Aperam's production line

Kalmar has started the upgrade and refurbishment of the overhead crane at the steel mill of the Aperam stainless steel plant in Genk, Belgium. The scope includes design, construction, delivery and erection of all the materials for the project, according to the standards and regulations for hoisting liquid steel. The project is set to be completed in the third quarter of 2015.

Aperam, which currently processes over 2.5 million T of flat stainless steel in Europe and Brazil, and has operations in more than 40 countries, selected Kalmar to modernise its 40-year-old Paul Würth casting crane, with the capacity of 210 T. The project involves renewing the existing trolley and the lateral driving mechanism of the overhead crane, including new electrical installation, and will be a complete turnkey solution.

Danny Bielen, project manager of Aperam, says the trolley and the electrical system of the crane had reached the end of their technical lifetime. "We were looking for a partner who could provide a detailed specification, and the ability to demonstrate a strong technical solution. Additionally, Kalmar's excellent project management skills were another important selection criterion."

Meanwhile, 10 more Kalmar 1 over 3 straddle carriers have been delivered to DP World Southampton.

The new straddle carriers, worth GBP6 million (USD9.2 million), arrived fully assembled from Kalmar's assembly plant in Gdynia, Poland.

The 1 over 3, diesel-electric machines with twin 20 capacity are part of a replacement and expansion programme that DP World Southampton is undertaking to improve its operational fleet and landside capabilities.

Last year, the company acquired six Kalmar machines and is in the process of ordering a further nine machines, bringing the total number of new machines to 25 in three years.