From raw materials to logistics - managed in-house
Legro was originally a company specialised in substrate and casing soil production for professional horticulture and the mushroom growing sector, with sales all over the world. The entire process - from sourcing raw materials to production and logistics - is managed in-house. This integrated approach is also the basis behind the transport company within the group.
"Our priority is providing the best possible service. That can only be achieved with reliable equipment and Knapen has been our trusted partner for years ” Franc Swinkels, CEO of Legro.
With a versatile fleet and a sharp focus on planning, technical specifications and maintenance, Legro ensures their vehicles are always out on the road to serve customers. Using Knapen moving floor trailers plays a key role in this respect.
In locations with height limitations such as a warehouse or on uneven terrain, moving floor trailers can be unloaded safely and smoothly. This flexibility makes Knapen trailers efficient and versatile, which really makes all the difference in practice.
The Legro fleet includes various versions of Knapen moving floor trailers, each customised to suit a specific application.
From trailers for substrates and raw materials to specially developed trailers with shredder units for the casing soil used in mushroom growing. For locations with limited headroom, Legro uses a hook lift system with Knapen bodies with a moving floor. This even enables deliveries to be unloaded indoors in greenhouses with clearance of just 2.80 metres.
This smart combination of transport solutions from Knapen Trailers enables Legro to respond flexibly to diverse customer requirements and always provide a suitable solution in practice.
With a versatile fleet that covers millions of kilometres annually, transport is an indispensable link in Legro's daily operations. As the fleet is used so intensively, maximum reliability is crucial.
"We clean our trailers several times a week, particularly the interior. We supply to the food sector, so good hygiene is absolutely essential.”
Legro sets high standards in terms of hygiene and maintenance. All the vehicles are maintained in excellent condition thanks to their own truck wash facility and regular cleaning. These good facilities and strict working protocols ensure the vehicles are kept clean and in reliable condition as the fleet is also a calling card for Legro.
"We want to stand out. That is only possible with a partner like Knapen who thinks proactively and shares the same drive."
The partnership with Knapen Trailers dates back decades. Legro operated one of the first moving floor trailers and since then has worked continuously with Knapen on improving and optimising vehicle performance. Through intensive trials and sharing practical experience, solutions have been created that seamlessly align with the demands of daily practice.
"We have trialled and developed many solutions together over the years. You notice that we think along the same lines and can respond rapidly."
Our collaboration is strengthened by short communication lines, mutual trust, a shared passion for technology and a focus on quality.
There is a sharp and conscious focus on the durability of the fleet at Legro. The trailers are initially used on international routes with fewer loading and unloading points before being deployed for regional transport. This strategy optimises the total lifespan and availability of the trailers.
Thanks in part to structural, preventive maintenance and timely repairs, trailers are often out on the road for 15 to 20 years. "We have trailers in action a couple of days a week after 20 years. That demonstrates the quality delivered by Knapen and the attention we devote to maintaining our trailers."
To maximise the performance of its fleet, Legro has its own maintenance department. With an experienced technical team, including a mechanic who has worked for Legro for more than 35 years, they are familiar with every detail of Knapen trailers. This approach not only reduces the operating costs per kilometre, but above all ensures a reliable and stable transport process in practice.
The relationship with Knapen Trailers has evolved into a close partnership that has seen both companies grow together. This goes beyond being simply a supplier into acting as a sparring partner who understands the challenges in practice and actively responds.
"It's a reliable and enduring partnership built on trust. That’s reassuring when you have to depend on your trailers every day."
It is this combination of advanced technical features, trust and cooperation that makes the difference in this sector where reliability and continuity are critical to success.
Marco Maas has been a driver for more than 15 years, including seven years at Legro, where, like his father André, he travels across Europe as part of his daily work.
When Marco started at Legro, he shadowed a driver designated as a mentor to get a good grasp of how a ’moving floor’ works. The emphasis is on attention to detail and maintaining the equipment in top condition: from correctly securing the roof sheet to keeping the trailer meticulously clean, both inside and out. "You notice that customers appreciate that effort. We regularly get compliments."
The variety of work and independence make Marco’s job at Legro so attractive - alongside the equipment he can rely on.
At the same time, the work also has the necessary challenges.
"Once I ended up with a loaded trailer on a soft verge in a boggy area. The trailer was close to tipping over. With some careful steering and accelerating, I managed to get it upright again fortunately! You don’t forget moments like that in a hurry."
"The combination of my Scania with a Knapen moving floor trailer is a dream team. Bulk or pallets, unloading is a smooth process. That’s what makes working with a Knapen trailer such a pleasure."
