Innovative commercial vehicle technologies improve not only environmental efficiency, but also the image of the transport and logistics industry. BPW Bergische Achsen KG has now received two renowned German Innovation Awards - one of which with the highest grade possible from the jury. The deciding factor: focus on the user.
The new world champion in featherweight is called BPW: With novel lightweight components, BPW pushes the module weight of the 9t Airlight II trailer running gear to under 370 kilograms. This brings not only unprecedented lightness to heavy goods traffic, but also allows transport companies to benefit from more usable load and digital services throughout the vehicle's life.
Between 2017 and 2018, BPW Bergische Achsen KG reduced its CO2 emissions by 60 percent to 7,855 tonnes. This dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at the main production plant was made possible by shifting to green electricity and e-mobility. However, the family business sees the highest potential for more climate protection in its innovations for transport and logistics.
Greater safety and economy is hard to come by in the transport industry. Or is it? BPW is now delivering the AirSave tyre pressure control system that pays for itself in the first year: The system achieves enormous savings in terms of fuel, tyres and time. This is confirmed by the forwarders involved in the practical tests.
Who will lead the breakthrough for emission-free logistics in cities? What contribution can politics make? Is Germany in danger of losing the technological edge – or will all players now be able to make electrical transport a success story together? Top decision-makers from industry, research, politics and associations discussed these questions at BPW's first "Electric Networking Night" in Munich.
Managers of municipal commercial vehicle fleets are some of the regular visitors to bauma, the world’s leading trade fair for construction vehicles and machinery (8–14 April). BPW is bringing a very special vehicle to Munich on their behalf: a Mercedes-Benz Vario of Cologne’s municipal waste management company AWB, which has been converted from diesel to an electric drive.
The BPW Group, leading European supplier to the commercial vehicle industry, has been producing completely CO2-neutral at its main plant since last year. BPW is now covering the base load of one of its plants with solar energy for the first time. The commitment of the family-owned company ranges from resource-saving products to political education, as the new sustainability report shows.
In the Bavarian city of Vilshofen, the vehicle manufacturer Paul Nutzfahrzeuge is currently preparing for the standard conversion of municipal commercial vehicles on the production line to turn them into electric vehicles. The city of Wiehl is BPW's home town. It was there that Mayor Ulrich Stücker accepted the first Mercedes Benz Vario equipped with BPW’s electric motor axle eTransport.
As part of an innovation cooperation, the globally operating logistics service provider, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, and one of the world’s largest manufacturer of trailer running gears, BPW Bergische Achsen KG, are starting a joint practical trial: they are bringing the eTransport, an electric motor axle recently developed by BPW, onto the roads.
BPW Bergische Achsen KG of Wiehl in the west of Germany is not only an innovation leader in the transport and logistics sector, but also ranks among the pioneers as regards sustainability. The company switched to procuring all of its electricity from renewables in the summer and has now published its first sustainability report in compliance with the UN Global Compact.
eTransport, the electric axle drive developed by BPW, is thought to have won more innovation prizes this year than any other concept in its category. BPW has now added the European Transport Prize for Sustainability to its trophy cabinet. The company ranks among the heavyweights in the true sense of the word, not only in view of its multiple awards.
eTransport, the electric axle drive developed by BPW, has grabbed first prize for mobility in the finals of the Energy Awards. The accolade recognises the drive as one of the most innovative ideas in the drive towards renewable energy sources. The Energy Awards serve the purpose of highlighting progress and changes being made in the sector, and acknowledging outstanding projects and ideas.
In Berlin on Friday BPW Group was presented with second prize for its electric axle drive eTransport in the GreenTec Awards, which rank among the world’s leading environmental innovation distinctions. The axle is targeted at electric urban delivery vehicles between 7.5 and 18 tonnes – a segment in which vigorous growth continues to be fuelled by online sales.
About BPW Bergische Achsen Kommanditgesellschaft
BPW Bergische Achsen KG is the parent company of the BPW Group. With around 1,500 employees, including around 100 trainees, the family-run company has been developing and producing complete running gear systems for truck trailers and semi-trailers at its headquarters in Wiehl since 1898. BPW’s technologies include axle systems, brake technology, suspension and bearings. BPW’s trailer axles and running gear systems are in use in millions of vehicles around the world. An extensive range of services also provides vehicle manufacturers and vehicle operators with the opportunity to increase economic efficiency in their production and transport processes. www.bpw.de/en
About the BPW Group
The BPW Group researches, develops and manufactures everything needed to ensure that transport keeps moving and is safe, illuminated, intelligent and digitally connected. With its brands BPW, Ermax, HBN, HESTAL and idem telematics, the company group is a preferred system partner of the commercial vehicle industry around the globe for running gear, brakes, lighting, fasteners and superstructure technology, telematics and other key components for trucks, trailers and buses. The BPW Group offers comprehensive mobility services for transport businesses, ranging from a global service network to spare parts supply and intelligent networking of vehicles, drivers and freight. The owner-operated company group currently employs around 7,000 staff in 27 countries and achieved consolidated sales of 1.731 billion euros in 2022. www.bpw.de/en
