04.10.2025

New VP international sales for MEC

California based MEC aerial work platforms, has appointed Laurent Montenay as vice president, international sales and operations. He will take over from Pat Witte who is retiring after nine years with the company, having started in August 2016.

Montenay has been working with the company since early last year, apparently on a consulting basis, but has now formally joined the business and its senior leadership team. Based in Bonn, Germany he worked with JLG for more than 17 years, having started out in 2006 as an area sales manager in France, and was promoted to director of sales and product support working with the Caterpillar Alliance group. That all changed in 2012 when he replaced Kai Schliephake as Geschäftsführer (managing director) of its German distribution business, a post he held until leaving in 2023. He started out his equipment career in 2003 as a district sales manager with Komatsu Europe, moving to JLG three years later.

President David White said: “Pat was one of the driving forces behind MEC’s growth. He joined the company in 2016 when we were a very small, niche player and brought energy, customer relationships, and sales strategy to global business development – especially in North America. His breadth and depth of experience working with rental companies and equipment dealers from his tenures at Genie, JLG and Simon Aerials as well as serving on IPAF’s domestic and international councils was invaluable to MEC’s growth. Pat helped attract additional industry talent and built what has become a great sales team. I thank Pat for his dedication and contribution to MEC and wish him well in a much deserved retirement.”

Pat Witte added: “I have had the pleasure of working with Laurent over the past year as we have prepared for this transition. His operational knowledge, product knowledge and industry experience will serve MEC well as the company grows with its customers.”