High-volume transport. Thinking big at Hans Ihro GmbH – standard of quality included

Autobahn 6 meanders through the Franconian hills between Heilbronn and Schwäbisch Hall. To the left and right of the route: vineyards, castles – and plenty of innovative thinking. The region of Heilbronn-Franken is considered to be one of the regions in Germany with the highest density of world market leaders in the small to medium-sized category, particularly in the automotive, engineering and building material sectors.

Regularly requiring generous loading volumes, these industries are customers of Hans Ihro GmbH. Characteristic for the haulage company with the elephant logo: jumbo trucks with their internal height of at least three metres and space for up to 76 Euro pallets. Providing more than enough space for the cargo of these “hidden champions”.

– Kai Schmuck, Head of Business Development at Ihro GmbH

Reliability and transparency.

This is a promise that can only be made by a company that can completely rely on its drivers and vehicles. A Mercedes star can be seen on around 80 percent of the fleet. Altogether, the fleet includes 97 chassis with fixed bodies, 58 semitrailer trucks and 29 swap-body trucks from Mercedes-Benz. Almost all of the vehicles are Actros 1842 lowliners with BigSpace or StreamSpace cab. Due to the special bodywork, the vehicles remain in the fleet for up to eight years or until they reach a mileage of 1.2 million kilometres – there are currently five Actros vehicles with more than one million kilometres on the clock.

Customers are impressed by the quality and transparency, often remaining loyal to the company over many years. This is reflected in the turnover, which has reached between 26 and 27 million Euro annually since 2014. Managing Director Kai Ihro (51) joined the family business after completing his studies in business administration. Before taking over at the helm in 1998, he worked in all areas of the company – even as a driver and in the workshop. Kai Schmuck joined the Board of Management in 2014.

With around 40 years of experience in the freight forwarding business, the 57-year-old has witnessed first-hand how the industry has changed: “I have always been impressed by the dynamic and technological developments. Back when I started, there were teleprinters and landlines. Mobile communication, telematics and navigation systems were still in the realm of science fiction.”

The fleet’s 200 plus vehicles receive their orders from Materials Planning at the headquarters in Neuenstein. Since 2002, Ihro has also been based in the Czech Republic’s Marienbad. In addition to the classic long-distance haulage throughout the whole of central Europe, the Jumbo trucks from Ihro are used on fixed daily schedules in one- or two-shift operations. These Actros vehicles are almost in use for the entire week. Ihro has 18 locations across Germany where the vehicles may be handed over: “The drivers live nearby and start each day at a fixed time. They are able to return home on time and spend their rest periods there,” explains Kai Schmuck. With a two-shift operation, these trucks often clock up more than 300,000 kilometres in a year.

Mileages that emphasise the importance of fuel consumption: “In every sense, low consumption is a key element. Aside from the environmental aspect, this is certainly important in terms of competition,” says company director Kai Ihro. Which is why the Actros vehicles have been equipped with Predictive Powertrain Control. “Our driver training further supports the technology,” explains Schmuck. Road performance is continuously recorded, the drivers receive regular feedback and training. For example from Vasile Mardare: “With identical load and route, one vehicle can consume up to a third more than another with different drivers,” the trained truck driver explains.

In terms of consumption, the Mercedes-Benz trucks have made their mark on the Ihro fleet. And the extensive safety features boasted by the Actros also play an important role for Schmuck: “We have installed all available safety systems – and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Sideguard Assist for the lowliners,” he says, thus emphasising what Hans Ihro GmbH has in common with the region: the expectation of a high quality standard and a distinct capacity for innovation.

Photos: Alex Kraus