Patricia Rüf (Liebherr), Samira Himeur (Lyon Terminal) and Anthony Martin-Garin (Liebherr France) at the branch opening in Rognac.

Liebherr has marked the opening of a new facility in Rognac with the delivery of the first of two new reachstackers to Lyon Terminal.

The river port of Lyon is one of the highest-turnover ports in the region and the Lyon Terminal achieved a total turnover of 137,000 TEUs in 2017.

As part of its expansion investment, Lyon Terminal has ordered two Liebherr Reachstacker LRS 545s.

The LRS 545 Toplift has a maximum lifting capacity of up to 45 T. It scores particularly highly with its unique hydrostatic transmission, which ensures stepless speed control for highly sensitive and smooth operation without gear changes, which means components such as torque converter and differential are obsolete.

Thanks to the closed hydraulic circuit and the hydrostatic braking system, the reachstacker works with an almost maintenance-free system.

"In addition to the exceptional view of the driver's cabin, its special feature is the 30 % lower fuel consumption of 12 to 14 l/h compared to the market average. Furthermore, a maintenance interval of 1,000 hours significantly reduces the machine's idle times," says Anthony Martin-Garin, divisional manager for maritime cranes at Liebherr France.

Liebherr's new location in Rognac will house 60 employees responsible for sales, rental and maintenance of the division's earthmoving, construction and maritime machinery.

The new branch is regarded as an important milestone in its development within the region. During the opening ceremony of the new Liebherr branch, Patricia Rüf, member of the board of management of Liebherr-International AG, finalised the contract signing for the two units with Samira Himeur, head of development at the Lyon Terminal.