Haulotte sees growth return to global lifting

712 Haulotte, the global manufacturer of people and material lifting equipment, reported growth across its business in 2016 and expressed an optimistic view of the market for 2017 at CONEXPO-CON/AGG.

Company revenues for 2016 were €457.8 million, representing a 3% growth in equipment and rental sales, and 10% growth in the company's financial services arm.

Overall, the global market for lifting equipment was stable in 2016, with growth in North America and Europe balancing the decline in Latin America and the Middle East. “We have seen a return of investment by rental companies, especially in Europe,” says Alexandre Saubot, chief operating officer of the company.

He added that the company's forecast for the market in 2017 was positive overall, with continued recovery in the US and Europe expected. The Middle East also shows signs of improvement, with China and Asia-Pacific looking good. There is a consensus that the market in Latin America has bottomed out and should return to growth by 2018, he says.