SINCE THE introduction three years ago of its DRF range of reach stackers, with a capacity of 42 to 45-tons, Kalmar has sold some 40 of these Swedish-built machines in southern Africa. Mike Norton, national key accounts manager for agents Toyota Forklift, says they are widely used in ports and terminals in South Africa, Angola , Namibia and more recently Mozambique. Described as “the most innovative reach stacker ever built”, the units incorporate a range of new technologies developed by Kalmar when the US army placed an order for 400 rough terrain stackers. Kalmar claims it set new standards for reliability and performance with the DRF by designing stronger construction, new electrical and hydraulic systems, fewer components, and provided easy maintenance and new diagnostics for easy trouble shooting, Kalmar’s customers include ports and terminals, heavy industry (sawmills and stevedoring being the most important) and distribution and logistics companies. Ports and terminals account for two thirds of its sales, while its global service market for port equipment is estimated at R5.9-billion (€700-million). The main market drivers for Kalmar products are global container movement and European and American industrial activity in wood processing and steel handling. Kalmar Industries is a part of the Finnish Cargotec Group, one of the leading providers of cargo handling solutions. Toyota Forklifts acquired Kalmar distribution rights 11 years ago for the southern African region where it conducts service and maintenance for some 220 Kalmar products.
