Manitou Group, a world leader in material handling and compact equipment and Yanmar Co. LTD, a global manufacturer of diesel engines and a broad range of compact equipment announced the formation of a strategic alliance. The two companies have had a successful long-standing partnership including the use of Yanmar engines in Gehl and Mustang branded compact equipment manufactured by Manitou in the United States.

Initially as part of the alliance, Manitou will launch a line of compact excavators manufactured by Yanmar, under the Gehl and Mustang brands for the North American sales region. Manitou is confident that this new line of excavators provided by Yanmar will thoroughly meet the needs of its customers in both value and features for this very important sales region. With this announcement, Manitou has concluded its distribution relationship with Wacker Neuson who has provided compact excavators and all-wheel steer loaders to Manitou for the Americas region since 1999. For these products, Manitou is committed to providing continued service and parts support to its dealers and customers, according to the company.

In parallel, Yanmar will launch a range of skid loaders and compact track loaders designed and manufactured in the United States by Manitou’s compact equipment division under the Yanmar brand for distribution in North America. After the completion of the initial launch by both companies, they will look at broader distribution opportunities aimed at growing sales activities for both companies while strengthening each company’s independent dealer network. Further opportunities for manufacturing alliances also will be explored to shorten time to market and better utilize existing worldwide manufacturing facilities and expertise.

“There is a strong synergy between our organizations, from our core culture and values to the complementary fit of our product lines. We believe the market will readily embrace the quality and value that our products have to offer,” stated Ted Bregar, president, Yanmar America.

Daniel Miller, Manitou Americas Inc., president and CEO said, “Manitou is extremely excited about this enhanced alliance and the opportunities it presents for our dealers and customers. Yanmar has been a key supplier and this new relationship only strengthens this long term partnership.”

Both companies recognize that further complementary value creating initiatives can provide the opportunity to strengthen their distribution organizations through shared product and product development activities. The strengthened alliance of the two companies will focus on enhancing market creditability and service to their dealers and customers.

Yanmar America Corporation is located in Adairsville, Ga., and is the regional headquarters of North America. Yanmar’s primary focus is on the product and service categories of agriculture, construction, power generation, marine and industrial engines. Yanmar celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012.

Manitou Americas Inc., headquartered in West Bend, Wis., is the combined organization of previous Manitou North America and Gehl Company activities in America. It hosts the sales and marketing teams of North America and Latin America (supporting the Gehl, Manitou, Mustang and Edge brand names and their respective dealer networks) and is the home of the compact equipment division with modern R&D and manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, South Dakota and Texas.

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