Long-term collaboration in developing the transport industry

Ahola Transport and Scania have been collaborating for decades. Ahola Transport is responsible for transporting Scania truck chassis. Over the years, co-operation has been developed through digitalization, special equipment and responsible transport solutions, and today the partnership is stronger than ever.

 

The partnership between Ahola Transport and Scania dates back to the 1950s, when Scania’s trucks became an essential part of Ahola’s fleet – and they still are. For decades, Ahola Transport has been transporting Scania’s trucks, truck chassis and spare parts, as well as other materials used in Scania products, both in Sweden and outside of its borders.

 

The transportation of truck chassis started in 1997, when Ahola drove the chassis from Sweden directly to customers in Finland. A year later, Ahola Transport introduced its first articulated vehicle designed for heavy trucks.

 

The operations have grown steadily, and in 2022 our co-operation deepened further when Ahola Transport expanded the operations of Nykvarn Cargo Center to meet Scania’s needs. This investment strengthened the logistics chain of both parties and increased flexibility in transport management.

 

Digitalization accelerates chassis transport management

 

Chassis delivery management has transformed significantly since the early days. Whereas transportation orders used to be received via fax and processed manually, the process is now completely digitalized.

 

Ahola’s chassis transportation is handled by a specialized segment, where all steps, from transport orders to reporting, are processed electronically. This enables more precise monitoring and more efficient logistics management.

 

– Customized transport of truck chassis for Scania is a good example of how we can develop new solutions in collaboration with our customers, says Åke Nyblom, CEO of Ahola Transport, who has been involved in developing chassis transport from the early stages.

 

The fleet is constantly developed to meet demanding needs – our newest trucks enable the transport of even larger loads efficiently and safely

 

Customized equipment guarantees efficiency

 

In 1998, Ahola Transport introduced the first vehicles custom-designed for transporting chassis from Sweden to Finland. Today, Ahola already has several customized truck and trailer combinations operating in a wide market area.

 

The development of the fleet has been necessary, as the size and number of Scania chassis have grown significantly over the years. The latest transport units have been designed to meet these changes, enabling the transport of even larger loads efficiently and safely.

 

To ensure smooth transport, Ahola Transport has a specialized team dedicated solely to chassis transport. – Our contact person who has worked with Scania the longest and our driver who has been transporting the chassis have overseen these transports requiring special expertise for over a decade, Nyblom adds.

 

Communication and flexibility play a crucial role

 

The most important factors in terms of collaboration are smooth communication and the ability to find solutions in unexpected situations.

 

– One of the most significant characteristics of our collaboration is the way we find solutions and communicate in exceptional circumstances. For example, when ships are not operating normally between countries, we have been able to reprioritize shipments and avoid major problems through open communication, says Ari Hakala, Product Manager at Scania Finland.

 

Challenges put the quality of a partnership to the test, and Ahola Transport and Scania have succeeded in building a flexible and efficient operating model.

 

Sustainable transport solutions for the future

 

Ahola Transport’s chassis transports use 100% HVO fuel, which is made from renewable raw materials. This is an important step towards more sustainable transports. In the future, the goal is to expand the use of alternative forms of energy and further electrify transport routes.

 

– We have already significantly reduced emissions, but the development work continues. We want to find new ways to make our transport chain even more sustainable, Nyblom says.

 

The partnership between Ahola Transport and Scania is based on innovation, flexibility and continuous development.

 

– Chassis transports have become a significant part of our operations, and we see a lot of opportunities to develop them further. Based on our long-standing collaboration, we can continue developing and expanding the service in the future, Nyblom states.

 

Ahola Transport and Scania continue to jointly develop transport solutions that combine efficiency, digitalization and sustainability. In the future, we can expect more environmentally friendly and innovative solutions – built on long-term partnership.