Kalmar Books Four Electric Reach Stacker Orders in China
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- Kalmar began building its 45-ton ERG450 electric reach stackers at a Shanghai manufacturing plant in 2023 and announced four new orders at the close of Q2 for customers in Mongolia, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
- The ERG450 offers up to 45 tons of lifting capacity with reduced noise, fewer carbon emissions, and less maintenance downtime than comparable diesel models.
- John Zhang, Managing Director of Kalmar's Shanghai plant, said the orders reflect "the accelerating adoption of electrified heavy machinery across China" and highlight the strategic importance of the recently expanded Shanghai facility.
- The four machines are the first units to feature Kalmar's next-generation lithium-ion battery packs, which the company says deliver enhanced energy capacity, improved thermal stability, faster DC charging, and a longer performance curve than its standard lead-acid packs.
- Alex Tang, Vice President of Kalmar Greater China, said the company is ready to help customers build long-term roadmaps for fleet electrification.
- Kalmar calls the ERG450 its most sustainable reach stacker to date, citing at least 50% recycled steel and a counterweight made from naturally heavy, emission-reducing materials.
Why it matters: The four-order Q2 close — the first reach stackers Kalmar has sold into China carrying its next-gen li-ion packs — validates the 2023 Shanghai manufacturing investment and signals the company's pivot from Western markets into Chinese port and logistics buyers. The upgraded battery chemistry closes the operational gap with diesel on charging speed and performance predictability, giving fleet operators a more immediate path to electrifying heavy cargo handling.
