Daimler Truckworks
Haldex supports a holistic approach to commercial vehicle maintenance in Germany.
Some of the largest commercial vehicle service networks are organized by truck original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Daimler Truck, for example, lists more than 700 Mercedes-Benz workshops across Germany. Such an extensive network is ideal for customers who need on-site service, whether they make an appointment in advance or have a breakdown.These workshops offer services for all truck components and systems. While many workshops offer services for other brands, they do not take care of trailers or bodies. As important as these are in the vehicle combination for transporting the load, since they are not manufactured or sold by the truck OEMs, they are often not included in the maintenance cycle of the OEM dealer network.
TruckWorks, on the other hand, is an innovative premium workshop initiative of the vehicle manufacturer Daimler Truck supported by commercial vehicle supplier Haldex. In addition to servicing Mercedes-Benz Trucks, TruckWorks dealers also service ancillary equipment such as trailers, refrigeration units, tail lifts, and hydraulic systems. The work ranges from a minor repair to legally required inspection work and a comprehensive ongoing maintenance programme.
The aim of TruckWorks is to provide operators with a more convenient one-stop service for the care and maintenance of the vehicles' increasingly complex onboard systems. For dealers, TruckWorks offers the opportunity to better utilise their workshops by accepting more orders, which leads to better service profitability.
The 100 TruckWorks workshops in Germany also offer other services, including extended opening hours and breakdown assistance (also for trailers and tractors). Since last year the programme now includes Driver Care services, which offer drivers amenities such as showers, free WiFi and lounges while they are waiting for the truck or trailer to be serviced.
Daimler Truck is one of the first companies to offer these services in Germany as a fixed standard.
Dealers participating in the programme sign contracts with Daimler Truck and certain equipment suppliers. Corresponding service standards are laid down in contracts, whether between Mercedes-Benz or the respective equipment supplier. TruckWorks recruits dealers from the existing service network who are able to fulfil the predefined requirements. These requirements essentially consist of a 28-point standard that regulates services, cooperation, personnel, training as well as marketing and signalisation. On-site audits are carried out at least every three years to ensure that the TruckWorks workshops are operating at the right level.
TruckWorks emerged from the Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Competence Centre in 2009. "Haldex was there from the beginning and is therefore a founding member of TruckWorks. Since then we have been working together full of trust," says Robert Kirsch, Product Manager, Mercedes-Benz TrailerService.
Under the revised TruckWorks 2.0 agreement signed in 2021, workshops must work with at least 16 different partners and a total of 33 suppliers in eight different product areas such as brakes, trailers, tippers, tail lifts and bodies. Contracts with suppliers are based on a standard structure, but may include additional elements or special prices. Under the new agreement, the workshops are more flexible to choose their partnerships, which allows them to define manufacturers and suppliers that suit their local customers.
"The implementation of the TruckWorks 2.0 concept in 2021 now offers more freedom in its implementation and gives the workshops better opportunities to respond to the respective needs of the customers," Kirsch continues.
However, this freedom does not extend to leaving Haldex out - it is mandatory for all TruckWorks members (and, to be fair, for the two biggest competitors as well).
"Brakes are a very important part of the vehicle, and you can see that by the fact that every TruckWorks dealer has to comply with this cooperation. Haldex is the smallest company in brakes, but it offers high performance in brake components. It offers innovative, solid products, so we can continue to work together with confidence," he concludes.
