It all began in Ulm in 1934. The young Franz Xaver Kögel took over the wagon business of his teacher Georg Schmid. Thanks to his craftsmanship and as a born entrepreneur, Franz Xaver made more of it. Much more!
To date, our employees have already produced well over half a million vehicles. This experience helps us to continue setting milestones in the development and manufacture of modern trailer solutions. In spite of the challenges, one thing has remained the same: our passion for the transport industry.
RENOWNED TIPPER SPECIALIST
We have a long tradition in the construction industry in particular. As early as the 1930s, we were known for tipper bodies on trucks, including two-axle trailers and trailers for agriculture.
Highlights include:
Semitrailers with two independent tipper bridges and tipping semitrailers with steel tipper body (1950s)
The first self-supporting rounded aluminum tipper body (1966)
The first modular component tipper body in a lightweight, high-strength bimetal design. Here, you can set up the wall and floor strength of your tipper trailer in line with your wishes (2002).
TRENDSETTER IN RADIATOR CONSTRUCTION
We have also been setting trends in cooler construction since the start of the 1950s. With small box bodies in light metal, for example – the precursors to subsequent refrigerated vehicles. Or with the first refrigerated semitrailer with a free-standing, fully plastic structure (1961) and the first pallet-width refrigerated unit (1969).
Further milestones include:
The first refrigerated semitrailer with a self-supporting structure (1976)
The 1.3-m-longer EuroTrailer as a refrigerated box semitrailer (2007)
The premium refrigerated box semitrailer Cool – PurFerro quality (2012)
TAKING EFFICIENCY TO THE NEXT LEVEL - NOVUM
Since 2018, Kögel has been setting new standards for all model series with the NOVUM generation of vehicles - including a reinforced body, new outer frame and a clear focus on further improved user-friendliness. In addition, the increased payload of the NOVUM generation makes a decisive contribution to reducing CO2 emissions per transported ton. The NOVUM generation from Kögel was awarded the international industry prize “Trailer Innovation 2019” at the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018 in the “Concept” category.
With our innovations, we at Kögel have been influencing the image of modern road haulage for years. We are one of Europe’s great trailer manufacturers. We are proud of this.
TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS - MADE IN GERMANY
What has made us great over the years is still important to us: engineering quality. Innovations that are aligned to our customers’ wishes. The reliability of an owner-run family business with long-term prospects. Ulrich Humbaur, Kögel’s owner since 2009, combines these values with his strong commitment to Germany. In this context, we at Kögel work on the transport solutions of tomorrow today – with the utmost precision, state-of-the-art expertise and plenty of attention to detail. And above all, the enthusiasm we have demonstrated since 1934. Just as things began with Franz Xaver Kögel.
Do you fancy a journey through time? We have compiled some of the milestones in our company's history for you in our quick run-through:
AN EVENTFUL HISTORY: THE KÖGEL TIMELINE
1934
Franz Xaver Kögel takes over his master’s wainwright
1961
The first refrigerated semitrailer with fully plastic structure
1965
Kögel invents the swap body with support feet
1974
Patented centre-axle tipping trailer
1982
World’s lightest series semitrailer
1990
“Wiesel”, the first transfer vehicle for swap bodies
2001
First cathodic dip paint plant with zinc phosphating