Nicolas Industrie
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Heavy-duty trucks, trailers, hydraulic modular trailers, self-propelled modular transporters |
| Founded | 1969 in Champs-sur-Yonne, France |
| Headquarters | Champs-sur-Yonne , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Otto Rettenmaier (owner since 1994) |
| Products | Heavy-duty trucks (Tractomas), trailers, hydraulic modular trailers, self-propelled modular transporters |
Number of employees | <40 (as of after 2012) |
| Parent | Transporter Industry International (Tii group) |
| Website | www |
Nicolas Industrie S.A.S. is a French company specializing in the production of heavy-duty trucks, trailers, hydraulic modular trailers (HMT), and self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), mainly intended for transporting oversized cargo. Since its establishment in Champs-sur-Yonne in 1969, Nicolas has concentrated on manufacturing vehicles designed for extremely heavy loads. Their trucks, sold under the Tractomas name, are custom-engineered, frequently incorporating Renault cabins alongside a combination of proprietary parts sourced from international suppliers. The Nicolas Tractomas TR1010 D100 is recognized as the largest road-legal truck worldwide, with a mass of 71 tonnes.
History
Founded in 1855 initially as a producer of agricultural trailers, Nicolas gradually developed into a European expert in heavy haulage trailer manufacturing. In 1971, the company delivered one of its earliest hydraulic modular trailers—comprising two modules with 10 axles each, totaling 80 wheels and capable of carrying up to 600 tons. By 1973, Nicolas had secured a license to distribute York Trailers UK products, a prominent trailer manufacturer at that time. During this period, the firm produced self-propelled heavy hauler units capable of transporting loads up to 500 tons using girder frames mounted on numerous axles and operated by small teams.
The year 1979 saw the introduction of the Tractomas ballast tractors specifically designed for oversize load transportation. These tractors were equipped with engines exceeding 400 horsepower and could handle payloads up to 200 tonnes, available in both 6x6 and 8x8 drivetrain configurations. Nicolas launched its first SPMT model, the HY-SPEC (Hydraulic, Self-Powered, Electronically Controlled), in 1989. This model included two modules with a total of 80 wheels and supported a payload capacity of 300 tons powered by a Deutz engine delivering 450 hp—thereby eliminating the necessity for ballast tractors.
In 1994, ownership of Nicolas was transferred to Otto Rettenmaier, who incorporated the company into Transporter Industry International (Tii group), which also manages Scheuerle Fahrzeugfabrik and Kamag Transporttechnik.
From employing approximately 190 people in 2012, Nicolas has since reduced its workforce to fewer than 40 and discontinued its primary manufacturing operations to concentrate on after-sales support within the Tii group. This transition had a considerable effect on the local economy, as Nicolas was once the largest industrial employer in the Yonne département.
External links
- [1] Corporate website