In just three years since MV Commercial rescued Fruehauf from administration, the iconic UK manufacturer of tipping trailers has undergone an extraordinary turnaround. With over £10 million invested in its Grantham-based facility, Fruehauf has re-established itself as a leader in the market, modernising its operations, introducing new products, and significantly increasing production capacity.
With a legacy going back over 100 years to August Fruehauf’s revolutionary invention of the fifth wheel in 1919, Fruehauf has played a pivotal role in the history of trailer manufacturing in the UK. However, by2021, the company’s future, and its 120-strong work force’s, were in jeopardy as the company slid into administration.
Believing in the future of the company and the product, Fruehauf was acquired by MV Commercial, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of purpose-built specialist trucks, in September 2021, safeguarding one of the last true British trailer manufacturers.
Since acquisition, the company has expanded its workforce by 30%, as well as laid out an ambitious £30 million pound investment roadmap which has seen Fruehauf’s 64-acre, 550,000-square-foot site in Grantham being revitalised with modernised facilities, new production lines, and advanced fabrication machinery.
With a new management team and vision has come a new long-term strategy, with Fruehauf introducing new initiatives, products and streamlined fabrication facilities, which has already paid off with a doubling of trailer production compared to pre-acquisition.
Additional product diversification has seen the addition of Fruehauf’s innovative new blower trailer product designed to meet the needs of the UK and Ireland’s bulk transport industries, as well as specialist rigid bodies and subframes for MV Commercial’s truck hire fleet, including high specification crane trucks.
Fruehauf’s commitment to growing manufacturing in the UK remains a cornerstone of its operations. The Grantham site employs locally based staff and is deeply involved with local and Lincolnshire community. By keeping production domestic, Fruehauf not only supports local economies but also ensures that every product is crafted to the highest standards using the best quality materials.
Commenting on the transformation of the company, Tom O’Rourke, CEO, said “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the past three years. Fruehauf has not only regained its position as a market leader but has also shown that UK manufacturing is alive and thriving. With MV Commercial’s backing, we’re building a future based on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.”
Looking ahead, Fruehauf is poised for further growth, with plans to expand its product portfolio and continue investing in its facilities. The company’s focus on listening to customer needs and engineering bespoke solutions ensures it remains a trusted partner for bulk tipper and blower companies across the UK and beyond.
