60 years „Made in Germany"
Our scissor systems have always been the core of success for the TREPEL companies. More than 200,000 TREPEL scissor systems have been manufactured up to date – an experience unique and unrivalled! Since the sixties these scissor systems have been used to gain access to aircraft and TREPEL has become an esteemed brand and synonym for quality throughout the world.
With the foundation of the "TREPEL Airport Equipment GmbH" in 1996 and the new production location in Tauberbischofsheim, cargo, passenger and catering high loader sections became independent. With 70,000 square metres of space and 25,000 square metres of surrounding environment all this equipment and newly developed products are now built in serial production. It goes without saying that TREPEL practises quality management: We are ISO certified and our products comply with both national norms and standards as well as the international IATA regulations.
Foundation of TREPEL
Mr. Ingo Trepel was the original founder of the company "TREPEL". He established the company directly after World War II, during the reconstruction phase of Germany. Ingo Trepel began with the reprocessing treatment of machine tools. He attended the first exhibition/trade fair where he established a business for the overhauling of machines in Wiesbaden.
Lifting tables and scissor lifts
With the business being well-established in the mid-fifties, Ingo Trepel began to combine machine tools with so-called automation engineering. During this period the first lifting tables and scissor lifts were developed, still being integral part of automation installations. Main focus at that time was the processing of flake boards and vessel platforms for roll on/roll off movements. The fast growing business called already at that time for scissor lifts with a capacity from 500 kg to 500 tons.
Catering vehicles
Business in plant construction worked out well and Ingo Trepel decided to expand though keeping the scissor system the principal item of his efforts.
During this time the Boeing 747 was constructed and the question arose: How could an aircraft with a loading height of 5 meters best be provided with catering for the passengers? This called Ingo Trepel into action because of his scissor systems offering a solution: The catering vehicle era was born.
First cargo high loaders in Europe
After Ingo Trepel had solved the catering problem in the middle of the sixties, he started building the first cargo high loaders in Europe. Forklifts that had been used up to this time for the loading and discharging of cargo were no longer accepted because of numerous damages they caused to the aircraft. The time for the first 12 ton loader had come. During the following years numerous cargo high loaders with different capabilities were added to this product line.
During the seventies the so-called mobile lounge was developed – dispatch units that were not only used as a gate but also as busses and stairs. The "finger system" was quite uncommon at this time.
PHB Weserhütte AG
Ingo Trepel retired and the company was absorbed by the "PHB Weserhütte AG". It was decided that two of the product lines – the lift / load technique and the airport division – should continue business in Wiesbaden. The stage-building technique and the freight-handling systems were closed.
New production halls in Tauberbischofsheim
Meanwhile, the airport sector grew and was relocated to Tauberbischofsheim for lack of space. In the immediate vicinity to the sister company "MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH" new production halls were built on greenfield site, making sure that enough space was available to build the cargo high loaders. With the assistance of MAFI the location established itself very well and even started producing the first cargo high loaders independently of customer orders.
Foundation of TREPEL Airport Equipment GmbH
In 1996, the whole airport section became autarkic and the "TREPEL Airport Equipment GmbH" in Tauberbischofsheim and Wiesbaden was founded. By standardizing the airport products and the decision to produce independently of orders TREPEL managed to realize quick delivery times and combine these with high-class quality.
World leadership of sold cargo high loaders
For the first time TREPEL achieved world leadership referring to the number of sold cargo high loaders for civil usage.
The associates decided to invest further into the future business and expanded the production facilities in Tauberbischofsheim.
3,000 delivered units
With over 3,000 delivered units, TREPEL looked forward to a bright future and decided to use its know-how to create and launch new GSE products, such as the pallet/container transporter TRANS 70.
New flagship CHAMP 350
TREPEL intensified its engineering efforts and not only further developed and improved its existing range of loaders but also introduced new products into the market: The main deck loaders got a new flagship, the CHAMP 350, which is the most capable loader in the world with a loading capacity of 35 tons on each of its two platforms.
TREPEL also developed a new towing tractor: the TAE 20 electric. The innovative technology and design of the TAE 20e have very successfully opened a whole new market for TREPEL.
