INTERVIEW
24
commercial chassis. That takes the boom
truck further into the RT and truck crane
market, and which means that the market
is expanding, and that’s a good thing.
The traditional boom truck market will
continue with the sectors that it supports.
The general construction market in North
America is starting to show some signs
of recovery. We’ve started to see rental
activity for the lower tonnage cranes
increase. The energy sector went through
rapid expansion, although that has cooled
off slightly as the products are being
absorbed into new markets. We see an
overall very positive market continuing
for boom trucks.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT COMPETITIVE
BOOM TRUCK COMPANIES COMING OUT WITH
THE HIGHER CAPACITY BOOM TRUCKS?
It’s a positive thing. Historically Manitex
had a reputation for development and
innovation. We did see a break out with
the 50-ton boom truck and we see a
continuation with the 70-tonner, which
we are very excited about. The capability
of those products are impressive, and
as customers and competitors see that,
if they are successful, they will follow.
Competitors have followed and that’s
a good thing. Healthy competition in
the marketplace is good. It validates the
market and helps it grow.
HOW IS THE MANITEX-BADGER CRANE LINE
PERFORMING? WHAT’S BEEN THE RECEPTION
TO THE NEW CD 4415 CAB DOWN INDUSTRIAL
CRANE?
Badger has this great longevity and
history in cranes. When we acquired the
company, we launched the Badger 4430,
which has been very successful in the
rail sector. The CD 4415 is a continued
ACT
FEBRUARY 2014
The Valla precision pick and carry crane
also brings in new attributes such as
electric power. This gives us capability to
add those type of products and capability
to existing products in an area that has
opportunity for growth.
Many years ago, we had a relatively small
exposure to the energy sector. Through
our targeted product development we
have been able to extend our presence
into the energy sector in North America
and internationally as well. The Sabre
acquisition strengthens and deepens our
relationships in the energy sector.
MANITEX HAS MADE STRIDES IN INCREASING
MARKET SHARE IN THE BOOM TRUCK MARKET,
ESPECIALLY WITH THE HIGHER CAPACITY
MODELS. WHAT’S THE OUTLOOK FOR THE BOOM
TRUCK MARKET IN YOUR VIEW?
I think I would characterize it as a
market that has evolved over a number
of years, and I think it will continue to
evolve, particularly in the higher 50 and
70-ton capacities. Whether you call it a
boom truck or a telescopic truck crane,
the distinguishing factor is that it’s on a
The Manitex Badger CD
4415 was designed to
replace the old Galion cab
down industrial cranes that
are no longer produced.
Manitex International and his take on
what it takes to enjoy success.
IT HAS BEEN JUST OVER 10 YEARS
SINCE MANITEX WAS PURCHASED FROM
MANITOWOC CRANES AND ALMOST
EIGHT YEARS SINCE THE COMPANY
BECAME PUBLICLY TRADED. HOW DO YOU
CHARACTERIZE THE PAST DECADE FOR THE
COMPANY?
We have certainly evolved and grown
throughout this period of time and done
so in many ways. We moved from being
a single company, Manitex, to a much
broader range company with products
and product lines, and each of those lines
have grown. We’ve done that through
product development, innovation and
some strategic acquisitions. One of the
attributes we think is important for us
is that we’ve always prided ourselves
on listening to the customer and what
he is looking for, whether that’s certain
attributes of a product or more general
input like aiming for bigger capacities.
This has helped us to target product
innovation and growth, and we have been
able to be successful doing that.
We launched the first 50-ton boom
truck in 2007, and this has evolved the
boom truck business from the smaller
tonnages into the lower end of the bigger
crane capacities, into the rough terrain
crane market and the truck crane market.
That has been important for us. We’ve
broadened up from just a boom truck
company. We have RTs and truck cranes,
and now with Valla we have precision pick
and carry cranes. We’ve greatly broadened
our portfolio of lifting products over that
10-year period, so we can satisfy more
customers and be a bigger supplier to
customers that have broader needs. We’ve
added other products into the portfolio
where there is opportunity for growth and
synergy.
