Terberg Special Vehicles Magazine 2023/2024. Featuring news from engineering, new product design and releases, sustainability and news across the globe.
MAGAZINE
WHERE SPECIAL COMES AS STANDARD
Terberg Special Vehicles magazine 2023/2024 English edition
WE’RE HIRING At Terberg, we want everyone to feel welcome. Once you join, you will become a part of our family business. We see you as an individual and encourage you to grow and learn. We are dedicated to provide a safe working environment for you to feel free and creative.
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Foreword
50 years of Terminal Tractors
Considering future generations To provide a healthy world for the fifth generation of the Terberg family, we focus on reducing our emissions. All Terberg Group divisions are setting up and rolling out projects to reduce their environmental footprint. At Terberg Special Vehicles we are focussing on the development of cleaner products such as electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative fuels like LPG and LNG. We are increasingly purchasing from suppliers who, like us, are focussed on reducing the environmental impact of their products. In this magazine our subsidiaries and distributors share their news updates, customer stories and plans for the future. Some of the articles include QR codes which you can scan with your phone or tablet for more information. I hope you enjoy reading this new edition of Terberg Special Vehicles Magazine.
2023 marks a special year for Terberg Special Vehicles. In 1973 we built the first Terminal Tractor for a customer in Rotterdam. Now, 50 years later, we are supplying these vehicles to customers in over 130 countries. Our strength lies in our products – offering the highest quality and a long lifespan. That benefits our customers’ return on investment, and it also provides the necessary comfort for drivers working with our products day in, day out. Higher production capacity for shorter delivery times Global demand for Terminal Tractors calls for expansion in our production capacity. The year 2023 was all about building and rebuilding. In Mississippi (America), we worked hard to realise a new production site for the USA market, which is expected to start production in January 2024. Also in Benschop (the Netherlands) we expanded with a completely new hall that will be commissioned in 2024. These investments are going to result in significantly shorter delivery times for our customers.
Rob van Hove CEO, Terberg Special Vehicles division
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The first CE-marked YT193 DBW pre-series diesel machine has been produced
Read more on page 10
In this issue
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6 Global news 8 The Engineering department 9 New proto RT303EV 12 The long road towards automation 14 After-Sales 15 Supplier story: Kessler 17 EMEA Distributor Days 18 European news 19 Celebrating 50 years of Terminal Tractors 24 Benschop plant expansion 26 Customer stories 28 Terberg Tractors Netherlands settled at new site
42 American news 43 New manufacturing plant in Colombus 44 North American Dealer Days 45 New website Terberg Taylor Americas 46 New office Terberg Taylor Americas 46 Customer stories 48 Dealer Cropac Canada 50 Group news 50 Sustainability at Terberg 51 Terberg Kinglifter 52 Terberg Control Systems 53 Terberg Techniek 54 Dennis Eagle eCollect
30 25 years of Terberg DTS UK 31 Low-entry Terberg DT 32 Terberg Spezialfahrzeuge 34 Customer stories 36 Asia-Africa news 37 SSCT extends Terberg fleet 38 New premises Terberg Tractors Malaysia 39 Customer stories 40 Terberg Tractors Malaysia receives award 40 Terberg Academy Middle East 41 Customer stories
This magazine is a publication of Terberg Special Vehicles © COPYRIGHT: Text and photographs may only be reproduced with permission from the Marketing Department of Terberg Special Vehicles.
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Global news
Countries in which we are active
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THE NETHERLANDS FACTORY
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The Engineering department - constantly focussed on innovation and improvement
Terberg Special Vehicles has an Engineering department with a staff of approximately 70. Many of them are automotive engineers, but there are also mechanical engineers, software developers and testers and other specialists. The department supports the production plants in the Netherlands, Malaysia and the USA as well as after-market third line support. We are in the transition to a Global Engineering department with the Benschop site as a knowledge centre.
In the past my department mostly dealt with just engineering. Nowadays the products are so complex that you have to spend more time thinking about what you develop and what our customers expect. You have to gather lots of information, and the earlier in the process you do that, the better. Basically, good engineering means that when our products reach the market they perform as expected, without teething problems which need modifications. For CTO projects the Sales department defines the request based on a customer enquiry. We then decide if we can do it and if it is a modification which might also be relevant to other customers. An interesting example is a recent request for a TT222 with a shorter wheelbase, because the customer needs a tight turning circle to work in tunnels.
Ronald van Zoelen, Director Engineering, explained how the department operates “We have an engineering roadmap, which defines larger projects and our strategy. That covers New Product Development (NPD), i.e. the development of new vehicles, re-engineering existing vehicles for different drivelines (electric, LPG or H 2 ), and product updates. The NPD projects start with a detailed project plan defining the scope, resources and responsibilities. Because the products are getting more complex, production volumes
are higher and we want to develop a high- quality product, it is becoming increasingly important to look two to three years ahead. Getting the correct information from the market is essential. We also deal with smaller projects, mostly customer-specific modifications. Those Customise to Order (CTO) projects include special hydraulic systems for trailers, chassis modifications for unusual loads, and much more.
