Fruehauf Corporation France history
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FRUEHAUF FRANCE
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The opening ceremonies for Fruehauf France
An Aerial shot of the Plant at Ris-Orangis
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The first shipment of Fruehauf Trailers is unloaded in France
The following history of Fruehauf France has been contributed by Mr. Gérard Buard, Directeur Commercial of Fruehauf France. For more information on Fruehauf France please see this Website: www.fruehauf.com
FRUEHAUF-France FRUEHAUF FRANCE was created in 1945 when Raoul Massardy and Roy Fruehauf, President of FRUEHAUF TRAILER CO. in Detroit (Michigan) signed a license agreement for the import of trailers and semi-trailers in France.
FRUEHAUF-France FRUEHAUF FRANCE was created in 1945 when Raoul Massardy and Roy Fruehauf, President of FRUEHAUF TRAILER CO. in Detroit (Michigan) signed a license agreement for the import of trailers and semi-trailers in France.
In 1914 in Detroit, Michigan; August FRUEHAUF converted a horse-drawn wagon into a trailer using a hinge assembly he produced in his blacksmith shop. Frederick Sibley, a lumber tycoon wanted to transport a boat using his new Model-T automobile. August routinely repaired wagons for his customers and was happy to oblige Mr. Sibley. The successful conversion of this wagon was the first semi-trailer.
The company-Fruehauf Trailer was founded in 1918.
In 1946 FRUEHAUF France is founded with headquarters in Paris, on the rue de la Nursery. Lacking a factory, they selected the Aerospace Colombes factory near Paris, contracted and commissioned them to assemble Trailers, using parts and elements of trailers imported from the United States branches.
The expanding business needed larger quarters and opened a new workshop in Toulouse in 1949.
In 1950 the headquarters of FRUEHAUF was transferred to the SALIF premises in Paris, on the Boulevard Murat.
The final transfer of the headquarters into the new buildings Ris-Orangis happened in 1962. (Opened in 1963)
Between 1960 and 1986, sales offices, agencies or branches were created in Lyon, Rennes, Clermont-Ferrand, Lille, Marseille, Rouen, Nancy, Bordeaux, Paris-Sud (Ris), Auxerre, Paris-Nord (Survilliers) Tours, Toulouse, Metz, Beziers, Dijon, Reims, Bayonne, Villefranche-sur-Saonne.
In 1968 FRUEHAUF launches a chain of containers in Auxerre.
In 1974 FRUEHAUF France, FRUEHAUF Crane (UK), ACKERMANN FRUEHAUF (Germany) takes a stake in Rentco Europe rental company trailers.
The company-Fruehauf Trailer was founded in 1918.
In 1946 FRUEHAUF France is founded with headquarters in Paris, on the rue de la Nursery. Lacking a factory, they selected the Aerospace Colombes factory near Paris, contracted and commissioned them to assemble Trailers, using parts and elements of trailers imported from the United States branches.
The expanding business needed larger quarters and opened a new workshop in Toulouse in 1949.
In 1950 the headquarters of FRUEHAUF was transferred to the SALIF premises in Paris, on the Boulevard Murat.
The final transfer of the headquarters into the new buildings Ris-Orangis happened in 1962. (Opened in 1963)
Between 1960 and 1986, sales offices, agencies or branches were created in Lyon, Rennes, Clermont-Ferrand, Lille, Marseille, Rouen, Nancy, Bordeaux, Paris-Sud (Ris), Auxerre, Paris-Nord (Survilliers) Tours, Toulouse, Metz, Beziers, Dijon, Reims, Bayonne, Villefranche-sur-Saonne.
In 1968 FRUEHAUF launches a chain of containers in Auxerre.
In 1974 FRUEHAUF France, FRUEHAUF Crane (UK), ACKERMANN FRUEHAUF (Germany) takes a stake in Rentco Europe rental company trailers.
In 1987 FRUEHAUF Europe includes subsidiaries
· FRUEHAUF France · CRANE FRUEHAUF (UK) · FRUEHAUF Ackermann (Germany) · NETAM FRUEHAUF (Netherlands) and several licensed company are: · FRUEHAUF Spain · ACERBI FRUEHAUF (Italy) · FRUEHAUF ISTANBUL (Turkey) FRUEHAUF redeems ALUSUISSE France 25% that it holds in the capital of BENALU. The EPSS buys industrial bodywork BLOND-Baudouin in Nort-sur-Erdre in 1988. The headquarters of the EPSS is transferred to Paris, rue François 1er. Later EPSS is re-organized and various companies are dissolved or de-accessioned. Fruehauf –France re-groups. |
After weathering tough years, FRUEHAUF faces Asian competition with their cheap and inferior products causing economic challenges. The company maintains its good reputation for quality, long lasting products and good service.
FRUEHAUF is now enjoying a significant increase in sales, and its market share increased from 20% to 40% of their primary market of sheeted vans. The FRUEHAUF concept of "Built to Last", established by August Fruehauf in the early twentieth Century, proves successful once again. Customers who prefer this quality now return to the mechanically reliable and solid welded trailers of Fruehauf, which last for 10 years or more. Gerard BUARD, Directeur Commerciale October 2010 A synopsis translated from the French by Ruth Ann Fruehauf |
The FEV Aerodynamic design implemented in the last years of the the company's heyday, late 1990's
Ruth Ann Fruehauf and the family of Roy Fruehauf would like to thank our friends at Fruehauf France for their contributions to this site. This synopsis has been edited and translated into English by Ruth Ann Fruehauf
