Manitou Group will invest EUR70 million (USD80 million) in its two North American manufacturing facilities in Yankton and Madison, South Dakota. This investment is to be spent on the extension of both sites, an innovation drive and the development of new ranges.

With an order book at an all-time high, Manitou is investing amid a period of sustainable growth. This new investment will initially finance the extension of the production facilities of Yankton (articulated loaders and telehandlers) and Madison (skid steers and track loaders) and subsequently fund the modernisation of industrial equipment. Elisabeth Ausimour, president of the product division, explains: “We have an extremely promising outlook on our markets, which entirely substantiates these investments. These new developments will enable us to absorb peaks in demand, permanently increase our production capacities and increase the safety of our workers, in particular by optimising flow management. Consequently, we expect to increase our output on these sites by more than 150% by 2026. These projects also fall within our low-carbon transition, through the development of new electric ranges.”

The Yankton facility will see its surface area increase by more than 6,000 sqm while more than 7,500 sqm of production space will be added at Madison.

Equipment upgrades will be applied to mechanical welding and assembly, with the notable additions of new welding robots and laser cutting machines.

To support its development, the group intends to hire 50 people at each of the sites between now and 2023, in job categories such as welders, assemblers, maintenance technicians and purchasers.

In parallel with the industrial investment which will account for approximately EUR50 million (USD57 million), nearly EUR20 million (USD23 million) will be dedicated to research and development. The group’s major R&D projects include accelerating the renewal of product ranges and designing electric compact loaders and telehandlers.