Finnish President Tarja Halonen visits Konecranes factory in Dalian, China.

Konecranes has bought Finnish container handling software specialist Savcor One Oy for an undisclosed sum.

Konecranes director for ports, Jarmo Juntunen, says Savcor One's technology links different port vehicles like RTGs, straddle carriers and forklifts.

"This acquisition enables Konecranes to offer complete solutions to its customers," he says.

Juntunen says major customers require integrated systems and turnkey delivery of equipment.

"(The acquisition) also gives access to the modernisation market both on Konecrane's own equipment and for other makes in the yard. Also, Konecranes will be able to offer differential global positioning system-based automation systems for the existing equipment of customers and, therefore, generate new business."

Savcor One, a part of Savcor Group, is based in Vantaa and provides its products and services to over 20 container ports worldwide.

Last week, Tarja Halonen, the president of the Republic of Finland, visited Konecranes' factory in Dalian, China. Konecranes has exported equipment to China since the 1970s and established a factory in Shanghai in 2002. The Dalian plant for harbour crane assembly and production was inaugurated in 2004. Halonen was in China for the World Economic Forum in Dalian.