BERGER Fahrzeugtechnik and the BERGERecotrail Brand Become a Wholly Owned Part of Schmitz Cargobull

Radfeld, April 21, 2026 – Berger Fahrzeugtechnik Ges.m.b.H., based in Radfeld, Tyrol, will be fully acquired by Schmitz Cargobull AG, headquartered in Horstmar, Germany. After initially acquiring a 49 percent stake in 2024, Europe’s leading trailer manufacturer is now taking over 100 percent of the shares in the Austrian company. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval.

This step sets a new benchmark in trailer manufacturing: lightweight chassis expertise under the BERGERecotrail brand meets industrial scale, innovative body solutions for semi-trailers, a Europe-wide service network, and Schmitz Cargobull’s digital system solutions.

Radfeld Site to Remain Center of Lightweight Expertise

As part of the partnership, investments have already been made in the Tyrol site since 2025, including production technology, the joint development of the new Evolution generation, and the expansion of the workforce. Radfeld will continue to serve as the center of excellence for lightweight engineering. In the future, development, design, and industrial manufacturing will be scaled and integrated into the group’s production network.

Gerhard Berger, principal shareholder of BERGER Fahrzeugtechnik, says:

“I am handing over our company with careful consideration. This decision follows a clear plan: what we have built over decades should be guided safely and sustainably into the future. For the BERGERecotrail brand, this next stage of development means scale, structure, and a strong partner that will consistently continue our pioneering achievements in lightweight construction. That is why the decision in favor of Schmitz Cargobull was an easy one for me. Going forward, I will focus on BERGER Logistik and BERGER Truck Service.”

Added Value for the Market

Oliver Hoffmann, CEO of BERGER Fahrzeugtechnik, adds:

“From my time as Head of Development in the automotive industry, I know that the most exciting innovations emerge at the interface of different areas. The combination of BERGERecotrail and our partner’s system expertise creates exactly this kind of dynamic. Together, we are bringing new solutions with real added value to the market. Our goal was to create the conditions for this next stage of development. We have achieved that.”

Attractive Employer with Long-Term Prospects

With its full integration into Schmitz Cargobull AG, BERGER Fahrzeugtechnik is also strengthening its position as an attractive employer in the Tyrol region over the long term. The Radfeld site offers modern, future-oriented jobs in an innovation-driven environment. Employees benefit from a wide range of development opportunities as well as from being part of the internationally active Schmitz Cargobull Group.

Lightweight Pioneers from Tyrol

Under the BERGERecotrail brand, the company develops and manufactures particularly lightweight chassis for truck trailers — the structural base on which the entire semi-trailer is later built. The company is regarded as a pioneer in this field.

Its lightweight design ensures that these trailers have significantly lower unladen weight than conventional models. For transport companies, this offers a clear advantage: they can carry more goods per trip, reduce the total number of journeys required, and save fuel as a result.

Combined with Schmitz Cargobull’s innovative body solutions and its Europe-wide service and sales network, these advantages will become even more widely available in the future. Lightweight engineering from Tyrol is therefore evolving from a technical advantage into an economic and sustainable industry standard in European transport.

Subject to Regulatory Approval

The completion of the transaction remains subject to antitrust approval by the relevant authorities.