Elisabeth Ausimour

Elisabeth Ausimour was recently appointed president, materials handling and access division, and a member of the group executive committee at Manitou. She shared some observations with Forkliftaction News.

FLA: Prior to this appointment, what has been your biggest achievement?
EA: My greatest achievement to date is the Candé plant dedicated to AWP that I had the opportunity to manage from 2011 to 2016.
We have made this product line a growth driver for Manitou Group by working with sales and marketing teams to define products and markets strategy, prepare industrial capacities and improve quality and safety. This has leveraged this range to a premium positioning.
Since 2015, AWP sales have increased threefold.

FLA: What excites you most about the materials handling industry?
EA: To work with a family-owned company, manufacturing finished products, makes us passionate about our fantastic range.

FLA: What is the most significant change you have seen in the industry in your time?
EA: Manitou Group has expanded its territories and range portfolio to ensure its sustainability toward cyclic markets. This resilience has allowed the group to leverage its investments in research and innovation but also in manufacturing facilities. Our ability to innovate makes our product range an undisputed leader in its market. Over the last few years, the strategic priorities of the group have integrated service as a leveraging axle for our profitability and added value for customers. It deals with a drastic mindset change from selling products to selling solutions.

FLA: What is the biggest opportunity that you see in your new role?
EA: Manitou will have to face, within the next few years, some disruptions (technology, environmental, industrial, etc.) and we have the responsibility to be prepared. Working with talented and committed teams to anticipate these evolutions is an impassioning challenge.

FLA: Can you share one piece of information about yourself which would surprise our readers?
EA: I often provide my teams with books on personal development. I have the feeling it allows them to know each other better, to achieve fulfilment through their missions, and to be aware that their differences are a wealth of complementarity for the team because success can only be collective!