Clark Equipment Australia (CEA), which designs and manufactures the Omega range of heavy lift trucks, has received a major order from Ports of Auckland (POA) for four Noell diesel-electric straddle carriers.

The machines are the first of their kind to be commissioned in Australasia, and the deal marks a major change for POA, which runs a 40-machine Kalmar straddle fleet, according to CEA manager Alan Foulkes. He would not reveal the dollar value of the order.

Mr Foulkes would not comment on POA's decision to switch to Noell machines, but said Clark Equipment New Zealand, CEA's wholly-owned subsidiary, had promoted the product to POA and won the deal.

Officials from POA flew to Melbourne, Australia, to view Noell straddles in action at P&O's facility at Port of Geelong, before signing the deal with Clark Equipment New Zealand.

Mr Foulkes said the machines would be delivered by early next year.

CEA manufactures the Omega range of container handling machines and heavy forklifts from its Sydney base and distributes to customers throughout the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. With annual sales exceeding AUD115 million (USD63.6 million), the company employs more than 260 workers at manufacturing, distribution and retail facilities in Australia and New Zealand.