Manitou Group will cease operations in Waco, Texas at the end of March, 2021 and consolidate most of the United States production in South Dakota.

The J. Rene Lafond team celebrates its award

The move is aimed at "optimising its production capacities within the United States," according to a company statement.

Production of articulated loaders will be consolidated in Yankton, one of its two factories in South Dakota, where 50 new positions will be created. Forklift production will be moved to Beaupréau, France.

The North American importing platform will be concentrated in Baltimore, Maryland.

"The rationalisation of its US footprint and a streamlined operation will allow the group to boost its performance to always maintain innovation and service to US customers for the future. Strengthening the Manitou Group position in the US remains its key market strategy target," the statement notes.

"Our priority now is to assist our 148 employees based in Waco with job searches, including providing resume assistance and connecting employees to resources offered by the Texas Workforce Commission," says Alexandre Caharel, VP of the compact and articulated loaders

Separately, Manitou Group has recognised J. Rene Lafond, located in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, with a Manitou 2019 Top Dealer Award, as well as the overall Top Dealer Award from Manitou North America. The award is based on its overall sales performance, commitment and customer support of Manitou equipment.

"It is an honour to award J. Rene Lafond as a Top Manitou Dealer in 2019, and overall Top Dealer for Manitou North America," says Scott McGuigan, Manitou managing director - east. "J. Rene Lafond has done an excellent job of growing their market and is one of our most loyal partners in our dealer channel."

J. Rene Lafond has been in business for 47 years. It started as a dedicated agriculture dealer and, in 2008, expanded into industrial and construction. In 2014, it introduced Manitou products into its offering, and is now a full line dealer for Manitou, including compact equipment.

"I am sincerely proud to receive this great honour after only three years managing the Manitou product sales at J. Rene Lafond. The efforts we put in as a group and the expertise of every member of the team really helped us grow a solid reputation in the market for heavy equipment," says Louis Simard, sales manager at J. Rene Lafond. "We always have the solutions for the customer in front of us, whatever the situation is. Manitou is a big part of the J. René Lafond family."