Manitou UK is celebrating 40 years of operations throughout 2012.

The wholly owned subsidiary of the French group was the first export company formed by Manitou in 1972 under the name of Manitou Site Lift. Since then, it has achieved more than 46000 machine unit sales and carved out a market-leading position in the UK and Ireland.

Marcel Braud, the creator of the first Manitou forklift and chairman of Manitou, visited the Manitou UK offices in April as part of the anniversary celebrations. Mr Braud was met at the Verwood offices by a fully restored MB25C forklift, which was manufactured in 1972.

Ivor Binns, CEO of Manitou UK, presented an original sales ledger document from 1972 detailing the purchase of the restored MB25C, which was the 20th Manitou forklift sold in the UK, to Marcel Braud.

Looking ahead, Mr Binns predicts even further growth for Manitou in the UK. "Our goal is to provide a fully comprehensive product range of top quality machinery which enables us to drive the company forward. Further opportunities will be created by the development of new industrial equipment providing increased market potential to fuel our expansion strategy," he explained.

The manufacturer of rough terrain machinery plans to explore new opportunities in the industrial and powered access sectors.

Manitou Group recently acquired the Gehl and Mustang brands, giving the UK subsidiary further opportunity to grow its portfolio of machinery in the skid steer loader, articulated loader and tracked dumper sector.

Manitou UK will celebrate its anniversary with its dealer network in September.