Hiab has signed a strategic partnership with Forterra to accelerate the development of autonomous trucking and load handling solutions. The agreement brings together Hiab’s expertise in automated load-handling equipment with Forterra’s proven autonomy platform.
Forterra is best known for its AutoDrive® system, the most widely deployed ground autonomy platform in defense. The company has over a decade of experience operating autonomous systems in complex environments, from military logistics to commercial freight.
By combining this technology with Hiab’s cranes, hooklifts, and container handling units, the partners aim to automate more of the logistics chain. The focus is on improving safety, boosting efficiency, and shifting personnel to higher-value tasks.
Hermanni Lyyski, President of Demountables and Defence at Hiab, said the collaboration builds on the company’s existing automation work, including its MULTILIFT Talon and Driver Support technology. “This joint initiative will combine Hiab’s robotics and AI expertise with Forterra’s AutoDrive® platform. Our goal is to enhance autonomous capabilities in trucking and load handling, improving both sustainability and safety for our customers.”
Forterra echoed that vision. “This partnership extends autonomy across the entire logistics ecosystem,” said Gabe Sganga, Commercial Vice President at Forterra. “By aligning Forterra’s experience in autonomous systems with Hiab’s load-handling expertise, we can deliver integrated solutions that raise safety, efficiency, and adaptability in demanding operations.”
