Manitex International Inc of Bridgeview reports its Liftking materials handling operation received specialised forklift orders with total value of about USD12.6 million. The US and international armed forces and an international agency are procuring the forklifts.

Shipments of specialised forklifts in the quarter ending 31 December 2009 from these and earlier announced orders are expected to be approximately USD6 million.

"Orders from the military have been an important component of the Liftking business," says Bob Litchev, president of materials handling operations for publicly traded Manitex. "We are particularly pleased to have been able to extend our forklift product offering to other new international customers and secure our first long-term contract with an international agency. Under this three-year contract, which has a two-year extension option, we will supply completed units and spare parts."

Mark Aldrovandi comments: "Our long-standing relationship with the Canadian and US military, with over 1,500 units in service, provides the foundation for demonstrating the rugged capability and performance of our specialised forklifts" and has enabled Manitex to make sales to new customers in Europe and a key international agency." Aldrovandi is responsible for Manitex military, government and international agency sales.

On 10 July, Manitex acquired Badger Equipment Co of Winona, Minnesota (Forkliftaction.com News #419).