ROCLA OYJ PRESS RELEASE 15.2.2007 at 11.10 ROCLA HUMANIC TRUCKS ARE AT THE APEX OF CURRENT FINNISH DESIGN Humanic was awarded the Fennia Prize Grand Prix design award on Thursday. In addition to the Grand Prix, Rocla received an honorary mention for its TP20ac truck. The Fennia Prize is the most esteemed, internationally recognised Finnish design competition. Participating companies either produce designed goods or use design in other ways in their operations. The aim of the biannual Fennia Prize is to support Finnish manufacture of high- quality products and promote the competitiveness and internationalisation of Finnish industry. Thereby, the objective is to encourage Finnish companies to apply design in a comprehensive and interactive manner in their product development, manufacture and corporate image. This year, some 70 products competed for the Grand Prix. TASK: PRODUCING THE BEST TRUCK IN THE WORLD Humanic reach trucks make use of the most significant innovation to appear in the industry for decades. Their Integral mast is simpler than competing designs, takes up less room and has a stronger structure. Rocla's Design Manager, Petteri Masalin, participated in the design of the models from the very beginning. "Traditionally, a designer is called in only when the engineers' finished product needs to be given a cosmetic makeover. We had a different approach. First, we conducted comprehensive research on what truck drivers need, prefer and would like to see. We also studied the spaces in which the trucks were being used. The results served as the basis for the design of the truck", Masalin says. A more spacious driver's compartment, several lockers for daily used items and controls which enable a very comfortable driving position are concrete examples of the benefits of the trucks' user-centric design. "It is also important that users regard Humanic trucks as appealing and reliable," Masalin points out. For Rocla, the Humanic models are a step towards realising the company's vision. "We want to be a pioneer that changes the rules of the industry. A new approach to industrial design forms part of this vision. Three years ago, Mr. Masalin was given the task of designing the best truck in the world and the Fennia Prize Grand Prix proves that we have created something truly unique," says Rocla's CEO Jussi Muikku. Rocla Oyj Rocla Oyj is a listed Finnish company that develops, manufactures and markets intelligent solutions and services for materials handling applications. Rocla's own truck models and services are complemented by Cat® counterbalance trucks. Rocla's activities are based on customer-oriented service, innovation and the continuous development of operations. Rocla's net sales in 2006 were E 104.4 million and the company employed 489 people. More information: Petteri Masalin, Design Manager, Rocla Oyj, tel. + 358 20 7781 319, +358 40 5114 927 Jussi Muikku, CEO, Rocla Oyj, + 358 20 7781 370, +358 400 946 905 www.rocla.com
ROCLA HUMANIC TRUCKS ARE AT THE APEX OF CURRENT FINNISH DESIGN
| Source: Rocla Oyj