Knorr-Bremse Enters Telematics Market with Microlise Deal

The world’s leading manufacturer of braking systems for commercial vehicles, Knorr-Bremse, is to enter into a partnership with UK based telematics provider Microlise in a move that will see a range of transport management products launched across Europe.

The agreement between the two companies, announced at Automechanika 2016 in Frankfurt, will result in the launch of Knorr-Bremse TruckServices ProFleet Connect, which will be available from January 2017 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with availability more widely in Europe in the following years.

The ProFleet Connect range of products will be sold directly by Knorr-Bremse and has a development roadmap in place which will see it evolve and adapt over time to meet dynamic market requirements. The agreement marks the first time Knorr-Bremse has entered the telematics space.

Dr. Peter Laier, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG responsible for the Commercial Vehicle Systems division, said:

“With TruckServices ProFleet Connect, we are offering more than just a link between the vehicle and the fleet management system. We are delivering smart services which, based on the collected data, offer added value for fleet operators and drivers alike. And our telematics solution is not only modular, it’s also compatible with any make of vehicle. In Microlise we have found a partner who already has working relationships with a whole series of vehicle manufacturers and together with whom we are going to launch our range of attractive products and services for the transport management sector in Europe.”

ProFleet Connect will be a core component of the Knorr-Bremse Truck Services product range, offering transport service providers the opportunity to enhance service levels, make operational cost savings, minimise carbon emissions and reduce vehicle wear and tear.

“We welcome this new cooperation which offers us a unique opportunity to partner with one of the industry’s best known brands and extend our channel partner programme to increase our footprint in Europe,” said Nadeem Raza, Chief Executive Officer, Microlise. “We look forward to our ongoing partnership and continued cooperation.”

This agreement is the latest addition to the Microlise channel partner programme. The UK-headquartered company has existing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) relationships with DAF Trucks, JCB, MAN Truck & Bus and Tata Motors.

Knorr-Bremse is headquartered in Munich and last year reported sales of EUR 5.8 billion with more than 24,000 staff based around the world.

The launch of ProFleet Connect coincides with the launch of the commercial vehicle aftermarket brand called Knorr-Bremse Truck Services, which has also been announced at Automechanika 2016 in Frankfurt.

To find out more about the TruckServices ProFleet Connect range of products, please visit www.profleetconnect.com.

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About Microlise
Microlise telematics and proof of delivery solutions help its customers reduce costs and the environmental impact of their fleet operations. This is achieved by maximising vehicle utilisation, increasing operational efficiency and improving economy and safety; whilst helping to deliver the very best customer experience by providing real-time visibility of the fleet against schedule.

A privately owned business based in Nottingham in the UK, Microlise invests significantly in research and development annually to ensure its solutions continue to be underpinned by market-leading technology. Microlise helps its customers to save more than £175m each year in fuel costs and reduce CO2 emissions by hundreds of thousands of metric tonnes.

About Knorr-Bremse
The Knorr-Bremse Group based in Munich is the world’s leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles. For more than 110 years now the company has pioneered the development, production, marketing and servicing of state-of-the-art braking systems. In 2015, Knorr-Bremse reported sales of EUR 5.8 billion and employed more than 24,000 people worldwide.

The Commercial Vehicle Systems division offers its customers braking systems for trucks, buses, trailers and agricultural machinery. In the chassis systems sector, Knorr-Bremse is a leading player in electronic controls and driver assistance systems as well as in air supply systems. Other product fields include powertrain-related systems and torsional vibration dampers for diesel engines.

With all of its products Knorr-Bremse makes a decisive contribution to safety on road and rail around the world. Every day more than one billion people worldwide put their trust in Knorr-Bremse systems.

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