On the day Paul O‘Callaghan visited Ottmar Behrend‘s yard at Jever in northwest Germany, he was preparing to deliver a livestock trailer to a client 120 km away. What was unusual was that he was using his MAN 4×4 camper bought new in 2007 for the job. “It works, I am permitted to pull an empty livestock trailer,” he confirms.

Beginning as an owner-driver with a Scania 110 in 1979, Ottmar went on to own one of the largest and most progressive livestock transport operations in Europe throughout the 80s and 90s, with branches in Germany, Hungary, and Greece.

“ We had some great times in the early days before the EU, crossing all of the borders in Europe. But I did things differently to others and imported American trailers for their weight-saving benefits.”

Having slowly sold off his fleet as increasing competition from Eastern Europe cut profit margins, Ottmar now buys and sells livestock trucks for a living. This gives him ample time to indulge in his passion for travel and motorbikes. Ottmar‘s favourite aspect is the opportunity to explore different countries with their unique culture, language, food and drink.

In tune with most drivers in Europe, he sees the increasing bureaucracy, especially in the world of livestock transport, as the worst part. As for people he would most like to meet, the Dalai Lama takes the top spot.

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