Leap2Circular with Kalmar: Turning Circularity into Growth

Through the Leap2Circular project, Knowit worked with Kalmar, a forerunner in sustainable material handling solutions, to identify and quantify circular business initiatives that open new markets and revenue pools and anchor the next wave of profitable growth. The collaboration positions circularity as a core lever in Kalmar’s commercial strategy and operating model, aligned with its ambition to build a net-zero, circular value chain.

Leap2Circular identified mutually reinforcing core initiatives that shift the business from linear, one-life equipment sales towards a circular, multi-life operating model. For each initiative, a preliminary business impact analysis clarified how it creates value, key risks if not executed, and concrete next actions from business model design and P&L ownership to digital tracking, refurbishment standards and capability development. Also, the climate and circularity impact was carefully evaluated to ensure both sustainability and business benefits.

The work combined external market and regulatory analysis, benchmarking against circular frontrunners in other industries, and internal data on installed base, lifecycle performance and service attachment. In cross-functional sessions with business, product, service and finance leaders, the team modelled topline, margin and investment implications over different time horizons and defined clear recommendations and immediate next steps on business model, go-to-market, operating model and capabilities.

Kalmar’s experience shows how circularity can unlock new business opportunities. If you want to turn circularity into a tangible growth roadmap in your own business, get in touch with us to explore your next wave of profitable growth.