Entering the market of conventional aircraft tractors
TREPEL entered the market of conventional aircraft tractors and launched the CHALLENGER 700 during the ”inter airport europe” show in Munich. This new, innovative aircraft tractor is capable of towing a fully loaded A380.
Introduction of the first CHAMP 70e
The first electric CHAMP 70W with lithium battery was exhibited at the ”inter airport europe” show in Munich. Since then, the electric version of the CHAMP 70 has successfully established itself as a “zero emission” machine. The electric 7t loader is operating daily in countries as various as Sweden, Qatar, Spain and Germany.
New aircraft tractors to handle mid-size and small aircraft
TREPEL continued its offensive in the aircraft tractor market. Fostered by the success of the CHALLENGER 700, TREPEL launched two new aircraft tractors designed to handle mid-size and small aircraft, the CHALLENGER 430 and CHALLENGER 160.
100th CHAMP 350 sold
The 100th CHAMP 350 was sold to Sheremetyevo Airport. The handover of the 100th 35 ton loader to Sheremetyevo Airport was celebrated in our factory in Tauberbischofsheim. The CHAMP 350, first introduced in 2007 at the ”inter airport europe” show in Munich, is one of the most powerful main deck loaders in the world and characterized by its lifting capacity of 35 tons on both platforms, the ideal device for the handling of heavy loads.
500th CHAMP 140 sold
The 500th CHAMP 140 was sold to Portground Leipzig. The handover of the 500th 14 ton loader to Portground was celebrated in our factory in Tauberbischofsheim. The CHAMP 140 is the workhorse amongst the main deck loaders and has been delivered to more than 100 countries.
Acquisition of towbarless technology
Acquisition of the towbarless technology from GHH in June 2016. The launch of the first towbarless aircraft tractor is planned for 2019. In the near future, Trepel will be in a position to offer its customers the whole range of aircraft tractors, conventional as well as towbarless. All kinds of aircraft moving, from pushback to high speed maintenance towing, can be performed by a TREPEL tractor.
Opening of the Visitor Center
Customers as well as suppliers are now welcomed in newly designed meeting rooms in our Visitor Center. The Visitor Center with its state-of-the-art presentation devices is the perfect location to conduct training courses for customers as well as for in-house workshops. A bistro area provides our guests with a casual atmosphere that facilitates communication and relationships. In the near future, customers will be able to carry out their pre-delivery inspections on their ordered equipment directly in front of the Visitor Center.
CHARGER 380 - the latest innovation in towbarless aircraft tractor technology
TREPEL's first towbarless aircraft tractor, the CHARGER 380, premiered at the ”inter airport europe” show in Munich. It is the most powerful and capable in its class, covering aircraft types up to A340-600 and B777. With oversteer protection and hydro-pneumatic suspension it combines state-of-the-art technology with superior comfort.
TREPEL goes electric
TREPEL's most popular conventional pushback tractor models, the CHALLENGER 150 and 280, were presented as electric versions at the ”inter airport europe” show in Munich. They have the same aircraft range as their equivalent diesel versions.
NEO e-power
TREPEL's reconceptualized electric-powered CHAMP 70We NEO was presented at the ”inter airport europe” show in Munich. Its innovative tripartite power system allows longer use of battery power and energy can be recuperated when lowering the main platform.
200th CHAMP 350 sold
The 200th CHAMP 350 went to LuxairGroup and the handover was celebrated in our factory in Tauberbischofsheim. With a lifting capacity of 35 tons the CHAMP 350 is the absolute champion among our CHAMPs since its introduction in 2008.
Pushback Training Simulator CHARIOT
TREPEL’s pushback training simulator CHARIOT was first presented at 2019’s ”inter airport europe” show in Munich. Including a simulation software, a visual system and the original TREPEL driver station, the CHARIOT is ideally fitted for significantly increasing overall training efficiency and thus reducing the risk of vehicle and aircraft damage.
Electric-powered CHAMP 140e
With the CHAMP 140e, TREPEL presents one of the most effective and versatile electric-powered main deck loaders on the market. TREPEL consequently continues the extension of its electric-powered equipment.
More NEO e-power
Following the CHAMP 70We NEO, also the CHAMP 70S and CHAMP 70U are now available as electric-powered NEO versions, all including the innovative tripartite power system.
