WABCO Holdings Inc. (NSYE: WBC), a leading global supplier of technologies and services that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles, is combining its expertise with Belgium-based Sioen Industries to combat the rising issue of trailer cargo theft incidents with its new “Detector” solution.
Cargo theft is an increasing issue with a report by BSI Supply Chain Services and Solutions, revealing that 86% of Europe truck theft incidents[1] relate to cargo. In addition to disrupting the customers’ supply chain, cargo theft has a significant adverse impact for fleet owners from damaged trailers and vehicles to downtime and increased insurance fees.
Committed to “protection through innovation”, Sioen has upgraded its Dynatex PROTECTOR technology to produce a smart, multi-layered tarpaulin with conductive layers that can be fitted to trailer doors and sides. WABCO will power this technology via its advanced Fleet Management Solution (FMS), TX-TRAILERGUARD™. An alarm will be automatically triggered should the tarpaulin be tampered with. Drivers are alerted through an audible warning or an in-cab notification. An alarm is also sent to the fleet back office in real time through WABCO’s TX-CONNECT™ solution.
When combined with WABCO’s OptiLock™, an advanced wireless electronic door lock which enables remote live monitoring and management of trailer access, fleets can now further improve their ability to control potential trailer breaches in real time.
Detector is a fully working solution having been tested in the field by a number of leading fleets. This includes Belgium-based Soncotra, which was the first to apply the new, advanced technology within its trailer fleet. Soncotra manages over 15,000 full truck and groupage loads annually across Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the CIS countries and the Middle East.
“With half of our trailer fleet consisting of box trailers, the demand from our customers to deliver their cargo within their expectations is a key priority for us,” explained Isabelle Lamaire, CEO of Soncotra. “Our fleet is already equipped with WABCO’s advanced telematics, so the addition of a reinforced and connected curtain-sider tarpaulin enables us to significantly increase the security we offer to our customers’ cargo.”
“I am delighted to join forces with WABCO to develop this innovative all-in-one solution that will enable fleets to take the security of their customer’s cargo to the next level,” said Frederik Vroman, Sioen Sales and Business Development Manager. “We’ve been committed to protecting trailers against cargo theft for over 15 years and this is the next important milestone in delivering this commitment.”
“Building on Sioen’s leading tarpaulin technology and WABCO’s advanced digital solutions, we are jointly delivering the next generation of commercial vehicle safety solutions for fleets, tackling one of the industry’s biggest challenges,” added Peter Bal, WABCO Business Leader Fleet Solutions EMEA. “As we continue to grow our portfolio of connected solutions to support transporters’ demands for leaner, greener and safer operations, key partnerships like these will enable the industry to further leverage the opportunities presented by digitization.”
About Sioen Industries
Sioen Industries NV, a Belgium-based Euronext stock quoted company, is a worldwide leader in technical textiles, color dispersions and sophisticated protective garments. Sioen Industries Coating activities are fully vertically integrated, including the extrusion of man-made fibers and yarns, manufacturer of woven and non-woven fabrics, laid scrims and technical textile coatings. Sioen Industries Chemicals provides tailor-made color dispersions across a variety of polymers, epoxies, silicones and other materials. Sioen Industries Apparel division designs, develops, produces and markets sophisticated technical protective garments for professional use. The group has a leading position in key markets within transportation, firefighting, reinforcement textiles, sail fabrics, ballistic protection. For more information, visit www.sioen.com.
About WABCO
WABCO (NYSE: WBC) is the leading global supplier of braking control systems and other advanced technologies that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles. Originating from the Westinghouse Air Brake Company founded nearly 150 years ago, WABCO is powerfully “Mobilizing Vehicle Intelligence” to support the increasingly autonomous, connected and electric future of the commercial vehicle industry. WABCO continues to pioneer innovations to address key technology milestones in autonomous mobility and apply its extensive expertise to integrate the complex control and fail-safe systems required to efficiently and safely govern vehicle dynamics at every stage of a vehicle’s journey – on the highway, in the city and at the depot. Today, leading truck, bus and trailer brands worldwide rely on WABCO’s differentiating technologies. Powered by its vision for accident-free driving and greener transportation solutions, WABCO is also at the forefront of advanced fleet management systems and digital services that contribute to commercial fleet efficiency. In 2019, WABCO reported sales of over $3.4 billion and has almost 14,000 employees in 40 countries. For more information, visit www.wabco-auto.com.
SIOEN media contact
Frederik Vroman, +32 478 48 01 37, info@sioen.com
WABCO global media contact
Nina Friedmann, +49 69 719 168 171, wabco@klenkhoursch.de
[1] Global Cargo Theft Intelligence and Advisory Report - first half of 2018