09.09.2009

Cargotec breaks ground in Poland

Cargotec , owner of Hiab, Kalmar and MacGregor has broken ground on its new assembly facility in northern Poland.

The foundation stone for the new ‘multi-assembly unit’ was laid by Cargotec’s chief executive Mikael Mäkinen and Rafal Baniak, secretary of state for Poland’s ministry of the economy.

The company says that the new facility will play an important part in its long-term global supply strategy being an ideal location to serve European markets, lowering production and transportation costs while strengthening sourcing activities in Central Eastern Europe.

“We are proud of our investment and pleased to take this step in building the most modern and energy-efficient assembly unit within the corporation, said. Mäkinen”.

Cargotec announced the investment plan concerning the new assembly unit in April, the purchase of 41 hectares of land was finalised in June, with production scheduled to start during the second quarter of 2010. The plant will employ around 200 and will support the production of a wide range of Cargotec’s cargo handling equipment.

Axel Leijonhufvud Cargotec’s executive vice president, product supply said: “Being present in the Stargard Szczecinski area offers excellent road and waterway connections to our markets in Europe. We are also very pleased about the good and fruitful cooperation we have had with the local government”.

Cargotec has defined environmental targets for the various phases of its supply chain: from purchasing and logistics of incoming components to the actual products and their appropriate usage. “We have specified the following concrete target levels: logistical effectiveness, energy-efficient production, sustainable products and services and training to efficient and energy-saving usage of the products”, said Mäkinen.

“For our assembly factory in Poland this means, that we plan to have a carbon neutral heating solution and are studying alternative energy sources for electricity. The waste-water treatment plants are also designed in cooperation with the best service providers from the sustainability viewpoint” he added..