Hiab wins giant military order

Hiab will deliver the first the of the truck mounted units in the first quarter of this year. (Photo: Hiab)

Hiab has secured a giant hooklift and crane order with Finland-based passenger and commercial vehicle distributor Veho Oy Ab, part of Veho Group. 

The equipment manufacturer will install 135 of its MULTILIFT Ultima 21Z hooklifts and seven of its X-HiDuo 188 loader cranes, as well accessories, on a number of Mercedes-Benz trucks that Veho Oy will supply to the Finnish Defence Forces.

According to Finland’s Ministry of Defence, which placed the heavy vehicle order back in June of 2022, its agreement with distributor Veho also includes an option for Veho to purchase a further 127 hooklifts with installation from Hiab.

Hiab, which has a longstanding relationship with both Veho Oy and the Finnish Defence Forces, will also train the defence agency’s staff on the use and maintenance of the equipment.  

Mika Liinanotko, Director of Sales and Services, Hiab Finland, said, “The Finnish Defence Forces have to work under some of the world’s toughest climate conditions, and we are proud to help them with their material transportation needs.

“We have had a cooperation with them for several years, and they trust Hiab to supply customer-orientated, reliable equipment for their use.”

Hiab said it will start delivering the truck units in the first quarter of this year, and that it expects these to be completed in 2024. 

According to Finland’s Ministry of Defence, which also placed a vehicle order with Scania Suomi Oy as part of the heavy vehicle procurement, the combined pre-tax value of its orders with both Veho and Scania Suomi is about €34.9 million (US$37.5 million), not including the option for a further 127 units.