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PRODUCT ARTICLES
Cooperation with Process Engineering
BC203EV about to arrive
Our output includes the Bill of Materials, specifications, digital spare parts manuals and exploded view drawings and all after- market documentation. For a new vehicle we work closely with the Process Engineering department which manages the production process. They also decide if our design is compatible with the assembly cycle and if any special tooling is required. Finally, they write the work instructions for the shopfloor based on the engineering documentation. Electric vehicles Terberg’s aim is to offer electric versions of all vehicles in 2027. We expect that by the end of the decade 60-80% of the vehicles we supply will be electric. We are now discussing with our distributors what demand they expect in their markets. Diesel engines will continue to be used for certain applications and we also have to consider LPG and H 2 , either fuel cell or hydrogen combustion engines. We are in regular contact with our colleagues at Dennis Eagle and Ros Roca, part of Terberg Environmental. Their refuse collection vehicles have operating cycles which are similar to those of our tractors, with many starts, stops and short driving distances. We exchange technical information and supplier experience. Great department We are basically a group of highly technical people who enjoy dealing with engineering challenges and taking responsibility for those. It is a great team, with a very good atmosphere, everybody has a real drive to get things done. We obviously provide regular technical training in areas such as electric vehicles, software and safety. Project management training is also essential now that projects can be so complex. All in all, I enjoy working here.”
Terberg RT303EV As many of you are aware, we have been working hard to develop the first Terberg RT tractor as a fully electric version. The first unit was built in the first half of this year and it is almost ready for its first tests in a real life port environment. This tractor will be used as a proof of concept, to test and see how this design can be used in the demanding RoRo operations at our customers. The term “proof of concept” clearly indicates this product is far from ready for series production. As building a good and reliable Yard tractor in an EV version was not easy, you will understand that our engineers faced a lot more challenges with the development of the EV RoRo 4x4. Project engineer Thijs Verbeek and Area sales manager Jordie Landegent updated us on the development of Terberg’s new electric swap body carrier “We started the development of the BC203EV in 2022. It shares a lot of technology with our EV yard tractor, the YT203EV. And like that proven unit, it offers the same performance as a diesel vehicle. It can operate up to 12 hours without recharging the battery. The Benschop plant will start assembling the vehicles in the first quarter of 2024, with the first deliveries soon after that. We have already received a significant number of orders, mostly for customers in France and Germany. There is also a lot of interest among customers in Scandinavia.
Apart from the driveline the vehicle is essentially the same as the existing BC183, and offers all the features logistics and distribution companies are looking for. It can be fitted with the usual options, such as a lifting fifth wheel for handling semi-trailers, or one or more drawbar couplings for drawbar trailers. The BC203EV is fitted with Terberg Connect and air conditioning as standard. It has the same comfortable cab as the YT with the addition of a joystick on the driver’s armrest, to operate the BC functions. And the electric driveline results in less noise and vibration - better for the driver and anyone working close to the vehicle.”
There is not much space for the batteries and other components as the tractor has to be manoeuvrable, low, with a long range and still have a spacious cabin for the driver. We think we have already come a long way and will proudly present this new product range to you.
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Terberg’s diesel Drive by Wire tractors
Some of our customers are considering implementing autonomous operation or tele-operation at their container terminals or distribution centres. Both forms of automation require “drive-by-wire” (DbW) vehicles, which can be controlled by an automation kit.
safety grade. Wouter Bosschieter, Manager Engineering Electric Vehicles and Automation “In our view that is essential to guarantee safety and CE compliance. We are aware that there are suppliers offering cheaper DbW retrofit kits, but those do not offer full integration and the type of sensors we feel are required. By specifying a factory-fitted DbW kit our customers are assured of a certified, safe and reliable product, and have a single point of contact.” Applications DbW tractors can be combined with automation kits from third-party suppliers for autonomous or tele-operation of the vehicles. You can read more about that in the Automation article in this magazine.
DbW kits and upgraded sensors Terberg currently offers a DbW kit for diesel YT tractors as a factory-installed option. A kit for YT-EVs will become available in the near future. The kit provides external control, via the CAN bus, of functions such as steering, braking, throttle, fifth wheel, etc. It also implements a range of safety functions. Because of the differences between manual and automated operations a number of vehicle sensors (e.g. the fifth wheel sensor) are upgraded from automotive grade to
DOT-spec YT ready to hit the road in the USA In the EU and the UK our standard yard tractors can generally be used on public roads, operating at speeds of up to 40 km/h across shorter distances. However, in the USA vehicles driving on public roads need to comply with the Department of Transport (DOT) regulations. In essence, the manufacturer has to self-certify compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Terberg has developed the YTxx3-DOT model to meet the need of our USA customers for a yard tractor which can operate on public roads as a Class 8 Heavy duty vehicle with a top speed of 33 mph (53 km/h). This took a significant engineering effort, covering components such as the driveline, steering, lighting and brakes.
will be assembled there. This development demonstrates Terberg’s commitment to serving customers in the USA with products tailored to their requirements, combined with local production and support.
