A trailer with a message
Apart from carrying its normal load, the new MAN TGX 18.510 used by Koch Silotransporte GmbH is also transporting a really special message: a call for the early detection of type 1 diabetes, the metabolic disease.
“Reaction to the vehicle and to the campaign has been overwhelming. We are getting a huge amount of feedback from people who really welcome this prevention campaign,” reports Andreas Koch, director of Koch Silotransporte GmbH & Co. KG. The vehicle he is talking about is a MAN TGX 18.510 that is hitting the road with a really special message: an awareness campaign highlighting the importance of the early detection of type 1 diabetes. And there are people from all over Germany who have got in touch with him about this campaign in the weeks since the MAN has been out on the road. “Some of these people are themselves affected and suffering from type 1 diabetes but we have also been contacted by representatives from the media, by doctors and by drivers who all support this initiative,” explains Koch.
Early detection is key
After their now seven-year-old daughter became ill with type 1 diabetes a few years ago, Andreas Koch and his wife wanted to do something to draw attention to an illness that is only too often diagnosed much too late. They themselves were actually at that time very lucky to have read the warning signs swiftly and accurately. This resulted in their being able to save their daughter from experiencing some serious consequences of the illness. It is indeed a fact that when the warning signs are missed it is not unusual for children to then find themselves in life-threatening situations. So early detection really does play an important part. “As a sign of our gratitude for the help which we personally received from the doctors, we also wanted to contribute in some way towards the success of the prevention campaign,” recounts the haulier and family man. It then only took one or two discussions before the idea to present the campaign in such an extraordinary way had taken shape.
In this case the “extraordinary presentation” is a MAN silo truck that takes with it on its trips a visual reminder of the four warning signs of type 1 diabetes (permanent thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, constant tiredness). Koch wishes to emphasise quite cogently that this rather unusual measure exclusively serves the purpose of helping to make people more sensitive to the subject of diabetes and in no way is it intended to beat the advertising drum for his haulage business.That is why he is all the more delighted that the driver of the MAN vehicle, which is used for the awareness campaign, is returning back to base with so much positive feedback from his trips. “Our driver tells of very pleasant experiences and encounters that he has while on the road. It can be during a chat while loading or unloading or then again when he is actually driving – many people take photos, give likes to our campaign with a thumbs-up or some even want to engage in conversation and find out more about type 1 diabetes,” explains a very pleased Andreas Koch.
The MAN TGX driver is similarly pleased about every one of his trips and not only because of the positive reactions to the message which he is spreading with his Lion: as a dyed-in-the-wool MAN fan, he is proud to be able to drive the latest MAN that is operational in the Koch fleet. About 60% of the trucks in the vehicle fleet are MAN vehicles and these have made up the look of the company ever since Andreas Koch’s grandfather founded the business in 1939. “A fantastic vehicle”: this is how director Koch appraises the MAN TGX 18.510. “Tractor unit and semitrailer are brand new and were branded with the special lettering prior to their maiden journey.” And then he returns once more to the thing that is really close to his heart: