Forklift News - KALMAR WINS LUCRATIVE US CONTRACT

SAVANNAH, Georgia, USA -- Kalmar Industries has delivered five DCD420- 2CSG container-handling lift trucks to the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) in Savannah as part of a contract that includes an option for five further units.

The contract is a major breakthrough, as these are the first Kalmar machines to be purchased by the GPA.

The GPA operates 40 full container handlers, most of which are US built. Carlton Company, a well-known US Caterpillar distributor, assisted in the sale of the Kalmar machines.

Kalmar regional sales manager Frank de Mora said many of the world's biggest suppliers had bid for the contract, and Kalmar was "very pleased" to win.

The DCD420-12CSG is a 42-tonne capacity machine, with a gantry-type 20ft-40ft spreader, capable of lifting loaded 9ft 6in containers four-high for stacking.

During the delivery phase, Kalmar provided three three-day classes on maintenance and operation of the machines.

Mr de Mora said heavy lift trucks were still selling well in the North American market, although several leading operators had followed the global trend towards reach stackers.

"Kalmar reach stackers are proving increasingly popular with US terminal operators, but the continued success of the heavy lift mast truck indicates that both products have their place in the market," he said.

The Port of Felixstowe, Great Britain's largest container port, has ordered two 42-tonne machines, and three EC handlers. A Moroccan customer has ordered 16 machines: nine 20-tonne, four 25-tonne and three 42-tonne Kalmar machines.

Kalmar Industries is a global provider of heavy-duty materials handling equipment and services to ports, terminals and industrial customers. The company says every fourth container or trailer-transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine.

Kalmar manufactures products under four brand names, Kalmar, Sisu, Ottawa and Magnum. The product range includes, rubber-tyred gantry cranes, straddle carriers, reach stackers, EC lift trucks, forklift trucks with a 4-90-tonne capacity, terminal tractors and log handlers.

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