The first pre-series of 10 YT193-DOTs has been built in Benschop and the vehicles will soon be delivered to customers. Once the new production plant in Columbus Mississippi is up and running the DOT models
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RR283 on track In the last issue of Terberg Special Vehicles magazine we reported on the development of the RR283 stage 5 road/rail vehicle. Product specialist Arne Tänzer gave us an update “The development is now complete and we have supplied the first units to our partner ZAGRO Bahn- und Baumaschinen GmbH where the rail components are fitted. They have already made the first deliveries to customers. The RRs are mostly sold through ZAGRO, who have the required railway industry expertise. The most visible difference compared to the older model is that the RR283 is fitted with basically the same cab as the YTxx3 . This cabin enabled us to reduce the development time of the new model and it gives the operator a comfortable working environment. The great advantage of our road/rail vehicles is that they can easily move between tracks on paved shunting yards. That saves a lot of time and cost compared with moving locomotives between tracks, across points in the rails. The units can also travel between shunting yards on the public roads, which is much more convenient than having to arrange track access. Another advantage is that the rubber tyres give great traction on the track. Because of that our unit can have a much lower weight than a conventional locomotive with steel wheels, and the fuel consumption is lower. Finally, using standard automotive components where possible instead of specialist railway components reduces the maintenance costs.”
Peter Wirth, Zagro Sales Director “The first two RR283s of the order of five for Romania have already been delivered to the customer and taken into service. The first was equipped with a rail guide which makes it possible to adjust the standard track of 1435 mm to 1520 mm at the push of a button using hydraulic adjustment of the rail axles. This means that both rail networks can be used in the border area between Bulgaria and Ukraine. The second RR283 was delivered with a gauge of 1435 mm for the rail network in Bulgaria. ZAGRO has already received further orders with the southern widths of 1435 mm, 1668 mm and 1520 mm from Austria, Portugal and Azerbaijan.”
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The long road towards automation
such as safety, risk management, operational integration, certification and more. For example, our tractors have to comply with around 80 standards and other requirements, that has taken us tens of thousands of hours of engineering. The automation kit and the rest of the software environment need a similar level of safety and reliability and take time to develop. Yes, you can now order a DbW vehicle, but developing a complete and integrated solution for a container terminal or distribution centre takes a lot of time and hard work. Customers also need to be aware that automated systems are not necessarily faster or cheaper than human drivers. But automation can help address challenges related to availability of skilled personnel, peak demand and energy consumption. Integration is essential To automate a container terminal or distribution centre effectively you need to integrate the automated vehicles with the terminal and its operational procedures, fleet management, etc. - those are different at every terminal. It also takes time for new technology to be accepted. At Terberg we want to offer solutions to our customers, working closely with our automation partners. We look at a customer’s current operations, starting with how the tractors are despatched. Sometimes that is by voice messages over the radio and sometimes electronically using a display. There are many more such things to be considered, and you need to be able to present a good safety case. And effective cybersecurity is essential - just look at the attacks on some terminals and other businesses.”
Both autonomous operation and tele-operation have long been hot topics in the container terminal industry. Automation is also highly relevant to distribution centres and some factories. In fact, there’s a lot of hot air around this topic. Both forms of automation require “drive-by-wire” (DbW) vehicles. Terberg will start supplying the diesel DbW option in the second quarter of 2024, as discussed elsewhere in this magazine. Wouter Bosschieter (Technology Manager – Vehicle Automation) Remy de Bruijn (Business Development Manager) and Anton Vuijk (Manager Terberg Transport Solutions) clarified some of the issues associated with automation.
The state of the automation market Remy explained “The key focus of our customers is stable growth. Automation can help with that as it makes them less dependent on a limited pool of drivers and can potentially offer more operational certainty. We have been working with several partners on autonomous and tele-operation, making steady progress. There are lots of software companies which tell our container terminal customers that they have the perfect solution to driver shortages and cost reduction. However, in practice, that doesn’t usually work, at least not yet. Machine integration is a key issue, and there is a huge difference between automating a single tractor and a whole terminal. Basically, it’s easy to demonstrate a tractor driving autonomously around an empty yard - but integration into a terminal with mixed traffic and obstacles is much more difficult. We have to remind customers that they need to consider issues
“Machine integration is
a key issue, and there is a huge difference between automating a single tractor and a whole terminal.”
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What next? At Terberg we firmly believe that our DbW tractors fitted with an automation kit can offer a cost-effective and flexible option for automating container terminals and other sites. But implementation at a brownfield terminal still takes a lot of time and effort. You really need a systems approach, not just vehicles and software. We think the transition from manual to autonomous operation will be gradual, with tele-operation as an intermediate stage. “Terberg Transport Solutions aims to offer complete fleet automation solutions in future.” Terberg Transport Solutions We have been involved with a number of test and demonstration projects, in several countries and working with different automation partners. We have learned a lot from those projects and they have made us aware of the challenges involved in automating a whole fleet. Terberg Transport Solutions aims to offer complete fleet automation solutions in future and work towards transport as a service. By following a staged and collaborative approach we can support container terminals, distribution centres and other operators with the successful automation of their tractor fleets. Some of the issues to be considered during these projects include ensuring safety, efficiency, and acceptance of the new technology. In short, automating a terminal or distribution centre is complex. It requires a detailed analysis of the infrastructure, integration with customer systems and risks assessments, as well as the potential benefits of the technology. Then the options for automation can be considered, selected and tested. Finally, the human aspects such as acceptance by personnel, need to be considered. Only after that can a comprehensive automation solution be implemented.
