Kalmare equipment in action at SCA Timber's Tunadal operations.

Swedish lumber products producer SCA Timber has selected Kalmar Industries to service and maintain several machines, including forklifts, logstackers and wheel-mounted loaders and to supply approximately 25 equipment operators at SCA Timber's Tunadal operations.

Kalmar cites the contract as evidence of its commitment to providing total material handling solutions which require all-encompassing resources - from parts and labour extending all the way to the supply of drivers.

"Our comprehensive approach, which means we assume responsibility for SCA Timber's machines, maintenance program and drivers, will allow the customer to focus on its core business of wood processing," says Sten-Arne Sjöberg, Kalmar's regional manager for Sweden. "Kalmar Sweden has signed several similar contracts with forest and lumber companies, proving the value of this type of close customer collaboration."

Kalmar's fees will be based on the productivity levels realised by SCA Timber's Tunadal operations. This agreement will ensure that the sawmill runs as efficiently as possible by means of a cost-effective approach and an uninterrupted operation with high production flow.

Jerry Larsson, Tunadal sawmill manager, explains that Kalmar's on-site staff are responsible for all internal transportation, including the loading and unloading of materials during the product processing phase as well as in preparation for shipping.
"This is a major and all-inclusive agreement, which SCA has also put into practice at several of its locations where the collaboration with contractors is also working well. From our experience, it's of prime importance that the payment level be based on the production volumes our operation achieves," Larsson adds.

To realise the promised efficiency levels, Kalmar will bring three new Kalmar RTD 1623 logstackers into operation as well as one used unit. Also, for the timber sorting area, Kalmar will maintain and operate five other-branded wheel-mounted loaders with load ratings of up to 30 tonnes. In the timber yard, eight Kalmar DCE 150-12 forklifts with 15-tonne capacities will work alongside a 12-tonne wheel loader of another make.

SCA Timber is one of the largest sawmill companies in Europe, offering a broad range of high-quality solid-wood products. Its operations include eight sawmills and six planing mills located in northern Sweden. SCA Timber's total production of solid-wood products amounts to 1.8 million cubic metres per annum.

Its Tunadal operation employs approximately 155 people, including the operators from Kalmar.