Travel brings people together – this also applies to the history of STUMMER. Back in the 1980s, when traveling to distant countries was still a greater challenge, employees, customers, and friends of the company set off together. Until 2004, the legendary STUMMER Müllstammtisch trips took them to exotic destinations around the globe. And even after that, factory tours remained an important fixture – most recently in 2014, at the opening of the ZOELLER TECH factory in Poland.

Eleven years later, it was finally time for another open house: The largest factory in the ZOELLER GROUP opened its doors to our clients and provided us with an exciting insight into the world of modern waste collection vehicle manufacturing.

From humble beginnings to a flagship project

The plant in Poland started off modestly in 1998 – today it is a prime example of continuous development and technological strength. Under the long-standing leadership of Managing Director Rainer Rohler and his team, the site has developed impressively: almost 1,000 employees work here in two shifts, producing around 1,800 vehicles per year. These are sold as kits or fully assembled, not only on the Polish market but also throughout Scandinavia.

Technology put to the test

Before a new model starts going into production, it goes through some tough stress tests at ZTE: on their own test bench, it’s put through maximum loads that go way beyond what you’d see in real life. Only if it passes these tests does it proceed to series production. This guarantees safety – and is one reason why we can say today: the X series is the best waste collection vehicle you can buy.

Modern manufacturing meets tradition

Since its opening in 2014, the plant has undergone significant changes: it is now twice as large, partially automated, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. At the same time, the pioneering spirit of the early years is still evident—a combination that results in unparalleled quality.

For STUMMER, this means that we purchase around 280 superstructures as CBB or SKD kits from Poland every year. Final assembly then takes place at our premises—a well-coordinated process that guarantees the long-term reliability of our vehicles.

A detour to Gdańsk

Of course, the cultural side of things couldn’t be neglected either: a short trip to nearby Gdańsk was part of the itinerary. Half-timbered buildings, the harbor, and the city’s special atmosphere made the visit another highlight of the trip