Elements of automation
TOS (Terminal Operating System)
Equipment Control & Fleet management System
Autonomous Driving System with sensors placed on vehicle
Remote operation station
Terberg YT with Drive By Wire
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After-sales: supporting distributors supporting customers
Terberg has always taken pride in providing an effective after-sales service to ensure that our customers can operate the vehicles they have invested in efficiently.
Technical support First-line technical support is now provided by the distributors. They are assisted by the Terberg technical support portal which contains solutions to common issues. If necessary they can open a ticket to request second-line support. A product specialist will then look at it, and possibly contact the product developer at the Engineering department for third-line support. Supporting distributors’ operations We aim to make life easier for distributors so they can run their businesses efficiently. For example, we provide calculation tools and easy access to repair instructions with parts lists to reduce the amount of work that needs to be done manually. We also want to share best practices with all our distributors. That promotes a uniform approach worldwide - one brand, one voice to the market. Of course, if a distributor starts working with a product new to them the Terberg Academy will train their people. After-sales department Our department has expanded over the years, we now have 36 people working here. They cover areas such as second-line technical support, after-sales engineering, new product introductions, guarantees, customs procedures, outbound logistics and purchasing. Together with our colleagues of the Sales department we represent the factory towards the distributors. Now that all first-line support is provided by the distributors our work here has changed, and we have tailored the department to that.”
There have been some changes in the after- sales arrangements. Dave Brouwer, Manager After-sales in Benschop, explained “In the past, spare parts and support were provided by the factory. But that became less effective as the worldwide fleet of Terberg vehicles kept growing. So over the last few years we have changed the system. Now the distributors, both Terberg subsidiaries and independent companies, provide the first-line support to customers. That is more effective as they are closer to the customers and more familiar with the local culture. This transition will be completed on 1 January 2024 when support for customers in the Netherlands and Belgium is transferred to Terberg Tractors Nederland and Terberg Tractors Belgium. Spare parts Distributors keep common spare parts in stock. If they need other parts Terberg can quickly
Dave Brouwer “Terberg has always taken pride in providing an effective after-sales service”
supply them from the spare parts hubs in Benschop (serving EMEA), Malaysia (Asia) and the USA (Americas). Deliveries can be made to the distributor’s warehouse, their mobile workshops or their customer’s site. We can often provide next day delivery.
Our warehouse system in operation
VIDEO
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SUPPLIER STORY
Quality vehicles demand quality components
Our customers expect Terberg vehicles to be of the highest quality, in terms of design and the components used to build them. To ensure that we have developed close, long-term relationships with a number of key suppliers. Purchasing manager Jeroen Ywema told us more about one of those suppliers “I’m originally a mechanical engineer and I’ve been working at Terberg for over thirty years. Axles are obviously a key component of our vehicles. For the RT and YT tractors we obtain many of those from Kessler + Co, a leading manufacturer of drivetrain components. They are also a family company, and their culture matches ours. They understand our industry and what we use the components for. Kessler also communicate effectively with the engineers at Terberg. We normally choose from their standard products but might require some customisation, such as additional support brackets on an axle. We also source other parts such as transfer cases from them. I think we have been doing business with each other for at least 35 years.” “The association between our two companies traces its origins to 1980. Ever since, we have valued the pragmatic, swift, and trustworthy collaboration. Terberg, known for manufacturing high-quality and innovative vehicles, aligns seamlessly with our company’s core philosophy. We eagerly anticipate fostering further innovations together in the future.”
Simon Grimminger Managing Director, Kessler & Co.
WEBSITE
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The event kicked off with a warm welcome from TSV CEO, Mr. Rob van Hove, who highlighted the company’s journey, its values, and its commitment to sustainability and innovation.
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EMEA Distributor Days 2023 An opportunity to meet colleagues and learn from each other
The Terberg Special Vehicles Europe, Middle East and Africa Distributor Event 2023 in September provided industry leaders, distributors, and experts from across the region an opportunity to meet and exchange information. It demonstrated our commitment to innovation, strong partnerships and driving growth. It also provided an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable milestone – 50 years of excellence in producing Terminal Tractors.
