Kalmar rolls past 40,000 unit mark

Kalmar, part of Cargotec Corporation, is the market leader in terminal tractor sales worldwide, offering the most comprehensive range of models for heavy industrial applications and for port and terminal operations. It claims that every fourth container or trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by one of its machines.

It was only two years ago that the Ottowa factory produced its 35,000th tractor unit, but orders have been steady as the market has grown to include more rental and fleet customers. The company built its first terminal tractor at the Ottowa site in 1958. It took it 41 years to build the first 25,000 units, but only seven years to build the next 15,000.

Kalmar has manufacturing operations in the US, Europe and Asia, but Ottowa, Kansas is its global centre of excellence. From 1 September, all terminal tractors built there will be branded Kalmar. The company has also expanded its operations to produce forklifts, with the first medium-duty (9-18 ton) unit rolling off the assembly line in April 2005. In addition, its parts distribution centre is being expanded to house extra staff and to stock more inventory.