Europe’s second biggest trailer manufacturer Krone Commercial Vehicle Group has signed the takeover of the shares of the Dutch Knapen Group (incl. its subsidiaries Knapen Trailers BV, Knapen Service BV & Trailned BV).
Subject to approval by the respective regulatory authorities, Knapen Trailers, one of the European market leader in Moving Floor trailers, becomes part of the Krone Group. Pooling their expertise in product quality and service within their individual business segments, the two companies state that their defined goal is to create high-quality products and to establish professional-level services for their customers and partners in all of Europe. Knapen will continue to operate as an independent company within the Krone Commercial Vehicle Group. The successful Knapen management team will remain at the helm. Also, the jobs at Deurne and the highly specialised Knapen sales network will remain unaffected by the move. In line with this, all Knapen products will continue to be sold exclusively through Knapen and its team.
Knapen Trailers, located in Deurne in the south-east of The Netherlands, is a specialist manufacturer of aluminium Moving Floor trailers. The strong focus on only one segment, combined with a strong innovation strategy and high quality products, has benefited Knapen with the leading position in the European Moving Floor market. With a one-stop-shop solution featuring service, spare parts, rental, leasing and second hand trading, Knapen customers can rely on best-in-class service and expertise. The strong brand name “Knapen Trailers”, which stands for this unique quality approach, will continue. Krone is fully committed to secure local employment in Deurne, The Netherlands by taking over not only all business activities, but also all production facilities.
Krone Commercial Vehicle Group is part of the Bernard Krone Holding SE & Co. KG with headquarters in Spelle, Germany. Family-owned since 1906, Krone became one of the strongest players in the markets for agricultural machinery as well as standard semi- and swap trailers. With more than 43,000 rolling units and around 11,000 swap systems sold in the year of 2018, Krone is one of the market leaders in the field of curtainsiders, box trailers, swap trailers and reefers. Globally, around 6,000 people work at the Krone sites in Spelle, Werlte, Herzlake, Lübtheen, Dinklage and Tire (TR). For generations, Krone has been standing for top-class engineering and products of outstanding quality and endurance.
Pictured after the signing of the takeover agreement are:
Peter Joosten, Managing Director Knapen Trailers B.V. (Middle) with Bernard Krone (r.), Managing Director and Owner Krone Holding SE & Co. KG and Alfons Veer, Managing Board Krone Holding SE & Co. KG.