The first day was held in the magnificent surroundings of De Haar Castle near Utrecht, the Netherlands. Two plenary sessions covered the latest industry trends, Terberg’s strategic vision, and opportunities for distributors to excel in a rapidly evolving landscape. Terberg Special Vehicles CEO Rob van Hove highlighted our journey, values, and commitment to sustainability and innovation. He stressed the importance of working together to achieve common goals. A series of workshops allowed distributors to dive deeper into Terberg’s products and services, equipping them to serve their customers. These interactive sessions covered a range of topics like product training, YT tractors, Terberg Connect, International Key Accounts, RT tractors, Competitor Comparison, and the OPC Configurator software to configure vehicles to customer requirements. The Daily Challenges workshop provided a platform for distributors to
come together, share everyday issues, and collectively develop effective solutions to improve Terberg’s processes and services. The day wrapped up with a discussion of Alternative Fuels by Eric Dijkema, Key account manager Lubricants at Shell in the Netherlands and Remy de Bruijn, Business development manager at Terberg. They shared their perspectives on current trends in alternative fuels and challenges facing the energy transition in the automotive sector. In the evening there was a closing ceremony to celebrate the spirit of partnership and 50 years of Terminal Tractors. The second day took place at Terberg Benschop where distributors were offered a unique opportunity to step behind the scenes at the factory. They got an up-close look at the precision, dedication, and innovation that drive our success. Three new vehicles were presented: a proof of concept electric RT tractor, the BC203EV body carrier and the Drive-by-Wire YT193. Our distributors got a glimpse into the future of Terminal Tractors and left with a renewed sense of purpose, armed with the knowledge,
tools, and inspiration to take their businesses to new heights. The event underscored that, working together, the future is bright, sustainable, and filled with exciting possibilities.
VIDEO
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EUROPE
Terberg Tractors Nederland Johan Bood TTN sells, rents and services our vehicles in the Netherlands and operates a fleet of mobile workshops. THE NETHERLANDS
Terberg Tractors Belgium Lies Barra This subsidiary supplies our tractors and Kinglifter truck- mounted forklifts to the Belgian market and undertakes scheduled inspections in accordance with local requirements. Many of our units are operating in the busy port of Antwerp. Terberg Belgium also supplies Still forklifts and other equipment. BELGIUM
Terberg Spezialfahrzeuge Arno Ortlieb This subsidiary supplies our tractors and Kinglifter truck- mounted forklifts to the German market, where quality and durability are highly valued. The company emphasises flexibility, to ensure that customer expectations are not simply met, but actually exceeded. GERMANY
Terberg DTS Alisdair Couper
In addition to the full range of Terberg tractors, Terberg DTS also distributes terminal and industrial trailers, special airport vehicles and fire and rescue equipment. The company has a fully-equipped servicing workshop and a large rental fleet. UNITED KINGDOM
Terberg Manuport Fabio Fiorenzuola
Terberg Tractores Iberia Eric van ‘t Westeinde TTI sells, rents and services Terberg vehicles throughout the Iberian peninsula, serving a wide range of customers. SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
Terberg MPM Ireland Mark McCluskey Terberg MPM Ireland sells, rents and services new and used Terberg vehicles and machines across the fuel tank, fire and rescue, trailers and associated equipment sectors. IRELAND
Our Italian subsidiary supplies Terberg tractors, other port equipment and heavy-duty forklifts, and services these vehicles. ITALY
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Celebrating 50 years of Terberg terminal tractors, the basis of Terberg’s success
A personal take on the development of the terminal tractors George Terberg was director of Terberg Benschop in the period that terminal tractors sales really took off. This provided a solid foundation for Terberg as it is today. He is currently a member of the Supervisory board of the Royal Terberg Group. In an interview, Mr Terberg looked back on this exciting period “I joined the family business in 1978. At that time we were still mostly selling trucks to the construction industry, a very competitive market, and only sold around 65 terminal tractors a year. Sales outside the Netherlands were handled by another company. I arranged for us to get those sales rights back, which made it possible to develop an international presence. Terminal tractors were a niche market not served by large truck manufacturers. That gave us an opportunity to distinguish ourselves from the competition and build specialist products. Initially sales were fairly steady, but the growth of containerisation in the 1990s meant our market expanded rapidly. We managed to respond to that and in less than a decade tractor sales tripled. At the same time the logistics market was expanding. Initially that industry used road tractors to shunt semi-trailers at distribution centres. But they realised our YTs with lifting fifth wheel could make the operations much more efficient. So that also increased our volume.
George Terberg “Terminal tractors were a niche market not served by large truck manufacturers.”
Meanwhile we were building an international network of distributors who could not only sell tractors but also provide the support customers needed. Later we started setting up international Terberg subsidiaries, to bring us even closer to the customers. Initially the focus was on Europe. Getting a major order from the Port of Felixstowe for our YTs really helped us. It proved to the industry that we were a serious and dependable partner and helped us win orders from large container terminals. Next, we broadened our focus to the Middle East and Africa. And obviously Asia, where we set up a joint venture to build tractors in Malaysia. That approach has proven to work well and is being repeated in the Americas
where our partnership with the Taylor family is very successful. So now we are building a production plant in the USA too.
Being a niche manufacturer of high-quality specialist vehicles made it possible for Terberg to build a very successful business. It’s great to have contributed to that.”
