An Åkerströms forklift-mounted computer.

Swedish forklift-mounted computer maker Åkerströms Trux has won its biggest order of 1,500 computers, from General Motors (GM).

Erik Lindquist, vice president of product management, said there would be more orders from GM in 2007.

"We have climbed all the hurdles to get our equipment certified by GM and now GM has placed a large order with us.

"But they have more need and will continue using our equipment in 2007."
He attributed the deal to Åkerströms' extensive marketing and sales initiatives in the US market.

Åkerströms Inc general manager in the US, Jeff Davis, called the GM order significant for the company.

Åkerströms started delivering the computers in the northern hemisphere spring. They will be mounted on forklifts and other vehicles in General Motors' production facilities in the Americas.

Lindquist said: "With Wherenet, our reseller, we bent over backwards to be straightforward throughout the process. We provided timely responses and showed we really cared."

He said the deal would facilitate growth, improve finances and enable many large international deals for the company.

"We're delighted that the future looks so bright."

The average market price for a forklift-mounted computer ranged from USD3,000 to USD4,000, Lindquist said.

Åkerströms, established in 1918, has more than 45 years' experience developing industrial products for wireless communication. Owned by investment capital firm Brainheart Capital, the company employs about 70 people. Its 2005 turnover was SEK136 million (USD19.86 million). It has subsidiaries in Denmark and the US.