The Integral truck mast developed by Rocla Oyj is based on a simpler and stronger structure. “The innovation is perhaps the most significant in the field for 50 years,” says Jussi Muikku, the managing director.

Behind the innovation lies Rocla’s team leader, Janne Polvilampi. “We were visiting a plant in Germany in 2000 where I saw a new production method: the hot extrusion of steel. This incubated in my mind. On my return home, I devised the idea of using an old production method in a quite new way to produce an integrated mast profile.”

In the traditional solutions the lift cylinders of the truck mast are placed in front of or outside the mast profile. In the new Integral mast the cylinders are integrated inside the outer mast profiles. The dimensions of the mast structure are much smaller than in the traditional solutions.”

“By integrating the lift cylinders as part of the mast profile, the mast structure becomes stiffer and lighter, as a result of which there is improved control over the load,” Polvilampi explains.

Benefits displayed in new models

The Integral mast has been on the market in some Rocla reach trucks since 2005. The mast has been developed and tested in association with customers.

“The customer feedback accumulated in the first year has been very positive. So the signs are good for the launching of the new reach truck models,” Polvilampi says.

Rocla brought out the new models in May in Helsinki . The full impact of the benefits offered by the Integral mast is proven in the new Humanic models. The considerable investment in recent years is also very prominent in the design.”

“The reach truck is traditionally the flagship of a warehouse truck manufacturer, so expectations are in line with that.”

Pacesetter in intelligent solutions

Rocla spends almost 5 per cent of its turnover on product development every year. The company also is deeply involved in developing services for materials handling.

“Our target is to be one of the pacesetters in intelligent services and solutions for materials handling in 2010. Achieving our vision will require customer-orientation, top-grade product development and stimulating cooperation,” Jussi Muiku stresses.

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Rocla Oyj develops, produces and markets intelligent solutions and service for materials handling.