Attica Equipment Ltd, of Coquitlam, British Columbia, has won a five-year, CAN6 million (USD3.85 million) contract to supply Doman Industries, a log-miller based in Duncan, with 32 Kalmar log handlers.

Sales representative Gary Levers said 16 of the 30,000-pound (13.6-tonne) capacity Series 13.6-600 machines were already in operation. The other 16, on their way from Kalmar's Swedish manufacturing facility, would be commissioned within three weeks. Mr Levers said the deal was believed to be the largest deal in Canadian history, on the number of machines ordered.

Under the contract, which Attica won ahead of serious bids from Caterpillar, Clark and Hyster, Attica will acquire Doman's existing units, ranging in age from 1978 to late 1990s models, and sell them to used equipment dealers. Attica will supply maintenance at non-staffed Doman locations, and train existing maintenance crews to work on the Kalmar machines.

Mr Levers said the deal had taken more than 12 months of negotiations after the USA government introduced a 24 percent lumber tariff on Canadian imports to the US. While competition was tough, the quality of the Kalmar product was most suited to Doman's requirements, Mr Levers said.

"Kalmar is a world leader in materials handling equipment and is gaining a considerable portion of the North American market as more companies identify the advantages," he said.

Attica Equipment has been a dealer for forklifts and other machinery to western Canada for 23 years. Products sold include Kalmar, TCM forklifts and Club Car golf carts and utility vehicles.