RIMO / Patikima linija UAB is a Lithuanian engineering solutions company with 18 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of a wide range of products, with a focus on engineering solutions used worldwide. Known as one of the four largest manufacturers of car transporters in Europe, RIMO continues to expand its customer base worldwide.
RIMO’s manufacturing plant covers 12,000 m2 and the company has almost 200 employees.
Easy Engineering: What industries does the company work with most?
RIMO: Since 2008, we have offered engineering solutions for the chemical, energy, agriculture, waste sorting, logistics and quarrying industries, and even bulk cargo handling in seaports, etc. Our core business is the manufacture of trailers for passenger car transport. RIMO/Patikima linija UAB also manufactures mobile or stationary conveyors of various sizes and lengths, bulk transport lines, presses, mobile and stationary metal shears, containers, and metal processing tools.
We produce a wide range of mechanical and hydraulic components, and structural parts in steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, aluminium, bronze and plastic.
Behind all the projects carried out by RIMO engineering is a skilled team of experts, most of whom have been with the company since it was founded. Today we have over 200 technology and engineering enthusiasts whose focus on victories for our customers day after day.
E.E: What can we expect in 2021?
RIMO: 2021 will bring many changes, namely news from RIMO. While we launched the new ADERO model in in 2020 (a product that took three years to develop and perfect), in 2021 we plan to release two additional new car carrier models and strengthen our competitive advantages in the car carrier market in Europe.
We also plan to complete our scrap shears for pressing and cutting metal pieces this year. They are special because they can be transported on train carriages and repositioned anywhere in the world. Until recently, press shears had to be towed from one place to another by a trailer and a powerful tractor.
E.E: What types of products do you make?
RIMO: RIMO manufactures:
- Car carriers;
- Transport lines, conveyors;
- Press shears;
- Presses, bale presses;
- Metalworking tools;
- Hydraulic components, cylinders up to 8 m long.
E.E: At what stage is the market you currently operate in?
RIMO: At the moment, you might say the automotive industry is slightly limping along due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and worldwide. In the past, RIMO made one trailer per day; now the numbers are lower. The market is affected by the uncertainty of carriers, reduced car production due to a drop in demand, and the lack of components due to the semiconductor shortage.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
RIMO: As regards our core business, the production of trailers, we can see that the market is already recovering. 2021 may not be better than 2019, but it will far surpass 2020. Transport companies both large and small are constantly investing in and updating their fleets. The demands of the car industry and the European Union for quality, environmental standards and lower CO2 emissions are becoming more stringent every year. The events of 2020 had prevented transport companies from renewing their fleets as planned, postponing major purchases and upgrades until 2021-2022. Thus, with the recovery of the automotive industry, car carrier production times will increase and prices will rise in 2021. The recent increase in the price of trailers was due to higher prices for the main raw material, metal, at the beginning of this year.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed by RIMO?
RIMO: RIMO trucks have always been characterised by their max vehicle capacity and their light weight, which has made us stand out from our competitors, giving our customers a significant advantage. They also generate fuel savings and increase income by transporting some loads that would have been impossible with competitors’ products.
Built for the future, RIMO ADERO is a new generation of truck. The main challenges we faced while engineering it were to create a truck that could carry more than our competitors, while also weighing less (to save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions), and of course being reliable and durable as the world moves more towards the use of electric cars.
This has led us to a new invention and a patent: a unique platform and attachment system for trucks.
Designed by an experienced team of engineers and built in our plant, the RIMO ADERO is the product of three years of development and testing in the factory and on the road. The end result is an advanced, environmentally-friendly, comfortable trailer that is safe to drive and load/unload. In fact, it has already received positive feedback from truck manufacturers and our customers.
RIMO ADERO’s technological breakthroughs meet all customer needs:
- Additional lifting axle;
- Cut cab for better loading options;
- Opening 2-tier fence with a fold-down platform;
- Spacious storage compartments for the driver’s belongings and work equipment;
- Extra-long trailer storage between axles;
- LED work lights;
- Rear lights with flexible mounting;
- Maximum load weight up to 21.5 t;
- Maximum gross combined weight up to 41 t.
With RIMO ADERO, drivers can work safely and comfortably:
- Remote-controlled engine starts and stop;
- Quick and easy loading on the 1st and 2nd tier;
- Convenient operation and hydraulic control from a standing position;
- 2 spare wheels (for the trailer and tractor).
Technological advantages create value for our customers:
- Excellent for heavy, wide vehicles and electric cars;
- Reliable;
- Fuel savings;
- Fast loading/unloading;
- Safe operation;
- Flexible loading options.
E.E: What are your predictions for 2021?
RIMO: We believe that the full recovery of the automotive industry will be felt in the second half of 2021, or well into 2022. Everything is very closely linked. Therefore, we believe that the world will slowly overcome the challenges brought by the pandemic, such as the existing constraints and limitations on travel. Movement will be less restricted and people will return to their normal lives. For car rental companies alone, travel constraints have led to a sharp drop in orders for new rental cars. This leads to a lower demand for transport and thus ultimately affects the demand for new trailers. Though it already feels like the sector is getting back on track – after all, there are always cycles and it’s nice to get the sense that the difficult times are behind us.