Lifting solutions provider Manitex International has announced some significant recent orders, worth USD1.9 million, for specialised materials handling equipment from two new international military customers, one of which is the Royal Australian Air Force. The orders increase the number of international agency and military customers supplied by its Liftking division to 11, including USA, Canada, UK, Spain, China, Australia and Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, Manitex International's Italian subsidiary, CVS Ferrari srl, recently secured orders for USD3.1 million of reach stacker equipment from a port operator in Brazil, marking its return to this vibrant and growing market. The majority of these orders will ship before the end of the year.

Commenting on the Manitex Liftking orders, Mark Aldrovandi, who is responsible for Manitex Liftking's military, governmental and international agency sales, attributes the orders to "our long and successful track record of supplying mission-critical equipment, designed, tested and efficiently performing to the military's rigorous requirements and extreme operating conditions".

"With testing completed on our own test track located at our Toronto facility, we are able to perform detailed performance evaluations to tight deadlines, and provide rapid turnaround and delivery, Additionally, notwithstanding the inherently unpredictable ordering pattern of military customers in general, we believe there is a current built-up demand for our product in the field, and we expect that these orders are a precursor for more to follow this year."

The CVS Ferrari orders represent an important re-emergence in a market that historically had been very strong for the CVS product. The new direction implemented by Manitex and CVS Ferrari supported by Porto Brazil, a newly appointed dealer in Sao Paolo, Brazil, has emphasised newly enhanced service, support and prompt delivery. These factors combined with the technical attributes of the CVS Ferrari reach stacker led directly to securing these orders.

Stefano Mercati, general manager of CVS Ferrari srl, notes that "from the time Manitex took control of the CVS business approximately one year ago, a key focus for our sales and marketing efforts has been to regain our presence in the very active Brazilian port operations with their increasing levels of activity and investment. These orders demonstrate that the Brazilian market has recognised that CVS's products and support are highly competitive, and offer customers a superior package for their highly demanding requirements.

"This market has great potential, and with the existing substantial CVS population of almost 200 units in the field, we believe our re-emergence in this market with new operations and initiatives presents us with a very attractive opportunity going forward."