Pulled by a far-sighted strategy. Our interview with Iffet Türken (Kässbohrer)
A broad product portfolio, intermodality, and integration with other transport players in research. This is the recipe for the future according to one player, Kässbohrer, which aims to increase its market presence everywhere in Europe. Read our chat with Iffet Türken, member of the Kässbohrer board and an increasingly important professional within the company.
From a very strong manufacturer in specific market niches to a broad-spectrum solution provider across the entire trailer sector, Kässbohrer wants to be a key player in the future of transport. This concept was reiterated during Solutrans 2025, a trade fair that has become a real must for the manufacturer.
At Solutrans 2025, Kässbohrer presented a selection that truly reflects the company’s ‘Enginuity’ approach. The launch vehicle was the Mega Curtainsider Swap Body, SWAU C+, which strengthens our intermodal portfolio with its proven robustness, high-volume capacity and lightweight design, developed to support efficient and flexible operations.
Kässbohrer: products on display at Solutrans 2025
Alongside this launch, the trailer maker presented a carefully selected range of vehicles reflecting our engineering focus across different transport operations. This included the lightest non-tipping silo, K.SSL 38, underlining the company’s expertise in dry bulk transport, the non-extendable 3-axle low-bed with hydraulic gooseneck ramp, K.SLS HS 3, is engineered for safe, flexible heavy machine transport, the award-winning container chassis, K.SHG AVH, showcasing durability and efficiency in intermodal transport, and the acclaimed robustness & top-class insulation standard reefer, K.SRI C, top-class insulation and reliable day-to-day performance.
In short, there is a wide choice for different needs. All this is part of a strategy that looks to the future. This was confirmed by Iffet Türken, member of the Kässbohrer board and an increasingly important professional within the company.
Mrs Türken, how’s Kässbohrer engaged in international R&D projects?
“We are part of an EU project called ZEFES (Zero Emission Freight Ecosystem). In short, in this EU project we develop e-trailers. The consortium has different partners , such as research institutes, OEMs and vehicle users. It’s an EU funded project, which started in 2023, and will last until 2026”.
Why is it so important for Kässbohrer?
“Because we can both provide real use cases and learn from them. To answer your question, at Kässbohrer, our motto is ‘Together to the next 125 years’. We believe the future can be only be shaped together with our stakeholders”.
Intermodality is key
Speaking of emissions reduction, what’s your thinking about the contribution of intermodal transport?
“Intermodal transport is a critical strategy for reducing emissions and improving efficiency in freight logistics. By integrating rail, road, and maritime modes, businesses can significantly lower carbon intensity, optimize routes, and reduce congestion. While infrastructure limitations and coordination complexity remain challenging, ongoing investments in green corridors and digital platforms are paving the way for broader adoption of Intermodal transport. For companies committed to sustainability, intermodal transport is not just an option—it is a strategic imperative.
At Kässbohrer, we have an unrivaled intermodal product range, and I’m very proud to say that we have been really investing in Intermodal transport. As Kässbohrer we are fully committed to developing Intermodal versions of our existing products and developing new products that would help with the emission reduction for our end-user’s future targets. Lightest and most robust curtainsider series with full conformity to P400 wagon types; the most durable light, coil and mega swap body products and the lightest and biggest inner volume capacity 20ft,30ft,40ft aluminum silo containers, P400 wagon ready best insulation performing box and reefer series and all around innovation awarded octagonal container chassis products with, front, middle, rear or combinations of different extension types are ready to help with this transition for our end-users. Let me say something more”.
Please, carry on…
“You are based in Italy, so you know that this is a highly relevant topic. At Kässbohrer, we have an unrivaled intermodal product range, and I’m very proud to say that we have been really investing in intermodal transport. We have been also always increasing our product range for longer and heavier combinations. For instance, In Spain, for instance, we offer a 32 m option”.
The role of trailer makers in reducing transportation emissions
When talking about the future, electrification and so on, there’s so much talk about trucks, less about trailers. Do you believe trailers should be involved more in issues regarding emissions reduction and electrification?
“Yes, we need to look at e trailers more, but not only that, very clearly. As I said, intermodal transport is very important, as well as the advancements in product development towards lightweight vehicles. Also, it will be paramount to see what European institutions will decide as for longer vehicles admitted on the roads, in order to create an integrated and more sustainable environment. Let me tell you one thing. In our big campus in Adapazari, 92 percent of electricity needed for our production comes from our own solar panels. That’s how we are committed to a greener future”.
This is what companies are expected to do. What about institutions and policy makers?
“Technology is there, as we said. In my opinion, policymakers need to cooperate much more to enable this integration, to bring all these possibilities to the people. In other words, we do need people to be informed and policymakers also to harmonize and standardize everything in this regard. The future challenges in Europe, and on a global scale, require more collaboration, more understanding with the key accounts, with public authorities, with the suppliers and with other OEMs”.
How can you summarize Kässbohrer’s strategy for the next years? How would you like your company to be perceived in the market?
“First of all, we will continue to rely on a wide and competitive product range. Then, research and development are paramount for us. Our investments will focus on the products, as well as on production, testing and partnerships. We will need to manage complexity. One key event was the opening of our new test track, the first one owned by a trailer manufacturer. We see this as a clear message to the industry from our side that we will continue to be pioneers”.
