Kassbohrer

What Kassbohrer does

Kässbohrer is a privately held, German-Turkish heavy transportation trailer manufacturer founded in 1893 by Karl Kässbohrer in Ulm, Germany. It designs and builds semi-trailers (saddle trailers) across eleven core product lines — Curtainsider, Platform, Container Chassis, Swap Body, Refrigerated (Kühlkoffer), Box (Koffer), Silo, Tanker, Low-Bed (Tieflader), Tipper (Kipper), and Special Vehicles — offering more than 1,000 vehicle variants. Manufacturing is concentrated at the Adapazari plant in Turkey (365,000 m², 20,000 units/year capacity) and supported by plants in Goch and Ulm, Germany; on-site capabilities include proprietary KTL cataphoresis coating (€10 million investment, 2014) and metallization processes supporting 10-year and 20+ year corrosion warranties, respectively.

Its portfolio is anchored by differentiated engineering IP, including the patented K-Fix multi-point load securing system, the patented Octagon-on container chassis central-frame design, in-house pendulum axle suspension for low-bed trailers, and Digital Trailer Control (DTC) with Bluetooth connectivity. The company has won Trailer Innovation Awards in 2017, 2019, and 2023, and the International Trailer Awards Chassis category in 2025, sustaining a Top-2 European ranking in low-bed and heavy-load platform trailers since 2021. The product roadmap includes electrified and zero-emission variants (K.SRI E reefer, ZEFES project participation) and the newly launched Pendel-Tieflader K.SLL P.

Kässbohrer generates revenue primarily through direct enterprise sales of semi-trailers with a per-unit, project-based model targeting freight forwarders, logistics operators, chemical and food bulk carriers, construction and heavy-load hauliers, automotive dealers, and agricultural/mining operators. Go-to-market combines direct field sales through wholly owned subsidiaries in Germany (Goch and Ulm), France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain; an authorized dealer and after-sales network spanning 55+ countries; key account management for large fleet operators; and a digital sales channel via the BAS World partnership. Recurring revenue is supported by K-Finance financing, K-Advance Care after-sales service in 70+ countries, K-Pannenhilfe roadside assistance in 27 countries, and a spare parts operation that delivered its 1,050,001st unit from the Goch warehouse in September 2025. Pricing is non-public and quote-based; the company operates under the 'Enginuity — Since 1893' brand motto and serves customers in over 55 countries (or 70+ per service pages), with no disclosed parent company, private equity, or public listing.

Name

Kassbohrer

Legal name

Kässbohrer

Website

https://kaessbohrer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1893

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Kässbohrer is a privately held German-Turkish manufacturer of heavy transportation semi-trailers, producing over 1,000 variants across 11 product lines for European logistics, construction, chemical, food, and intermodal freight operators, distributed via owned subsidiaries in six countries and an authorized network spanning 55+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heavy-Duty Semi-Trailer Manufacturing

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (3362)

SIC

Truck Trailers (3715)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Trailer & Heavy Transport Equipment Providers (SPMT, Lowboy, Multi-Axle) (TLADAGAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Trailer, Chassis & Container Parts Distribution (TLAKAOAC)

Keywords

• Semi-trailer manufacturing
• Heavy transport vehicles
• Low-bed trailers
• Refrigerated trailers
• Tipper trailers

Headquarters

HQ city

Ulm

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Semi-Trailer Manufacturing and Sales: Kassbohrer generates primary revenue through the manufacture and sale of semi-trailers (Sattelauflieger). The company offers over 1,000 different product variants across 11 main product categories. Revenue is generated on a per-unit, project-based model with enterprise fleet customers. The company also generates revenue from spare parts, after-sales services, and financial services (K-Finance) bundled with trailer sales.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Kässbohrer manufactures and sells semi-trailers (Sattelauflieger) for road freight, intermodal, and heavy-load transport. The product range spans 11 main categories and over 1,000 vehicle variants, including curtainsiders, platform trailers, container chassis, swap bodies, refrigerated trailers, box trailers, silo trailers, tankers, low-bed trailers, tippers, and special vehicles. Production takes place at facilities in Goch and Ulm (Germany) and Adapazarı (Turkey), with direct sales subsidiaries and authorized dealer networks serving customers in over 55 countries.

