The US Navy has awarded a third contract for military-specification equipment to Manitex International Inc's Liftking ULC subsidiary.

The orders are valued at USD30 million to USD45 million over five years.

Fulfilling the contract will require some engineering and custom forklift configurations and a thorough performance testing protocol, including electromagnetic interference and high-impact shock testing. First deliveries are projected for late 2015 or early 2016.

Mark Aldrovandi, director of sales for Manitex Liftking, says: "We are proud to be a supplier of choice to the US Navy for material handling equipment."

Jeff Cockerton, general manager of Manitex Liftking, in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, says: "With this third contract award, we have a very solid level of military business for our Canadian facility that will provide a foundational platform for our growth over the next five years. Our business with this important customer continues to grow."

Publicly traded Manitex International is based in Bridgeview, Illinois.