Kalmar is aiming to upgrade and expand its manufacturing plant in Ottawa, Kansas, US home to the company’s terminal tractor manufacturing operations in North America.
The investment, worth close to €20 million (US$21.5 million), will eventually enable the plant’s annual production capacity to be doubled, making it the largest terminal tractor manufacturing facility in North America.
“The investment is driven by the growing demand from the logistics industry for eco-efficient equipment solutions that do not rely on fossil fuels to operate,” said Kalmar.
The project will see a purpose-built extension added to the factory to manage the increased flow of incoming materials and the introduction of new assembly line feeding technology to reduce the use of forklifts and minimise materials and movements in the production area, according to a statement.
Kalmar said the existing line will be converted to a high-speed line for ‘rapid build’ distribution terminal tractors and a completely new ‘flex line’ with technology will be added to enable high-volume production of the company’s fully electric and high-end terminal tractor models.
Michel van Roozendaal, president of Kalmar Mobile Solutions, commented, “When the addition to the plant opens up in 2023 we will have achieved our vision of a Kalmar smart factory with fully digitalised assembly processes. Not only will it be the biggest terminal tractor manufacturing facility in North America by some distance, but it will also be a true American powerhouse for the manufacture of eco-efficient cargo-handling equipment.”