Product overview

Kassbohrer is a leading European semi-trailer manufacturer offering Europe's widest product range with over 1,000 vehicle types. The product portfolio is organized into two main categories: commercial transport vehicles and services. Commercial vehicles include 11 core product lines: Curtainsider (with Standard, Mega, Light, Coil, Air Cargo, and Jumbo variants), Platform/Plateauauflieger, Container Chassis (rigid and extendable with Octagon-on design), Swap Body, Refrigerated Trailer (Kühlkoffer), Box Trailer (Koffer), Silo Trailer (Siloauflieger), Tanker Trailer (Tankauflieger), Low-Bed Trailer (Tieflader), Tipper (Kipper), and Special Vehicles (SOK LG Flex Carrier). The company provides comprehensive services including K-Advance Care after-sales support, K-Finance financial solutions, K-Pannenhilfe roadside assistance in 27 countries, spare parts supply, and digital solutions such as DTC (Digital Trailer Control) and the K-FIX load securing system. Production facilities are located in Goch (Germany), Adapazarı (Turkey), and Ulm (Germany). The company operates under the 'Enginuity' motto combining engineering excellence with ingenuity since 1893, serving customers in over 70 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Curtainsider Semi-Trailer Curtainsider semi-trailers with patented safety features, available in Standard, Mega, Light, Coil, Air Cargo, and Jumbo truck combination variants. Certified EN 12642 Code XL for body construction. Used for general cargo, intermodal transport, air cargo, and coil transport by logistics operators.
• Plateauauflieger (Platform Trailer)
• Container Chassis Container chassis for transport of 20-foot to 45-foot containers, available in rigid and extendable configurations with patented Octagon-on central frame design providing lighter weight, stronger construction, better traction, and improved maneuverability. Used for intermodal logistics.
• Swap Body Semi-Trailer Swap body semi-trailers for intermodal transport, including Standard, High Volume, and lightweight Coil swap body with 45-foot K.SWAU CC as the first and only 45-foot coil swap body. Designed for intermodal logistics operators.
• Kühlkoffer (Refrigerated Trailer) New Generation refrigerated trailers featuring GFK panel technology, first-class insulation, and multi-temperature transport capabilities for fresh and frozen goods. Available in Standard, Double-deck, Flower, and Electrified configurations. Used by cold chain, food, and pharmaceutical logistics operators.
• Koffer (Box Trailer)
• Siloauflieger (Silo Trailer) Leading European manufacturer of tipping and horizontal silo trailers. Tipping silos from 31 m³ to 90 m³; horizontal silos from 31 m³ to 54 m³, featuring Europe's lightest tipping ADR silo and largest container volume silo. Used for cement, grain, powders, and dry bulk goods.
• Tankauflieger (Tanker Trailer) Tanker trailers for dangerous goods, food, and agricultural waste transport. Made from stainless steel or aluminum with optional insulation or heating, serving diverse requirements with reliable, technically sophisticated solutions including remote-controlled unloading for operator safety.
• Tieflader (Low-Bed Trailer) Heavy-load transport trailers offering lowest platform height in Europe, available with up to 6 axles, self-steering or hydraulically steered axles, fixed or telescopic chassis, and Standard or Jumbo loading heights. Includes pendulum low-bed K.SLL series. Ranked Top 2 in Europe for low-bed and heavy-load platform trailers since 2021.
• Kipper (Tipper) Steel and aluminum construction tippers designed for demanding conditions with maximum payload, easy handling, and best traction. Features S700MC steel chassis and pneumatically foldable underride protection. Used for construction and bulk material transport.
• Spezielle Fahrzeuge (Special Vehicles)
• K-Advance Care After-Sales Service
• K-Finance
• K-Pannenhilfe (Roadside Assistance)
• Ersatzteile (Spare Parts)

