Kalmar unveils industry-first automated Test Centre in Sweden

Kalmar, a global leader in sustainable material handling equipment, has unveiled its industry-first automated Test Centre in Ljungby, Sweden. The state-of-the-art facility, which officially opened on September 3, 2026, marks a significant step in the company's commitment to electric and autonomous product development, as well as enhancing product reliability and accelerating time-to-market.

The Test Centre, designed specifically for material handling equipment, is a unique addition to the global material handling sector. Equipped with 24/7 fully automated, unattended accelerated lifetime testing capabilities, it can simulate extreme conditions, from arctic cold to desert heat, to test the entire lifecycle of Kalmar’s Electric Vehicle (EV) and diesel product lines. This facility will enable rigorous driving simulations and load testing of up to 45 tons, ensuring the highest levels of build quality, structural uptime, and operational reliability.

The grand opening ceremony, attended by approximately 300 guests, including customers, dealers, key suppliers, industrial partners, employees, and media representatives, underscored the importance of this milestone. Alf-Gunnar Karlgren, President of Counterbalanced at Kalmar, stated, "Our new Test Centre is designed to push our machines to their absolute limits. By enabling 24/7 accelerated lifetime testing under extreme conditions, we are ensuring that our products deliver the highest reliability and longest possible lifetime, while simultaneously shortening our time-to-market for new developments."

Sami Niiranen, President and CEO of Kalmar, emphasized, "This milestone represents the next chapter in our commitment to invest in sustainable innovations and sets a new benchmark for the industry. It shows that we are not simply following the future, we are actively shaping it."

Located adjacent to Kalmar’s Innovation Centre in Ljungby, the Test Centre will significantly accelerate Kalmar’s time-to-market for future product generations while guaranteeing outstanding operational performance under all conditions. This cutting-edge facility will be a cornerstone in Kalmar’s strategy to remain at the forefront of sustainable material handling solutions.

With Kalmar’s vision to be the forerunner in sustainable material handling equipment and services, the company continues to move critical goods in global supply chains. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Kalmar operates in over 120 countries and employs approximately 5,300 people. In 2025, the company's sales reached approximately EUR 1.7 billion. The new Test Centre is a testament to Kalmar's dedication to innovation and reliability in the face of evolving market demands.