Konecranes received an order for four reachstackers and three empty container handlers from TIPS Co. Ltd. TIPS is the operator of Laem Chabang Port’s B4 terminal, which is located about 130 kms southeast of Bangkok. The equipment will be delivered in sequence until February 2009. The value of the order is not disclosed.

Captain Chatchawan Ghettalae, General Manager of TIPS, says “The new reachstackers and empty container handlers will definitely sustain our highest degree of customer service as we continue to provide high reliability and gear up for quicker and more efficient services for our clients. We also see the order as a great opportunity for TIPS and Konecranes to benefit as we grow together in this global environment”.

The Konecranes units will be equipped with load-sensing hydraulics that provides ‘power-on-demand’ for the required weight and is measured automatically. They also feature Konecranes’ Eco-Drive system, which calculates the fuel efficiency of each machine, providing an effective platform to benchmark each unit and operator’s performance.

“With rising fuel costs, customers are placing more emphasis on fuel efficient container handling equipment. The power-on-demand feature allows the machines to have variable fuel consumption”, says Ryan Flynn, Director, Ports, Northeast and Southeast Asia. “Another benefit of our reachstackers is that their engines allow the customer to use biodiesel fuel that is available in Thailand at a lower cost per liter.

“Thailand has been a growing market for us since we first established in 1993, and now it is a major market that is very important to us because of its many heavy industries”, says Ed Yakos, President, South Asia Pacific. “We have built our infrastructure to cover Thailand with offices in several regions of the country, which allows us not only to be closer to the customer, but also to stay in constant communication while planting the product and providing after sales service, parts and support. When it comes to equipment, we focus on the lifetime cost, which we believe we have a very competitive advance on.”

 The reachstackers have the capability of lifting laden containers of up to 45 tons five high, while the empty container handlers are capable of double-stacking.

About TIPS TIPS Co.,Ltd is a leading container terminal operator at the Laem Chabang Port complex in Thailand. TIPS are located 130 km Southeast of Bangkok and are well served by new developed highways, rail networks and inland waterways all providing access to and from the port. The partnerships of TIPS terminal with world renowned shipping lines: Regional Container Lines (RCL) together with N.Y.K. Line and Mitsui Line provide access to their immense network of ports, services and information around the globe. Established in 1990 and having experiences from all partners whom attributed various activities in maritime industry, TIPS can assure service of the utmost international standard

About Konecranes Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment and machine tools of all makes. In 2007, Group sales totaled EUR 1,750 million. The Group has 9,350 employees, at more than 470 locations in 43 countries. Konecranes is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki (symbol: KCR1V).