Since it was founded in 1996, Wielton S.A. has developed considerably.
With 15 production lines across Europe, an almost 600-million-euro revenue in 2021 and about 3500 employees, the Polish vehicle maker is a significant player in the trailer market. Wielton is among the top three manufacturers of semi-trailers, trailers and car bodies in Europe and among the global top ten.
During the last ten years, the growth has been strong, and the cooperation with UPM Plywood has been continuously intensified.
Stable supplier enables growth
Mergers and acquisitions have been the main driver of Wielton’s steep growth curve since around 2015. The group now owns well-known European brands such as German Langendorf, Fruehauf from France, Italian Viberti and Spanish Guillen. In 2018, Wielton cemented its position as a leading trailer manufacturer with the acquisition of British Lawrence David.
With the growth strategy came a need for a reliable plywood supplier with resources to keep up with Wielton’s ambitions. UPM Plywood and Wielton had already been in touch about different smaller projects, so when the two companies started their steady, large-scale cooperation around 2016, both parties already knew that the other could be trusted.
“Finding a long-term partner that can manage obstacles is of utmost importance,” says Paweł Wolny, Purchasing Manager at Wielton. He characterises UPM Plywood as an excellent and flexible partner, always open for improvement.
Photo: Wielton
Optimised material flow gives smooth production
UPM Plywood has invested a lot in developing the right product for Wielton, reveals Sales Manager Pasi Kiimalainen.
“We assisted with competitive product design and technical support and helped them with optimising the material flow with regards to flooring. It took some time before operations were properly established, but it has been worth it.”
One of the reasons for the long run-up was that Wielton required tailor-made solutions for WISA-Wire and later the UK market product WISA-Trans when Wielton acquired Lawrence-David.
“The optimised material flow enhances our production process by improving assembly time and warehouse operations,” Wielton’s Wolny says.
The tailoring also concerns demands for certain service standards, service stocks and lead times.
To Kiimalainen Wielton is more than a customer. Instead, he talks about a true partnership.
Wolny has a similar view on the relationship: “Their support is fully professional, UPM Plywood is a partner we can rely on.”
- Multilayer laminated plywood flooring panel with a special slip and wear resistant surface
- Made solely of birch (hardwood) veneers
- End-uses include flooring for trailers, railway wagons, warehouses, loading platforms, etc.
- Universal plywood panel for technical flooring applications with a slip and wear resistant surface
- Made solely of birch (hardwood) veneers
- End-uses include flooring for trailers, railway wagons, warehouses, loading platforms, etc.
Text: Sara Steensig
Article main photo: Wielton