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Schmitz Cargobull is ramping up assembly of its rigid truck bodies in the UK through its service partner network as part of a strategy to cut costs and shorten lead times.

The move will see bodybuilders who are already authorised maintenance providers assemble M.KO rigids, using panels shipped in from Schmitz Cargobull’s factory in Panevéžys, Lithuania.

Geoff Ward, sales engineer for Schmitz Cargobull Truck Bodies, said: “Last-mile delivery is increasingly important, driving up demand for high-quality rigid truck bodies. By expanding our assembly capabilities in the UK through our service partner network, we’ll be able to reduce costs and shorten lead times.”

UK service partner Shropshire-based bodybuilder and trailer repairer PD Stevens is set to start assembly of Schmitz Cargobull’s M.KO rigid trucks.

PD Stevens director Greg Stevens says: “Schmitz Cargobull makes exceptionally high-quality rigid bodies and being able to assemble them opens up new opportunities for us, and will help local operators source new trucks far more quickly and economically.”

Other members of Cargobull’s 60-strong Service Partner network will be able to offer rigid truck body assembly in coming months.

Schmitz Cargobull’s M.KO range can be built to suit a variety of operations including urban distribution, refrigerated transport and ambient dry freight. Body lengths range from 6,050mm to the maximum permissible length on 12, 18 or 26-tonne rigids.