Schmitz Cargobull
Schmitz Cargobull is a family-owned German manufacturer of semi-trailers, refrigerated trailers, and truck bodies serving European and international logistics fleets with integrated TrailerConnect telematics, refrigeration, and trailer services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1892
- HeadquartersHorstmar, Germany
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Schmitz Cargobull does
Schmitz Cargobull AG is a family-owned German manufacturer of semi-trailers, trailers, and truck bodies, founded in 1892 and headquartered in Horstmar (with registered office in Altenberge). The company operates production facilities in Germany and Spain (Zaragoza) and positions itself as Europe's leading semi-trailer manufacturer, distributing through country-specific portals and a service partner network spanning more than 30 European countries plus India, GCC, East Africa, Australia, and Kazakhstan. Headcount is stated in the 5,001-10,000 range, with a product portfolio organized into curtainsiders (S.CS series), box bodies (S.BO, S.KO, M.KO series), tippers (S.KI series), container chassis (S.CF series), swap systems (W.KO/W.BO), dolly trailers, and transport refrigeration units (S.CU, S.CUe), alongside the fully electric refrigerated S.KOe COOL and the lightweight ecoCHAMP LTO construction tipper.
The technical core is the TrailerConnect telematics platform, factory-installed as standard on the SMART generation of trailers. TrailerConnect captures real-time temperature, location, route, load condition, and tire-pressure data and feeds it into a centralized Data Management Centre that integrates with over 40 strategic technology partners, including Goodyear (TPMS Connect and G-Predict), Cartrack (SaaS fleet management), and Atlantis Global System (refrigeration data, majority-acquired in 2024). Supporting digital products include the TrailerConnect Portal, the beUpToDate mobile app, and the MyCargobull information platform.
The business model blends one-time hardware sales (trailers, refrigeration units, spare parts, used vehicles) with recurring telematics subscriptions, service contracts, and 24/7 Cargobull Euroservice breakdown assistance across Europe, plus financing and insurance through Schmitz Cargobull's own channels. Pricing is quote-based for hardware and subscription-based for telematics, and customers include enterprise fleets (HAVI, Tevex Logistics, Marine & Cargo, LC3) and mid-market operators (MJ Transport, Furgo-Trayler) across food distribution, temperature-controlled transport, general cargo, construction, intermodal, automotive, and pharmaceutical end markets. Sustainability and regulatory positioning (SBTi-validated Net-Zero by 2045, ISO 9001/14001/27001/45001/50001, EU Data Act and GDPR compliance) is a documented procurement-enablement layer, and the company is currently pursuing geographic expansion into India through a 27.5% stake in Sub Zero.
Schmitz Cargobull firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Schmitz Cargobull
- Legal name
- Schmitz Cargobull AG
- Website
- https://cargobull.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1892
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Schmitz Cargobull is a family-owned German manufacturer of semi-trailers, refrigerated trailers, and truck bodies serving European and international logistics fleets with integrated TrailerConnect telematics, refrigeration, and trailer services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Schmitz Cargobull industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Vehicle Semi-Trailer Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Truck Trailer Manufacturing (336212), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (3362)
- SIC
- Truck Trailers (3715), Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Semi-Trailer Manufacturing (Dry Van/Reefer/Tanker/Lowboy) (IMACAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Container Chassis & Intermodal Trailer Manufacturing (IMACAGAK), Trailer Manufacturing (Utility/Enclosed/Flatbed/Car Hauler) (IMACAGAA)
Keywords
Where Schmitz Cargobull is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Horstmar
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Schmitz Cargobull business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Trailer and Semi-Trailer Sales: Schmitz Cargobull manufactures and sells a wide range of semi-trailers including curtainsiders, box bodies, tippers, container chassis, swap systems, and dolly trailers. Revenue is generated from one-time hardware sales of vehicles and bodies.
- Refrigeration Units: Sale of transport refrigeration units (S.CU and S.CUe series) for temperature-controlled transport applications.
- TrailerConnect® Telematics Services: Recurring telematics data services through the TrailerConnect® portal, providing real-time vehicle monitoring, temperature control data, GPS tracking, and fleet analytics. Integrated with over 40 strategic technology providers.