VIDEO
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4 x 50 years at Terberg
The 50th anniversary of our terminal tractors will soon be followed by the 50th work anniversaries of four of our people at Terberg Benschop. Here is their take on the past half century.
Conny van Hall “I started 1974 at the Sales office. At that time we only supplied trucks. The company was led by Goof and Ferdinand (Feb). Their sister To also worked here, she was the human face of Terberg. I worked with her for a long time, and learned a lot. My job as secretary is now very wide-ranging: managing calendars, communications with distributors, organising the distributor events, receptions and parties. I have witnessed many highlights, such as the production of the 1,000th, 25,000th and 40,000th tractors. Actually, I met my husband here at the office. His job at an accounting firm took him to Terberg. That was Goof Terberg’s idea: he asked Jos ‘Do you have a girlfriend? No? Then she’s the one for you.’ Great. Even after almost 50 years I’m still happy every morning when I cycle to work!”
“People stay here for a long time. The family is good to us, and we to them.” “Truus de Leeuw looked after the cash and accounts of the shop. At that time they had a shop and a petrol station.” “That was a special time, with Feb the boss and Goof. If we had to work late, Feb, George’s father, would go and get food from De Berenschieter in the village.”
“Feb the boss, George Terberg’s father, liked to put a dust coat on and help in the factory. In the 1980s we had a fire here, he helped shift components, in his white shirt, and brought us food in the evening. He was very close to the people here.” “I have worked for three generations of the Terberg family: Goof, George and Ferdinand.
Tom Buijserd “I worked briefly at a car dealer and then joined Terberg in April 1974. I started as trainee fitter and eventually became head of the workshop. At the start I mostly worked on trucks, later on terminal tractors. We used to do maintenance at Benschop, that’s now handled by Terberg Tractors Nederland in Lopik. I’m still working there, one day a week. I now restock the fitters’ mobile workshops and deliver spare parts to customer sites.”
That underlines it’s a great family-run business.”
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“I used to weld parts for the first terminal tractor.”
“When I left school I could only do arc welding with stick electrodes. Here I learned MIG/GMAW welding.”
Adrie van Os “In September 1974 I started at Terberg, with seven other guys from the technical college. As a mechanical benchworker and MIG/GMAW welder I worked on parts for the first terminal tractor. At that time a lot more parts were manufactured here in the plant. I then transferred to the Tools storeroom where I am still working. We issue tools to Chassis production, Machining and Assembly. I also maintain the pneumatic tools. We have had a number of government ministers visiting the site, they often drove a completed tractor out of the building.”
Jan van Zuijlen: looking back on 50 years of terminal tractors We were lucky to be able to interview somebody who was involved with the production of Terberg terminal tractors from the very beginning: Mr Jan van Zuijlen who joined the company 1961 and retired in 2000. “When I started working at Terberg in 1961, they were converting GMC trucks by fitting additional parts, or a tipper body. In 1973 I became head of the Assembly department. At that time, Goof Terberg and Head of engineering Joop Bouwmans were developing an attractively priced terminal tractor which was easy to assemble. It was targeted at distribution businesses, and the lifting fifth wheel was a key feature. I was regularly in contact with the designers, and they came to the Assembly department, from the beginning. The chassis was designed in-house and we also built it here. At that time we even did the spray painting ourselves, in the middle of the factory. When I started here we built two or three vehicles every week, and by the time I retired that had risen to ten or twelve. Initially, each vehicle had just two electrical cables, later we added printed circuit boards and smart features. When I started here they had just built the first factory building. That looked far too large, but was fully in use within two years. And in the 1970s they built on the other side of the site. Initially those buildings were empty, but they were soon taken into use. Even at that time, Terberg was already looking far ahead. And that was necessary, because it takes a long time before a vehicle reaches the market. I witnessed the introduction of computers. Initially they were complicated. But I enjoyed that, you could do a lot with them. And the introduction of the ISO standards, of course. Training was also important, for example about hydraulic systems. We did training in-house or externally. I’m now 86 and I’ve enjoyed a lot of things in life. Both my wife and I are in good health, and I like to play billiards and go cycling. And we are still living close to the Terberg plant in Benschop.”
“You can always borrow tools, if you ask.”
“They were very frugal, instead of throwing bread out you would put it in the kitchen for the horses.” “When we started here in 1974 it was 10% terminal tractors and 90% trucks, later it was the other way round.” “The machinery in the factory got bigger, and we got more of them as we were building more vehicles.” “Terberg is green, that’s why we have the electric Volvo truck for transports to the spray painting shop.” “I do know a good story, but you’ll have to turn that recorder off.” “If there was something to celebrate they organised a really good party, and fortunately they’re maintaining that tradition.”
Arjan de Haaij “I started here in March 1974 as benchworker and machinist. We made a whole range of components, such as steering arms and suspension parts for the terminal tractors. The vehicles got bigger, and we were building more of them. The last few years I have been transporting terminal tractors and chassis, RRs, TTs and DTs between the Benschop factory and the spray painting contractor in IJsselstein. We use a trailer and electric Volvo road truck. I’m behind the wheel two days a week, sharing the job with two other drivers. I really want to reach the full 50 years here.”
