Over more than a decade of cooperation with ArcelorMittal, Wielton Group’s steel requirements have evolved with the semi-trailers they manufacture. Today Wielton Group utilises high strength grades from ArcelorMittal’s Amstrong® Ultra range to produce semi-trailers which are destined for use in extremely harsh conditions. The use of Amstrong® Ultra provides the semi-trailers with their high strength and durability, factors which have helped Wielton Group become one of the top semi-trailer manufacturers in the world. Amstrong® Ultra also allows Wielton Group to lightweight their semi-trailers, which can reduce fuel use or enhance load capacity.
“The properties of Amstrong® Ultra enable us to maintain the important features which set our vehicles apart from the competition,” notes Bartosz Strugacz, Group Procurement Director for Wielton Group. “That includes durability, strength, and safety during use. Amstrong® Ultra helps us to meet the expectations of our customers for extended vehicle life in intensive use conditions.”
Amstrong® Ultra is deployed in Wielton Group tippers that require high strength. “These vehicles are designed for extremely tough conditions and meet the needs of the construction sector,” explains Bartosz Strugacz.
Amstrong® Ultra creates durable vehicles
Tippers made by Wielton Group are special-purpose vehicles which often work in harsh environments such as mines, gravel pits, and construction sites. This makes material selection vital as Bartosz Strugacz explains: “When a customer chooses a Wielton Group tipper or other type of semi-trailer, they are selecting a very specific tool which will make their daily tasks easier. Our task is to provide them with a tool that will meet their expectations and will be safe to use. We know that the use of high-quality steel grades such as Amstrong® Ultra can help us meet these expectations. They ensure that our vehicles are durable, reliable, and solid.”
Another consideration in material selection is the weight of the semi-trailer. “The main reason we choose Amstrong® Ultra is its high strength,” says Bartosz Strugacz. “That enables us to achieve effective and efficient weight reductions. Both fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced during use. This is particularly important as the transport sector aims to reduce its carbon footprint.”
Wielton Group is following ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® initiative closely notes Bartosz Strugacz: “We believe that XCarb® is a good strategy for the future. Initiatives that reduce the emissions of material production and increase the re-use of materials are vital if we want to noticeably reduce our environmental footprint.”
Simple ordering process
Wielton Group’s orders are supplied through the ArcelorMittal Downstream Solutions steel service centre at ArcelorMittal’s Krakow mill. The steel is cut-to-length and stored at the service centre until required. “Our successful cooperation is based on a relatively simple process: we specify the dimensions required and order the plates,” says Bartosz Strugacz. “ArcelorMittal Downstream Solutions acquires the coils and then cuts them to our requirements. It is very convenient for Wielton Group because the service centre maintains stocks of cut material for us. We can have it delivered to the Wielton Group production plants located in Poland within 48 hours.”
Working with a globally recognised steelmaker such as ArcelorMittal has many advantages for Wielton Group notes Bartosz Strugacz: “A key advantage is the wide range of products and multitude of solutions ArcelorMittal can offer. This is particularly important for Wielton Group because we often adapt our offer to specific customer requirements. That can involve implementing individual solutions and tailoring our semi-trailers to the customer’s specific needs. We appreciate ArcelorMittal’s offer and its openness when we are searching for new solutions.”
Bartosz Strugacz believes that Wielton Group’s long-standing cooperation with ArcelorMittal is proof of their satisfaction with ArcelorMittal’s offer: “ArcelorMittal’s high-quality products, proven cooperation, and timely deliveries are extremely important in running a business. Having a reliable supplier who is willing to provide individual solutions is an important link in our production chain.”
About Wielton Group
Wielton Group is one of the top three manufacturers of semi-trailers, trailers, and truck bodies in Europe, and one of the ten largest manufacturers in the world. The company aims to create and deliver the best transport solutions for business. Wielton Group’s activities are based on four key values: people, initiative, quality, and safety. The Group currently employs almost 3,600 people, with almost 2,000 of them based at the company’s plant in Wieluń (Poland). Wielton Group has five production centres in France, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The Group also operates two assembly plants in Italy and Russia. At the end of 2016, Wielton Group launched a subsidiary in Côte d’Ivoire.
More info: wieltongroup.com