- Spare Parts: Sale of original trailer and semi-trailer spare parts from system partners and leading suppliers, with quick and reliable delivery.
- Service Contracts: Service contracts providing maintenance, breakdown assistance (Cargobull Euroservice), and support for more reliable budget calculation and easy processing.
- Trailer Financing and Insurance: Financing concepts for trailer purchase and insurance products tailored to industry needs.
- Used Vehicles: Sale of reliable and inexpensive used vehicles to handle order peaks.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Trailer sales - custom quotation |
| Subscription | Annual | TrailerConnect® Telematics subscription |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Schmitz Cargobull product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Schmitz Cargobull manufactures and sells semi-trailers, truck bodies, and trailers including curtainsiders, box bodies, tippers, container chassis, swap systems, and dolly trailers. The company also produces transport refrigeration units and integrated telematics (TrailerConnect) systems as standard on SMART-generation trailers, serving commercial fleet operators across Europe and select international markets.
Product overview
Schmitz Cargobull is a German manufacturer of semi-trailers and commercial vehicles offering a comprehensive portfolio organized around several core product lines: curtainsiders (S.CS series), box bodies (S.BO, S.KO, M.KO series), tippers (S.KI series), container chassis (S.CF series), swap systems (W.KO, W.BO series), and cooling units (S.CU, S.CUe series). The product ecosystem includes both standard and SMART-generation trailers with integrated TrailerConnect telematics as standard. Key offerings include the S.KO COOL for temperature-controlled transport with built-in refrigeration, the all-electric S.KOe COOL for zero-emission cold chain, and the ecoCHAMP LTO lightweight trailer for electric tractor optimization. Supporting services include the TrailerConnect telematics platform, MyCargobull digital portal, 24/7 Cargobull Euroservice breakdown assistance, and financing/insurance services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TrailerConnect®: Telematics system providing real-time trailer data including temperature, location, route, and load condition monitoring
- Cargobull Euroservice
- MyCargobull
- S.CU
- S.KO COOL
- S.CS SMART
- ecoCHAMP LTO
Products and services
- S.CU Transport Refrigeration Unit
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions against 2021/22 baseline
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Schmitz Cargobull
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Schmitz Cargobull technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability3 records
Feature7 records
Schmitz Cargobull partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Cartrack (Karooooo)coreCartrack, a subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed Karooooo, partnered with Schmitz Cargobull to integrate TrailerConnect® telematics data into Cartrack's SaaS fleet management platform. The integration enables transport operators to access real-time trailer data including temperature, location, route, and load condition without additional hardware installation. The collaboration provides complete transparency, smarter insights, and secure data solutions for logistics workflows.
- GoodyearcoreGoodyear and Schmitz Cargobull deepened their collaboration to integrate Goodyear TPMS Connect with Schmitz Cargobull's TrailerConnect® Data Management Centre. Fleet customers with Schmitz Cargobull trailers can access tire monitoring and predictive analytics without additional hardware or SIM cards. The integration utilizes Goodyear's G-Predict technology for real-time tire performance data, pressure and temperature monitoring, and GPS-based tracking.
- Sub Zero (India)minorSchmitz Cargobull acquired a 27.5% stake in Indian company Sub Zero to strengthen its cold chain infrastructure and refrigerated transport solutions in India. The investment aims to leverage technological advancement and local manufacturing upgrades to reduce food wastage in the region.
- Atlantis Global System (AGS)coreSchmitz Cargobull acquired a majority stake in Spanish cold chain telematics provider Atlantis Global System (AGS) in June 2024. The integration enables AGS's real-time refrigeration data telematics to be available across Schmitz Cargobull's refrigerated semi-trailers, with AGS remaining independently operated in Spain. The deal strengthens Schmitz Cargobull's market position in telematics solutions for refrigerated transport.
- Berger FahrzeugtechnikminorCooperation with Berger Fahrzeugtechnik for specialized vehicle configurations. Berger Fahrzeugtechnik is listed among Schmitz Cargobull's strategic partners for customized solutions.
