ETALI Group, a new UK-based company, is setting up a forklift production plant in Saudi Arabia, according to a local press report.

The company aims to compete with industry giants such as Kalmar, Linde, Hyster, Caterpillar and Sany in the medium- and heavy-duty forklift market, the Arab News said.

The 7,650-sq-m facility will be built on a six-acre site at King Abdullah Economic City near Rabigh, with a 360-sq-m showroom next to it. Construction work is expected to be completed next year, with production runs starting in the second quarter.

Etali plans to train more than 200 young Saudis in forklift design, and assembly work, it added.

This plant will assemble modulars to be sold globally. The models will range from 10,000 kg to 52,000 kg empty and laden container handling forklifts and laden container handling reach stackers.

Etali claims that its forklifts will "completely overturn conventional design parameters with its novel concept to provide productivity, comfort and economy".