Manitou machines reach 200,000th milestone

The 200,000th machine has rolled off the Manitou production line in Ancennis, France.

The Manitou range of equipment first emerged in 1958, with the launch of the world’s first rough terrain forklift truck. This production milestone was therefore fittingly reached with the unveiling of an MI60H rough terrain machine.

Speaking at a production celebration, Marcel Claude Braud, chief executive officer and president of Manitou said the company had four strategic goals to fulfil. To increase sales – currently standing at 40,000 units per year – and market penetration; reinforce customer satisfaction; keep its workforce motivated and; maintain its strong financial structure.

To meet these goals, Braud said Manitou was launching a number of new machines for 2005 and a new corporate logo with immediate effect.

Three new Manitou forklift units will be launched next year, the MSI40H, MSI50H and MI70H. The Manihoe, seen as a prototype at this year’s SED will go into full production in January and two new articulated access platforms – the 160 ATJ and 180 ATJ – have been launched this month.

The company said the new access platforms would further strengthen its commitment to the Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWPs) sector. The UK, which is currently Manitou’s largest export market, has already taken a number of orders for the 16m working height ATJ 160.