Kalmar rough-terrain container handler

In an end-market expansion for its project line, military container handling equipment manufacturer Kalmar RT Centre LLC is moving further into the commercial arena.

Kalmar, a unit of Cargotec Oyj, announced the first commercial sale of its RT240 rough-terrain reach stackers to assist on one of the world's largest energy projects in a natural gas field.

Until now, Kalmar has produced the RT240 exclusively for the US armed forces. The reach stacker can handle 20 ft. (3.1 m) and 40 ft. (6.3 m) ISO containers across virtually any landscape.

Kalmar says the RT240 is the only reach stacker capable of working in unimproved ground conditions, harsh environments and up to 27 degree grades.

The availability of fork and sling lift attachments expands the RT240's application versatility.

Integrated logistics services provider Toll Group Ltd of Melbourne, Australia purchased four Kalmar RT240s for the Gorgon project, a joint venture.

The venture is led by Chevron Corp subsidiary Chevron Australia Pty Ltd of Perth for development of the greater Gorgon gas fields in the state of Western Australia. The field contains the country's largest-known gas resource. Toll Group will use the RT240 units to add capacity and efficiency to the freight and materials handling operations at the dock and construction sites in a remote location where previous operations have failed to meet schedule.

The Toll Group's RT240 purchase marks a new era for Kalmar RT Centre in the commercial sector and an opportunity for companies around the globe to now use the same battle-tested equipment used by the military.

"The Kalmar equipment with its attachments - whether it's a sling load attachment or a fork lift attachment - has the ability to perform the functions of four or five pieces of equipment on a drill site," says retired Col Bryan Stephens, president and chief executive officer of Kalmar RT. "So we can replace several pieces of equipment out at those drill sites, and we can do it faster, more efficiently and safer than they're doing it right now."

Randy Wingenroth, Kalmar RT vice president of product and business development, says, "The RT240 has revolutionised logistics operations worldwide for the US military and its allies, and now we're offering this product commercially for the first time."

Kalmar also manufactures the Kalmar RT022 rough terrain telehandler, which easily manoeuvres in and out of ISO containers, has side-shifting forks and operates in up to 36 in. (1 m) of water and at up to a 45 degree grade.

Kalmar disclosed its expansion into the commercial market at a DUG Eagle Ford Shale Conference in San Antonio, Texas. DUG stands for "developing unconventional gas" resources for oil and shale exploration.

The daily San Antonio Express-News profiled the business development.

Kalmar is a brand of publicly traded Helsinki, Finland-based Cargotec. In 2009, Cargotec invested USD20 million to equip and expand the Cibolo plant to a total of 185,000 sqft. (16,650sqm) from 35,000 sqft. (3,150sqm).