De Dobbelaere Transport and Kraker Trailers are a common thread in each other’s existence. For more than 30 years, Frans de Dobbelaere has purchased a new Kraker every five years on average. De Dobbelaere is not a large transport company, but an important customer for Kraker nevertheless. And that’s because of the bond between owners Frans and Jan. ‘Jan listens to what you have to say and really acts on it,’ says Frans.
A new Kraker every five years
“I keep a trailer for about five years on average, depending on market conditions. I’ve also sold one after just four years due to demand and high residual value. I mostly transport pallets, agricultural products, bulk goods, etc. – anything except scrap metal,” he continues. His story is one in which other Zeeland transporters play a role. They all know each other after all. ‘In the past, a moving floor trailer was something special. If you drive along the road in Zeeland today, you see Krakers ahead of you, behind you, and if you’re moving too slowly, you’ll see them overtaking you as well!’ laughs Frans. ‘Bosman, van der Wekken, Minnaard, Traveo, we are all loyal Kraker users. Do you know why? Kraker knows what we need here in Zeeland. In this region, we often have to unload over bunkers. You can see that reflected in the trailers - like in the folding bumper, for example. Johan van der Wekken and I saw this at a trade fair and thought it had real added value. Not long after, K-Forces came out with a folding bumper. That’s typical Kraker - listening to and acting on customer needs. It works both ways, that’s the mutual bond we have as Zeelanders and the commitment to one another.’
Over the past 30 years, Frans has witnessed all the developments at Kraker Trailers up close. ‘I remember when Kraker introduced K-Force. They first put some with Zeeland transporters so they could be tested in practice. I would have loved to have been one of those “guinea pigs”, but I wasn’t. I have a trailing axle on my trailer and the first versions would not work with that axle. But now they do. I thought it was a great idea from Jan, that Kraker trailers would be bolted. It offers so many benefits in practice. Yes, it’s always a risk, something new. We all want the lightest and most innovative trailer possible. If nobody can offer that, the whole industry literally come to a standstill.’
No question is too small
‘When I started out, I rented a Kraker from Fieret to give me some experience with a moving floor. I liked it so much that I bought one. From day one, contact with Jan de Kraker has been excellent. He listens and responds to what you say. When I call Jan and say I want, say, a round trailer, I get questions: “Why do you want one? What are the benefits for you?” It won’t get shot down immediately, he will consider it. At Kraker, every idea is taken seriously.
You can see that mentality in Kraker’s innovations. For example, they once built a tipper with side doors for Bosman - a challenge that others would not dare to take on, but that Kraker did successfully. ‘They have even made market vans, though that was really in the early days.’
Loyalty pays off
‘We have had contact with another constructor, though,’ Frans admits honestly. ‘You have to know what’s going on in the market to know what you want. But no matter what, I always come back to Kraker.’ It's all in the finishing touches, in the detail. And as I said before, you are listened to and heard.’
At least one more Kraker
‘In 2022, I bought another new model, so it will be time to do it again around 2027. And I’ll buy from Jan again. A funny story is that I was once called by a Kraker representative to ask if it was time for a new one. I said “you should ask Jan”. Moments later, he called back: “Jan says he will sell it to you himself,” he says. I like that,’ Frans concludes with a smile.