Edwin Briggeman has been appointed head of the new company and is in charge of overseeing the ongoing deliveries of the straddle carriers ordered by the South African Port Operations (SAPO), the terminal operating subsidiary of South Africa’s transportation conglomerate Transnet.
Briggeman will also be responsible for the start-up of the new company and the further development of customer relations with SAPO. Aman Kumkaran has been appointed technical manager in Durban.
African National Engineering (ANE) continues as Kalmar’s service partner for straddle carriers and RTGs in major ports such as Durban, Richards Bay and Cape Town.
Other Kalmar products, for example reachstackers and lift trucks, will continue to be sold through existing partner Saficon. Kalmar has enjoyed a successful partnership with ANE and Saficon.
Kalmar has a strong presence in South Africa with more than 300 machines delivered and under order, ranging from straddle carriers and reachstackers to terminal tractors and lift trucks.
According to Juhani Lukumaa, president of Kalmar container handling, the company’s investment in South Africa marks its commitment to playing an integral role in the development of the country’s port industry together with SAPO.
He said: “SAPO is our preferred partner and we are proud they have chosen to work with Kalmar in their efforts to develop the ports of South Africa. With the new company, Kalmar is well placed to bring the best available technology, service and support to SAPO.”
SAPO is undertaking several projects in South Africa to modernise existing ports and establish new facilities. Total container volume will approach three million TEU (20ft equivalent units) in 2006, continuing the healthy growth trend of recent years.
The company’s good relationship with SAPO has been marked by a constant flow of orders. After a world record order for 60 straddle carriers from Kalmar Industries in 2001 and 53 more in August last year, SAPO ordered 25 additional straddle carriers in January this year.
