Burgers Trailers, market leader in double-deck trailers, is making major strides in the international market. The Aalsmeer-based company offers an innovative transport solution capable of carrying up to 60 percent more freight than standard trailers. Thanks to this efficiency, the payback period on longer routes is less than a year. This concept is catching on, as demonstrated by the impressive revenue growth from 5.5 million euros in 2010 to 50 million euros in 2024. Today, Burgers Trailers holds a strong position in Europe, Chile and Japan, and the company is committed to further expansion.
Sustainability and innovation as driving forces
Demand for sustainable transport solutions is growing worldwide, and Burgers Trailers is responding with innovative designs and energy-efficient technologies. Although Dutch regulations on returning energy from trailer to truck remain restrictive, CEO Jeroen Naalden sees opportunities in the international market. “In many European countries, our technology is being embraced. Belgium and Germany, for example, already allow energy from trailers to be fed back to the truck, which helps transport companies reduce their ecological footprint.”
From local player to global market
Burgers Trailers has a rich history dating back to its founding by Koos Burgers a century ago. What began as an agricultural vehicle business grew, through closed bodywork, into a leading player in the logistics sector. With the arrival of the third generation and major retail clients such as Jumbo, Zeeman and Action, the focus shifted entirely to double-deck trailers. From 2016 onwards, Burgers no longer focused exclusively on the Netherlands, but expanded its activities into the rest of Europe. When Action opened a distribution center in Paris, Burgers entered into a partnership with TIP for the maintenance of its trailers. In 2019, an international dealer network was established, opening the door to further global growth.
A no-brainer for transport companies
According to Naalden, choosing double-deck trailers is a logical step for transport companies. “With a single double-deck trailer, you can transport a load that would normally require three trailers. That means fewer drivers, lower fuel costs and lower toll charges. It’s a no-brainer for companies looking to increase their efficiency.”
Although there is competition, Naalden is not overly concerned. “Our German and Turkish competitors view double-deck trailers as a small segment within their overall revenue and are not actively working to grow this market. In the United Kingdom, the standard trailer height is five meters, which is problematic because of the viaducts in continental Europe. And in South America, we only encounter a Brazilian competitor in Chile, but they have limited production capacity.”
The future looks bright
With the global growth of the double-deck trailer market – from 400 to potentially 1,000 trailers per year – Burgers Trailers sees plenty of potential. “A large part of that growth will come to us,” Naalden predicts. By focusing on innovation, sustainability and customer-oriented solutions, the company aims to further strengthen its position as global market leader. “Once the market leaders switch to double-deck trailers, the rest will naturally follow.”