Alexandre Saubot receiving the award from Gilles Poncet

The CEO of telehandler manufacturer Haulotte Group, Alexandre Saubot, has been named 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year for the Rhône-Alpes area.

Saubot received the award from Gilles Poncet, manager of Fortis Bank France Lyon Business Centre. Also present at the September 25 ceremony was Marcel Deruv, Lyon Ville de l'Entrepreneuriat president and head of the judging panel.

Haulotte spokeswoman Carine Ploton says the award is the French version of the famous US "Entrepreneur of the Year" prize.

Organised by Ernst & Young and l'Entrepreneur Magazine, the award recognises sustained turnover growth, sustained profitability improvement and employee growth.

The 15th award was sponsored by Fortis, Kadeos, Microsoft, and endorsed by LCI, Figaro and Radio Classique.

Saubot will compete at the national final at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on 16 October.

Haulotte Group's sales increased 31% from EUR236.9 million (USD334.9 million) to EUR310.2 million (USD438.5 million) and operating profit jumped 46% from EUR40.3 million (USD57.0 million) to EUR58.8 million (USD83.1 million) for the first six months of 2007.

Haulotte said last month it was looking to expand its sales network with new subsidiaries in the Middle East and South America before the end of the year.