COVID-19 continues to impact on materials handling sales, with Haulotte Group reporting a revenue slump of 23% in the third quarter - to EUR102.4 million (USD120.5 million).

At the end of September 2020, the company recorded sales worth EUR325.1 million (USD382.58 million) - down 32% from the same time last year.

In Europe, where almost all markets continue to show a sharp decline, Haulotte's cumulative sales were down 34% compared to 2019.

In the Asia Pacific, the market situation is similar to Europe, with the exception of China which continues to grow strongly, thereby enabling the group to post a 20% decline in sales at the end of September compared with last year.

The trend observed in North America in the first half of the year remained unchanged at the end of September. In one of the regions hardest hit by the health crisis, the group's aerial work platforms business continued to resist the trend, declining by 12%. Group sales in this zone were down 25% at the end of September for all activities.

In Latin America, where the economic situation remains complicated, the group's year-to-date sales dropped 51% compared with the previous year. At the end of September 2020, equipment sales were down 33%, services business fell 17% and rental activity was significantly down - by 43%, impacted by the health situation in Latin America.

Looking ahead, directors point to market uncertainty, where the lack of visibility remains a reality. They anticipate a sales drop of 25% to 30% in 2020 and a positive current operating income (excluding exchange fluctuations) at year-end.