- NABU (Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union)minorSchmitz Cargobull and NABU conducted a joint tree-planting action at the noise barrier of the Vreden production facility as part of their joint climate protection initiative.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Schmitz Cargobull competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Chereau: Chereau is a French manufacturer of refrigerated semi-trailers, a focused direct peer to Schmitz Cargobull in the temperature-controlled transport segment across Europe.
- Krone: Krone is one of Europe's largest semi-trailer manufacturers (curtainsiders, reefers, container chassis) with comparable product breadth and a similar integrated telematics platform (Krone Smart Telematics), making it Schmitz Cargobull's closest direct competitor in Europe.
- Kögel: Kögel is a German semi-trailer OEM offering curtainsiders, box bodies, reefers, and container chassis, competing head-to-head with Schmitz Cargobull across the European fleet market.
- Lamberet: Lamberet is a French specialist in refrigerated and insulated commercial vehicle bodies, directly comparable to Schmitz Cargobull's S.KO COOL and S.KOe COOL refrigerated product lines.
- Wielton: Wielton is a Poland-based trailer manufacturer with semi-trailers, tippers, and refrigerated bodies across Europe, directly overlapping with Schmitz Cargobull's product portfolio and European customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Hyundai Translead: Hyundai Translead is a global trailer manufacturer (dry van, reefer, container chassis) backed by Hyundai, competing with Schmitz Cargobull in international markets and offering comparable product categories.
- Wabash National: Wabash National is a major US-listed trailer manufacturer with comparable product breadth in dry vans, reefers, and platform trailers, serving as a North American analogue for Schmitz Cargobull's diversified semi-trailer portfolio.
Regional players
- Gray & Adams: Gray & Adams is a leading UK-based manufacturer of temperature-controlled and insulated commercial vehicle bodies, comparable to Schmitz Cargobull's refrigerated product lines but with a primarily UK/Ireland geographic footprint.
Emerging players
- CIMC Vehicles: CIMC is the world's largest trailer and semi-trailer manufacturer by volume, providing a global scale benchmark and competing with Schmitz Cargobull in container chassis, refrigerated, and general cargo segments.
Others
- Traton (Volkswagen Truck & Bus): Traton owns Scania, MAN, and other OEMs that integrate closely with trailer suppliers like Schmitz Cargobull for telematics and electric-truck/trailer ecosystem solutions, making it an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Schmitz Cargobull social profiles
Digital presenceSchmitz Cargobull compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Schmitz Cargobull financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Schmitz Cargobull leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Schmitz Cargobull subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Schmitz Cargobull funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Schmitz Cargobull M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Schmitz Cargobull
What does Schmitz Cargobull do?
Schmitz Cargobull manufactures and sells semi-trailers, truck bodies, and trailers including curtainsiders, box bodies, tippers, container chassis, swap systems, and dolly trailers. The company also produces transport refrigeration units and integrated telematics (TrailerConnect) systems as standard on SMART-generation trailers, serving commercial fleet operators across Europe and select international markets.
Is Schmitz Cargobull a public or private company?
Schmitz Cargobull is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Schmitz Cargobull founded?
Schmitz Cargobull was founded in 1892. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Schmitz Cargobull based?
Schmitz Cargobull is headquartered in Horstmar, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Schmitz Cargobull make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Trailer and Semi-Trailer Sales are the primary driver. The others are refrigeration Units, trailerConnect® Telematics Services, spare Parts, service Contracts, trailer Financing and Insurance and used Vehicles.
Who are Schmitz Cargobull's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Chereau, Krone, Kögel, Lamberet and Wielton. Broad incumbents are Hyundai Translead and Wabash National. Gray & Adams is listed as a regional player. CIMC Vehicles is listed as an emerging player. Traton (Volkswagen Truck & Bus) is listed as an others.
Does Schmitz Cargobull have an API?
No public API is recorded for Schmitz Cargobull.
What industry is Schmitz Cargobull in?
Schmitz Cargobull's product category is Commercial Vehicle Semi-Trailer Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAGAB, Semi-Trailer Manufacturing (Dry Van/Reefer/Tanker/Lowboy), with a secondary code of IMACAGAK, Container Chassis & Intermodal Trailer Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336212 and its SIC code is 3715.