Kalmar has built a forklift truck tailored specifically for operation in 12 Setra Group sawmills.

Sweden's largest wood products company, Setra Group AB, has entered into a multi-year rental contract with Kalmar for 31 specially developed 15-tonne capacity forklifts.

Most of the forklifts will be delivered by the northern hemisphere spring. Kalmar will service, maintain and finance the forklifts.

Setra Group production manager Jerker Nyström said the group had very clear specifications for the forklifts.

In 2005, the group started looking for forklifts to operate in its 12 sawmills in Sweden, from Seskarö, near Haparanda in the north, to Vimmerby in the south. More than 90 forklift drivers joined company site managers in the search.

"From an early stage it was decided Kalmar could adequately meet our requirements," Nyström said.

To comply with Setra forklift drivers' wishes, the Kalmar forklifts have piling holders, anti-skid devices on the wings and splash protection on the drive and steering wheels.

Setra and Kalmar's contract included "eco driving" training for forklift drivers. The training encouraged "gentle driving" to minimise energy use.

The contract value was not disclosed.

Setra, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, sells sawn and processed wood products. The group's annual sales are about SEK6 billion (USD855.9 million) and it employs about 1,400 people. It has 12 sawmills, five processing units and seven distribution units. Nearly half its annual volume is sold in Sweden.