35,000 and counting for
Ottawa Kalmar terminal tractors
Kalmar Industries has celebrated the production of its 35,000th Ottawa Kalmar terminal tractor at its factory in Ottawa, Kansas, USA. The tractor was delivered to major rail yard operator and repeat Kalmar customer, Rail Management Services of Missouri, in September.
"Tom Carignan (left), Director of Maintenance Operations at Rail Management Services in St Louis, Missouri, accepting the keys to the new terminal tractor from Randy Dennis (right), VP Sales and Customer Support, Kalmar Industries Corp
The first Ottawa Kalmar terminal tractor was produced in 1958. In 1999, the 25,000th unit was built. Just five years later, on 20 August 2004, the 35,000th unit came off the assembly line, demonstrating the increasing popularity of the product and reaffirming Kalmar position as the world leader in terminal tractors.
The success of Ottawa Kalmar terminal tractors can be attributed to the concept of providing a "purpose-built" solution for trailer movements. Its terminal tractors are designed with a hydraulic actuated fifth wheel specifically for moving trailers, creating time savings that cannot be matched by an ordinary road truck. They feature an ergonomic design for optimum efficiency and allow operators to move trailers without climbing up and down.
The machines also offer good manoeuvrability. A short wheelbase and a 40-50 degree steering angle facilitate quick trailer spotting. Moreover, unlike road trucks, the terminal tractors offer unobstructed visibility, ensuring safe movement in restricted operating areas.
The tractors’ fuel-efficient engines also offer good value. Using 150-225 horsepower diesel engines with high torque to RPM ratios, they lower fuel costs and provide optimal power to pull heavy loads at the low working speeds required in terminals and rail yards.
Kalmar offers the most comprehensive range of terminal tractors available to customers around the world, including models for lighter distribution and machines designed for heavy RoRo applications at ports and terminals. The total number of Kalmar terminal tractors in operation around the globe is now in excess of 44,000 units.
Notes 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 for the photograph reads:
"Tom Carignan (left), Director of Maintenance Operations at Rail Management Services in St Louis, Missouri, accepting the keys to the new terminal tractor from Randy Dennis (right), VP Sales and Customer Support, Kalmar Industries Corp."
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.
For further information: aija.kalander@kalmarind.com