Cascade Europe has just received the largest order in its 44-year history from Barloworld Handling.

Cascade (UK) Ltd will supply paper roll clamps to equip Barloworld's Hyster lift trucks headed for a new terminal at the Port of Tilbury.

Cascade Europe's UK general manager John Hunter would not disclose the value of the order, but emphasised it was a significant amount for the company.

Port of Tilbury's new Enterprise Terminal, built specifically for Stora Enso, a top international paper producer, is expected to open in July 2005.

Barloworld Handling South East general manager Steve Barlow said Cascade's SMARTCLAMP technology would ensure damage-free paper handling. The Cascade Adaptive Force Control (AFC) system is computer-controlled and needs no driver action.

The AFC sets the optimal clamp force, based on roll weight and paper type, each time a paper roll is clamped, and is aimed at reducing damage in paper handling.

Stora Enso would use the Port of Tilbury's new terminal as its main UK entry port for handling paper and newsprint from Sweden and Finland.

Barloworld Handling was awarded a 10-year contract from June 1, 2002, to supply and maintain Hyster forklift trucks to the Port of Tilbury.

Under the contract, Barloworld is providing a fleet of 145 Hyster trucks with capacities ranging from 2,500 kg counterbalance trucks to 48,000 kg container handlers, reach stackers, terminal trucks and Ro-Ro trucks.

This year, Barloworld was awarded a contract to supply and maintain Hyster forklifts for the Port of Tilbury's Project Enterprise, the new GBP35 million (USD67.5 million) dedicated forest products terminal for Stora Enso.

A Barloworld spokesman said more than 130 forklifts, with capacities ranging from 5.5 tonnes to 7 tonnes, and some reach stackers were part of the deal.

Cascade, a manufacturer of lift truck attachments, forks and accessories, is based in Portland, Oregon, US, with European headquarters in Almere, The Netherlands.