Saertex, Pontis Engineering partnership offers comprehensive, sustainable mobility package

Saertex (Saerbeck, Germany) and Pontis Engineering (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) have agreed on a new, close cooperation focusing on the field of “Last-Mile Delivery,” which offers electric and hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles a more sustainable mobility solution for the transport of people and goods. In particular, the partnership aims to support customers in defining the best possible composite design and manufacturing with the best available material. Pontis’ technical engineering solutions expertise combined with Saertex’s individually tailored reinforcement materials will enable both company’s partners to offer their OEM customers a more comprehensive package with a higher value proposition.

The sector of “Last-Mile Delivery” in particular is the focus of the collaboration. Electric- or hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles are a practical, clean transportation solution for transporting people and goods quickly and cost-effectively and is especially important for mobility in metropolitan areas and inner cities, the core area of the “last-mile.” Playing a key role in this area, Saertex notes, are lightweight designs using glass, carbon or natural fiber composites to achieve greater range optimization (for battery-powered vehicles).

“To shape the mobility of the future, OEMs require lightweight structures at an affordable cost. Composite materials can fulfill these needs. However, to fully realize the potential, the materials, vehicle design and part production must be combined,” Steven Bakker, commercial director at Saertex, says. “That’s why we are convinced that combining Pontis’ design and prototyping expertise and Saertex’s reinforcement expertise and production capability will add crucial value for all customers who produce composite parts. Collaboration between these three parties will strengthen our customers’ position when working with an end manufacturer in the last-mile delivery sector.”

Pontis specializes in engineering solutions for the development of composite products, with a focus on innovation, cost efficiency and quality. This includes a wide range of services covering the entire process from conception to series production and transportation. 

“Pontis actively seeks strategic collaborations with renowned partners to provide even betters answers to sustainability challenges. By leveraging our joint knowledge of engineering and materials, we are able to provide optimal solutions in terms of design, weight, durability, manufacturability and costs,” Sjef van Breugel, CEO of Pontis Engineering, agrees. “The growing commercial vehicle market [e.g., busses, shuttle buses, last-mile delivery vehicles and special purpose vehicles] has set new requirements and challenges for the composite business. Sustainability requirements and lower volumes require a different approach to be commercially viable.”