Multifunctional
NNRD has been a regular Knapen Trailers customer for many years. They bought their first Knapen trailer back in 2009. NNRD specialises in waste management and operates in the regions of Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe. The company's activities consist of collecting, sorting and recycling various types of waste in the region. Their versatile vehicle fleet includes eight, multifunctional Knapen moving floor trailers that cover a distance of approximately 130,000 km annually.
We spoke to Jan Kuipers who has been employed in the waste industry for more than 30 years. Since 2017, he has been tasked with operational responsibility at NNRD for the branches in Harlingen, Drachten and Groningen.
"Our orange Knapen trailers are a familiar sight in the region!"
Starting more than 25 years ago with a single refuse compactor truck, the current fleet consists of many different vehicles that range from hook loaders to semi-trailers specifically for hazardous waste, refuse compactor trucks and Knapen moving floor trailers. Two new Knapen moving floor trailers joined the fleet last year. Jan proudly told us that the orange NNRD trailers are now a familiar sight on the roads in their region!
The advantages of working with the Knapen moving floor trailers every day is the ability to carry high volumes and being able to unload safely at all times. This includes situations indoors such as buildings with restricted heights. A tipper can't load the volumes transported by a moving floor trailer, and certainly can't unload safely. Safety is vital and if a driver has to load or unload four to five times a day, the obvious choice is a Knapen moving floor trailer.
"Knapen trailers are supremely suitable for our activities!"
We transport a diverse range of loads with our Knapen moving floor trailers. It is mainly bulky waste such as wood, plastic, industrial films and waste from construction and demolition, but also compost, peat and wood chips. This waste is repurposed to create raw materials for new products.
If we carry wood chips, we load up to 22 tons. And with construction and demolition waste, the trailer is often fully loaded. The drivers can check how much weight has been loaded using the built-in meters.
"We transport virtually everything, unless it doesn't fit in the trailer."
Our experience with Knapen trailers is outstanding, both in terms of maintenance and service life. Our oldest Knapen trailer dates from 2014 and it is still in full use today. However, good maintenance is crucial to ensure a long service life.
There is a maintenance service point in Drachten which is extremely handy for us. Our own workshop also has a stock of parts for minor maintenance or simple repairs. For major maintenance or an overhaul, the trailers are sent to Knapen Service in Deurne.
To maintain our trailers in good condition, our drivers are responsible for cleaning and tidying the trailers every day. Cleaning is vital for continued, good functioning.
Leffert Tiekstra has worked as a driver for more than 30 years, and been employed at NNRD for 20 years. He's been at the wheel of a moving floor trailer since 2009.
You can unload the entire trailer simply by pressing a button. It's fantastic and makes my job such a pleasure. I used to drive a tipper truck for a while, but in my opinion, if it tips, it's tricky. And a Knapen trailer looks so stylish, especially the super design of the bumper at the rear.
"My Knapen trailer is a loyal workmate."
