From port to port

On the road along the North Sea coast: Thorsten Schulginn transports sea containers to customers all over Germany. There is now a new highlight in his dream job – the MAN TGX in the 100 Years MAN Diesel Edition.

What Thorsten particularly likes about his new MAN: the swivelling co-driver’s seat. “Before I became a truck driver myself, I didn’t know how convenient this feature is. It turns the cab into a living room. For example, to do paperwork in the evening or read a book in comfort.” The leather seats also enhance the feel-good factor in the cab for him with their elegant look, extremely pleasant feel and easy-care finish.

Thorsten is also enthusiastic about the exterior design of the 100 Years MAN Diesel Edition: Agate Grey paintwork, applications in Gentian Blue, the blue Lion on the sides of the cab. Thorsten’s boss completely surprised him with the limited special model. He previously drove a MAN TGX that was just a few years old. That’s why he didn’t expect to already get a new vehicle.

Thorsten has always been fascinated by trucks. But as a truck driver, he’s a late starter. In other words, it took a long time for the 58-year-old to make his dream job come true. First, he was a logistics manager, then he worked as a salesperson at MAN in Frankfurt for almost twenty years. “It was a great job, and I earned good money. But the day-to-day work didn’t really suit me,” says Thorsten.

His uncle as role model

Since 2019, he has been working as a truck driver for freight forwarder Barth: “My uncle was already a driver here. I wanted to drive a truck like him when I was a child.” From his home city of Hamburg, Thorsten drives the MAN truck to the ports on the North Sea coast. There, he loads sea containers to transport them to interim storage facilities or customers – often in northern Germany, but also throughout Germany. Thorsten plans his trips himself. On long journeys, he likes to listen to audio books – a concentrated and self-determined driver’s everyday working life in which he feels very comfortable.

Thorsten’s employer, freight forwarder Barth based in Nonnweiler in Saarland, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. For this occasion, the family-owned company has purchased two MAN TGXs in the 100 Years MAN Diesel Edition, which is limited to 100 vehicles. The fact that the new MAN special models are so well received by drivers is an important plus for Managing Director Fabian Barth. "Thorsten in particular is very tech-savvy and, as a former MAN salesperson, knows the trucks in every detail. He can make full use of the features of the MAN TGX for maximum efficiency and safety.” Over the years, the haulage company has already had around 400 Lion trucks in its fleet. The Managing Director is certain: “We will continue to rely on MAN.”