19.01.2012

Record backlog for Manitex

US boom truck, crane, aerial lift and heavy fork truck manufacturer Manitex has said that its backlog as of the end of December was $83.7 million, more than double what it was at this time last year and 33 percent up on the quarter.

The company said that the demand runs broadly across its product range and is largely domestically driven. Order intake has continued into the start of this year encouraging it to start organising materials and resource needs for further expansion in 2012.

Paul Gibson, general manager of Manitex said: "Demand for Manitex equipment, particularly our higher tonnage cranes, is being driven by continued activity in the North American energy sector. Our introduction of a new cab and crane operating system on the new higher tonnage machines have won immediate acceptance from our customers and provided a strong sales increase. In response to this demand we have expanded our internal North American sales force to sustain our business momentum as we head through 2012 and towards 2013."

Ron Clark, general manager of Manitex Load King, added: "Heightened activity in energy and associated construction projects, as well as in domestic and international mining and rail activity has resulted in strong heavy duty trailer demand particularly during the final quarter of the year. We intend to maintain this momentum with an output increase heading into 2012."