The MHT 10210 will be launched at CONEXPO-CON/AGG.

Manitou Group experienced double-digit growth in its 2007 net sales, as it predicted early last year (Forkliftaction.com News #295).

Total equipment sales increased 12% from EUR1,128 million (USD1,651 million) in 2006 to EUR1,263 million (USD1,849 million) in 2007. Sales in France rose 9% from EUR423 million (USD619 million) to EUR463 million (USD678 million) while sales in other EU countries jumped 16% from EUR543 million (USD795 million) to EUR629 million (USD921 million). In "other regions", sales climbed 6% from EUR162 million (USD237 million) to EUR171 million (USD250 million).

Rough-terrain forklift sales increased 9% to EUR857 million (USD1,255 million) with construction sector sales "holding up" and agricultural sector sales rising. Industrial forklift and warehouse equipment sales rose 33% to EUR89 million (USD130 million).

Manitou's access platform sales rose 40% to EUR88 million (USD129 million) and revenues generated by services were 34% higher at EUR31 million (USD45 million).

The group experienced production and delivery delays due to difficulties in component sourcing but says the problem is being "stabilised".

Manitou's objectives for 2008 include boosting its international presence, consolidating its position as a world-leading manufacturer of rough-terrain forklifts and telehandlers, renewing and expanding its product range, improving its component sourcing, completing reorganisation programmes it initiated two years ago and maintaining margins at high levels.

Achieving these goals would boost Manitou's consolidates sales by about 10%, the group says.

Manitou will be launching its latest telehandler product, the MHT 10210, at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas from 11 to 15 March.

The telehandler can lift 46,000lbs (20,865kg) at a 36-inch (914mm) load centre and has a maximum lift height of 31' 8" (9.7 metres). Its capacity at maximum height is 28,600lb (12,972kg) at a 36-inch (914mm) load centre.

The heavy telehandler shares many of the same features as the MHT 10160, which will also be introduced at the trade show (Forkliftaction.com News #343). A Manitou spokeswoman says the MHT 10210 succeeds the MHT 10160 as the "world's largest rough-terrain telehandler" with its 46,000lb (20,865kg) capacity.