Kalmar buys Spanish crane refurbish firm

   Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has acquired total ownership in the Spanish crane refurbishment and maintenance company Mareiport, S.A.
   The acquisition is an important step for Kalmar to become a larger global crane refurbishment and services provider. Kalmar has held a 30-percent share in Mareiport since 2007.
   Mareiport is a privately owned company established in 1985 in Algeciras, Spain. The company has been providing maintenance services for ports and terminals and refurbishment and heightening services for a large variety of equipment, including quay cranes, rubber-tired gantry cranes, bulk cranes and large shipyard cranes especially in the Mediterranean area. In 2012, Mareiport’s sales totaled about 20 million euros ($26 million) and it employs about 250 people.
   “There are about 5,000 units of quay cranes in operation globally. A majority of them have been in operation over 10 years and are in need of refurbishments and upgrades,” said Olli Isotalo, president of Kalmar, in a statement.
   Kalmar has successfully delivered crane heightening projects globally using its crane jacking system and technology adaptable to old crane designs. Crane heightening and refurbishment provides a way for customers to improve crane capacity with higher stacking height and extended reach at minimum cost. Crane heightening projects can be completed in a few weeks, resulting in minimum equipment downtime, Kalmar said.