With a ceremonial event, Kögel Trailer GmbH put its new production facility for refrigerated vehicle panels into operation at the beginning of May at its headquarters in Burtenbach—a technological milestone and a clear commitment to Germany as a location. Together with Bavaria's Finance and Homeland State Secretary Martin Schöffel, Kögel owner Ulrich Humbaur and CEO Christian Renners cut the red ribbon—accompanied by the applause of the invited guests.
“Economic success and climate protection are not mutually exclusive—they belong together. The production opens up a new market, strengthens the economy, and secures jobs in the region. The logistics sector is the backbone of our economy and at the
same time a key area for more climate protection. The new facility is a clear sign: We are moving towards climate-friendly and efficient logistics. I thank you on behalf of the state government,” said Homeland State Secretary Schöffel.
The new production line is designed for the production of panels for the Kögel Cool Liteshell. In doing so, Kögel relies on innovative lightweight materials such as milled PU rigid foam blocks, fiberglass mats, and TPU instead of classic steel deck layers. The result: lower empty weight, reduced fuel consumption, more payload capacity, and significantly lower CO2 emissions. In this way, the company claims to make a tangible contribution
to sustainable logistics—especially in temperature-controlled transport of sensitive goods such as food and pharmaceuticals.
Commitment to Germany as a Location
Despite the tense economic situation, the company is investing specifically in growth and innovation. The choice of location for the new facility was deliberately made for Burtenbach—with its proven infrastructure, central location, and high level of expertise among the workforce. “This is where the heart of Kögel beats,” was the unanimous message of the day.
“We are not just investing in machines, we are investing in the future of our customers, our region, and our environment. The Kögel Cool Liteshell is more than a product. It is
an expression of our attitude: We want to offer customers solutions that set standards in quality, efficiency, and sustainability,” says Kögel CEO Christian Renners.
The project was supported by the federal program “Future Investments in the Vehicle Manufacturer and Supplier Industry” of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The support underscores the goal of combining economic performance with ecological responsibility—a mission to which Kögel claims to be committed.
The first trailers with the new panels are to go into practical use with pilot customers later this year. With the expanded production, Kögel aims for significantly shorter delivery times for refrigerated vehicles in the future.
