Innovative reachstackers
breaking new records
Sales of Kalmar's new Contchamp Generation F and Contmaster reachstackers, branded as the most innovative reachstackers ever, have outstripped the company projected sales targets in their first year on the market, paying testament to the machines’ reliability and ease of maintenance.
The reachstackers, introduced in September 2002, have taken state-of-the-art workhouse container handling to new dimensions. Reflecting the success of this development, Per Rosengren, Product Manager of Kalmar reachstackers, says that the placement of new orders has been running particularly high in the last nine months:
“Both Contchamp and Contmaster have been performing extremely well since we introduced them last year. Sales are well ahead of our targets all over the world, exceeding our expectations by almost 40%.
According to Mr Rosengren, Kalmar has not only recorded improved sales of reachstackers in the traditionally strong European market: sales have been good in the US and the machines have also attracted new customers in Africa. Kalmar has received a total of 15 orders for the Contchamp Generation F in Africa, from bodies such as the Namibian and Kenya port authorities.
Meantime, the Contmaster has proven a popular choice for terminal operators in South America and especially in Brazil, according to Fernando Cruz, Kalmar Sales & Services Manager in Sáo Paulo. Mr Cruz says that over the past year the Sáo Paulo office has received orders for more than 25 Contmasters from a number of terminal operators in the country.
While the machines have brought in some new customers, Kalmar has also recorded a large number of orders from existing customers, including, for example, Sweden's Rail Combi. Cuypers of Belgium has ordered two Contchamps, while Unikai has also ordered two units for its river terminal in Wörth, Germany.
Mr Rosengren believes the cutting-edge technology the machines incorporate deliver greater reliability and efficiency. This is thanks to a host of performance enhancing technical innovations – many originating from research into developing an advanced rough-terrain unit – combined with environmental improvements and the machines’ ease of maintenance. Explains Mr Rosengren:
“We developed the new models with inherent maintenance support in mind, so that customers would easily be able to undertake general maintenance activities themselves. The controls and diagnostics systems in the new Contchamp are easily accessible and easy to understand, which means that operators do not need reachstacker-specific skills but just standard technical know-how to service and maintain them.
According to Mr Rosengren, the success of the machines can be seen not only in the number of orders being placed:
“We’ve also been delighted to see that the machines’ performance reliability has been excellent. Warranty issues and after-sales costs have reduced significantly with the new models, which really does speak volumes for their reliability. Although it still early days, we expect this reduction to continue and look forward to the knock-on benefits it will have for our customers.
In light of environmental concerns, both models are equipped with low emission engines that meet 97/68 EC Stage 2 and US EPA Tier 2 standards. The Contchamp comes with a 12-litre Volvo Penta, which is also more fuel-efficient than the older 10-litre unit. The Contmaster comes with Scania DI12 or Cummins QSM11.
Service intervals have been increased to over 500 hours in the new models, resulting in increased operating times. This has been achieved by several detailed changes to the servicing arrangements. For example, the number of lubrication points has been reduced, the boom is now lubrication-free, and all servicing operations are undertaken from just one side of the truck.
The high cabin and the excellent layout of all control devices contribute to better driver comfort and enable the operator to get more done during the working shift. Higher throughput is achieved via faster driving, operating and lifting speeds in all conditions.
Note to editors
Press information can be found on Kalmar website www.kalmarind.com. Simply click on News Room to be taken to a list of recent press releases or on Press Pictures to be taken to the Kalmar photo gallery. The caption reads:
“Sales of Kalmar new generation Contchamp and Contmaster – the most innovative reachstacker ever – have exceeded all expected targets since their introduction last year, with orders coming in from both existing and new customers.
Kalmar is a global provider of heavy duty materials handling equipment and services to ports, intermodal traffic, terminals and demanding industrial customers. Kalmar focuses on supplying handling solutions that enable customers to operate with a high level of efficiency and reliability. Every fourth container or trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine.
Kalmar provides a large range of value added services such as maintenance contracts and fleet management. Manufacturing plants are situated in Sweden (as is the head office), in Finland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Malaysia, China and the USA.