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1970s 1973 First terminal tractor launched
1980s 1982 New model Terminal Tractor 1987 New model Terminal Tractor & RoRo tractor (TT/RT) launched
1990s 1991 Yard Tractor (YT) launched 1992 Body Carrier (BC) & Container Carrier (CC) launched 1997 New model TT/RT launched
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2000s 2003 RT382 for heavy duty RoRo & Industrial use launched
2010s 2010 Rail/Road (RR) launched 2014 First full electric YT202EV and DT launched 2017 AutoTUG/Drive By Wire launched
Recent developments 2020 Hydrogen tractor launched 2020 New YT launched 2023 Proof of concept RTEV
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Benschop plant expansion - good progress
In the last issue of our magazine you may have read about the expansion of the Low Volume Assembly (LVA) facility. This is where all tractors other than the YT and DT models are built.
We interviewed Daan de Nie, Manager process engineering, about progress “Everything is going well, we are on schedule with the construction of the new building which covers 2,000 m². The plan is to transfer production to the new building by Christmas 2023. Then the old building will be refurbished in the first half of next year. That includes fitting new climate control systems, crane tracks, roofs and walls. During the production stop in the summer of 2024 we will move production again and join up the refurbished and new buildings to form the new LVA. The
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The climate control system uses heat pumps so we no longer need natural gas. Other energy-saving features include doors which open and close quickly to reduce heat loss. The overhanging roof section ensures the sun does not heat up the building and the people working in it too much, for a more ergonomic work environment. We are also improving other ergonomic aspects, reducing the need for manual handling, and continuing the adoption of the 5S methodology for workspace optimisation. So this will be a really good building to work in. To keep up with the increased productivity in the Assembly departments we need to improve our PreDelivery Inspection (PDI) as well. Now that TTN has moved to its own building we have been able to improve and optimise this process. Finally, the Process Engineering department is also involved in the construction of the Terberg Taylor Americas YT manufacturing plant. The layout of the plant is based on the High Volume Assembly in Benschop. I’m really enjoying working on this project and with that team.”
only setback has been that the local electricity network does not have enough capacity for connection of the solar panels we had planned. So that will have to wait until the network is upgraded. Fortunately we already have many panels on the other buildings on the Benschop site. Once all the building works are completed we will have four assembly lines, each with four stations. The preassembly areas, where smaller units are combined into subassemblies, are located between the assembly lines. Using preassembly stations helps us to balance the production line, and create a balanced and lean workflow. This results in increased efficiency and higher production. Separating preassembly and main assembly gives us more flexibility and makes it easier to scale up production.
Daan de Nie, Manager process engineering “Using preassembly stations helps us to balance the production line, and create a balanced and lean workflow. This results in increased efficiency and higher production.”
VIDEO
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SWEDEN
RTs: key product line for distributor N.C. Nielsen
Per Löthner told us more about the markets Nielsen serves “We supply Terberg vehicles in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. I am also the main contact person with the Terberg factory in Benschop. The RT tractors are very popular here, not just in ports but also industry, warehouses and distribution centres. That is because their four-wheel drive enables them to operate in heavy snow.
Some of our customers have really interesting applications. For example, CS TruckService, which provides handling services at the Outokumpu steel mill in Avesta, Sweden, fitted additional shields to their RT, and an emergency door. That unit handles slag pots, if the hot slag is accidentally dumped onto a wet area you get a steam explosion and slag flies around, so the tractor needed special features to protect against that. The port of Gothenburg in Sweden uses RT403s with the side-shifting cabin to handle extra large SECU boxes. One of our customers handling paper products fitted their units with automatic disconnection of the air and electrical connections. Terberg is very successful in this market because of the high quality products that they deliver. We see a real demand for an electric RT as some ports strive to become emission free, so we are looking forward to the electric version of the RT that Terberg is currently developing.
THE NETHERLANDS
The Terberg Distribution Tractor was developed for busy distribution centres where semi-trailers are frequently coupled and uncoupled, and sites with both pedestrians and vehicles. Mainfreight is a worldwide logistics services provider. They recently started using two DTs at their site at ‘s-Heerenberg in the Netherlands, to improve the work environment of their drivers.
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FINLAND
RT223s hard at work in the port of Helsinki Sigma Trukit has been Terberg’s distributor in Finland for over 20 years and now also supplies Terberg Kinglifter truck-mounted forklift trucks. As in other Nordic countries, the Terberg RT models with 4x4 drive are popular in Finland as they can handle heavy loads even in cold winters. Sigma Trukit serves customers in ports, heavy industry and the timber industry. Finnsteve stevedoring in the port of Helsinki has a history going back to 1888. They are part of the Grimaldi Group, a longstanding Terberg customer. Finnsteve recently started working with our machines and invested in six RT223 tractors. The units are used for RoRo operations with trestles and with goosenecks. Finnsteve service the vehicles in their own workshops.
