The production launch was celebrated at an event with customers and dealers representatives.Electric reachstackers and Essential forklifts will begin rolling out of Kalmar’s Shanghai manufacturing plant as the company steps up production in the region.
The Finnish company’s Shanghai plant, which opened in 2005, already manufactures cargo handling equipment including reachstackers, empty container handlers and terminal tractors.
The electric reachstacker, with lifting capacities of up to 45 T, is available with a range of modular battery options and charging solutions.
The Kalmar Essential forklifts are available with lifting capacities from 10 to 18 T and are suitable for handling containers, steel and wood.
The model is popular with Kalmar dealers and the first machines manufactured at the Shanghai plant are scheduled to be delivered to customers across the region.
Alf-Gunnar Karlgren, Kalmar vice president, counter balanced, says: “This is an important step for Kalmar as it will help us to meet the growing demand for sustainable electrically powered equipment both in China and around the world.
“Commencing production of our Essential forklift trucks in Shanghai demonstrates our commitment to further growing the plant, which is a vital part of our global manufacturing network, and reducing lead times and freight costs for customers."