Unique fleet electrification project
Rohr AG specialises in maintenance cleaning, special cleaning of façades and windows, and cleanroom maintenance. Rohr became part of PHM in summer 2024 when we expanded into Switzerland.
In late 2024, Rohr reached the final stage of a significant project. The company has developed an electric lifting platform on a truck chassis in international cooperation. The project is unique in this size category.
“We have developed the electric lifting platform in cooperation with Bronto Skylift and Volvo’s subsidiary Designwerk Technologies. We will receive the vehicle in spring 2025. We believe that we are the first company in the world to have an electric lifting platform of this size,” says Patrick Dörge, Chief Operating Officer at Rohr AG.
In Switzerland, several large cities are increasingly demanding low-emission operating methods from their service providers. If you want to do business in city centres, even trucks will have to be electric in the future.
“Our customers will demand electric fleets across the board in the future, and this trend has been evident for some years. With this initiative, we show that we are a pioneer in low-
emission business,” Patrick continues.
“We are proud of this joint initiative because it is an innovation for a carbon neutral future.”
Low-emission and quiet
Designwerk converted a Bronto lift truck by replacing the internal combustion engine with an electric motor with the necessary batteries. The outcome is both lowemission and quiet.
“Our lifting platform meets our customers’ wish to reduce the use of fossil fuels. It also reduces noise pollution. In a
conventional lifting platform, the diesel engine runs all the time and causes a lot of noise. The electric lifting platform is very quiet, which increases both the comfort of our employees and comfort in our customers’ properties.”
In the development project, Rohr wanted to ensure that the lifting platform was suitable for the business needs, had a sufficient operating range and met safety and other quality standards. The lifting platform reaches a height of 56 metres and the battery capacity is 500 kWh.
“We feel that we are well prepared for the green transition. More and more Swiss cities are banning vehicles with internal combustion engines, including trucks,” Patrick concludes. Rohr AG has been operating since 1930 and is one of the oldest companies specialising in window and façade cleaning in Switzerland.