Mainfreight very happy with their DTs
Guido Roes has 21 years’ experience as a shunter driver and told us more about his work “We use the tractors to shunt semi-trailers and drawbar trailers. Each driver shunts around 60 units every shift, and we work in three shifts. We start Monday morning and finish Saturday afternoon. So the tractors are used very intensively. In addition to the two DTs we also have three YTs and a Terberg Body Carrier. We were already very happy with the YTs, but the introduction of the DT model meant a significant change. The work is now physically much less demanding, the low-entry cab means there are fewer steps to go up and down. A shunter driver has to enter and leave the vehicle around four times for each trailer movement. The low entry saves us 18 steps every trailer move. You can leave the cab on both sides, that reduces the distance you have to walk. Also, you can leave on the side with the least amount of traffic, that’s safer. And you can connect the air hoses from the left or the right. The cab is higher, so tall people no longer have to stoop. One of us had some physical issues, not related to work, and those
“All in all, we are very happy with the tractors and we would certainly advise others to opt for a low-entry tractor.”
practically disappeared with the introduction of the DT.
At the beginning we really had to get used to our eye level being lower, especially as the trailer is very high up compared with the seat. However, once we got used to it that was no longer a problem. The lower position of the seat results in better eye contact with the other traffic, cyclists, pedestrians and car drivers. On the industrial estate here there are some objects which used to obstruct our view, but
with the low seat height we can see under them, for improved traffic safety. All in all, we are very happy with the tractors and we would certainly advise others to opt for a low-entry tractor.”
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THE NETHERLANDS
Terberg Tractors Nederland settled at new site
In the summer TTN moved from the Benschop factory to its own site in nearby Lopik. The building was completely refurbished and provides the perfect working environment for the employees at the office and in the workshop.
can focus on their core business. Moving into this new building is only the first step in this growth process. Benefits of the new site Johan Bood, General Manager TTN “Because of our expansion we had run out of space in Benschop. This new site also emphasises our identity - we are not an extension of the factory, but a sales and service organisation which is close to its customers. This enables us to guarantee their mobility and ensure that the vehicles are always in perfect condition. More and more Terberg customers contract maintenance and repairs of their vehicles out to us. The rental fleet also keeps expanding, and these vehicles are supported by a full maintenance package.
On August 24 and 25, the new location of Terberg Tractors Nederland, at Lopik, was opened. The company, commonly referred to as TTN, was founded in 2021 for the sale and rental of terminal tractors in the Netherlands, and an emphasis on after- sales and maintenance, both at Lopik and at customer sites. The new building is another step in TTN’s success story, bringing the company closer to the customer. The memorable day was celebrated with customers, business contacts, employees and stakeholders. There were a VR race simulator, portrait artist and a photobooth, and people enjoyed snacks and drinks at various food trucks. Royal Terberg Group Chairman of the Board, Godfried Terberg, conducted the official opening on August 24 in the presence of Terberg family members and board members. Under the leadership of Director Dave Brouwer and General Manager Johan Bood, Terberg Tractors Nederland will continue to grow towards its objectives. The company is going to focus more and more on making life easier for the customer, so they
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CUSTOMER STORY
THE NETHERLANDS
Vink deploys versatile YT Vink in Barneveld, in the centre of the Netherlands, provides a range of products and services to the construction industry. They recently purchased a YT193 with PTO and hydraulic pump. The tractor is used with a concrete mixer trailer to collect the mix from the on-site concrete batching plant and then deliver it to construction sites in the area. The YT is also used with a hydraulically operated tipper trailer. This is used for transporting recycled concrete aggregate and other materials on the site. Finally, the tractor is also deployed with several other trailers to transport road plates and concrete blocks. The YT193 has a regular driver. His T driving licence for agricultural tractors allows him to take the vehicle onto public roads for deliveries to customers in the area. He is very happy about working with the machine, and really proud of it.
General maintenance is undertaken at customer sites, by our eight technicians with mobile workshops. The parts stocks in their vans are topped up overnight. There are also support sites throughout the Netherlands where they can collect parts and leave waste oil. The vehicles come to our workshop for major repairs and modifications, as well as mid-life upgrades. This is also where we train new fitters. This enables our people to develop into all-round fitters. “In short: we now have the perfect conditions to support our customers with advice, sales, rental and service.” The workshop is large and uncluttered, and the floor is kept clear where possible. The mobile vehicle lifts are battery powered. We can move them where they are needed, and the rest of the time they are out of the way. There is a mobile unit with air tanks for fitting and removing wheel nuts, so there are no hoses across the floor and it has a lower noise level than conventional equipment. There are two workstations for electric vehicle maintenance. We had more windows fitted in the offices. Everything has been refurbished and we have new furniture. All our teams are in close contact with each other so they can provide better support to our customers. This is also where we monitor vehicles fitted with the Terberg Connect telematics system, to optimise maintenance. Our building is now net zero. We have 192 PV panels on the roof and a ground source heat pump. Both the workshop and the offices have underfloor heating and cooling. Of course, there are charging posts for cars and commercial vehicles.
VIDEO
A compilation of the opening on August 25.
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