Brazil, a key for development

Worldwide manufacturer of telehandlers inaugurates its first plant in the country, keeping an eye on FINAME benefits and in agriculture, construction and mining markets

Manitou Group, one of the main worldwide manufacturers of material handling equipment is starting to build its history in Brazil inaugurating a plant at Vinhedo, in the inland of the state of São Paulo. The inauguration occurred in August 24 and brought to the country the main international executives of the group: Michel Denis, President & CEO of the company, Francois Piffard, sales and marketing vice-president of Manitou Group; Fernando Mira, president of the MHA (Material Handling & Access) Division, Marco Iotti, Managing Director and Nicolas Beaunieux, VP/Project Management Office, as well as Marcelo Bracco, operating director in Brazil. They all together explained the interest of the company by the Brazilian market, in spite of the current recession.

“We are not looking to the current Brazilian market which undoubtedly decreased strongly in all areas. But we have in mind the Brazilian potential when this economic moment is passed over, which is so big. Brazil is a key for the development of Manitou”, highlighted Denis. Piffard compared the process of installation in Brazil with the advancement of the group in the Russian market, carried out in a gradual way and completely consolidated in the current days. And he also emphasized the good projections for the area of mechanized agriculture, leaded by the company in Europe but still untapped in Brazil. The Group works in three main areas: Construction (41%), Agriculture (34%) and Industry (25%). It has a portfolio of machines such as forklifts, skid steer loaders and aerial working platforms.

“Currently, the main market in this area is Europe, which has a fully mechanized agriculture. We see wide perspectives in Brazil, which has a strong agriculture where this process still did not start”, said him.  Piffard highlighted also that Brazil is receiving the ninth plant of the group, the first in Latin America. France has four plants, United States has three, Italy has one and Russia did not receive any unit. “This shows how Brazil is important for us. Our focus is the Brazilian market. Of course we may eventually attend other countries of Latin America but our focus is to grow in Brazil”, emphasized him.