Mr. Straddle Carrier: Ilkka Annala 40 years at Kalmar

Ilkka earned his M.Sc. in Engineering at Tampere University of Technology in 1984 and joined Valmet Tampere Works, one of Kalmar's predecessor companies, as Assistant Chief Engineer for Wood Handling Equipment in the same year. He subsequently went on to hold numerous engineering and executive roles at Kalmar and Cargotec, including heading the development and business line of Kalmar's straddle carriers for nearly two decades starting in 1990. In recent years, Ilkka's responsibilities have included serving as Vice President of Intelligent Crane Solutions, VP of Strategic Development Projects, and VP of Contract Management at Cargotec.

When Ilkka joined the company in the mid-1980s, the Valmet Tampere factory already had an established track record of manufacturing straddle carriers for container terminals and industrial applications. Other products included forklift trucks of various sizes, hydrostatic RTG cranes, as well as heavy-duty log stackers that were in demand by the Finnish pulp and paper industry.

"For the first six years, I worked on Valmet's wood handling equipment, and then moved to lead the design of straddle carriers in 1990," Ilkka recounts. "What may surprise many is that my very first assignment with straddles was actually delivering an automated industrial straddle carrier for the steel works company Hoogovens in the Netherlands. So the history of automated straddles already started quite early. The technology has of course developed hugely over the decades, but the basic concept of transponder-based navigation and centralised automation has remained much the same."

What may surprise many is that my very first assignment with straddles was actually delivering an automated industrial straddle carrier for the steel works company Hoogovens in the Netherlands. So the history of automated straddles already started quite early.

In the photo, Hoogovens AutoSC from the early 90's.

Creating a classic product

In the mid-80s, the Valmet straddle carriers were already in their fourth product generation, with the fifth generation following in 1995 under Ilkka's design leadership. At the time, the machines were all mechanically operated, with hydrodynamic power lines and dual diesel engines on the frame. Container lifting was accomplished by hydraulically driven chain reels.

Further innovations in the early 1990s included the introduction of the first 1-over-3 straddle carriers as well as twin-lift capacity. "Twin lifting may sound like a minor detail today, but at the time it was quite significant because it essentially doubled the productivity of the straddle when serving STS cranes with twin-lift spreaders," notes Ilkka.

The early 2000s saw the introduction of the first Kalmar Shuttle Carrier, a smaller 1-over-1 version of the classic straddle carrier design. "We designed the shuttle to compete with terminal tractors and AGVs for horizontal transportation," Ilkka notes. "The beauty of the straddle or shuttle concept – which still holds today – is that it enables fully decoupled operations in which STS or yard cranes and horizontal transportation equipment don't need to wait for each other and can thus both operate at their maximum productivity."

Ahead of the times

During Ilkka's tenure at Kalmar, the technology of straddle carriers has moved steadily towards electrification, first through hybrid machines and eventually to today's all-electric battery-powered straddle carriers. The drive for electrification has progressed in step with the continuing development of automation.

"We were actually looking at electrification of heavy equipment already in the 1980s, but it was simply not yet feasible with the lead-acid battery technology of the time," Ilkka says. "However, electrification has been a part of our company's DNA for a very long time, since Valmet already had a history of building trams and diesel-electric locomotives."

In the late 1990s, Ilkka and his team began to consider how the experiences from automating industrial straddle carriers could be utilised at container terminals. The opening of the fully automated Patrick straddle carrier terminal in Brisbane remains as one of the highlights on this path. "The launch of the Patrick AutoStrad terminal in 2005 was probably the only time that we were ever featured on a national TV network, so it was definitely an event to remember," Ilkka laughs.

No excuses

At Kalmar, Ilkka has been known for his direct, fact-based style of communication and leadership. Damien Cols, Director Global Customers, Kalmar, has worked with Ilkka since the early 1990s and recalls him as a team leader who always found a way to get things done.

"Once in the early 2000s in Belgium, I got an urgent call to meet with one of our key customers who was looking to finalize a major deal for fifty-two straddle carriers at very short notice," Damien recalls. "The only problem was that it was December 24th, which is of course a public holiday in Finland, so I was frantically trying to get in touch with colleagues in Finland but couldn't reach anyone. Ilkka was the only one who picked up the phone and we ended up having a three-hour meeting with the customer with Ilkka on the phone from Finland. If it hadn't been for him, we never would have closed the deal."

Damien's colleague Vincent Josse, currently Data Scientist in the Analytics and AI team,
recalls a similar story from the same period. "At the time, I was the technical director of Kalmar Belgium and we had some technical problems on the machines with our biggest customer. We couldn't resolve the issue until I told the customer that Ilkka was coming to Belgium. This was a great relief for them, as they knew then that a solution would be found. This tells everything about Ilkka's professionalism."

"Ilkka is the person from whom I've learned most in this business, and he has been invaluable as a mentor, adds Henri Hannula, Head of Heavy Cranes Support, Kalmar. "Ilkka has an unmatched breadth and depth of knowledge and has always worked for the best of the company. He is really quick to find a solution for any problem and is always there to help both team members and customers."

Ilkka has an unmatched breadth and depth of knowledge and has always worked for the best of the company. He is really quick to find a solution for any problem and is always there to help both team members and customers.

Changing the future

Ilkka Annala is widely known throughout the industry for his remarkable breadth of expertise that spans nearly the entire range of Kalmar's offering. However, he is most recognized for his contribution to the development of the Kalmar straddle carrier, which has even earned him the nickname of "Mr. Straddle Carrier" with customers.

"Our long-term customers regularly ask whether Ilkka is still at Kalmar," says Marko Hopeaharju, Head of Horizontal Transportation Solutions. "It's very unusual to find someone with this level of knowledge, all the way from manually operated equipment to terminal automation and beyond. For myself and many others at Kalmar, he has been a true mentor who has helped us do things better through his own experience."

For myself and many others at Kalmar, he has been a true mentor who has helped us do things better through his own experience.

Arto Keskinen, President, Horizontal Division, Kalmar, has worked with Ilkka for well over a decade, and appreciates his laser-sharp focus both with customers and colleagues. "Any time you needed to calculate something, Ilkka was always there with the answer. He is great at identifying potential problems and hidden risks in almost any scenario – and of course he’s usually right! Ilkka has definitely made a huge contribution to Kalmar's products and business over the years, and his experience and knowledge will not be easily replaced."

Ilkka has definitely made a huge contribution to Kalmar's products and business over the years, and his experience and knowledge will not be easily replaced.

Taking it easy

After retiring, Ilkka plans to spend time fixing up his summer cottage as well as with his numerous hobbies, which include golf, jogging, skiing and working on his classic car, a 1990 Ford Mustang GT. "The goal is to take it easy, but there will be a lot to keep me busy," he says with a smile.

Beyond his career accomplishments, Ilkka is remembered fondly within Kalmar and among customers for his countless quips and witticisms, cutting directly to the heart of the matter and usually delivered with deadpan humour. A favourite quote recalled by his colleagues? "You can't change history, only the future."