Manitou BF has predicted double-digit growth for 2007 net sales, after announcing a 14.5 per cent increase in consolidated net sales for 2006.

The French rough-terrain specialist achieved 2006 sales of EUR422.9 million (USD547.8 million) in France, EUR540.5 million (USD700.2 million) in other EU countries and EUR164.4 million (USD213.0 million) in other countries. The consolidated net sales figure was EUR1,127 million (USD1,460.0 million), up 14.5 per cent from 2005's EUR985.0 million (USD1,276.0 million).

A Manitou statement said "recent months" had seen "particularly strong growth" in Germany, the Benelux, Spain, Italy and newcomers to the European Union.

"Outside the EU, the group is enjoying the fruits of efforts it made to speed the rate of its expansion in those countries with strong growth potential."

Manitou would not elaborate on efforts to promote growth outside the EU.

In the statement, Manitou included "speeding up expansion of the industrial forklift and warehouse truck sectors" as a 2007 objective.

Growth in net sales of about 10 per cent was predicted for 2007.