18.01.2007

Konecranes expands

Konecranes is to start manufacturing straddle carriers used for stacking and transporting containers from ship to shore cranes and loading and unloading trucks.

The manufacturing will be based on the system developed by Consens Transport Systeme GmbH - which claims to be the originator of this equipment. Konecranes has acquired all the existing product rights from Consens.

It is thought the market for this type of carrier exceeds 500 units per year. The straddle carrier will supplement Konecranes' wide range of lifting products. Konecranes will utilise its existing crane and lifttruck distribution and service network to market the new product line.

Senior staff from Consens Transport Systeme GmbH will join Konecranes, headed by Mr Jyrki Melaanvuo, director, yard cranes.

"The Konecranes straddle carrier is designed to maintain a shock-free lifting of 60 tons, and has a true twin twenty lifting capability, and therefore increases the productivity. This machine also features state-of-the-art driving characteristics", said Melaanvuo."

Konecranes is a major-player in the lifting businesses, serving manufacturing and process industries, shipyards and harbors. In 2005, Group sales totaled EUR 971 million and has 7,500 employees, at more than 370 locations in 41 countries.