Success is not a matter of chance. This is the result of ups and downs, risks and earnings. Behind every success story, there is valuable heritage, which is worth commemorating.

How Scania was born

The company has been recently especially energetic, as it is celebrating 125 years of working in the trucking industry. The story begins in connection with a privately owned wagon-building company, established in 1891 in Södertälje (30 km southwest of Stockholm) under the name VABIS (Vagnfabriks Aktiebolaget i Södertälje). It was specializing in manufacturing railway carriages, cars and trucks. Meanwhile, the English bicycle manufacturer Humber & Co opened a subsidiary in Malmö (southern Sweden). Four years later this company’s business was taken over by a just-formed enterprise, known as Maskinfabriksaktiebolaget Scania. The brand title ‘Scania’ was taken from the ancient Latin name of Sweden’s southernmost province. And the brand trademark – the griffin – was borrowed from the coat of arms of the region. As we see, the company’s creators took care of their heritage right from the start.

Soon, the newly founded Scania decided to broaden its manufacturing operations and started to produce rubber machines, vacuum cleaning units, precision gearwheels, but most importantly – trucks and cars. The turning point for the company happened in 1911 when it merged with VABIS. The new enterprise became known as AB Scania-Vabis.

As regards vehicle production, the quality of the manufactured engines is one of the main factors, crucial for business success. Scania boasts great experience in this field. From the brand’s very first 24 hp 4-cylinder power unit to the present-day benchmark – 8-cylinder, 16-litre V8 – Scania’s industrial engines have played a significant role in powering boats, trucks and busses all over the world.

How Scania was in charge of time

Heritage is what we have when time goes by. As a rule, those, who value time and use it thoroughly, take advantage of the later results. But Scania even moved beyond these limits. The company’s enthusiasts dared to challenge time itself and came up trumps.

In order to demonstrate the unique abilities of the latest truck generation, Scania decided to organize an enormous clock moved by trucks. Thus, the creators wanted to emphasize their commitment to the value of time with regard to long haulage transportation, and the corresponding promise, given to the brand’s customers.

The demonstration took place at a large deserted airfield under 40 degrees heat. About 250 project participants created a fully functional clock built of 14 Scania big rigs and made them keep track of every hour, every minute and every second within the whole day. The challenge became possible thanks to highly experienced and specially prepared 90 drivers (who had to change their shifts actually on the fly to ensure the unstoppable pace of the trucks, operating as the clock hands) and the Scania Fleet Care operators (who watched and supervised the scene from the tower nearby).

So, this is the case, when the word ‘time-proven’ is not just a smart word but a true fact of the matter.

Why Scania is back to the top

The main heroes of the successful experiment with time – the latest generation Scania S-series trucks – continued the tradition (set by the brand’s previous truck generations) of winning the ‘International Truck of the Year’ awards. This year’s title became the 5th in Scania’s gold collection, following the victories gained by Scania R-series in 2010, Scania R-series in 2005, Scania 4-series in 1996 and Scania 3-series in 1989.

No doubt that such a triumph of the launched S-series is the result of over a century of hard work in the industry. These trucks were designed with respect to long-distance orientation, where driving profitability is the key. Indeed, if to trace the main truck solutions, it becomes clear that the prime concern of the designers was to raise the stake in long-haulage driver comfort. That’s why the cab offers luxurious and spacious living, provided by a flat floor, exceptionally convenient storage facilities and an extended panoramic view from the driver position. Other advances were developed for optimized operating economy. Due to the modernized injectors and combustion chambers as well as the new rear axle ratio, the latest Scania’s engines are 3% more efficient in relation to engine speed and fuel consumption.

However, it goes without saying that the present-day automotive industry is not only about manufacturing state-of-the-art vehicles, it’s also about offering high-quality service solutions. As for Scania, it provides comprehensive advice relevant to financing and flexible maintenance planning.

Surely, when it comes to buying a heavy-duty truck, there are several options. Depending on the peculiarities of operation, one may benefit from purchasing a second-hand vehicle. In this regard, precise quality control both on the levels of manufacturing and service, ensured by the Swedish brand, allows used Scania trucks to hold up well on the market.

One more interesting fact about Scania AB, which has a favorable effect on stable development of the company and its heritage, is a much promising partnership with Nobel Media. According to the agreement, Scania employees have access to the Nobel Museum during specific periods as well as the possibility to participate in all the activities supported by the Nobel International Partnership.

Besides, the research into the brand’s projects shows that Scania AB is especially concerned with environmental protection. The manufacturer is building a network of electrified roads to advance Scania’s trolley-like trucks, which receive power by means of pantograph collectors. Another example includes the company’s investment in the construction of wind turbines on one of the factory areas to use renewable energy for its industrial activities. This forward-looking trucking company is used to file hundreds of patent applications regarding new inventions every year. Thus, it’s not a surprise that it is listed as one of the most innovative companies in Sweden.

Source by Victoria Zhurkowskaya