugbau, is participating in the trade fair for the first time.

They are agile, small and can be used anywhere. While larger commercial vehicles with total weights of up to 3.5 tonnes have grown to be the vehicles of choice for service trips and deliveries of glass, windows and structural elements, smaller city vans have untapped potential. Unjustly, as Hans-Peter Löhner, Managing Director of HEGLA Fahrzeugbau with locations in Satteldorf, Beverungen and Kretzschau, believes. “Whether it’s a drive to the post office in the morning and express service to a customer in the afternoon, small city vans offer a familiar size and flexible options for everyday use in comparison to considerably larger box-type trucks,” said Mr Löhner. Almost everyone has a licence for this type of vehicle and even in congested inner-city traffic, they are easy to drive.