Manitex buys Italian firm, reports higher sales

News Story
- 14 Nov 2013 ( #642 ) - Bridgeview, IL, United States
1 min read
Vella's products service a niche between the markets for forklifts and mobile cranes.
Vella's products service a niche between the markets for forklifts and mobile cranes.
Manitex International Inc has agreed in principle to acquire mobile industrial crane manufacturer Valla SpA of Calendasco, Italy.

Valla reported 2012 sales of USD7.5 million and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of USD700,000 for its line of precision pick-and-carry cranes with lifting capacities from 2.5-90 T. Valla was founded in 1945 and positions its line in a niche between the markets for forklifts and mobile cranes.

Manitex disclosed the agreement with Valla last week. Terms were withheld, but the parties expect to complete the transaction quickly.

Manitex envisions the Valla line complementing its niche crane offerings and extending its product portfolio.
In the financial report for the second quarter ended 30 September, Manitex says it recorded profit of USD2.6 million on sales of USD57.5 million. The company had a profit of USD2.5 million on sales of USD53.4 million in the prior year's comparable quarter.

"Despite a very slow overall economic environment, we posted another solid quarter of growth," says David Langevin, chairman and chief executive officer of Bridgeview-based Manitex.

Langevin credits the higher sales primarily to boom truck cranes, up 19%, and equipment distribution, up 34%, and a USD2.1 million contribution from its USD14 million acquisition of mobile tank maker Sabre Manufacturing LLC of Knox, Indiana on 19 August.

"These increases were partially offset by lower revenues from materials handling equipment," Langevin reports. The Manitex Liftking UTC subsidiary in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada makes materials handling equipment including Noble straight-mast rough-terrain forklifts, Lowry high-capacity cushion-tyred forklifts, Schaeff electric indoor forklifts, specialised carriers, heavy materials handling transporters and steel mill equipment.

The backlog at 30 September was USD96.7 million, "providing some helpful visibility into the next few quarters", says Andrew Rooke, president and chief operating officer.
Briefs
Briefs 10 Jul 2025 - 1 min read
Best Line and Burwell expand in US
Best Line and Burwell expand in US 10 Jul 2025 - United States - 1 min read
Briefs
Briefs 26 Jun 2025 - 1 min read
Previously about:
Manitex completes Valla acquisition News Story - 5 Dec 2013 - Bridgeview, IL, United States - 1 min read
Briefs News Story - 24 Oct 2013 - 2 min read
Manitex raising funds through sale of stock News Story - 3 Oct 2013 - Bridgeview, IL, United States - 1 min read
Manitex completes Valla acquisition News Story - 5 Dec 2013 - Bridgeview, IL, United States - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

PREMIUM business

Bolzoni SpA (Group HQ)
Manufacturer of Lift Truck Attachments, Forks and Lift Tables, with the most extensive range in the market.

“Over the years, your platform has played a key role in expanding our global presence — connecting us with industry professionals and promoting our advanced products, including our 50T electric forklift...Forkliftaction has helped us stay informed and competitive in a rapidly evolving market…”  - Bill Cai, Director, Overseas Division, Fujian Southchina Heavy Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd

Thanks for your support! Read the full testimonial & more industry messages ♥ here.

Words of support …

Thanks to advertising with Forkliftaction, GemOne has experienced a significant enhancement in our online presence. Working with Forkliftaction has enabled us to boost engagement with our targeted audience, resulting in an increase in information requests and downloads of valuable materials from our website. Forkliftaction has consistently delivered outstanding results, helping us to effectively connect with the right audience.

Justine Lootens, CEO

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

“Over the years, your platform has played a key role in expanding our global presence — connecting us with industry professionals and promoting our advanced products, including our 50T electric forklift...Forkliftaction has helped us stay informed and competitive in a rapidly evolving market…”  - Bill Cai, Director, Overseas Division, Fujian Southchina Heavy Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd

Thanks for your support! Read the full testimonial & more industry messages ♥ here.

PREMIUM business

Lift Technologies Inc.
Global leader - manufactures masts, carriages, sideshifters & fork positioners

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Inside The News
As part of Forkliftaction’s 25th anniversary celebrations, we have dug into the archive and, over the next year, will be highlighting a carefully curated selection of historical stories we have published over this time... Continue reading

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

“Over the years, your platform has played a key role in expanding our global presence — connecting us with industry professionals and promoting our advanced products, including our 50T electric forklift...Forkliftaction has helped us stay informed and competitive in a rapidly evolving market…”  - Bill Cai, Director, Overseas Division, Fujian Southchina Heavy Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd

Thanks for your support! Read the full testimonial & more industry messages ♥ here.