The largest reachstackers ever built, the Kalmar Gloria DRG1300-92ZX will have the capability of lifting 130 tonnes and will be utilised specifically to lift heavy wind turbine sections, which can weigh up to 260 tonnes. The order has been booked into Cargotec’s 2015 first quarter order intake with delivery scheduled for November 2015.

The previous world lift record was set by Kalmar in Sweden in September 2014, when a reachstacker lifted 103 tonnes in front of an assembled audience. However, this latest machine has extended lifting capacity further than any previous reachstacker built for industrial application.

Stefan Johansson, Director, Sales and Marketing, Kalmar Reachstackers and Empty Container Handlers is delighted with Kalmar’s ability to rise to the challenge: “This order presented a technical challenge that we were very pleased to meet. It is testament to Kalmar’s engineers that every time we set a record like this we reinforce our position as the market leader. It was also a pleasure working with Tadarsa Logistics, a large international company that is so highly respected in its sector. They needed a reachstacker to handle a critical application and this called for the development of the biggest machine ever built. Once again, I am delighted with Kalmar’s ability to rise to the challenge.”

Samuel Iglesias, General Manager, Tadarsa, said: “We chose to work with Kalmar because they are such a well-respected global company and we couldn’t trust anyone else to take on such a mammoth task. Kalmar had an excellent concept and proposal and their team was outstanding from beginning to end. They met our specification in every way and we are looking forward to the arrival of the two Super Gloria’s and the huge impact they will make on our business.”

Tadarsa, who already have four Kalmar DRF450 reachstackers operating in Spain and two Kalmar DRF450 operating in Brazil, has over fifty years of experience specialising in the manufacturing of pressure vessels and large metal structures. They operate out of 20,000m² of manufacturing area, less than 1km away from Avilés port in northern Spain.

The familiar route into the Port is closing in readiness for demolition, representing a key point in the TMI project that is transforming Eastern Docks ferry terminal. The OVD was closed on Friday (24 April) with traffic being moved to the ground route, which was suitably signposted.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive for the Port of Dover said: “Whilst we keep Dover, the Port and the UK economy moving, we are also working hard to ensure that the Port will have additional capacity to handle growing freight volumes. This is why we made a conscious decision to expedite the works and put extra resources to enable earlier completion. Our customers, port users and the community will see the re-routing of traffic flows, new variable messaging services and lane control ­within the Port, thereby reducing congestion on the external road network.”

TMI is part of an £85 million upgrade programme focused on the Eastern Docks, which is being delivered at the same time the Port has recently committed to investing up to £120 million in phase one of the Dover Western Docks Revival project. Together, such investments are transforming the Port for the benefit of its customers and community.

The 280,000 sq. ft. site at Port Salford – which will be run by food and drink logistics expert Culina Group – will act as a central hub for General Mills’ ambient brands arriving by short sea freight from Europe.

Located adjacent to the Manchester Ship Canal and next to the arterial motorway routes of the M60 and M62, Port Salford would improve General Mills’ supply chain, explained General Mills UK & Ireland Supply Chain Director Dave Howorth, as well as giving the company future opportunities to move freight by rail.

He added: “We are very excited about this new distribution agreement as it reinforces our commitment as a company to finding solutions that are best for customers, consumers and the environment, and our move to Port Salford ticks all those boxes.”

Howorth said the move – set for April 2016 – would enable a demand-driven logistics solution with load efficient multi-supplier consolidated deliveries to large retail customers 364 days a year, while the facility will be equipped with built-for-purpose co-packing capabilities enabling “close to demand” pack format differentiation to meet the growing demands for “right pack/right channel”.

Thomas Van Mourik, CEO of Culina Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted that General Mills, one of our long-standing, world class customers, will be housed at our unique and game-changing logistics facility. Port Salford is a fantastic strategic development for Culina Group and the strength of the proposition is underscored by the fact that such an important customer is fully committed to the project, even at this very early stage.”

Mark Whitworth, CEO of Peel Ports Group, said: “This excellent news is a clear endorsement of the benefits to the UK supply chain that we envisaged when developing Port Salford and such investments are helping the North West to transform the UK logistics infrastructure. As well as excellent road and rail links, the area will soon be able to offer the unique route of the Manchester Ship Canal, connected directly to our new Liverpool2 container terminal, enabling companies to get closer to their markets.”

The order for 11 reachstackers and 16 forklift trucks was awarded by the Algerian port procurement company, Groupement D’Interêt Commun Des Entreprises Portuaires (GICEP). The order has been booked into Cargotec’s first quarter 2015.

This is the third order for Kalmar cargo handling machinery placed by GICEP since 2013. The equipment will be used by the ports and logistics centres of Algiers, Skikda, AILC, ACS, Djen Djen and Tenes. GICEP groups together the public ports in Algeria, handling approximately 800,000 TEU of containers annually. Their operations also include stevedoring and general cargo handling.

Mr Saidi Mabrouk, General Manager at GICEP, said: “By this order, we are continuing investments in the future in order to increase capacity and modernise fleets. We are extremely satisfied with the previous two deliveries of forklifts and reachstackers from Kalmar. We trust Kalmar as a partner to offer the high quality and the technical support we need when aiming at excellent operational efficiency and productivity.”

The order includes 11 Kalmar DRF450-65S5 reachstackers which have a lifting capacity of 45 tonnes and are able to stack containers 5 high. The order also includes 14 Kalmar DCE150-12 and two DCE160-12 medium range forklift trucks with 15-16 tonne capacity at 1,200mm load centre.

Eduardo Arus, Sales Manager, Kalmar West Africa and Maghreb, commented: “We are pleased to have received this new order from GICEP and look forward to developing our relationship further. Kalmar is dedicated to providing the customer with the reliable, high performance equipment and the locally based service required for efficient operations.”