Manitou

Manitou is the flagship brand of Manitou Group, a French manufacturer of rough-terrain material handling and lifting equipment. The brand was born in 1958 in the small village of Ancenis, France, when founder Marcel Braud conceived the first all-terrain forklift truck by inverting the layout of a farm tractor, adding a lifting mast and hydraulic steering. This invention laid the foundation for a company that has grown into a global player with more than 60 years of experience, a presence in 140 countries, 10 production sites, and 7 spare parts logistics centres. Manitou's product range covers fixed and rotating telehandlers, rough-terrain and industrial forklifts, skid loaders and track loaders, mobile elevating work platforms, truck-mounted forklifts, backhoe loaders, and warehousing equipment, along with attachments and support services. The brand serves diverse markets including agriculture, construction, industry, mines, oil and gas, aeronautics, environment, defense, and rental companies. Its machines are designed to improve performance, increase user comfort, and reduce total cost of ownership and environmental impact. Manitou Group, headquartered in Ancenis, Loire-Atlantique, France, reported 2024 revenues of €2.4 billion and employs 6,000 people worldwide. The group operates three brands: Manitou, Gehl, and Mustang by Manitou. Manitou North America, a subsidiary based in West Bend, Wisconsin, supports a dealer network of more than 450 locations. The brand's global distribution is further supported by 1,300 sales outlets and 8 distribution centres located in France, Italy, USA, South Africa, Australia, Russia, Brazil, and Singapore. Manitou has a long history of innovation, from the first all-terrain forklift in 1958 to the introduction of the first telescopic forklift in 1982, rotating telehandlers in 1993, aerial work platforms in 1993, and truck-mounted forklifts in 1995. The brand continues to evolve, recently launching large-frame loaders and earning industry awards. Manitou Group is publicly listed on Euronext Paris under the ticker MTU.

The Manitou story began in 1958 in the small French village of Ancenis, when Marcel Braud came up with the principle of an original machine: inverting the layout of a farm tractor, adding a lifting mast and hydraulic steering. This created the first all-terrain forklift truck, a machine that would make the company a success and lead to its worldwide expansion. The name "Manitou" was chosen during a family brainstorming session, inspired by the idea of a forklift that "handles everything" and can be pronounced in any language, making it ideal for international growth. In 1982, the company expanded its range with the first telescopic forklift for the construction market, followed by an agricultural version in 1989. The 1990s saw further innovation: in 1993, Manitou launched its first rotating telehandler, the MRT 1540, which could turn 360 degrees and enhanced the offering for construction professionals. These MRTs were designed and produced in Castelfranco, Italy. Also in 1993, the company introduced its first aerial work platform, the 100 AE (articulated electric), with a lifting height of 10 metres. In 1995, Manitou added truck-mounted forklifts to its lineup, which became known in the logistics industry as "last-mile experts." By 1998, the company was offering all-terrain aerial work platforms for construction sites. Over the decades, Manitou Group grew into a global player with more than 60 years of experience, a presence in 140 countries, 10 production sites, and 7 spare parts logistics centres. The group operates three brands: Manitou, Gehl, and Mustang by Manitou. Manitou North America, a subsidiary based in West Bend, Wisconsin, supports a dealer network of more than 450 locations. The group's global distribution network includes 1,300 sales outlets and 8 distribution centres in France, Italy, USA, South Africa, Australia, Russia, Brazil, and Singapore. In 2024, Manitou Group reported revenues of €2.4 billion and employed 6,000 people worldwide. The brand continues to innovate, recently launching large-frame loaders and earning industry recognition. In April 2026, the group announced the passing of Jacqueline Himsworth, Chairman of the Board of Directors, at the age of 82.

• 2026

  Large-Frame Skid Steers and Track Loaders win 2026 Green Industry Pros Editor’s Choice Award.

• 2026

  Passing of Jacqueline Himsworth, Chairman of the Board of Directors, at age 82.

• 2024

  Manitou Group reports revenues of €2.4 billion and employs 6,000 people worldwide.

• 1998

  All-terrain aerial work platforms offered for construction sites.

• 1995

  Introduction of truck-mounted forklifts, known as "last-mile experts."

• 1993

  Launch of the first rotating telehandler, the MRT 1540, and the first aerial work platform, the 100 AE.

• 1989

  Agricultural version of the telescopic forklift introduced.

• 1982

  Launch of the first telescopic forklift for the construction market.

• 1958

  Marcel Braud invents the first all-terrain forklift truck in Ancenis, France, founding Manitou.

Global specialist in rough-terrain material handling and lifting solutions for construction, agriculture, and industry.

• Fixed telehandlers

  Rough-terrain fixed telehandlers for construction, agriculture, and industry.

• Rotating telehandlers

  360-degree rotating telehandlers, first introduced as the MRT 1540 in 1993.

• Mobile elevating work platforms

  Aerial work platforms ranging from 8 to 28 meters, first launched in 1993.

• Truck-mounted forklifts

  Machines for loading and unloading lorries, known as "last-mile experts."

• Skid loaders and track loaders

  Compact loaders, including the award-winning Large-Frame series.

• Mast forklifts

  Industrial and semi-industrial forklifts for warehousing and logistics.

1. 1Manitou - Handling, personnel liftingmanitou.com
2. 2Manitou history - Manitoumanitou.com
3. 3Our services - Manitoumanitou.com
4. 4Our company, our group - Manitoumanitou.com
5. 5Manitou Theatrewikidata.org
6. 6Manitou seeks layoffskhl.com