Cargotec of Helsinki, Finland, the parent company of Kalmar Industries, has signed an agreement to buy its Belgian distributor, Catracom. The value of the deal, which is subject to competition authority approval, has not been disclosed.

Cargotec takes over Belgian distributor

Catracom, based in the Port of Antwerp, is one of Kalmar’s biggest European distributors and has been distributing its equipment since 1985. Since then it has sold 170 Kalmar reachstackers and 1,000 heavy forklifts to Belgian ports and industry. It has also delivered more than 200 Terex PPM reachstackers and has distributed Terberg tractors since 1994. Its engineering department manufactures dedicated port equipment, such as fork carriages, masts for heavy-duty operations and crane spreaders.

Catracom employs about 100 people and had net sales of €70m in 2005. The company’s owner and managing director, Ludwig Callens, is to stay with the business. Kalmar’s president, Christer Granskog, said that Catracom had been a strong partner for many years.

“This acquisition supports our strategy of being close to customers at major ports and container terminals around the world. It significantly strengthens our existing service offering and network in the Port of Antwerp,” he commented.