CAT Finning FC fp ad.indd - Plant & Civil Engineer

are suited to a wide variety of
applications on construction sites
as well as on industrial sites.
Also on display were three new
futuristic concepts: a masted
forklift truck, a telehandler
with a fixed chassis, and a
self-propelled platform.
During the course of our visit we
also heard how Manitou has been
developing materials handling
solutions suited to customer’s
specific needs; especially
with new markets where it
recognizes sources of growth,
like in mines and quarries, the
environment, and oil markets
where it offers specific machine
and accessories solutions.
As Manitou told us, “Taking
specific characteristics and needs
into account locally by adapting
tried and tested solutions is one
of our strong points. A telehandler
with a working height of 14
metres and a load capacity of 4
tonnes would not be configured
in the same way for customers
working in Northern Europe
as it would for those working
in Australia or even Southern
Asia. Not only are the standards
different, the machines are
used and acquired differently.”
GEHL V400 skidsteer
GEHL V270 skidsteer with cutting attachment
And on business and trading
partnerships, Manitou had this
to say: “When appropriate, the
group calls upon the recognized
know-how of partners who offer
high-quality, reliable products
which are in line with our values.
Examples include the mutual
agreement between Manitou
and Terex, Gehl and Yanmar,
and Manitou and Tanfield,
and our new MI industrial
range is even manufactured
at the Hangcha plant.”
Trading
Performance
While things are undoubtedly
getting more and more difficult
in Southern Europe, Northern
Europe, US, and Asia are showing
resilient signs for positive
business. That was the message
from Jean-Christophe Giroux,
Manitou President & CEO.
“Q1’12 comes in as the
prolongation of the 2011
momentum, to substantiate
our 2012 operating plan. The
combination of growing revenue,
sustained order intake and high
backlog provides some good
visibility for H1 and even beyond.
“At the same time, we are happy
to see the first results in our
internal reforms, with a better
appreciation for end-demand
and a more fluid operational
chain. Irrespective of the unstable
environment, we are positive
2012 will be for Manitou the
year of the Refoundation, with
a new performance to sustain
our mid-term ambitions.”
The Rough Terrain Handling
(RTH) Division posted revenue of
€221.4m, up 16% compared with
Q1’11. Manitou says construction
continues to progress, thanks
to seasonal and rental firms
pull effect. Growth comes from
Northern Europe and Americas
primarily while Southern Europe
shows some early slow-down
signals associated with the
general economic environmnent.
Agriculture also continues to be
healthy outside Southern Europe.
The Industrial Material Handling
(IMH) Division generated revenue
of €40.7m, up 20% vs. Q1’11.
Forklift trucks, warehousing and
masts sub-contracting activities
went quite well in all areas.
However, adds Manitou, the
launch outside France of the
new Industrial forklift range taps
a new expansion potential in a
more uncertain environment.
With revenue of €53.6m, the
Compact Equipment (CE) Division,
Manitou MH25-4T
Manitou MHT-X 10225L
meanwhile, registered 31%
increase vs. last year. In North
America rental firms motivated
by renewal needs and a better
construction market are back
to an unseen level of activity
over a 3 year period of time. In
Europe, the Division continues to
organize its distribution structure
and suffers from a deep market
slowdown in Southern Europe.
Plant & Civil EnginEER
The Manitou & GEHL
Telehandler lineup
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