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Dutch firm BetonijzerBuigCentrale en Handelmaatschappij BV, based in the Dutch municipality of Hardinxveld-Giessendam, recently started using six new Pacton 3-axle semi-trailers of the TBD.342.L type. As Gert Verschoor, who is in charge of operations, explained: “The type of heavy work we carry out really takes its toll on our semi-trailers. And yet they need to last us for at least 15 years, also because we don’t use them to travel great distances: most of our projects are based in the Benelux region. Pacton provides us with high-quality, multifunctional and dynamic trailers, which not only optimise our transport and delivery, but also serve as an extension of our three manufacturing facilities.’
Having celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2023, the company has evolved over the decades into a leading and innovative manufacturer of reinforcement steel. Using a personal and genuine approach and with a passion for the business, the company takes on a wide variety of projects and continues to conceive of new uses and production methods for its products. Installing and processing custom-cut and curved reinforcement steel on building sites is part of its core business, while the company also provides transport services offering maximum flexibility.
Trailers as an extension
BetonijzerBuigCentrale currently maintains a fleet of 26 trailers, but does not own any trucks. As Verschoor explains: ‘We consider those trailers part of the production process. Since we have no storage space for finished products, we load the materials or the prefab rebar structures straight onto the semi-trailers. We then park the trailers outside until our customer needs them on their building site. De Bruin Transport, a company based in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, subsequently collects the trailers, which ensures we always deliver as needed and just-in-time.’
A third-generation family business with more than 70 years of experience and a staff of over 60 people, BetonijzerBuigCentrale is a leading player in the reinforcement industry. Its production facilities are spread across three sites in Giessen and Hardinxveld-Giessendam, and the company has customers in the construction and cement industries. For example, they deliver prefab steel reinforcements for a wide variety of projects, ranging from private homes to the IJmuiden sea lock. The steel fixing at the building site is carried out by a dedicated team, supported by subcontractors.
Dynamic semi-trailers
Fourteen of the 26 trailers operated by BetonijzerBuigCentrale are manufactured by Pacton. Verschoor: ‘We discovered the high quality of Pacton products when we acquired a used Floor some years ago. We were so happy with it that we decided to also contact Pacton for information on new trailers.’
The first new Pacton trailers were acquired back in 2014, including a number of options and features that have made the work and transport operations at BetonijzerBuigCentrale easier.
Verschoor: ‘There is a huge demand in the market for prefab reinforcement, which means you need to transport large volumes at comparatively low weights. That requires the use of a dynamic trailer, which can handle both very heavy, smaller loads and extremely large, wider ones. At the same time, we also need our trailer to be low maintenance.’
Freedom through customisation
Pacton’s fully customised trailers offer significantly more freedom on an everyday basis. With a tongue weight of 15 tonnes and the 27-tonne gross axle weight, the rated gross vehicle weight comes to 42 tonnes. The three-axle BPW air suspension has its rear axle mounted on a turntable, and can be controlled by means of a rod connected to the clutch. This makes the semi-trailers highly manoeuvrable. The semi-trailers are equipped with LED lights and position lamps, while the 1.70m bulkhead is mounted against four side-panels. The edge trim contains two sets of 17 stanchions, with the trailers being fitted with aluminium underrun protection and a stainless steel box. Clevis hooks have been added underneath the edge trim, and the trims also include four position signs, including lighting. The trailers are fitted with a 0.5-metre-high aluminium tailgate, with stanchions on the left and right and a 28mm-hardwood floor with steel omega profiles. The valve is mounted on an extensible beam, which can be expanded by around 60cm (including valve).
Tailgate protects overhang
Verschoor: ‘Integrated position signs with lighting have become standard for us, along with Pacton, as well as a central lubrication system, a high bulkhead and a customised distribution of stanchions. As an additional feature, we have also opted for an aluminium tailgate, which has an extensible structure. We made this choice because we want to prevent accidents involving sharp reinforcement steel while freight is being transported: it ensures that our product is always covered by the tailgate, up to a length of 14,2 metres. This is not required, but we wanted this addition to ensure the safety of other road users and for drivers’ peace of mind. It means we can transport all items from our plants to the building site safely and quickly. In other words, the Pacton trailers with their multifunctional design offer us greater freedom in terms of production, transport and delivery.’