QSL Canada is adding Konecranes forklifts

QSL recently bought its 15th Konecranes forklift in five years as it expanded to new locations around North America.

Founded in 1978 in Quebec City, in eastern Canada, QSL is a world-class maritime terminal operator and stevedore. The company now has over 1,300 employees and more than 35 terminals along the St. Lawrence - the Great Lakes corridor (South of Canada) - and all the way to Houston, Texas in the USA.

QSL needed new equipment to keep up its rapid growth and chose Konecranes as one of its suppliers of choice for the task.

"We like Konecranes because their lift trucks can be purpose-built for the stevedoring industry," says Mario Gagné, QSL's manager, asset management - equipment and infrastructure. "We believe they make an excellent product that helps us to better meet the needs of our customers while reducing our environmental footprint."

"Great teamwork has resulted in a satisfied customer and repeat sales," says John Elisson, regional sales director - Americas, Konecranes Lift Trucks. "A big thank you to Strongco, our Canadian distributor serving QSL, who launched Konecranes lift trucks in Canada just six years ago. Their confidence in our products and company has provided essential support in the highly competitive North American market."

QSL has long collaborated with Strongco, a relationship which quickly built its trust in Konecranes, and as it has gained experience with Konecranes products over the last five years, the company has purchased a total of 15 forklifts, ranging in capacity from 16 to 33 tons.

In the latest purchase, QSL opted for an SMV 25-1200 C, a 25 T model with a full free-lift duplex mast, a removable counterweight, a fork shaft system allowing quick switching between forks and coil rams, and a Lincoln Lubrication System. TRUCONNECT Remote Monitoring allows real-time tracking of the use and maintenance of each forklift, no matter where it operates. It also includes a reverse camera and speed limiter as standard safety features, and a tilting cab for easy maintenance access.

Additionally, its Konecranes forklifts have been specially designed to minimise operational noise. In a busy terminal, this helps to ensure a healthier workplace for drivers and to maintain good relationships with neighbouring commercial and residential property owners.