DLL and European trailer manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull celebrated the 15th anniversary of their joint venture, Schmitz Cargobull Finance.

Backed by DLL’s financial strength, industry expertise and global reach in over 35 countries, the CBF partnership has helped Schmitz Cargobull expand across 19 European countries and has financed more than 100,000 trailers at a combined value of €3 billion ($3.17 billion).

“Research shows that joint ventures often don’t last more than seven years,” said René Roelfsema, managing director of CBF. “But our JV is even stronger than ever after 15 Schmitz years. This is because we add significant customer value by joining forces. It’s also based on the building of trust.”

DLL has been supporting Schmitz Cargobull since the 1990s when it was then focused on its home market in Germany. To support its expansionary plans with strong finance support, the CBF partnership was sealed in 2000. In 2007, seeing the partnership flourish, they agreed to extend the agreement even as world markets suffered a serious recession.