Finnish steel producer Outokumpu has signed a deal for four forklifts from Kalmar for its integrated stainless steel plant in Tornio.

Three light electric forklifts will be delivered to Outokumpu in Q1 2025 while a medium-sized electric forklift will be delivered in Q4 2025.

Outokumpu, which currently operates a fleet of diesel-powered forklifts at Tornio, is “taking significant steps towards zero-emission operations with the introduction of four fully electric forklift trucks”. 

“The machines will be the first of their kind in their respective size categories to be deployed at the Tornio plant,” the company says in a statement. “In order to meet their varying operational requirements Outokumpu has chosen to use both lead-acid and lithium-ion battery technologies.” 

Outokumpu manager of fleet and condition monitoring services Rami Salo explains: “Replacing diesel forklift trucks with electric machines will help us take a big step towards our emission-reduction targets at Tornio”.

Kalmar Finland’s country director, Riku Vuorinen, adds: “We have worked closely with Outokumpu to ensure that their new forklifts will deliver maximum value from day one and to carefully plan the shift from diesel to electric operations. This includes identifying which battery technologies are best suited to the various parts of their operations, taking into account shift patterns and driving distances, among other factors”.