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Since being saved from administration by MV Commercial three years ago, Fruehauf, the distinguished UK tipping trailer manufacturer, has undergone an impressive transformation. With more than £10 million invested in its Grantham facility, the company has reasserted itself as an industry leader by modernising operations, introducing new product lines, and significantly boosting production output.
With roots dating back over 100 years to August Fruehauf’s revolutionary invention of the fifth wheel in 1919, Fruehauf has played a vital role in shaping the UK trailer manufacturing sector. However, by 2021, the business faced an uncertain future, with its 120-strong workforce at risk as it entered administration.
Determined to secure the company’s future, MV Commercial, a leading supplier of purpose-built specialist trucks in the UK, acquired Fruehauf in September 2021, preserving one of the nation’s last remaining trailer manufacturers.
Since then, the company has expanded its workforce by 30% and embarked on an ambitious £30 million investment plan, revitalising its 64-acre, 550,000-square-foot site in Grantham with modernised production facilities, new assembly lines, and advanced fabrication technology.
With fresh leadership and a clear strategic direction, Fruehauf has implemented new initiatives and streamlined production processes, leading to a twofold increase in trailer production compared to pre-acquisition levels.
The company has also diversified its product range, launching an innovative blower trailer designed to serve the UK and Ireland’s bulk transport industries, alongside specialist rigid bodies and sub-frames for MV Commercial’s truck hire fleet, including high-performance crane trucks.
Fruehauf remains dedicated to strengthening UK manufacturing, with its Grantham facility employing local talent and actively supporting the Lincolnshire community. By maintaining production within the UK, Fruehauf not only reinforces the local economy but also guarantees that each product meets the highest quality standards, using premium materials.
Reflecting on the company’s progress, Tom O’Rourke, CEO, remarked: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the past three years. Fruehauf has not only regained its position as a market leader but has also shown that UK manufacturing is alive and thriving. With MV Commercial’s backing, we’re building a future based on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.”
Looking ahead, Fruehauf is focused on continued expansion, with plans to broaden its product offering and further enhance its facilities. By prioritising customer-driven solutions and engineering excellence, the company remains a key partner for bulk tipper and blower operators across the UK and beyond.