Quantifiable outcome

• KTL coating provides 10-year warranty against corrosion perforation on chassis and all coated components
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• BAS WorldflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 November 2025Kassbohrer and BAS World deepened their collaboration through an official digital partnership. BAS World is one of the leading European platforms for worldwide commercial vehicle trading. This partnership builds on existing successful cooperation and aims to expand trailer sales through digital infrastructure, global reach, and operational excellence. Kassbohrer trailers are listed on the BAS World platform for worldwide sale.
• ICTS ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 July 2025Kassbohrer and ICTS Services celebrate 8 years of after-sales partnership in the Benelux countries, based on shared values of quality, reliability, and long-term customer care. ICTS Services provides authorized after-sales service and maintenance for Kassbohrer trailers in Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
• ZEFES (Zero Emission Freight Ecosystem)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKassbohrer participates in the ZEFES (Zero Emission Freight Ecosystem) European project, collaborating with Vrije Universiteit Brussel and other stakeholders to advance zero-emission freight transport. The company uses ZEFES data to foster industry consensus on scaling zero-emission goods transport through legislative and infrastructure alignment. Kassbohrer hosted K-Expert Talk sessions on electrification challenges at IAA 2024 and transport logistic 2025.
• VLS-NRW (German Association for Transport and Logistics - North Rhine Westphalia)minorOthersKassbohrer supports the Goch community through strong partnerships with local industry associations, including VLS-NRW, the German Association for Transport and Logistics for North Rhine Westphalia.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Krone: Germany-based manufacturer of semi-trailers (curtainsider, reefer, container chassis) with strong direct-sales presence across Europe. Direct competitor with overlapping product lines and similar enterprise customer base.
• Chereau: France-based manufacturer of refrigerated semi-trailers and box trailers. Direct competitor in the reefer and box trailer segments where Kässbohrer is also active.
• Schmitz Cargobull: Germany-based, Europe's largest semi-trailer manufacturer offering a similarly broad portfolio across curtainsider, reefer, box, platform, and tanker trailers with pan-European direct sales. Direct competitor to Kässbohrer across most product categories.
• Wielton: Poland-based trailer manufacturer with a broad product portfolio across curtainsider, tipper, container chassis, and low-bed segments, and significant European market share. Closely comparable business model and product breadth to Kässbohrer.
• Lamberet: France-based specialist in refrigerated and insulated semi-trailers with strong European presence. Direct competitor to Kässbohrer's Kühlkoffer/reefer line and similar mid-sized specialist profile.
• Benalu: France-based specialist in tanker trailers for chemicals, food, and fuel transport. Directly competes with Kässbohrer's Tankauflieger product line, particularly in ADR-certified hazardous goods tankers.
• Van Eck: Netherlands-based trailer manufacturer specializing in tipper, walking floor, and container chassis. Direct competitor in the Benelux market where Kässbohrer also has a direct subsidiary.
• STAS: Belgium-based manufacturer of tipper, dump, and silo trailers for construction and bulk transport. Directly comparable to Kässbohrer's Kipper and Siloauflieger product lines.
• Kögel: Germany-based trailer specialist offering curtainsider, reefer, platform, and low-bed trailers with pan-European distribution. Comparable mid-sized competitor with similar product mix to Kässbohrer.

Broad incumbents

• Wabash National: US-based broad trailer manufacturer (dry van, reefer, platform, tank) with global ambitions. Comparable business model and product breadth but primarily serves North American fleets; useful as a benchmark for scale and capital intensity in trailer manufacturing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Kaessbohrer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2LqMpIaxWTbA_5mroESrlA
• Facebookfacebook.com/KaessbohrerFahrzeugwerke
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dasistkaessbohrer
• Instagraminstagram.com/kaessbohrer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kassbohrer