A lot has changed at Kraker Trailers in recent years. New people have started and existing teams have evolved. Smart Trailer Solutions, an existing business unit, has expanded by taking over the sales, rental and marketing activities of Kraker Trailers. Another big change is the appointment of Alain Hiel and Stephan Willemstein as co-CEOs of Kraker Trailers. Together, they manage and have full responsibility for Kraker Trailers.
A focus on innovation and process control
Alain and Stephan have both been working at Kraker Trailers for years - Alain since 2008 and Stephan since 2016. They know the business inside out and have both contributed to the development of K-Force in their own way. K-Force stands out in the trailer world for its bolted concept and high quality. The modular design also ensures ease of maintenance and efficiency. ‘At Kraker Trailers, we don’t take tiny steps when it comes to innovation, but great leaps forwards,’ explains Stephan. ‘The introduction of K-Force marked a fundamental change to the chassis, which is bolted, the structure and processes. The launch of K-Force is among the most innovative developments known to the industry.’
‘Looking back, we feel very proud of what we have been able to develop. Developing K-Force and all the accompanying equipment was an instructive and interesting period. You get to work with things that aren’t yet on the market, that you develop yourself as a company, entirely from the ground up. The first automatic spraying robot, for example, was really part of the learning curve. We had lots of support from Jan de Muynck and his expertise in the field. The same was true when we were developing the welding robot - we consulted with the supplier a lot on that too. Developing K-Force and everything that came with it had a big impact on Kraker Trailers. We changed everything in one go - the loading area and the chassis. It was the only way to do it and something that needed technical expertise and buckets of courage. The result is a revolutionary trailer that is unrivalled by anyone. We have proven that a concept that others viewed with healthy scepticism could work. It was a team effort, with every department no less important than the next. It not only moves Kraker Trailers forwards as a company, but also benefits our customers by offering a lightweight yet robust product with a lengthy service life and low TCO,’ explains Stephan.
Alain adds, ‘In many cases, people only see the final product. But building a trailer with consistent quality requires hundreds of decisions about technology, processes and people. And all of that together is what makes K-Force a distinctive, innovative trailer.’
K-Force’s modular structure offers benefits to both the customer and manufacturer - K-Force is easier to repair and parts are quicker to replace, which means that the trailer can get back on the road sooner and costs are lower.’
Stephan continues, ‘We often hear from mechanics about the benefits all of this brings in practice. And the ultimate proof that the market is sold on the benefits of K-Force? Customers who start by ordering one K-Force and then order more. We’re not just talking about the early adopters, but also about companies that adopted a “wait and see” approach to see how things would evolve.’
The devil is in the detail
‘The transition to more automated production and the use of digital tools also requires demands different skills of our people, which needs careful guidance. After all, it’s not just a technological change, but a cultural one too. Those details are crucial,’ explains Alain.
Clear structure and short lines of communication
To Stephan and Alain, a clear separation between Kraker Trailers (production excellence) and Smart Trailer Solutions (sales excellence) is essential for further growth.
‘Building trailers is a profession, a skill, just like selling them. If you separate these responsibilities, you can achieve better performance,’ Alain adds. ‘That division means that every area of responsibility gets the attention that it deserves.’
Alain and Stephan both view Jan de Kraker’s involvement in the further development of STS as a logical step. ‘His knowledge of the market is unrivalled. He’s recognised as the founder and figurehead of Kraker Trailers. He remains involved with Kraker Trailers, but his focus is now on Smart Trailer Solutions, which he runs with his son, Thomas de Kraker, sales manager.’
With Alain and Stephan now in charge of production at Kraker Trailers, the focus has shifted to even more efficiency and greater quality.
The best product for customers
The collaboration between Alain, Stephan and STS is intense. ‘We have consultations with Jan de Kraker every two weeks to discuss absolutely everything. It can be tricky sometimes, but there’s always a common goal - making the best product with the highest possible return for our customers,’ explains Alain.
Alain and Stephan are convinced that this open and direct communication is the key to success. ‘Keeping one another on the ball, having the courage to make adjustments and always putting the customer’s needs first are what drive our success’, the two co-CEOs conclude.