Recently, Thermo King introduced premier+, the all-in package that includes insightful telematics (accessible via TK Reefer), a TK refrigeration unit, a premium trailer, and outstanding service. And all of this available at a fixed monthly rate.
We sat together with Julien Schweden, Service Manager of EURAM in Haan (near Düsseldorf) to discuss the challenges of this new package deal. For the first time, our dealers offer non-Thermo King products. How did this work out?
I want to purchase a premier+ package. What happens next?
“First, we discuss your requirements. For example, if you transport meat, we discuss the number of meat hooks necessary or your ideal temperature, etc... Then, I contact our trailer OEM and they give their design – tailored to your needs. Finally, we add a premium Thermo King trailer refrigeration unit – fitted for your demands.
At the same time, we handle the financial side of premier+ with TK Financial Solutions. In partnership with DLL, a subsidiary of Rabobank, TK Financial Solutions takes care of the end-to-end financing process.”
Especially for this partnership, our OEM appointed a contact person in Germany for our trailer-specific questions!
Can you explain the partnership between Thermo King and its partner trailer OEMs?
“Especially for this partnership, our OEM appointed a contact person in Germany for all our trailer-related questions. Luckily, two of our technicians have previous experience with trailers and they can do small maintenance work.
But whenever a client faces a huge problem with his/her trailer, we can ask this contact person for additional help and insights – or direct us to a 3rd party trailer service center where they take care of the trailer.
Because of these common participations, we are growing accustomed to our OEM’s entire catalog.”
During these uncertain times, premier+ has become rather popular!
Is premier+ a popular product?
“Unsurprisingly, our clients rapidly grew fond of premier+. Before premier+, clients needed an upfront investment of around 50,000 EUR for a trailer + trailer refrigeration package.
Nowadays, they can get this package (including service and telematics) for a monthly fee that starts from as little as €999 per month. During these uncertain times, that is a huge benefit. You don’t need huge sums of money to expand your business.”
