Schmitz Cargobull hands over 6 trailers to PepsiCo Germany

Schmitz Cargobull has handed over six ecoCHAMP LTO lightweight curtainsiders from BERGERecotrail® to PepsiCo Germany. The new vehicles feature a shortened wheelbase to maximize payload without overloading the drive axle of the tractor unit. This is particularly important when the trailers are used with electric tractors or at full payload.

(Horstmar/Neu-Isenburg) The official vehicle handover took place in February 2025 at the Rodgau/Germany branch in the presence of Adrian Burlacu, Transport Specialist at PepsiCo, and Jörg Irsfeld, Director International Key Account Management, Schmitz Cargobull. Additionally, PepsiCo has put another six BERGERecotrail® lightweight vehicles into operation in combination with e-trucks through a rental company. The lightweight semi-trailers of the BERGERecotrail® brand are particularly suitable for beverage transport due to their high payload capacity.

“We are pleased to expand our fleet with the lightweight ecoCHAMP LTO from Berger. They offer the highest possible payload while helping us reduce CO2 emissions in our fleet. The innovative lightweight design and the advantages that the shortened wheelbase offers in terms of the transformation of truck drives perfectly meet our requirements for efficient and sustainable transport solutions,” said Adrian Burlacu.

“The ecoCHAMP LTO is an outstanding example of the innovative strength and technical expertise of the BERGERecotrail® brand in the field of lightweight construction. These vehicles set new standards in terms of efficiency and sustainability and underscore our joint commitment to advanced transport solutions,” adds Jörg Irsfeld.

The ecoCHAMP LTO, with a tare weight starting at 4.7 tons, is the versatile all-rounder among lightweight vehicles. By optionally shortening the wheelbase of the trailer, overloading of the drive axle is prevented when using heavy tractor units, including e-trucks, while utilizing the full payload. The new ecoCHAMP LTO can reduce the number of trips by up to 10 percent due to its high payload and is ideally suited for use in combination with an electrically powered tractor unit.

Since early 2024, the special lightweight trailers of the BERGERecotrail® brand have been available through the Schmitz Cargobull sales network. The comprehensive spare parts supply across Europe in the Schmitz Cargobull service partner network, as well as the use of additional Schmitz Cargobull services such as financing, insurance, and the standard equipment of the trailers with the telematics system TrailerConnect®, including tire pressure monitoring system with autolocation function, is thus ensured.

Consumers in over 200 countries

PepsiCo is a manufacturer of food enjoyment brands and one of the world leaders in the convenient foods and beverages sector. PepsiCo products are consumed daily by consumers in over 200 countries and regions worldwide. Many of the iconic brands achieve an estimated annual retail sales of more than $92 billion globally. For over 70 years, PepsiCo has been firmly established in Northern Europe, supplying food and beverages to numerous European countries.

Photo: © Schmitz Cargobull